Body Shop Tribute!

Nothing's gonna change my love for you! You ought to know by now how much I love you! One thing you can be sure of! I'll never ask for more than your love! Love month is long gone, but my love for Body Shop will never fade! Featuring Body Shop's "Best Of The Bunch!"

Welcome the army!

Can the picture get any better? What's your choice? Cranberry or Nutmeg Vanilla or Black Velvet Apricot? My all time favorite is Cranberry! I wish Body Shop makes Cranberry range their permanent line!

Inky Pinky Ponky!

It was real hard to get hold of Cranberry lip balm in UK! So, I did request my brother to visit Body Shop India for a backup, but in vain! It was a full fledged international hunt!

Can you see the gold shimmer?

Rich packaging! Holidayish! Festivalish! Ahem! How cute! Ego-satisfiers come in all forms and shapes!

Will this photo shoot ever end?

Seriously, I can't wait for Christmas 2010! What flavors would they launch this year? Will they bring back the Cranberry range? May be revamped? I wish I bought the Cranberry Body Butter as well! I was very adamant though the staff insisted I buy one! Regrets!

P.S - Why should you believe in me when it's your money and your choice? Dont consider my opinion when you have to invest on any product from my blog! Lets avoid the blame game and play safe! My blog is a platform where I share my love for the products I own! Its a safe place where you can read the review and enjoy the pictures! I am not paid by Body Shop or anybody as such to share the love, though I wish they did! Still, I hope there is one soul waiting for my recommendation! If I am allowed to recommend just one product anytime, I vote for Body Shop Japanese Cherry Blossom Body Butter!

Body Shop Black Velvet Apricot Lip Balm

Claims - Pucker up thanks to a glossy lip balm that leaves lips soft, smooth and shimmering with a fruity flavor! Black Velvet Apricot extract adds a festive juicy fragrance! Community Trade organic beeswax conditions lips and acts as a barrier that seals in moisture! Vitamin E is a natural antioxidant that moisturizes and helps to protect skin against premature aging and environmental aggressors! Lanolin is easily absorbed to moisturize and protect rough dry skin! Best for Normal skin!

What can I say about the packaging? I hate gothic themes! What's that? Weird purple and black? It looks blue in the picture! In reality, its more purple! Whatever, I dont think the colors really compliment each other and coordinate at all! Did you ever wonder what on Earth Black Velvet Apricot means? Cross of Apricot and Plum!

Peach-toned sheer balm with gold shimmer! Shimmer is not so specific on lips! Still, shimmer is a No-No for you? Better stay away! Glides easy on the lips! Leaves your lips so damn glossy! The best part, it tastes good! Staying power is not phenomenal! Stays put for a couple of hours if you are on a hunger strike! This lip balm helps tone down bright lipsticks, as well!

Fragrance? Nauseating, but not as much as the Lip Gloss Dots! Still, I can manage! Why? The Black Velvet Apricot formula works wonders for me! No revolutionary statements like "No more Vaseline Rosy Lips, Carmex or Blistex", but Black Velvet Apricot works great! It helps treat chapped lips compared to the Nutmeg Vanilla lip balm! Thanks to the weird cross!

Black Velvet Apricot performs well as a cuticle cream! Bingo! My observation, agree or not! Its greasy on the cuticles compared to how it feels on lips! God knows why! Many of us, transparent balm is no fun! Tiny tin lip balm tubs are real ego-satisfiers! The lid has no threads or doesnt pop up just like that! Turn the lid a full circle and open!

Key Ingredients - Organic beeswax moisturizes and helps to condition dry skin, especially on your lips and around the fingernail beds! Acts as a barrier that helps seal in moisture! Helps to keep product texture consistent when used over time! Sunflower Seed Oil moisturizes and helps soften the skin! Apricot kernel oil moisturizes the skin!

Ingredients - Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Lanolin, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Flavor, Beeswax, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Silica, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Fruit Extract, Geraniol, Linalool, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Red 7 Lake, Yellow 5 Lake

Body Shop Merry Cranberry Lip Balm

Ola! I proudly present to you the Body Shop's Merry Cranberry Lip Balm! Oh yeah! Name rings the bell! I can't tell you how hard I tried just to get hold of this! Long story, shortly put! Merry Cranberry lip balm was sold out in a couple of weeks immediately after the launch! People are really bad! Why cant they leave some for beauty bloggers?

We all love Merry Cranberry!

Claims - Get mistletoe-ready using a moisturizing, glossy lip balm that leaves your lips soft and shimmering with a festive and fruity cranberry scent! The Cranberry seed oil moisturizes skin! Community Trade organic beeswax conditions skin and helps to lock in moisture! Antioxidant vitamin E nourishes and protects the delicate skin on the lips!

