Every woman wants her lips to be tender, appetizing and attractive. However, the modern rhythm of life often prevents this: smog, smoke and an unfavorable environment harm the delicate skin of the lips. A lip balm or lip balm can help with this common problem.
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The delicate skin of the lips constantly suffers from such adverse factors as
Lip balms are designed specifically to take care of them.
It is very important to choose the right lip balm, because the same product, but with a more chemical composition, can significantly harm the delicate skin of the lips.
Depending on the time of the year, lips need certain care: from the beginning of late autumn to the end of early spring, a rich texture of the balm is needed, which guarantees nutrition; and in the period from the beginning of late spring to the end of early autumn - a light, fast-fitting balm texture that maintains the water-lipid balance in the skin of the lips, moisturizing them when necessary.
A truly good lip balm should include ingredients such as
You should beware of those lip balms that contain petroleum products:
The lip balm can be hygienic, sun protection and colored translucent and opaque color pigment.
Hygienic lipsticks are considered safe - healing and protective; they do not contain dyes, but there are useful additives; they can be recommended even to children, but the composition should still be studied.
Sun Balm, as its name suggests, protects lips from sun and wind while softening their thin and delicate skin. By the way, sun protection components, or UV (SPF) factor, are also added to many hygienic lipsticks.
Colored lip balms are the most popular replacement for standard lipsticks: they can be found in the cosmetic bag of women of all ages, at any time and in any country in the world.
The delicate lips of a child are extremely sensitive to any external influences and easily lose their natural protection and shine. This is due to the thin skin of a child, unfairly deprived of secretion glands and melanin that protects from the sun.Without proper attention, children's lips crack and peel. It is possible to make life easier for them, and it is quite simple to do this, for this you need to choose the right hygienic lipstick.
As a rule, the composition of hygienic lipsticks includes moisturizing and fatty components, vitamins and, of course, those that protect lips from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays - SPF filters. In addition to the main ingredients, cosmetic brand specialists supplement the composition with extracts of medicinal plants that have various healing and protective properties.
The quality of lip balm depends not only on the recipe, but also on the production technology. As a rule, well-known manufacturers provide this technology.
A good high quality lip balm gives an even smear; on the skin is applied easily and evenly, and is held on it, causing a feeling of tenderness and silkiness. The smell and taste of such lipstick are pleasant, and the surface is smooth; she does not tighten her lips and does not irritate - you almost do not feel her at all; the surface of the balm is smooth and evenly colored (if it gives a shade). A high-quality balm does not melt in the sun and generally reacts little to temperature changes; lipstick rod is strong enough; during storage, it is not covered with a gray coating and droplets, does not lose its taste and aroma.
Avoiding trouble when buying lip balm is not that difficult. No need to buy it in kiosks and underground passages, and even more so from random people.
The packaging of the balm and the product itself should be carefully examined: if the packaging looks cheap, the plastic is easily scratched, the balm itself is not uniform in color, there are stains in the texture, and the smell is too sharp - its quality is low.
Lip balm manufacturers are now adding protective, moisturizing, nourishing, healing ingredients that protect lips from the sun, wind, frost, dry air and the effects of poor ecology. Balms that moisturize can not only color the lips, but also make them softer and prevent peeling. They contain oils of the following nutritional components: avocado, castor, cocoa, sunflower or coconut oil, chamomile extract.
Nutritious lipsticks can easily protect lips from cracks in winter and autumn, because they contain a large amount of wax.
There are also colored lip balms. They contain coloring pigments along with esters. When the ethers evaporate, a colored film remains on the lips. But it is not recommended to use such balms daily, because they make lips dry.
Hygiene lipsticks perfectly prevent dryness and cracking. Very good for lip care in winter. They contain vitamins, nutrients, anti-inflammatory, moisturizing substances. Such lip balms often have no shades, so their use is not decorative.
Studies of lip balms, including products from global manufacturers such as Maybelline NY (Babylips line), Nivea, Neutrogena Norvegian formula, Yves Rocher, have shown that there are still negative effects from the use of these products, and it is worth knowing about it.
It’s not worth talking about cheap lip balms at all, but it’s worth recalling that in this case everything is not limited to cosmetic problems: cheap lipstick or balm can be poisonous, contain salts of heavy metals and chemical dyes.
Sparkling lip balms with reflective particles may contain substances that are released in the light of the sun, the so-called atomic oxygen is the strongest oxidizing agent, it dramatically accelerates skin aging. Therefore, before using the balm, you should at least take a little interest in its composition, otherwise, instead of the pleasure of velvet, you can feel burning, itching, and skin inflammation.
For example, carmine dye, which is used in the food industry, quite often leads to severe allergic reactions, and lanolin, used to moisturize the skin, disrupts the processes of the stomach and intestines.
Vaseline has long been used to soften the skin, it is considered a safe remedy, but it can also cause allergies, and during regular use it dries out the skin of the lips. As a result, if there is a feeling of dryness, a woman unconsciously tints her lips with balm more and more often.
