Irina Urnova
Chief Editor, Director of the Beauty and Culture Sections
Kiss Elixir, Rouge Bunny Rouge
In an unexpectedly compact, let's say, elegant matte black tube (no, it's true, it is shorter than my little finger and not much thicker) hides an extremely pleasant lip balm - it is dense, but easy to apply, persistent, but not at all sticky, with a pleasant, but with an unobtrusive aroma and without unnecessary flavoring lotions. It moisturizes, softens and protects for a confident four plus, which is enough for anyone whose lips are not cracked like pre-revolutionary plaster. The menthol in the composition pleasantly cools, at the same time making the lips a little brighter and slightly more plump due to the blood flow. You should not count on the killer effect, of course, but this tool is quite capable of adding a barely perceptible playful liveliness to a tired face. The balm is consumed quite sparingly,so the non-impressive size of the package is rather a plus - it will fit even in a tiny pocket without any problems.
Daria Gorshkova
Managing Editor
Baume de Rose (shade Mandarina Pulp), By Terry
Anyone who over the past ten years has managed to fall in love with the classic Baume de Rose of the French brand By Terry, it's worth taking a closer look at its new incarnation: taking the best of the legendary remedy, Terry de Ginsburg performed it in eight rich shades - from pale pink and cherry to lilac. The Mandarina Pulp I chose smells like a real rose, but has a juicy, light tangerine color. When applied, the lips acquire the same tone, and most importantly - a delicate protective shell with an excellent texture. 48 active ingredients take care of the skin, including softening rose essential wax, nourishing shea butter, vitamin E (which, among other things, also repels free radicals), as well as lip-smoothing ceramides and special microspheres. The tool cannot be blamed for anything, including stickiness, but you need to handle it carefully. Apply this translucent balm with a mirror in your hands and do not get on the skin around:The "unprecedented splash of color" referred to in the description is not an exaggeration at all.
Tatyana Potapova
Senior Editor of the Beauty Section
The Lip Balm, La Mer
This balm was the first La Mer product that I tried, and it was with it that the ardent love that I have for the brand has begun for several years.
The texture works on the principle of fabulous dead water (no more, no less): literally before our eyes, it heals wounds on the lips, eliminates the crusts that appear from hot kisses in the cold, nourishes and smoothes well, and generally brings even the most neglected options into proper form. The balm tastes like mint caramel, so it is 100% indicated for application before a date. And finally, a life hack - if nothing helps the cuticle dried out in the frost, do not spare money for it: relief comes almost instantly.
Anastasia Novikova
Editor of the section "Culture"
Sergey Naumov Balm
Black, white, blue - choose which one you want. About lip balms, released by makeup artist Sergei Naumov, is quite a rhyme. True, not all the colors of the balsams that are in the line rhyme into it. In addition to the above, you can still choose between pink and lavender. I tried several at once, as I have long cherished a love for glitter in tin washers. The most interesting thing was to try the black version. Of course, the lips do not become the color of coal, but they acquire a pleasant shine. Minerals give the balm an unusual shade.
In addition to them, Sergey Naumov Balm contains shea, jojoba, avocado and mint oils: they are responsible for hydration. I tested the balm in the cold season and I can say that it copes well with the task of softening lips in a strong wind and at a stable sub-zero temperature. Another property that pleased me was its interaction with lipstick. I usually always put on a layer of balm as a base. To Sergey Naumov Balm, the lipstick seemed to "stick", lay down tightly, evenly and retain a lasting color at least until lunchtime.
Anna Minakova
Creative Director
Rose Hip Balm, Ausganica At
first, the balm evokes mixed feelings: on the one hand, the easily recognizable aroma of rose water captivates, a pleasant oily texture and 100% natural composition, on the other, it tastes strange (in lip products it still has value). But you quickly get used to it, especially since after applying the sensations on the lips are extremely pleasant. It copes with dryness in all its manifestations once or twice, so that with the same success the balm can be applied to the elbows, knees and cuticles.
Irina Urnova
Chief Editor, Director of the Beauty and Culture Sections
Basic Lip – ID, MBR
The name of the respected German anti-aging brand MBR, respected for its compositions, stands for Medical Beauty Research, which fully explains its concept - everything is very scientific, justified, aimed at the effect. This balm, for example, promises to regenerate, moisturize, smooth and even slightly enlarge the lips. I can't say for sure about the latter, but, frankly, I don't believe in the wonderful ability of superficial agents to enlarge or reduce body parts. But the balm moisturizes and heals perfectly, which, in my opinion, is the best prevention of aging. So, apparently, here, with the intended purpose, the MBR productcopes. At least the lips look well-groomed and remain soft to the touch, for which I am ready to shake hands with this product.