Whenever I see this, I feel bad that I could not get a backup! Anyway, a bird in hand is worth 2 in bush! Look at the tin tub! The lid has some pattern, but the tin is plain! Big bulky tin! Lasts long if you are not religious!

Very rich! Very vintagey! Very Christmassy! Very holidayish! Ego-satisfying! Pardon me if these words dont exist in your dictionary! The most adorable packaging! The lid has no threads or doesnt pop up just like that! Meaning, its travel-safe! Bingo! Turn the lid a full circle and open!

Can you see the gold shimmer?

Merry Cranberry is a sheer wash of berry with a hint of gold shimmer! This shimmer makes the balm most adorable and your lips very desirable! Glides easy on the lips! No heavy formula! Leaves the lips so damn glossy, they look plumpy! The shimmer is definitely not chunky! Its so rich in look and feel! To be honest, the shimmer doesnt show up! Not so specific on the lips! Goes very sheer! Still, if shimmer is a big NO - NO, better stay away!

Its sweet in taste, but no so sweet as chocolate! The staying power is not phenomenal, but above average! Stays put for a couple of hours sans food and drink! Looks pigmented in the tin, but gives a berry - plumy sheer wash! I dont know what cranberry tastes or looks like! Might be a red berry, so I cant describe the scent! Just fruity! Not nauseating! Bingo for people like me!

Ingredients - Ricinus Communis Oil, Lanolin, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Aroma, Cera Alba, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Silica, Tocopheryl Acetate, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Mica, Tocopherol, Linalool!

Stats - 15 ml or 0.45 oz or 13 g tin tub originally retails for 4.50 pounds! Correct me if I am wrong! Later on, marked down to 2 pounds! Life expectancy is only 12 months! Who cares?

Sally Hansen 18 Hour Lip Treatment #01 Nude

God! Why does it have to stay so long? I cant imagine something on my lips round the clock! Dont worry! Does not last that long, for sure! Today, we have the Sally Hansen 18-hour lip treatment in the shade #01 Clear Nude! I believe 18-Hour range is discontinued! I was very "unfortunate" to find mine at Superdrug, though!

18-hour lip treatment? Sold! Packaging? Sold! I never came across the packaging before! Correct me, in case! Looks chic! This 0.09 oz - 2.6 g retails for 7 pounds, which is definitely not great! I fall under the category "Most expensive, the best!" Now, I learnt my lesson! Never go by the tag or the brand name!

Did you ever fancy lip treatment in the form of gloss? The wand is lengthy with a doe foot applicator! As you can see, the applicator is very appropriate to get the right amount of product! Sold, once again!

Whats the real concept behind this? Treats your lips in 18 hours or stays for 18 hours? God knows! Sally Hansen 18 Hour lip treatment was? available in 8 flattering shades, the remaining being #02 Clear Brown, #03 Clear Pink Spice, #04 Clear Mauve, #05 Clear Whisper, #06 Clear Rose Sugar, #07 Clear Raisin and #08 Clear Optimist Opal!

One more pathetic swatch!

It goes on sheer! You have a bonus, glitter! I am not very keen of glitter in lip treatments whateva! Not all the times, at least! The consistency is very sticky! If I have this on; I should keep checking my hair doesnt get somewhere around my mouth! In fact, I would appreciate if it does not stay for 18 hours! All I want; something beneficial done to my lips!

Claims the formula works wonders hour by hour! If you swear by Carmex, Blistex and Vaseline, you might not like this! May be, I didnt like this! There is no instant gratification! Fragrance? Very tangy! Nauseating! Open the packaging; the scent is fruity! Once on lips, not tangy! No taste!

The special ingredients being moisturizing Retinol, Grape Seed Oil and Mango rehydrate! I HATE mangoes! Being a South-Indian, I should not be saying so! Well, thats me! I like raw mangoes, not the ripe ones!

Retinol is Vitamin A molecule! Skin cells have a receptor site that is very accepting of retinoic acid! This relationship between retinoic acid and skin cells allow a type of communication in which the cell is told to function normally! Retinol cannot communicate with a cell until it has been broken down into retinoic acid! Retinol is a beneficial cell-communicating ingredient and an antioxidant! Simply put, it helps skin cells create better, healthier skin cells and increase the amount of skin-support substances!

Mango Rehydrate - All I understood; add boiling water to dried mango! What has mango rehydrate got to do with this? God knows!

I regret buying this shade in particular, but would love to get hold of other shades! Have you ever tried this? Did you experience the same issues? Do let me know!

