Back in high school and college, I was hooked onto lip balms, especially tinted lip balms. My makeup routine was winged eyeliner and tinted lip balm on the lips and on the cheeks - if I was feeling more festive. I went through lip balm so quickly! At some point during my late teens, I developed solar sensitivity and an allergic reaction to a mysterious ingredient found in most drugstore, more affordable, lip balms. I was diagnosed with solar sensitivity and allergy by a dermatologist after I had a terrible reaction during a beach outing - the sun exposure combined with whatever lip balm I was wearing caused my face to swell up and blister around the lips. The solar sensitivity start out aesthetically pleasing actually because it looks like I have a plump pout and then follows the redness, blistering, and burning pain, which lasts for several days. I'm still unsure what ingredient I'm allergic to, but my dermatologist advised me that it might be peppermint oil. Since then I have been very careful about what I put on my lips. I avoid lip product with peppermint oil and any other plumping ingredients. I apply sunscreen religiously and do not neglect the delicate skin around my lips. My day-time lip balms typically contain sunscreen. I have become a lip balm snob. I have no choice, I have to be really selective. Also, as someone whose love of tinted lip balms evolved into love of lipsticks, I have realized that lip care is so important for lipsticks to look and perform nicely. Today I'm sharing my review of a lip balm that wears really well as a light and thin, hydrating and protective base under lipsticks.
Lypsyl Silky Swedish Beeswax Intense Protective Lip Balm is an extremely affordable lip balm ($2.99), available at Walmart and Meijer stores (in the U.S.). The first aspect of this lip balm that I find very unique is the wide oval design of the bullet and the cute bee button on the side to slide the product up. This horizontally oval bullet design is great for a more precise application. The second good feature of this lip balm is that it feels very cooling and refreshing as if you have just brushed your teeth. Fortunately for me, this balm does not contain peppermint oil. There is a cooling sensation, but no tingling, stinging, or plumping sensation. This balm contains a lot of richly hydrating ingredients that will create a protective barrier of moisture on the lips, such as coconut oil, Vitamin E, and Shea Butter. I must note though that the Lypsyl formula does contain Petrolatum* and Paraffin* akin to Vaseline (*these ingredients also contribute towards the emollient texture and moisture-protective-barrier property of the lip balm, but I realize that some people may choose to avoid these ingredients). The formula is silicone-free and paraben-free and this brand does not test on animals. Lypsyl's texture is light and thin - it does not feel heavy or tacky on the lips - and so it works nicely as a base for lipsticks.
Here is a capture of lip care products I am currently using:
Disclosure: The Lypsyl Silky Swedish Beeswax Intense Protective Lip Balm(s) were provided for free by Lypsyl for testing and reviewing purposes only. I received no monetary compensation in exchange for my honest review of the products provided by the brand. This post is Powered by Brand Backer.