The listed ingredients can also cause nausea and headache if they constantly, even in minimal amounts, pass into the gastrointestinal tract.
Mineral oils are also dangerous - paraffin, microcrystalline wax. These substances are created on the basis of refined products, they are able to accumulate in the body, affect the kidneys, lymph nodes, liver - and there are many women who simply do not leave the house without making up their lips with their favorite lipstick or balm.
Most well-known manufacturers add solid paraffins to lipstick so that it becomes thick and does not spread.Paraffin particles are not visible to the ordinary eye, but they pass from lipstick to the teeth, stick tenaciously to them, become a haven for millions of bacteria. As a result, more microcracks appear on the teeth and caries develops rapidly.
As mentioned above, in order to avoid negative consequences, when buying lipstick or lip balm, you need to carefully check the composition. You should not take cheap products, which include lanolin, petroleum jelly and carmine. These components are the most dangerous and harmful to human health.
When pronouncing the phrase "lip balm" is usually a colorless texture, packed in a jar or soft bottle. Indeed, this is true: most often balms are beige-yellow in color.
However, fashionistas love colored lip balms: they replace lipstick. In order not to harm your lips, you should choose high-quality colored lip balms with natural dyes.
Questions regularly arise about where skin care cosmetics are of better quality: on the shelves of elite manufacturers or on the shelves of ordinary cosmetic stores. Someone says that in fashion boutiques they overpay for the brand, and mass markets provide the highest quality products. However, there are those who do not share this opinion.
It is difficult to answer this question, because the quality of cosmetics does not depend on the manufacturer, but on its composition. But it's not a secret for anyone that an excessively low cost is far from a guarantee of quality, because the composition of the balm does not pay off the retail price.
Selective cosmetics is a trivial name for this class of cosmetics. There are no SLS parabens, artificial preservatives or chemical fragrances. The fashion houses that own the trademarks have their own research institutes and laboratories where innovative product formulations are synthesized.
The proportion of natural or harmless ingredients is 80-90%. Unlike the middle and mass markets, the premium class is able to deal with real problems and is not addictive after stopping use (does not cause an aging effect). For example, to eliminate age spots, smooth wrinkles or fight skin irregularities.
Cosmetics of well-known brands are not cheap: the buyer pays not only for the composition, but also for the promoted brand. In addition to all this, cosmetics are packaged in more expensive materials than their counterparts in the middle price segment.
This price segment includes such manufacturing companies as Chanel, Givenchy, Lancome, Estee Lauder, Shiseido, Christian Dior, Clarins, Clinique, Yves Saint Laurent, Guerlain, Nina Ricci, Versace.
Not so long ago, the Chanel fashion boutique began producing lip care cosmetics. Rouge Coco Baume colorless moisturizing lipstick became the first product of this series.
French balm has a light texture that absorbs quickly. The care product moisturizes the delicate skin of the lips for up to 8 hours. It is also suitable for daily use.
The composition of the balm pleases:
In addition, the balm can be used as a colorless lip gloss: it visually enlarges them, creating the effect of “wet lips”.
Rouge Coco Baume is suitable for use from late spring to early winter. For too high sub-zero temperatures, it is rather weak: there is not enough nutrition and oily texture.
Average price: 2650 rubles.
Chanel skin care products are not only available in the form of ordinary lipstick: Hydra Beauty is available in a sealed jar.
The balm perfectly protects, moisturizes and nourishes the delicate skin of the lips, giving it a natural glow and shine. The balm has a very light texture, despite the declared nutritional properties: a colorless texture with a fruity aroma is quickly absorbed.
The composition should also be commented on:
Clinical studies conducted by the manufacturer have shown that:
Chanel Hydra Beauty is suitable for use all year round: its light, but moderately oily texture is absorbed instantly, guaranteeing long-term protection up to 7 hours. However, in the summer, you should still refrain from using it: this balm does not have a sunscreen factor.
Average price: 2900 rubles.
Another French cosmetics company is not far behind Chanel: Givenchy has launched its lip balms. Le Rouge Perfecto is the case when the balm not only gives natural shine, but also colors them. The pigment of a pink rose acts as a dye here, which not only gives a delicate pink color, but also a subtle aroma of a flower extract.
Millions of women around the world have appreciated this balm because it can safely be called a 2-in-1 balm. It does not dry out lips and acts as a lipstick. A delicate pink shade is more suitable for evening dresses or romantic walks, for everyday style, Le Rouge Perfecto should be combined with a base lipstick, using a French product as a lip gloss.
The composition of the lip balm does not contain components that can cause allergic reactions:
Givenchy conducted independent clinical trials and found that
The texture of the balm is light, slightly oily. It smells like baked gingerbread. When applying the balm to the lips, tiny reflective particles are visible - excerpts from the back of tropical lily petals. On the lips, the balm looks great: shimmer echoes with a dazzling soft pink color. The composition of the balm allows you to use it in all seasons: in the summer, the lips will receive the coveted hydration, in the spring - nutrition.