(Courtesy: Cosmeticscop.com)

Body Shop Nutmeg & Vanilla Lip Balm

Today, we have the limited edition Nutmeg and Vanilla lip balm from Body Shop. Retails for 2 pounds for 15 ml / 13 g / 0.45 OZ! Quite bulky! Definitely not designed for your back pocket!

Claims - Nutmeg extract adds a warm, nostalgic fragrance. Community Trade organic beeswax conditions lips and acts as a barrier that seals in moisture. Vitamin E is a natural antioxidant that moisturizes and helps to protect skin against premature aging and environmental aggressors. Lanolin is easily absorbed to moisturize and protect rough, dry skin. Recommendable to keep lips kissably soft with a sweet, moisturizing balm with a delicate shimmer to leave lips feeling soft, smooth and well-protected.

Sweet and indulgent, delicious new Nutmeg and Vanilla range will inspire feelings of warmth and nostalgia. Perfect for the festive party season, this contemporary range is packed with moisturizing Community Trade ingredients.

Beeswax is a Community Trade ingredient from the remote tropical forests of North West Zambia, where the extra income helps more than 3,000 beekeepers preserve their traditional way of life. So, this is their way of Community trade support.

Organic beeswax - Moisturizes and helps condition dry skin, especially on lips and around the fingernail beds. Acts as a barrier that helps to seal the moisture in. Helps to keep product texture consistent when used over time.

Safflower seed oil - Helps moisturize and smooth the skin.

Ingredients - You find on the peel off backside! Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Lanolin, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Beeswax, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Flavor, Silica, Benzyl Benzoate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Limonene, Myristica Fragrans (Nutmeg) Extract, Eugenol, Tocopherol, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Bismuth Oxychloride.

Suitable: Normal skin.

The most adorable tin packaging! Do I need to say more? The most unusual combo anyone could ask for! I always wondered who has the largest collection of lip products in the world, especially lip balm! What possible combinations could they have? Everytime I buy a lip balm, my ego is kinda satisfied! As you can see, its quite bulky! It lasts ages! Especially if you already have a stash full of lip products to finish!

This is my first lip balm from Body Shop! Its transparent with multi-color shimmer! Glides easy on the lips! No heavy formula! Leaves the lips damn glossy! With multi-color shimmer, its a double treat! I use this on lipstick, works wonders! Normally, I use balm under lipstick! This one has shimmer, so there is no point using under lipstick! Right? Great analysis! Brainy lass! I guess it works either ways! Logical, eh!

If shimmer is a big NO - NO, stay away! The fun part, its sweet! I know this sounds gross, but I never tasted nutmeg/Jaiphal! All I can feel is cinnamon/dalchini on my lips coz I know the taste of it! I smell like a SPICE RACK! I dont say the staying power is phenomenal, but quite good! Above average, I can say! Stays put for a couple of hours sans food and drink!

Looks brown in the tin, but its 100% transparent! Most of us, transparent balm is no fun! Still, this is that one thing you should at least give a try! The lid has no threads or doesnt pop up just like that! Meaning, its damn travel-safe! Here is a tip I wanted to share! If you find such tins difficult, turn the lid a full circle and open! This really  helps!

Nutmeg was once considered an abortifacient, but may be safe for culinary use during pregnancy! However, it inhibits prostaglandin production and contains hallucinogens that may affect the fetus if consumed in large quantities! That was a warning!

Blistex Daily Lip Conditioner

Have you ever tried Blistex Daily Lip Conditioner (DLC)? This is my first pot and I am liking it so far! Still, quite sceptical about the collagen factor! I am all ears if somebody could help me on this issue coz end of the day, I dont want any animal stuff in/on my mouth claiming that I am a vegetarian...you know what I mean!

Claims: Blistex DLC contains Aloe vera, vitamins & Collagen for healthy lips everyday. This particular version is recommendable for dry and sun-damaged lips!

The skin on the lips is unlike any other. The outer layer aka stratum corneum is extremely thin or completely absent in most people. It has fewer different glands from ordinary skin and almost no melanin, which is the natural pigment in the skin that helps screen out the sun's harmful rays. Lips are also so prominent and exposed that they receive the full brunt of environmental exposure - sun, wind and cold. Even indoors, parching from central heating or air conditioning systems can cause dry lips. Dry lips can also be caused by illness as people tend to breathe through their mouth when they have cold or flu. Smoking, eating strongly flavoured or spicy food will damage the mucous membrane of the lips.

