On The Shelf

Overview: NYX Butter Lip balm (marshmallow)

Purchase Price $4 + tax

Retailer Ulta

Check out http://www.nyxcosmetics.com/p-214-butter-lip-balm.aspx for more product info

Product Review:

Always having affordable prices it’s never hard to grab NYX products even on impulse. Your average lip balm can range in price from $3 - $4 depending on brand. NYX has eight colors to choose from with delicious sweet treat names like Brownie, Pana Cotta, and Parfait that may make your mouth water just from their smell. Each one is scented and also housed in a typical lip balm type tube which is very accurately color matched to the balm held inside. The colors range from neutrals to red with nice pinks in-between.

Marshmallow is a yummy scented beige tone balm that is creamy like butter, as the name implies, that glides onto lips. The creamy consistency is definitely from the main ingredients of shea butter and beeswax. The color left me wanting something more, as my lips were left muddy looking instead of having a uniform color. I feel if this had been a lipstick it would have worked better for me. Perhaps I should have went with one of their pinker shades. In any case make sure your lips are properly exfoliated as application of any tint will accentuate the dryness exposing lines and cracks.

Over all I am a little disappointed. I did not see vast improvements in moisture or protection, however, I did not really purchase this for those reasons. Since I am not a fan of tinted lip balms I figured trying it out would not hurt. Having mixed feeling I am willing to try another shade, like I said before maybe in something more pink. NYX’s Butter Lip balm has left me on the fence about being on my shelf. 

On The Shelf

Overview: GlaMER Lips; Seasonal Peppermint Lip Scrub, (USDA Certified) Mint Burst Lip Balm, and 

Natural Beeswax Lip Balm

Purchase Price Lip Scrub $12, Mint Burst Lip Balm $4, Beeswax Lip Balm $3 + s/h

Retailer www.makeupbymer.com

Check out www.makeupbymer.com for more product info

Product Review:

Harsh freezing, and subfreezing, temperatures are all the norm this month which means lips will be dry, cracked, and starving for moisture as well as protection. Now if you’re a follower of this little blog you’ve indubitably seen last year’s intro to GlaMER Lips products. These products from the inspirational mind of Mercedes Porredon-Segal, owner of Make Up By Mer and accredited MUA, have stepped it up a notch to add a completely organic, YES, “USDA certified” lines to her already awesome products! GlaMER Lips products are already natural and mostly use organic materials, however, for those of you who do not know what that extra stamp and certification means here’s a link: USDA National Organic Program. In short the approval received means that all the requirements the USDA has set have been met. Also, this is a time consuming process that is worth going through to show consumers the level of quality in potential products, especially ones that can be ingested or placed on the body.

I made a purchase before Christmas as gifts for friends, and of course myself, which had a seasonal favorite of mine the Peppermint Lip Scrub. This sweet sugary scrub has that zing of peppermint without it being overwhelming to the senses. Opening the trademark black labeled glass jar, complete with wooden spatula for application, is like opening a gift every time I get a new one. Applying a pea sized amount to dry or moist lips to exfoliate is extremely satisfying especially when some should happen to fall into your mouth. After the initial scrubbing pat lips dry and immediately apply a GlaMER Lips Balm to those newly nude lips to lock in moisture.

Mercedes was too generous in sending me, in my Christmas order, her new USDA Certified Organic Mint Burst Lip Balm and the Natural Beeswax Lip Balm to try. The all new packaging was an immediate eye catcher as it was sporting a visible safety seal and new logo placement, along with an ingredients list. Being a huge fan of the previous Cocoa Butter Mint Lip Balm, Mint burst was easy to fall head over heels for. A burst of mint is exactly what you get with the new Lip Balm the second you take the cap off and man, oh man, is the scent invigorating! After application you instantly feel the benefits of the natural organic ingredients as you get the immediate rush from the mint and feel the soothing mix of Vitamin E and non-GMO olive oil and beeswax. Mint Burst was my first ever USDA Organic product and after doing my homework and compiling the potential differences I’d have to say I am more likely to choose the USDA Organic product over just a “all natural” product. Not to say I would not use or buy products without a USDA Organic stamp but if there is a choice I would go with it.

Completely on the level, if not better than, Burt’s Bees Lip Balm I believe GlaMER Lips Natural Beeswax and Mint Burst lip balms are the next thing to BUZZ about with their USDA Organic and all natural cruelty free products! Make sure to check out GlaMER Lips and get some great products for you shelf. Don’t forget to check back often as flavors change out due to seasonal inspirations! 

On The Shelf

Overview: LUSH Catastrophe Cosmetic Fresh Face Mask

Purchase Price $6.95

Retailer Lush – In store only (Local Mall)

Check out www.lushusa.com   for more product info

Product Review:

If you’re an infrequent mall goer or a “mall-rat” chances are you’ve walked past LUSH Handmade Cosmetics. This secret hole in the wall might not have caught your eye but once inside it’s a feast for the senses. Having an array of “Bath Bombs”, hair & body items, natural cosmetics, and face masks there are certainly choices for the fussiest person to be had. Many of the products are natural and vegan but all are cruelty free.

I have longed to try one of their fresh face masks, only available in-store, and now I have. Catastrophe Cosmetic should be called No-more Blues! Being a fan of blueberries for their high vitamin properties and antioxidants this just seemed like a no-brainer. The blend of rose absolute, chamomile oil, calamine and of course blueberries make this a treat for those with sensitive skin. Deep cleaning yet soothing redness and irritation will leave skin feeling soft to the touch. I have noticed healing blemishes that have reduced in inflammation and pigmentation by adding this face mask, weekly, to my nightly cleansing routine. For me this product has been non-irritating to both my skin and around my eyes but more importantly has no offensive medicinal smell at all. If anything there is a slight floral aroma with a hint of the other blended ingredients giving Catastrophe a calming feel.

This product is easy to spread onto dry skin, however, by my third usage a couple drops of water on my fingertips helped application go a lot smoother. You’ll notice blueberry skins in the mix and the blue tint will have you looking like a Smurf for the recommended 10 minutes but don’t fret about staining as I have had no stains appear on my skin. Rinse off with warm water, but before that you’ll notice it starting to flake off and get a little dusty so don’t wear your favorite black tee. With a short shelf life of 2-3 weeks you may be wondering, “Will I use it all before it expires?” Chances are you won’t as I have gotten 4-5 uses out of it before its expiration date. The final mask was on its expiration date and there was no foul odor or mold, remember no preservatives in this product as it is Vegan.

The only downside, if the can be considered one, is the need to refrigerate it. Some may hate beauty products that need refrigeration since they can easily be forgotten like leftover Chinese takeout.

This cool blue magic mask feels very calming and almost euphoric when applied. The price is great for the volume of FRESH HANDMADE product you do receive. Plus they have a trade in container program like other retailers which adds to the awesome “go-green” mentality by recycling. This is a definite rebuy and will have a place on my shelf (in the fridge ;)!