My Favorite Lip Treatments & Balms (Winter Skincare Series)

 “Hi Everyone, my name is Ree and I am addicted to Lip Balm” lol

I admit, I have way more lip balms than I need; you can find them all over my home, and I keep spares in every bag. I am always willing to try new ones, but there are three that I have purchased repeatedly (1) Dermalogica Lip Renewal Complex, (2) M.A.C. Lip Conditioner, and (3) L’Occitane Ultra Rich Lip Balm.

Before I describe these products and explain why they are my favorites, I would like to share my opinion on the difference between a lip balm and lip treatment. To me, a lip balm, be it a petroleum based or natural oil based product, is designed to create a protective shield against the elements and seal in moisture. A lip treatment goes beyond the benefits of a balm and contains ingredients that infuse nourishment as well as helps to heal irritation of lips. Of course, some balms also serves as lip treatments, but in my experience most are simply moisturizers.

1.      Dermalogica Lip Renewal Complex 1.75ml €30.45

This product was recommended to me two years ago by an esthetician in The Netherlands. She asked that I try out this new product she just got and let her know how I felt about it. So she gave me a few samples of the Renewal Lip Complex and I have been a loyal customer since then.

To me, this is way more than a balm; Renewal Lip Complex  is a lip treatment. I use this at nights before bed, and then again in morning. Although you can apply it throughout the day, I prefer not to, because I do not need to, plus this baby is not cheap so why waste it. Twice a day is enough to infuse enough nourishment to last all day. I also rarely use this during the warmer months, but absolutely will not be caught without it during the winter.

It has a subtle sweet-scent, goes on clear, and gives the lips a glossy appearance. It dries to a natural sheen, and is not sticky or runny, so you can wear it under lipsticks. As a sucker for good packaging, I find this silver, sleek tube quite appealing. The applicator is ingenious; the top is shaped like a lipstick and has 6 tiny openings. So you twist, a small amounts comes out, and you glide on the rich, nourishing treatment.

2.     L’Occitane Ultra Rich Lip Balm 5g €6.50

Like Renewal Lip Complex, my first sample of this product was free. I received  a tube (5g) during a promotion at a L’Occitane outlet last winter.  Since then I have bought two more tubes because I absolutely love this product.

Like the name implies, this is a rich, creamy balm that goes on smooth and coats the lips when applied. It protects the lips from cold, dry winter air, and with 10% Shea butter it is very moisturizing. It has a light sweet-scent like the other products in the Ultra Rich line.

Now let’s talk about the packing; it is designed as a solid stick in a twist tube. The tube is stark white and not at all stylish. Basically, it looks like a regular stick of lip balm (boring!). I think such a superb product deserves more attractive presentation.

Note. If your new tube has a hard, waxy top layer, simply scrape it off to get to the good stuff J

3.     M.A.C Lip Conditioner 15ml €15.00

M.A.C Lip Conditioner is my every season, any occasion lip balm. I use it all year-round and I have never ran out of this stuff since I first started using it. At first  it came in the form of a stick, I am not certain if it has been discontinued but I have not been able to find the stick for nearly two years.  I preferred the stick because it contained SPF but, the tube equally moisturizing.

The tube contains a sweet creamy balm that is very easy to smooth on. It gives a glossy finish and true to its word, conditions the lips. Also true is M.A.C’s claim that the Lip Conditioner is “not goopy” and I can attest that it is not sticky or icky like some cream balms. The packaging is simple, but sleek and effective. The slanted applicator makes for easy application.

I received a generous sample of the of the Lip Conditioner SPF 15 which comes in a 15ml container this summer at a M.A.C counter in El Corte Inglés, Barcelona. I used it throughout my vacation, loved it, and immediately went in search of it upon my return to Moscow. Unfortunately, it is not available here so I have been cherishing my little sample, saving it for my next sunny vacation.

Worth Mentioning …

• L’Occitane Pure Shea Butter

I already mentioned this product in My Top 3 Body Butters post, but just in case you missed here is a brief description: L’Occitane Pure Shea Butter is a exactly what the name says; pure Shea butter. It’s quite thick yet quite easy to apply; simply warm it up with your hands. It can be used on the “face, lips, hair and body” (L’Occitane). This product has a very subtle, barely-there scent.  It is available in a handy 8ml tin for € 6.50.

• A Wash Cloth

One method to help rid the lips of dead, dry skin and prepare your them to receive the full benefits of  emollients  in your lip balm or treatment is to use a damp wash cloth. I use a wash cloth about once a week (usually when I do a face mask application) to slough away dried skin from my lips. I simply wipe my lips with a damp wash cloth and the dead cells peel right off without irritating my lips. 