Due to the lack of melanin, lips dont tan, but they can easily burn. Even if you dont notice your lips being burnt by the sun, damage can still occur with the underlying layers being harmed. It is not just on hot & sunny days that lips must be protected. The harmful UVA rays remain at constant levels throughout the year including the winter months. Even on cloudy days, harmful UVB rays can still penetrate and damage the skin. The snow can be even worse for lips than the sun. Beach sand and water reflects less than 20 percent of the sun's rays whereas snow reflects a punishing 80 percent. The higher up the slopes you go, the less air there is to screen the sun's rays.

Ingredients: Petrolatum, Lanolin, Candelilla cera, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Tocopheryl acetate, 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor, Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Aroma, Theobroma Cacao Seed butter, Aloe Barbadensis leaf extract, cetyl alcohol, menthol, cera microcristallina, isostearoyl hydrolyzed collagen, camphor, sodium saccharin, thymol, benzyl alcohol, benzyl benzoate. FYI, its a Proctor & Gamble make.

First impression: You might not like the first sniff coz it makes you kinda dizzy. Especially if you are anti-hospital person like me. I hate hospital and its family! Okee...this looks like a potted medicine, more or less smells like the lighter version of Vicks Vaporub (India)! If you are sensitive to that scent, better stay away! This 7 ml jar normally retails for somewhere around 2.50 pounds, but I got this for 50 pence in a sale!

The formulation is kinda thick and darker compared to Carmex! Provided, its tasty! Have you ever tasted Indian version of Maybelline's Shiny-licious gloss ? That was how Blistex felt exactly on my lips! I felt the need to reapply Carmex, but thats not the case with Blistex DLC. I applied a couple of times one day, my lips were REALLY SOFT & SMOOTH!

Carmex feels like ice the moment it touches your lips, but Blistex is not so minty! Flavor-wise and fragrance-wise! Its kinda cool, but not as cool as Carmex! Somewhere in the background, Blistex has kinda sweet  chocolatey scent!

Recently, there was heavy snow and sudden fall in temperature, like it was -9 C at my place. Imagine the condition of lips exposed to terrible snow! There could not be a better time try and find Blistex! My lips were looking their best after a long time! Looking forward to try other versions of Blistex, as well! Carmex-lovers, you can still give Blistex a try! I could not decipher the language on the packaging, but the website says it has SPF 15! Another bonus, yoohoo!

Tips to avoid dry lips: Keep rooms as humidified as possible to help avoid dry lips. Even plants and cut flowers will add to the moisture balance. In extreme winds or cold, wrap the lower part of your face in a scarf for extra warmth and lip protection. Apply lip balm with SPF at least 30 minutes before going into the sun and reapply frequently.

Methylbenzylidene camphor - Organic camphor derivative that is used in the cosmetic industry for its ability to protect the skin against UV, specifically UV B radiation. As such, it is used in sunscreen lotions and other skincare products claiming a SPF value.

Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate - Used in products applied to the skin to absorb, reflect or scatter UV rays. It protects skin from sunburn and other damaging effects of the sun. Also protects cosmetics and personal care products from deterioration caused by UV rays and allows them to last longer in high UV conditions.

Cocoyl hydrolyzed soy protein / Cocodimonium hydroxypropyl hydrolyzed soy protein - Texturizing. Kindly check soyinfo.com to know more about this product! It might help you!

Theobroma Cacao seed butter - Temporarily protects injured or exposed skin from harmful or annoying stimuli and may provide relief to the skin. Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter also slows the loss of water from the skin by forming a barrier on the skin's surface.

Isostearoyl hydrolyzed collagen - Semisynthetic compound derived from animal proteins. Acts as emollient and moisturiser.

Sodium saccharin - Artificial sweetener. Claim, saccharin is 300 times sweeter than sugar.

(Courtesy: Blistex, soyinfo.com)

Vaseline Rosy Lips

Here comes my favorite Vaseline Rosy Lips, a lip therapy (petroleum jelly) with rose and almond oil. What it does; gently tints and cares for your pout. The packaging is tin/pot. I feel lip balm in a tin/pot has that vintage kinda look, which I love a lot! It retails for 1.50 pounds, but the price range is different at other stores like Tesco retails for 1.46, Boots for 2, Bodycare for 1.22...so on!!!

To be honest, this is my second pot. The first one was snatched away by my li'l sister...ahh! It is 20g, but you get so much of product that lasts ages and ages! I can tell you that I am absolutely hooked to this since! I was able to sell quite a bunch of them :) I dont work for Vaseline, , by the way!

I love this so far and this does what it is supposed to do! I know I can talk nonstop about this product, but in brief.....this is like "canned roses". I think the most appealing part of this is the irresistable color. Pink is staple for girls and so is Vaseline rosy lips. I am not that fond of pink, but there are a few shades of pink I adore!

