It's that time of year when the weather turns cool and you have to start reaching for the lip balm that little bit more.
Cold weather, central heating and the inevitable winter coughs and colds can leave your lips feeling parched. Fortunately, there's plenty of products in the shops and supermarkets to rehydrate your lips and this week we've been putting them to the test.
But while you can pick up some low cost lip creams for around £1, not all come cheap, with stores including Boots and Superdrug selling much pricier options as well, such as this MAC Glow Play Lip Balm, which is £20.
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From budget buys to pricier options, we've tested a range of lip balms, with some impressive results. Here's our verdict:
Carmex
I've tried so many lip balms over the years yet very few do what they promise. Most cheaper options I've tried tend to give an initial hit of moisture, before wearing off quickly and then frustratingly leaving my lips feeling drier than before.
I've even tried spending a bit more money, but haven't found anything that gives results justifying a higher price tag. However, since trying Carmex I've found a lip balm that works wonders for me.
It comes in either a small squeezy tube, with a thick gel like liquid to dab over your lips. Or you can buy it in a round pot, or there's a lipstick style tube to suit your preference.
I bought the squeezy tube and only needed a tiny amount to cover my lips. The balm gave them a nice sheen, without looking greasy, and left them feeling instantly hydrated.
As the day wore on I added a bit more when needed, but this balm really seems to penetrate through as I didn't have to reapply it very often and it quickly got rid of any chapping. Using such a tiny amount each time means this tube will last me ages, and at under £2 it's an absolute bargain for such good results.
Rating: 5/5
Price: Around £1.98 depending on where you buy
Where to buy: Most high street stores including Superdrug, Boots, Home Bargains, B&M, Savers and supermarkets
Vaseline Lip Therapy Cocoa Butter
As someone that wears lipstick virtually everyday, I need to keep my lips moisturised on a regular basis. Of course, they get even worse in the colder weather, and even as we venture into October I'm already noticing that my lips feel drier than usual.
I never go anywhere without some lip balm on me, and although I usually go for Carmex, I recently ran out, so I thought I'd try some Vaseline from Asda which was a lot cheaper at 89p. I was mainly drawn to the cocoa butter scent, because I'm not a big fan of the original Vaseline scent.
The tub was handy to keep in my bag and a little really does go a long way so you don't need much of the product. The taste of the Vaseline on my lips is generally pleasant, but I'd say that it didn't fix my lips in an instant.
Although my lips felt softer, it didn't completely fix the chapped lips that just seemed to come back as soon as I went outside. Granted, the Vaseline did feel soft on my lips, but it didn't fix them completely like stronger lip balms such as Carmex.
For the price though I was relatively impressed, but might pay that little bit more in future as someone that suffers with dry lips quite regularly.
Rating: 3/5
Price: 89p
Where to buy: Most high street stores including Boots and Superdrug and Asda.
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Kiss Cupuaçu Lip Butter
My lips get dry and cracked at the drop of a hat, so I've got used to regularly using lip balm and ensuring it's part of my daily routine. I've tried and tested countless products over the years on my quest for a perfect pout and, in my opinion, Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Kiss Cupuaçu Lip Butter is the best of the best.
It's just a shame it's £15, which is a little on the pricey side for a lip balm. It does last a long time, though - I apply it every evening before I got to bed, and in the morning while getting ready and applying my makeup, I swipe it over my lips. I usually only have to buy it twice a year.
The lip balm is made with a blend of Cupuaçu Butter which, according to the product description, is "the Amazon's answer to Shea Butter", as well as antioxidant-rich açaí oil and coconut oil, which all work together to keep lips soft and smooth. I adore this product.
Thanks to Brazilian brand Sol de Janeiro's trademark skill for whipping up effective, cruelty-free products jam-packed with sustainably sourced, high performing and beautifully fragranced ingredients, this is one product I always repurchase. I'm also obsessed with the brand's iconic Bum Bum cream, which is equally as sumptuous.
If you're blessed with lips that don't become dry every time the weather changes, then this product might be a bit of an unnecessary splurge. If you do suffer with dry lips and want something that works, smells divine and lasts for a long time, then I'd definitely recommend snapping this up.
Rating: 5/5
Price: £15
Where to buy: Look Fantastic, Cult Beauty, Boots, Sol de Janeiro and more
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