My Favorite Lip Balms/Conditioners

Everyone knows how ridiculously uncomfortable a dry, chapped, flakey lip can be.  The unsightly lines underneath lipstick can just throw your whole look off.  Yawning or laughing and feeling a sudden crack in your skin is one of the worst pains ever!  And who wants to kiss someone with dry, peeling lips?  (Gross.)  Now that the bitter cold weather is finally over, I finally feel like my lips are starting to recover from that harsh winter air.  I keep my lips moisturized constantly, and have a different lip balm or treatment in every jacket/purse I own.

I have 4 go-to lip balms, and I carry at least one with me at all times!

1]  The Body Shop Hemp Lip Conditioner ($8)

So clearly this has been beaten and battered -- it travels with me all the time!  This lip conditioner does wonders.  The hemp seed oil and olive oil really go deep and moisturize even the driest of lips.  The formula is not sticky or tacky at all, and doesn't leave any weird residue on the skin.  It is very waxy yet soft, and really stays on and locks in the moisture.  The only downside is the smell/taste.  I don't mind it at all (it is very hemp-y.. and if you don't know what that smells like, you'll figure it out when you use this product), but if you aren't too fond of hemp-y products, it might be a turn-off.

2]  Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment with SPF 15 in Original Clear ($22.50)

I've mentioned this before in a previous post, and I obviously can't say enough about it.  This is the most amazing lip product ever!  It may be a little deceiving that the product is called "Sugar" -- it's not because it smells or tastes like sugar, but there is actual sugar in the balm itself!  This balm uses real sugar and black currant oil to hydrate and moisturize, plus protects the lips with an SPF 15.  It actually has a pretty decently noticeable lemon/citrus scent and taste, which I find refreshing!  And I LOVE the metal tube itself; it's even a twist-off, so the cap can't go missing in your pocket or purse!

3]  The Body Shop Vitamin E Lip Care Stick with SPF 15 ($8)

Another great Body Shop lip balm.  This one isn't as intensely moisturizing as the Hemp conditioner, which is nice for summer months when the weather is humid and you don't need such strong lip care.  And the SPF 15 is also perfect for those sunnier days, too.  It's no secret that Vitamin E is amazing for skin/lips/hair.  This balm is packed with it!  The formula is very smooth and almost leaves your lips with a subtle shine -- perfect for wearing on its own on low-key makeup days!  And I like the hint of vanilla flavor, which isn't as overpowering as many vanilla products can be.

4] Nivea A Kiss of Moisture Essential Lip Care ($3)

I've saved the best for last.  I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS PRODUCT, HAVE BEEN FOR YEARS, AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE FOREVER.  I don't know what it is about this lip balm, but I have had an obsession with it for (literally) years.  For some reason the smell and taste of this is my absolute favorite of any lip balm/conditioner I've ever tried.. sort of like a milky-honey-vanilla-y flavor which is just amazing.  I love the formula -- it's not too dense, not too oily and slick, and still leaves your lips with a pretty shine.  Jojoba oil, grape seed oil, and shea butter hydrate and feel smooth on the lips.  The only downside to this product (which is its main criticism in reviews) is that it isn't very long lasting.  I do think that it's very hydrating, but application is more frequent with this balm than with any of the others mentioned above.  This isn't a huge problem though, as the price of re-purchase won't hurt your bank account!

With a product in virtually every price-point, there's no excuse not to have soft, kissable, flake-free lips all year round, with any budget!  Moisturized lips are a must under any lipsticks/glosses.. and even on their own when sporting an au naturale look.  

xojaybee