I was never ever tempted to buy the basic version of Vaseline, but I fell for the pink! Very girly!!! Somehow, it's not sticky, but very moisturizing! The consistency of the product is kinda gel with oil base provided with the hint of tint, which is very very subtle. Staying power is moderate, which I really dont mind as I love to reapply this. It smells good like roses, but on the stronger end. I find it doing the work of both lip balm and gloss, which is very recommendable. Though the tint fades away, lips are still moisturized and that's what we all look for in any lip product. I can say for sure that the tint fades very evenly.

Personally, I found no downside, whateva! Whatelse do you expect from a product as good as Vaseline to do? Especially for that price, who can complain? This is the most strongest version of Rose Water, so you are being warned. Fragrances normally "make" or "break" the buy! So, watch out! I dont find it very over-powering, though. As we all know, almond oil is well-known for its moisturizing tendency and is helps in nourishing. Anything floral or fruity is okay for me!

The product appears pigmented, which it is not exactly the same! Its very sheer. I wish it was much more pigmented than it appears! As I see, there is nothing like SPF in this which helps in protecting the lips from sun, but can be excused!

I love this product so much that I wish to have it everywhere I go!!! This certainly has got that ooomph! My li'l sis literally digs into the tin and I saw half of the product gone in a couple of days.....sisters are little devils!

If you really want the purpose to be served and something economic, definitely Vaseline Rosy Lips is the one for you! I tried many other balms and especially lip treatments and therapies but nothing seems to do the job as Vaseline does, especially for that price range! I dont say that this IS the one, but this is one of the best! If I have to carry something which moisturizes my lips and gives that hint of tint, I will surely go for this without any second thoughts. I definitely recommend this to my folks!

This is a real big saver for me and I am surely gonna get my hands on few more tins! I cant imagine somebody snatching this again! I am not even sure if this is available in India. I wanna scream that my race for lip treatment ends here with Vaseline Rosy Lips, but I am wicked!!!

The ingredients; Petrolatum, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil (sweet almond), Aroma and Linalool. This is Norway make by Unilever.

FYI: There is a clear distinction between the oil extracted from seeds of Prunus dulcis (sweet) and Prunus amara (bitter). The bitter almond oil cannot be used in cosmetics as it contains traces of amygdalin, another form of cyanide. This is however not present in sweet almond oil.

Sweet almond oil is easily absorbed into the skin, it doesn't leave it feeling greasy or tacky. It is used to soften the skin and to promote a clear, young looking complexion. It is a greatly nourishing and protecting oil and is ideal for chapped and irritated skin.

Sweet almond oil is obtained from the dried kernels of the almond tree. It is an excellent emollient, softening and soothing to the skin. It also helps to balance the loss and absorption of moisture, making it particularly effective for chapped and irritated skin, soothing it while nourishing and protecting.
(Courtesy: http://www.dermaxime.com/)

VLCC Lip Shield Strawberry

Okee, here is a review on VLCC Lip Shield in Strawberry...

Claims: This unique lip shield enriched with Strawberry, vitamin E & Shea Butter helps heal chapped lips, conditions & keeps them soft & moist, while protecting them from harmful effects of the sun (SPF-10), wind and cold.

The story behind this buy; my li'l sis has been using this religiously. I was tempted to try this and liked it right away. I got attracted to the scent of it, especially.

This cute little 10 ml container retails for 80 INR. I bought this solely based on the longevity of the product. It has a 4-year-expiry period. I dont know why things with more life expectancy get my attention. Off late, my interest has been carried over from lip glosses to lip balms :)

Coming to the product, its kinda sheer sans waxy feel on the lips. Its not heavy, but not as light as Vaseline rosy lips. Look at the pigmentation, blood red! Its definitely not the same on ur lips!

As promised, it is enriched with Strawberry, Vitamin E and Shea Butter, it really helps heal the pout. It tints your lips, but not to a great extent. I always like to use my fingers to apply (of course, sanitized). It acts as a real good base for any lip product like lipstick or lip gloss. Staying power is decent!

The sweetest thing about this little baby is it has SPF 10, which means it protects the lips from sun to some extent. It also comes in different flavours like Mint and Cocoa butter, suitable for all skin types. I cant complain for 80 bucks! I like the potted balms, comparitively!!! What about you?

The Cocoa-butter flavour looked like cold coffee in a pot. As coffee is a big no-no for me, I passed that! I have heard enough of the mint-flavoured lip products, which is nothing but a marketing strategy I suppose. Hence, I opted for the strawberry flavour. It reminds me of vanilla essence or strawberry ice cream??? I literally hate strawberry flavour, especially in candies, chewing gum and ice cream, but this one got my attention somehow! Really glad I got my hands on! Good investment for a lip treatment, if you wanna try something different. This is suitable for all skin types, by the way.