The balm stays on the lips for 3-4 hours, because it is often quickly inadvertently “eaten up”. It should be used with caution on days when the sun is too hot: there is no sun protection factor.
Balm promo video:
Average cost: 2450 rubles.
The middle price segment is just the case when good quality and inexpensive price are pleasantly combined. Usually non-toxic preservatives are used here, and the proportion of natural ingredients is 40-50%. Middle market products cannot fight real skin problems, but they can mask them without clogging pores.
Typically, such brands produce tonal foundations, nail polishes or mascaras, that is, decorative cosmetics. Women around the world have fallen in love with this particular price segment, because here everything is optimally combined. It is not advisable to use this cosmetic for more than six months, because it can be addictive. It can cause allergic reactions in case of individual intolerance to the components of the composition. The place of sale of cosmetics of the price segment is general cosmetics stores (Rive Gauche, L'etoile). Some brands have their own boutiques with sales assistants.
Middle market manufacturing companies usually include brands such as Pupa, Revlon, Mary Key, Lumene, L'oreal, MAC, NYX cosmetics, HURRAW!, EOS, Carmex.
EOS is an American company that manufactures lip balms and other hygiene products (lotions, shaving foam). The abbreviation EOS stands for Evolution of smooth - the evolution of softness. This balm has won the love of women around the world thanks to features such as
The composition of these lip balms includes natural ingredients: shea, coconut, almond, jojoba, olive oil, beeswax, vitamins A and E. Sometimes phenol is found in very small concentrations (the taste of "Healing Mandarin"), so the balm with this component in composition is considered pharmaceutical, or pharmacy.
EOS provides a huge range of balm flavors:
There are also balms 2-in-1: moisturizing and coloring.
The release form is also diverse: there are both spherical and classic stick-shaped packages.
EOS balm is endowed with the following properties: it perfectly moisturizes even very dry skin of the lips, creating a light breathable film on it to protect the lips from adverse factors. It is also hypoallergenic because all the ingredients are natural, organic, vegan.
There is also an SPF factor of 15 and 30 to choose from.Due to the minimal risk of individual intolerance to the components of the balm and allergic reactions, it can be used even during pregnancy and lactation.
The EOS packaging is made of rubberized plastic, matte to the touch. An individual serial number is necessarily written on the side, “EOS” is engraved. There is also a special slot for the thumb or index finger, so that it is convenient to open. Inside the top of the package there is a protection for the balm in the form of a plastic hemisphere. This prevents the possibility of accidental breakage of the balm due to inaccurate operation.
The texture of the balm is light, slightly oily. On the lips lies perfectly, has a sweet aftertaste, but to some it may seem overly cloying. Suitable for use in the warm season, but rather weak for winter: it is quickly absorbed, “eaten up”, it is unlikely to protect the delicate skin of the lips from the burning frost. Nevertheless, millions of women around the world choose this particular balm: its unusual appearance attracts the attention of others.
Average price: 550 rubles.
Video review of EOS balm:
The mass market fell in love with the girls for its low price. It is characterized by a large volume of production at minimal cost. Usually, cosmetics contain preservatives, fragrances and parabens, and the proportion of natural ingredients in the composition does not exceed 30%. Petroleum products are also present.
This cosmetic is sold everywhere. According to statistics, 70% of a company's total budget is spent on advertising, 20% on renting a point of sale, and 10% on production itself. These cosmetics do not deal with the problems described, but rather exacerbate them. If we talk about lip balms, they often moisturize the skin only during their application, and when they stop, the opposite effect begins. Therefore, it is not recommended to use this cosmetics for more than a month.
There are a lot of manufacturers in this price segment: Nivea, Gurmandiz, Avon, Oriflame, Faberlic, Garnier, Black Pearl, Neva Cosmetics, Eveline, Essence.
Nivea is a German brand of skin care cosmetics, which occupies a leading position in the mass markets. The balms of this company are known for their delicate creamy texture and excellent effect. In addition, the German brand often arranges themed festivals: on July 12, Kissing Day, an advertising campaign is launched annually.
However, the composition of the product is not at all encouraging: it contains refined products. It is not noticeable, but the fact remains. Despite this, there are various oils, vitamins.
Nivea offers a wide range of lip balms:
There are also lip oils with very interesting aromas:
The texture of the balm is both light and oily, so depending on the model, it is suitable for use at any time of the year. Almost all balms have a sun protection factor. Everything is produced in sticks of 4.7 grams, or in jars of 16.7 grams, or in a soft package of 5.7 grams.
Attention! Due to possible allergic reactions to refined petroleum products, a sensitivity test should be performed on the elbow. Avoid use during pregnancy and lactation, because the effect on the fetus is unknown.
A detailed review of Nivea balms:
It is difficult to give an answer to this question, because in the matter of choosing cosmetics everything is purely individual: someone can easily use products from the mass market, and someone’s body perceives only expensive natural cosmetics. In any case, each girl can find something of her own by trying several options.