Tag: lip balm

Ilia Tinted Lip Conditioner

The love affair with Net-a-Porter’s new beauty department continues. They have continued to add brands that are unique and luxe, curating a collection that is distinctive and irresistible. While I have heard of many of the brands – By Terry, Josie Maran and Tata Harper – some are new to me. I dove into Ilia by checking out their lip conditioners – and I’m smitten.

Ilia Tinted Lip Conditioner is that hybrid lip product that is oh-so-hot right now. The buttery texture and just a little tint make it easy to use and healing for your lips. I’ve been wearing Nobody’s Baby which is a very sheer nude. But if you want a little more pigment: Blossom Lady (softer pink), Bang Bang (hot pink), or Desert Angel (a darker mauve). And for those who want zero color: Balmy Days.

The formula gets its nourishing properties from Cocoa Butter, Jojoba Oil and Vitamin E. Jasmine and Orange oils give it a pleasant, spa-like scent. While you are hydrating, Pomegranate Seed Extract works as an anti-aging anti-oxidant. Better looking lips over the short and long term!

NEW: Hourglass N° 28 Lip Treatment Oil

Oil is no longer a dirty little word. We use it after showers, to cleanse skin and to hydrate. Oil’s properties make it particularly well suited to the delicate lip area. So no wonder I am loving the Hourglass N° 28 Lip Treatment Oil so much.

Like its big sister No. 28 Primer Serum, the Lip Treatment Oil uses vitamins and botanicals to condition, hydrate and protect lips. Three active ingredients help improve the appearance of lips over the long term. Working together they increase moisture levels, improve lip texture and deliver deep hydration to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

I love the smooth gold-plated tip for application. Yes, that is correct… I said 24KT gold-plated. Talk about indulgent luxury. I get an ever so slightly but totally plesant tingle when I apply this treatment. But the overall feel of the oil is nourishing and rich. There is no taste but it does have an herbal smell thanks to the 14 essential oils (Bois De Rose, Lavender, Geranium, Petitgrain, Lemon, Rosemary, Vanilla, Clove, Amyris, Orange, Ylang Ylang, Eucalyptus, Cedar, and Rose Geranium).

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE WAS PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

NARS Satin Lip Pencil

Remember this post about NARS Lip Pencils? I was distinguishing the Gloss and Matte Velvet Lip Pencils, which I both adore. But after this dry winter, my lips didn’t quite perform as well with thicker, drier formulas. I have been riding this trend of luscious, creamy lipsticks that are full of pigment like these and these.

So no surprise here, NARS is on their game. Their new Satin Lip Pencils have that creamy hydrating goodness with rich pigments that I have been wild about lately. The moisturizing formula glides right on my lips while the pencil format allows for a precise application. The vitamin packed shades have a glossy finish and layer well with other lip products.

I’ve been wearing three shades over the past couple days. (Check out my Instagram here for more swatches) Isola Belle is the perfect, wearable nude with just enough peach to give my lips a hint of color. Yu is my dream vibrant pink, and when I wear it, I am chanelling my inner 60’s mod girl. Lodhi is the sweetest coral that is just perfect for the arrival of spring.

Let me know which one you pick up!

Brand Spotlight: Bite Beauty

There is something about this brand that immediate caught my eye. Their section in Sephora is like a candy case of lip goodies. The sleek packaging, wearable colors and catchy names made me want to scoop up one of everything. But in the interest of brevity, I am going to highlight three “All Star” products that I am head over heels for from this cool little indie company.

First, major kudos to the brand: all their formulas are infused with food-grade ingredients – makes sense since lots of what goes on your pout goes in your mouth. BITE avoids petroleum by-products and synthetic chemicals and also produces in small batches to preserve the hydrating benefits of organic oils, fruit butters, and bioactives. So cool!

My fellow bloggers were swooning over the BITE Beauty High Pigment Matte Pencil so I gave Corvina, one of their new spring colors, a test drive. This bright coral pink definitely reminds me of this NARS lipstick. The finish is very matte with rich, opaque color. Shea butter keeps the dense color from looking dry on the lips. And bonus: the formula is packed with as much resveratrol as found in five glasses of red wine, boosting long-term anti-aging properties.

I am loving these buttery “lipsticks” that are everywhere these days. My dry lips need all the help they can get, and BITE Beauty Lush Lip Tint in Lychee might be best of breed. The soft lipstick gives a glossy, hydrated finish and softens lips with argan oil and vitamin E. The center B provides a double dose of resveratrol like in the Matte Pencil, just not quite as much. The initial also contains a soft pearl highlighter giving the finish just a bit of shimmer. Oh, and PS, the color is buildable.

BITE Beauty Honey Lip Lacquer in Ruby is an easy-peezy way to easily wear red lips. The low maintenance gloss applies evenly and wears well without being a mess. I apply from the center of my lips, blending outward, to give just a stain of color. You can layer for a bigger punch of pigment. I adore the way this smells – just a touch of honey thanks to the moisturizing Pure Manuka Honey. Jojoba provides long-term hydration as well. Like the Matte Pencil and Lip Tint, Resveratrol provides an anti-aging benefit. And this stuff won’t budge – the formula is waterproof.

Shop the post:

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE WAS PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25

Finally… something we can steal from the guys instead of the other way around. Jack Black Lip Balms are the most amazing little gems. They smell fabulous, they aren’t tacky and they have a solid SPF to boot. I’ve been using Lemon & Chamomile, Mango & Mandarine and Intense Natural Mint on the regular and can’t seem to pick a favorite.

The formula is packed with skin conditioners to effectively heal dry lips. Avocado oil helps soften while Vitamin E repairs damage and protects from free radicals. While I adore many lip balms that come in pots, I prefer this slanted applicator – just seems more hygienic.

I got the male perspective on all three fragrances and they all are man-approved. There isn’t any one that is overly feminine. Bottom line: man and woman alike wouldn’t mind having these scattered about.

Available at Sephora, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Drugstore.com and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Omorovicza Perfecting Lip Balm

I have no qualms going luxe with lip balms. Sometimes you just need to bring in the heavy hitters. I’ve been scrubbing, conditioning and moisturizing all winter long. And my lips were still flaky and dry. While I love my Dior Lip Glow for during the day (it has a dose of hydration), I wanted a color-free intensive treatment for night time or when I am typing away at my desk.

This rich balm contains Shea butter, eucalyptus and hyaluronic spheres to fill and smooth lips. Other goodies like Omega 6 ceramide and Virgin Ente plum oil restores a supple, hydrated look look. I particularly like the long-lasting soothing feeling Omorovicza Perfecting Lip Balm leaves with a slight minty tingle. With daily use for over a month, I still haven’t put a dent in the pot of goodness.