No downside to this, as far as I know! Why I bought this? Just to build my collection, but I will definitely repurchase this! Now, I want Cocoa Butter flavor as well! Not sure about the mint one! Have you tried VLCC lip shield yet?

Here is the mint flavor:

Here is the Cocoa butter flavor:

I told you it luks like potted cold coffee!!! If you are a coffee-lover, give it a try!

P.S: Sonali @ Asian Beautifier: I have this lip balm in cocoa butter and mint flavours! The mint one leaves a tingly sensation on my lips which I love! The cocoa butter does not taste & smell anything like coffee! These are my fav lip balm at the moment! Thanq, Sonali!

(Courtesy: VLCC)

Neutrogena Lipcare SPF 20

Girls, I proudly present to you the dermatologist-tested Norwegian Formula Neutrogena Lipcare SPF 20 :) I must be a nerd talking about SPF in this peak winter! If you know me, I have always been and will remain a die-hard fan of lippies, especially lip balm and lip treatment! I tried Carmex, Vaseline Rosy Lips, Sally Hansen 18 hour treatment, Blistex!!! My list goes on and on! Still, I am hunting down the lip treatments that work the best!

Claims: An intensive lip balm that prevents moisture loss and guards against chapping. Immediate and lasting relief for dry, chapped lips. This moisture-rich formula soothes and improves the appearance and softness of your lips, whilst providing long lasting protection from all weather (SPF 20). Apply often for immediate relief and protection.

Norwegian Formula Neutrogena (NFN) was discovered at sea when, despite the harsh weather conditions, Norwegian fishermen reported soft supple hands. When Neutrogena investigated, they discovered the oils in the fish had intensively moisturising properties. A synthetic version of the fish oil was created (?) and to this day remains an integral ingredient in the NFN range.

NFN is designed to protect and help repair dry skin even on hard-working areas such as elbows, knees and heels. The glycerin-enriched products soothe dry and chapped skin providing comfort and restoring moisture levels. Seems every 4 seconds, someone buys a Norwegian Formula Neutrogena hand cream in the UK.

Ingredients: Ricinus Communis Oil, Paraffin, Cera Alba, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Cetyl Palmitate, Isopropyl Myristate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Cetyl Alcohol, Cera Microcristallina, VP/Eicosene Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Titanium Dioxide, Bisabolol, Propylene Glycol, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Isopropyl Palmitate, Isopropyl Laurate, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Candelilla Cera, Sodium Sulfate, BHT, BHA, Citric Acid, Parfum.

Net weight: 4.8 g

Life Expectancy: 12 months.

Girls, I got the faulty one! My bad! The stick doesnt come out, so I am using my nails to dig the product! I know that sounds gross, but I was desperate! Any ideas how to get that out? The packaging is typical and the product is clear! I know clear balm is no-fun, but there are times when you might need ONLY clear lipbalm! It glides smooth! I dug the product with my nails, applied on my lips! Guess what! It looks cakey in the packaging, but melted like butter on lips! YAY!!! Have you ever tried traditional butter/ghee on lips? That is how Neutrogena lippy is exactly!

It has a fragrance for sure, vanilla? ice cream? something sweet! The sweetest-smelling lip balm ever! No traces of mint or camphor, which I really detest! NFN was neither waxy nor heavy on the lips! For me, the smallest amount was more than enough! Staying power is really good! I didnt have to reapply for 3 - 4 hours; including food and drinks! Do you want more? I had badly chapped lips this weekend; exposure to smog! NFN worked wonders for my chapped lips! Lips look healthy as well! Instant gratification, I can say! How long do you want to judge a lippy?

Price: Normally retails for 2.53 pounds, but got for less than 50 pence in sale :)

FYI:

Ricinus Communis Oil - Castor oil

Paraffin - Wax

Cera Alba - White wax; prepared by exposing ribbons of yellow wax to air, sunshine and moisture for more than 1 or 2 weeks. Yellow wax is procured directly from the comb.

Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate - Used in the formulation of a wide variety of product types including sunscreens and makeup products that contain ingredients to protect the skin from the sun.

Isodecyl Neopentanoate - Emollient. Has a high spreadability and leaves a soft feeling on skin and hair. It is often used in shampoos and soaps; can be used as a solvent and emulsifier. 100% approved by the Cosmetic Working Group. You can find the same ingredient in Murads Oil Free SPF 15 Sunblock with sheer tint.

Cetyl Palmitate - The green component of plants used as a natural colorant in deodorants, creams and toothpaste.

Isopropyl myristate -  Used in cosmetic and topical medicinal preparations where good absorption through the skin is desired. It is also used as a pesticide-free treatment against head lice which works by dissolving the wax that covers the exoskeleton of head lice, killing them by dehydration.