Be sure to catch the next blog post in this series, “My Secret Regimen for Super-Soft, Silky Skin”, due November 21^st, 2012.

Thanks for reading,

xoxo Ree van D

Other Posts in the Winter Skincare Series:

“My Top 3 Shower Creams” Click HERE

“My Top 3 Body Butters” Click HERE

“My Favorite Hand and Foot Creams” Click HERE

“My Favorite Face Moisturizer” Click Here

Like my Facebook Page for Personal Branding & Styling Tips: www.facebook.com/IamReeVanD

My Skincare Routines for Oily/Combination Skin: Weekly Routine

My weekly treat J

Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Concentrate ~ comes in small capsules

I wash with my Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel and follow with the Microfoliant, the only difference from my nightly routine is that I exfoliate for a bit longer than normal to really get rid of any dead cells on my face. It is really important to avoid scrubbing any harder than usual because you do not want to damage or irritate the skin.

Now on to the good part…

I smooth the Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Mask on and leave it on for 10-15 minutes. I cannot say enough good things about this mask. It nourishes and moisturizes my skin. It smells great and it is particularly soothing during the dry winter months.

I then take a clean towel and run a bit of hot (not scalding water) over it. I squeeze out the excess water, open up the towel, and cover my face to get that “at the spa” feeling *contented sigh … so relaxing*. When the towel cools I gently wipe of the mask (Re-wet with lukewarm water and repeat).

Then I tone, apply my Multivitamin Power Concentrate, eye-cream, spot-treatment, and moisturizer.

*I am on the hunt for a deep cleansing mask*

To see my Morning Routine for Oily/Combination Skin click here

To see my Nightly Routine for Oily/Combination Skin click here

My Skincare Routines for Oily/Combination Skin: Nightly Routine

My personal beauty rule; “Never go to bed with a dirty face”.

Pre-Cleanse: If I am wearing make-up I wipe it off with my Yes to Cucumbers Facial Towelettes; these are my favorites because they are very refreshing and soothing (great treat after a long day).

*However, just about any moist towelette will do. I also use Neutrogena wipes, baby wipes, and even some good old-fashion Extra Virgin Olive Oil on a cotton pad; they all do the trick.

Cleanse: I wash my face with my Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel.

Exfoliate: While my face is still damp, I moisten a small amount of Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant with water, and I gently massage the paste onto my face.

*Pat dry with a clean towel*

Toner: I dampen a cotton pad with my Lancôme Softening Hydrating Toner, and wipe my entire face. The purpose of this is to get rid of any residue left on my face and to prepare my skin to receive the most out of the moisturizer and treatments to follow.

*I prefer non-alcoholic toners because for one, they do not make my face feel like it’s on fire and two, they do not dry out or irritate my skin.

Eye Care: While I give the toner a few seconds to absorb, I apply Estée Lauder Advance Night Repair Eye around my eye area.

Spot Treatment: I dab a small amount of The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil on my pimples as well as the area surrounding the pimple to prevent any more from forming.

Moisturize: I alternate between moisturizers. If I use the Body Shop Tea Tree Lotion tonight, tomorrow I’ll use the La Mer Moisturizing Lotion. I apply these to my oily areas; forehead, temples, cheeks, nose, and the tip of my chin.

Then I take the tiniest amount of Crème De La Mer between my fingertips, rub, then press it onto my dry areas; around my mouth and along my jawline.

Last but not least I apply my lip balm.

To see my Morning Routine for Oily/Combination Skin click here

To see my Weekly Routine for Oily/Combination Skin click here

My Favorite Dermalogica Products

Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque, Daily Mircofoliant, Special Cleansing Gel  
 

As long as Dermalogica continues to make these products, I will continue buying them. I use the Cleansing Gel every night and it does not strip my face, but manages to get rid of any makeup, oil, and other impurities.  *As I have oily/combination skin, I do not wash with a cleanser in the morning. Instead I use a wipe-off gentle mousse from Estee Lauder to avoid irritating my dry areas.*

If there ever was a “clever” product, it would be the Microfoliant. It is coarse enough for you to feel it sloughing away the dead cells, but gentle enough that it is not abrasive. I do not use it every day, but I do use it every time I've worn makeup during the day and before every Recovery Masque treatment.

This is my favorite product from Dermalogica. I use the Recovery Masque at least once a week or anytime I need to boost my skin appearance. It leaves my skin soft and radiant.