Daria Gorshkova
Managing Editor
Lip Balm # 1, Kiehl's
This balm has been produced by the New York brand since 1969 and it has taken root in very, very many cosmetic bags, but for some reason it has only reached mine (with all my sincere love for Kiehl’s). Meanwhile, this did not prevent him from becoming indispensable - leaving Lip Balm # 1 at home in the Moscow winter is now even worse for me than forgetting headphones. At first glance, there is nothing out of the ordinary in it: the smell, color, texture, reminded me of another cult balm from America, which only recently officially appeared in Russia - Carmex - only in the classic, without fruit flavors, Kiehl'sthe aroma is more unobtrusive. In addition to the aesthetic advantages, it is important that my new New York comrade is doing an excellent job with his tasks - to protect, nourish and soften. Mainly due to squalane (Kiehl's proprietary olive oil), allantoin, vitamin E, wheat germ oil and cottonseed oil. Among the disadvantages mentioned by many users - the lack of an applicator and, as a result, "inconvenient" packaging, and too oily texture - I personally did not confuse any one.
Nina Spiridonova
Editor of the section "Watches and Jewelry"
Soin des Lèvres, Caudalie
If you love wine, then Caudalie cosmetics are for you: both are made on the basis of grapes, without the addition of various kinds of chemicals. In addition to grape polyphenols, hygienic lipstick contains shea butter and castor oil, thanks to which the product soothes chapped and chapped lips. The cream-colored balm stays on the lips for quite a long time - which is definitely a plus, but when applied personally, it is a little oily for me. It smells like vanilla (according to the label) and citrus (according to my feelings).
Yana Lukina
Fashion Section Editor
Prep + Prime Lip, MAC
Strictly speaking, this is not even a balm, but a colorless base, raised to a cult by fans of matte lipsticks - the very ones that require a pair of perfectly smooth lips. Prep + Prime Lip has become an object of adoration for a reason: it really copes with the tasks stated in the name with a bang - prepares the lips (Prep), filling in all the cracks (Prime) due to the wax base (it also helps the lipsticks and gloss applied on top not to creep) … But I personally did not feel the serious moisturizing, which many adorers of cosmetics talk about. So I wouldn't "expand" its functionality to a balm, but in case of friendship with lipstick I would definitely have in mind.
Tatyana Potapova
Senior Editor of the Beauty Section
Hydra Beauty Nutrition, Chanel
The balm is good even when it is just lying on the table: the laconic black and white washer literally attracts the eye with its simple, but at the same time, some perfect design in every millimeter. But with its direct responsibilities (moisturize, not decorate), it also copes perfectly well. The fact that the balm needs to be applied with a finger is more a plus than a minus for me: I wash my hands 30 times a day, so there is no fear of filling my mouth with foreign bacteria, plus the product perfectly nourishes the cuticle, which suffers from soap, frost and dry air. …
Daria Gorshkova
Managing Editor
Baby Lips Holiday Spice, (shade 25), Maybelline New York
I immediately liked the new Maybelline balm from the limited edition holiday collection: it smells like coffee and chocolate, without which I simply cannot live. At the same time, the fragrance turned out to be moderately sweet and not the most intrusive, which, in my experience, is not possible for all budget brands with these notes. In addition, the light brown lip balm is easy to apply and the texture, which gives a light shine and almost imperceptible tone, is pleasant to feel on the lips. The product also copes with their moisturizing. In a word, at its price (about 120 rubles), this balm is unlikely to give cause for complaints to those who are not particularly fixated on organic cosmetics and the "correct" composition.
