Lipstick Diaries: Lip Care

As I mentioned in my first post in this series, I very rarely put on lip products, and I have far too many! There are so many gorgeous colors out there, and I think that's why I've managed to collect so many lip products lately. I didn't understand why I never wore them, but after I purchased La Mer Lip Balm, I think I've figured it out!

No matter how beautiful the color or formula, the colors are just not the same with the poor state of my lips year round.

Before Rosebud Salve, I suffered from some terrible cracked or dry lips in middle school & early high school. (Rosebud Salve is perhaps the only lip product I've finished, though sometimes I wonder if many of my tins are just lost.)

During a PR internship in college, I discovered Befine Lip Serum, which moisturizes & heals my lips beautifully at night, when I remember to wear it. (As you can imagine, wearing it was rare.) Somewhere along the way, perhaps many years ago, I developed a terrible habit of picking at my dry flaky lips. Ew, I know, but I just can't stand that feeling on my lips.

No balms could ever really repair this, and I have tried many. A good exfoliation and the Befine Serum was a great temporary fix, till a blast of cold weather brought my lips right back to where they were before. This was not a process I had time to repeat in a day.

So my lips have suffered, year round. Many great balms have offered comfort temporarily, but none have fought the texture or moisturizes so deeply as my new discovery: La Mer Lip Balm.

It is pricey, but to me it's worth it. I've had it for about 2-3 weeks now, and my lips are hardly peeling (only when I haven't used the balm for a few days!) Not only are they moisturized, but I have fewer lines on my lips AND richer color. It's amazing! I didn't even know that my lip color could be so bright...!

What are your favorite lip balms? Here are a few of mine!

lip care

La Mer the Lip Balm $50 - nordstrom.com

Fresh Sugar Honey $23 - barneys.com

C.O. Bigelow Lemon Lip Cream $7.50 - bigelowchemists.com

BeFine Lip Care $25 - birchbox.com

Fresh Sugar Lip Polish $23 - barneys.com

Recap!

Hi guys! I'm sorry I haven't posted in forever. I've just been so busy with work, and correspondingly, incredibly tired after work despite the gorgeous weather. I posted a weekly rotation last week, and managed to wear a few products one day. (YAY!) As you know from my everyday makeup look post, I'm looking for the fastest look possible! It probably took me 10-15 minutes to apply, so I still need to work on cutting down the time. (15 minutes just doesn't fit into my morning routine!) I really liked it, so I'm definitely going to keep trying!

I am also going to continue with my lip series (Lipstick Diaries) with a post on lip care and a few recent favorites coming soon.

I'm also desperately wanting Jo Malone English Pear & Freesia cologne, and I managed to avoid splurging at the Burberry counter yesterday at the Nordstrom Trend Show. Sometimes I regret it, but I still haven't fully decided on the shades and products I want first...! (Tangerine and Earthy blush are on my list for blush, Taupe Brown and I don't know what eyeshadow shades. Any suggestions?)

Anyways, what have you guys been up to? Do you have any major wish list items you're itching to get?

Review: Nars Tinted Moisturizer

I thought I'd post another video to give you guys a look at the new Nars Pure Radiance Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 30. I really enjoy this product, and think that it is a great purchase. Cafe Makeup mentioned that she's noticed an improvement in her skin after using this for the last month. I haven't used this enough to see that change, but it does wonders to cover redness that I've been getting. I will definitely update you guys if I find that it improves my skintone! This video is only with one light layer, but it is quite buildable and can provide more coverage.

If I could apply this as well as the Nars artist did, then it would be gorgeous! :) Gotta get me a nice stippling brush... or maybe just more patience for application? (lol)

Here's my review of Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer. Please visit my blog for more thoughts & information! http://bronzerbunny.com/2012/03/06/review-nars-tinted-moisturizer/ In case you are wondering, I've seen it at Nordstrom and Sephora. I imagine most Nars counters should have it by now!

To summarize:

  • Light citrus scent.
  • Very long wearing (12+ hours, and even overnight once or twice!)
  • Easy to blend and apply.
  • Also very buildable! (Sorry I forgot to mention this in the video!)
  • No sticky or tacky feeling like other products.
  • May need light powder or blotting if you have very oily skin. However, the dewiness is quite nice so I wouldn't cover it up. Also I've applied this on my face after a whole day, so I am a bit oily in the T-zone here.
  • At $42 for 1.9 oz, that is a pretty good value - many foundations are only about 1 oz and some are over $50!

Hope that helps! What do you think?