Cetearyl Alcohol - Made from cetyl and stearyl alcohol, which together form an occlusive film to keep skin moisture from evaporating. They give hair and skin a velvety feeling. Also an emollient giving viscocity giving to a finished product.

Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane - Used in the formulation of sun protection products as well as bath, skin, cleansing, hair, nail and fragrance products. In the States, when this ingredient is used in sun protection products, it will be listed on the label as Avobenzone.

Cera microcristallina - Petrolatum

VP/Eicosene Copolymer - Film former used in the following product types: sunscreen spf 15 and above, mascara, facial moisturizer/treatment, anti-aging, lip gloss, other products with spf, brow liner, baby sunscreen, moisturizer and sunscreen below spf 15.

Isohexadecane - Used as a detergent cleansing agent, emulsifier and thickening agent in cosmetics.

Titanium Dioxide - Naturally occuring white pigment being broad spectrum sunscreen, soothing, softening and healing. In addition, it is a powerful anti-bacterial. It can successfully reflect UVA, UVB and UVC rays. The presence of this ingredient helps prevent skin cancer and premature aging of the skin.

Bisabolol - Anti-irritant ingredient derived from chamomile that is often found in products made for people with sensitive skin.

Propylene Glycol - Petroleum derivative that act as solvent, surfactant and wetting agent. It can easily penetrate the skin and weaken protein and cellular structure. PG is present in many stick deodorants.

Isopropyl palmitate - Act as lubricants on the skin surface, which gives the skin soft and smooth appearance. This is added to compounded dry powder of solids to provide adhesive qualities during and after compression to make tablets or cakes.

Isopropyl laurate - Binding agent, emollient and skin conditioning.

Sodium cetearyl sulfate - Used in the formulation of moisturizers, skin cleansers and other skin care products.

Candelilla Wax - Euphorbia cerifera (Candelilla) wax is obtained from the plant Euphorbia cerifera, a plant in North Central Mexico. Beeswax and the plant waxes are used in the formulation a wide range of products including baby products, bath products, lipstick, makeup, fragrances, coloring & noncoloring hair products, nail and skin care products, personal cleanliness products, shaving products as well as suncreen and sun tan products.

Sodium Sulfate - Used in the formulation of cleansers, bath soaps, detergents and skincare preparations.

P.S: The information on ingredients are taken from random sites on the internet. If you claim the rights, please let me know! Too many to list :)

(Courtesy: Neutrogena.co.uk)

Carmex

My holy grail beauty product I find using consistently, lately. If at all I am allowed to have only 2 lip products in the world, I would live with Carmex Cherry and Vaseline Rosy Lips. For treatment, I prefer Carmex and for that oomph, I go for Vaseline!

Carmex has Menthol, Camphor, alum, salicylic acid, phenol and fragrances in a base of petroleum, lanolin, cocoa butter and mixture of waxes. Salicylic acid is closely related to the active ingredient in aspirin. Its purpose is twofold; serves in combination with other ingredients as an antiseptic and as a cold sore drying agent. If your lips are highly sensitive, you can experience a reaction to the salicylic acid.

Carmex contains camphor and menthol, hence the tingling sensation. These ingredients give Carmex a cooling effect and help relieve itching of rough and chapped lips. No testing on animals, but by means of chemical analysis.
Although Carmex is made for treatment of cold sores and chapped lips, many use this as a general antiseptic ointment for cuts, burns, insect bites and even athlete’s foot.

Carma Laboratories, the manufacture of Carmex lip balm products has recently received for the sixth year in a row as highest ranked over-the-counter lip balms recommended by pharmacists in the USA. I guess this is more than enough for anybody else to try this product. I know there are others who simply  hate the above camphor/menthol duo on their lips, but when its something that works great on lips, WHY NOT?

Alfred Woelbing, the man behind Carmex often suffered from cold sores and invented Carmex. He proceeded to sell it to pharmacies by going door to door. If they weren’t interested in purchasing, he gave them a dozen jars for free aong with a post card for a re-order. The rest is history.

Can you see the huge dent??? Do you need another proof to show my love???

(Courtesy: http://carmex.co.za/ and http://mycarmex.com/)

D.

The little blue tin aka Original

Nothing interesting at all! I would seriously not want to exaggerate about this, but want to do a review for my blog sake.

Ingredients are also not interesting, just petrolatum. So, its nothing else but petroleum jelly. I feel like using this like a multiple product...lips, body what not! No fragrance...nothing!

Repurchase...dont think so! Such a sad review! I dont think this thing deserves a special review as such, but poor thing. How will I ignore this?

