Lip balms galore!

Over the last couple of weeks, whether its due to the weather or just me being a tad stressed out, my lips have been a bit of a wreck to say the least!  Other than super hydrating glosses that somewhat disguise the damage for special occasions - I've stuck to lip balms, layered up with a little lip liner that's a similar colour to my lips (to even the edges up a bit).  Whilst I'm doing my skincare, I usually apply a little of the Origins Drink-Up Intensive mask (£23, John Lewis) to my lips and allow it to sink in.  This has seriously helped with the peeling (tmi, sorry!) I've had when they're healing up and hydrates really well underneath whatever's layered on top.  After this...


Korres Lip Butter in Mango (£8, ASOS)
Really nicely pigmented, and smells heavenly.  Like YSL lip products!  It's super creamy, and although it delivers the same colour as a sheer lipstick it never seems to cling to any dry spots.  Love love love, and I'm using it up like nobody's business.

Dior Lip Glow Colour Reviver Balm (£23.50, Boots)
Pricey, but is like the Korres Lip Butter in stick-form!  Great for on the go, when you don't want to be sticking your mitts in a pot but are in need of a top up.  It's one I always seem to go back to, hence why it ended up in last year's favourites!

Body Shop Cocoa Butter Lipcare (£4, The Body Shop)
This is my holy grail balm for overnight - if you've been stressing a lot (for me, about exams) and biting your lips it soothes any sore spots so by the morning the redness is seriously calmed down!  Plus, it comes in at a couple of pounds if you grab it on sale.  Oh, and you may want to eat it - it smells that good.


Honourable mentions go out to the slightly less frequently used, but still loved:

Nuxe Rêve de Miel Balm (£9.50, Escentual)
I tend to pop a thick layer of this one on top of the latter overnight, just to seal everything in!  You wake up in the morning with it still on your lips!

Burts Bees Pomegranate Lip Balm (~£3.50, Amazon)
Then finally, I always seem to have a tube of this in my handbag.  It's seriously tiny and light to carry, and is also great for a mirror-less mid lecture top up!

YSL Volupte Sheer Candy in Dewy Papaya (£25, Boots)
Although it's the most lightweight of the bunch it leaves a gorgeous shine and is completely non-sticky.  Plus, the ritzy tube - oh yes!

xxx

One for the paleys: The Body Shop's 'Honey Bronzer'

Bronzer is one of the most difficult things to get right if you've got extremely fair skin.  Everything tends to look just a little too muddy and orange, and until discovering the Body Shop's offering I'd just stuck to a dusting of blush on my cheeks.

Last time I was stocking up online on body butters and shower gels though, I spotted this bronzer in the 'popular' section of the website.  I remembered hearing Estée from Essiebutton raving about it, and since her skintone isn't too dissimilar to mine I thought I'd give it a whirl!

The honeycomb pattern is so cute, and the exterior
 packaging is all pretty and reflective.
If you're ever toddling past a Body Shop, go take a look!

The 'Honey Bronzer' is completely matte, and comes in four shades.  I've got the lighest, and it's perfect for my skin. Just enough to add a little bit of colour, and if you're accidentally a little heavy-handed with it (like me when I'm half asleep in the mornings!) it's very easy to correct as it's so subtle.

Here's a relatively heavy swatch on my arm - blended
 out it gives a lovely lovely glow to the skin.

It also works great as a contour, or just dusted on the points where the sun catches naturally. Overall, a wonderful product that I'll for sure be repurchasing!

It's available online here.  Full price, It's £13, but you can almost always get a 40-50% off coupon from places like Vouchercloud :)

xxx