D.

The little pink tin aka SPF 15

I know I have been absent for quite sometime, but I am back with another review. Not so interesting, but felt like doing it! It might help one of my friends, at least! Which one should I choose? Both take the same time as such. Inky pinky ponky...

Aha...the little pink tin aka SPF 15! As mentioned earlier, its a clear product! Clear ones are not fun, for me at least! I might reach for them on a lazy day...I doubt it!

Straight away, the core ingredients are petrolatum, shea butter and something mouthful...dont even bother to know! Again, it soothes dry skin and lips. Only difference, it has SPF 15 for that extra protection!

No fragrance, particularly. Only thing I can sense in my mouth when I have this on my lips is just petroleum jelly...thats it!

Repurchase...I dont think so! I guess I have had enough fun buying, staring and using this! I am seriously waiting for the summer to try this and feel the difference! I am so glad that I would be back in India by the next summer to use it....yay!

D.

The little green tin aka Aloe Vera lip therapy

Looks like a compressed version of green apple and aloe vera! Did I confuse you, girlies? Hope not! As mentioned earlier, this is from Super drug for 79 pence. This is lip therapy in aloe vera flavor! Enough of aloe vera....

Straight away, the packaging as you can see is bright, cool, sexy, vintagy...phew! The ingredients being petrolatum, aroma, isopropyl myristate, benzyl alcohol, limonene, aloe barbadensis leaf extract (aloe vera)...that was mouthful!

I hope you can see the bubbly things in the product! I was surprised to find these in the aloe vera versions. Too much of coordination! I was very much tempted to play with those bubbles, but just wanted you people to see them! So, you might have a better idea of what I speak!

It supposedly soothes the dry skin and lips and has aloe vera for that extra conditioning. It says it has green apple flavor, but hardly find any. The only thing that strikes my mind is... nothing, I guess! Sorry, but seriously I dont know if green apple has the same scent! I rarely eat green apple, so dont take my word for granted when its clearly described as green apple flavor. Hmm...I hardly see the coordination between green apple and aloe vera other than the color. Do you know, at least? I am all ears.....One thing about these products is they can be used as multiples like hand cream, lip balm, moisturizer etc. Comes handy!

I was really tempted to buy another green tin just for the color, but I dont think that was a good idea. I am seriously not a big fan of this scent, but somehow I can manage with another scented product on top it. But, that should be more dominating! I would never repurchase the green tin for the fragrance it carries. Sorry Super drug, but I cant help it!

Many people dont like applying the product with fingers for hygiene reasons. But, nothing makes me happier than applying a lip balm with fingers. Dipping my fingers into the tub..........OMG! I dont consider that as a downside! Opening such tins is a nightmare sometimes! Especially when you have greasy/wet hands, its really irritating! The trick is rotate the lid like a full circle and open! Ta-daa!!!

It is a 20-g tin with a shelf life of 12 months. Oh...wondering how did I know? It clearly says on the packaging! Too smart, isn't it? Small things like these make me happy. Drug store brands are so particular about these things whereas some high-end brands care a damn about such issues! Great going Super drug!!!

I dont expect miracles, but good product for that price! Again, works as a multiple. So, it would not be wise to complain!

Hope you can see the bubbles inside! Not so prominent, but still they are nice to see! Reminds me of aloe vera gel!

D.

Vaseline Rainbow

Here it comes...........

Vaseline Lip Therapy

Alright...dont have to worry! Everything will fall into its place.....relax!

You all must be knowing about Vaseline Rosy Lips....after my bragging and nagging! You better know by now! This is another update kinda thing for that! Actually I was supposed to post this immediately to Rosy Lips post, but somehow missed it. So, here we go..........

Lips have an amazing ability to experience heightened sensations, allowing us to feel the slightest of touch and sense the environment around us. However, unlike the body skin, skin on our lips does not naturally create its own moisture layer, leaving it susceptible to dryness and chapping.

These stylish and functional Lip Therapy tins with their original retro look are perfect to help keep lips healthy and protected from the elements.

Original - default in handbags and pockets.

Aloe Vera - adds an extra soothing touch of hydration.

Sun protection with SPF15 - protect from the sun's harmful rays.

Rosy Lips - brings out the natural rosy tones in your lips by soothing and gently tinting.

I seriously did not try any other flavor other than the Rosy Lips.....yet to try the remaining ones. As soon as I try them, will surely update let you...I dont think the others can really get my attention as Rosy Lips did. The one that I am interested in trying out is the orange tin with the sun protection....hope I like it as much!

The picture comes in the next post....forgive me for not being tech-savvy...

(Courtesy: vaseline.co.uk)