Valeria Snoz
Photo Editor and Designer
Nutricia Baume Levres, Payot
Knowing that the weekend would have to be spent outdoors, I decided not to waste time and tested the balm in a truly harsh environment. A thick, dense layer created a barrier from the external environment, so that even the wind was not terrible: the lips seemed to be dressed in winter clothes. The oleo-complex (oil of sweet almonds, raspberry seeds and meadow foam) and Japanese lily of the valley extract are responsible for the regenerating and moisturizing qualities of the product, so this is a good emergency aid if the lips are severely chapped. I applied the balm not only on the lips themselves, but also on the skin outside them: a noticeable softening effect was not long in coming. But you have to pay for its powerful nutritional and regenerating properties: in my opinion, the balm is heavy, I want to constantly rub it in order to get rid of the feeling of the presence of something on the lips. Among the additional advantages, I can note the presence of an applicator (hands always remain clean) and the absence of fragrances: this is a serious advantage for me and everyone who is also sensitive to odors.
Nina Spiridonova
Editor of the section "Watches and Jewelry"
Acqualia Thermal Levres, Vichy
Classic hygienic lipstick, colorless and odorless. The milky white balm is easy to apply without leaving any extra shine and remains on the lips for a couple of hours. It moisturizes and protects lips well, and small cracks and a feeling of wrinkling after frost quickly disappear. All thanks to glycerin, shea butter, asiatic acid and vitamin E included in its composition.
Tatyana Potapova
Senior Editor of the Beauty
Section Hydrating Lip Balm, Tom Ford
I am happy to buy clothes in men's departments: there are more fashionable hats and more interesting prints on sweatshirts. The same is with cosmetics - it is worth seeing the For Men mark, hands themselves reach to open the jar and smear the contents on themselves.
And I did not go wrong with Tom Ford lip care: inside a brown-gray tube with a golden sparkle, there is a cool balm with an attractive confectionery scent. The texture, as well as the seemingly standard applicator, in fact turns out to be very pleasant in a pair: if the balm is in a prominent place, you want to renew the layer again and again. Plus, the product moisturizes the lips well and gives them a very soft, natural, like a moist glow.
Irina Urnova
Editor-in-chief, director of the Beauty and Culture sections
. Lipstick-balm Ambulance for dry skin, Neutrogena
Probably few people are completely unfamiliar with the American cosmetic brand Neutrogena, which has a reputation of a staunch fighter against all sorts of external the effects of frost on humans. The Norwegian Formula contained in the brand's products is designed to solve the problems of chapped lips, chapped hands, frostbite cheeks and noses, which Scandinavians are no less familiar with than we - the lucky ones who live in withering vapors of salt reagents from late October to April.
This year, for some reason, the problem of dryness has become especially acute, and, judging by the complaints, for very many. Either endless jumps in temperature by 10-12 degrees per day (though that's enough!), Or the generosity of household services for chemical powders that corrode snow and ice, but something this winter makes the skin suffer many times more than usual. Considering that I also tend to bite my lips in stressful situations, if it were not for the constant balms at hand, I would look like the only person in the world with sandpaper on his face. Fortunately, Neutrogena has justified its reputation - lipstick really restores and perfectly protects lips from cold and other troubles, has an important SPF and smells like that "hygienic" from childhood. In general, a great fellow!
Nina Spiridonova
Editor of the section "Watches and Jewelry"
Vanille, Yves Rocher
This nourishing balm has a subtle creamy shade with a pleasant vanilla scent. It is applied easily, but absorbed too quickly: after half an hour the lips feel a lack of a moisturizing life-giving agent, so it is better to keep it always at hand during the period of "dryness". If you apply hygienic lipstick in a thicker layer, it will sit on the lips much longer, but this method of application is hardly suitable for men: a moist gloss remains on the lips. On the other hand, he looks very attractive on girlish faces.
Valeria Snoz
Photo Editor and Designer
Lip Service, Lush
At first glance, the balm in a tin can is poorly adapted for winter: it involves applying with your finger, and gloves will prevent you from doing it outdoors. But otherwise there are no complaints: the texture lies easily and comfortably on the lips, almost colorless, with a pleasant and very unobtrusive citrus scent. The composition includes several types of oils (shea, apricot, cocoa and American mandarin), which generally justifies the name "Lip Aid": after a couple of seconds the balm completely dissolved, leaving only a pleasant feeling of comfort and softness (not a trace of dryness and cracks).
Alisa Kurmanaeva
Editor of the categories "Food" and "Auto"
"Ideal lips" and "Vitamin F", Librederm
During testing, I was incredibly lucky: in the frosty January wind, my lips were really chapped and chapped. Of course, there was little pleasant in this, but on the other hand I was able to objectively assess the effect of the two Librederm brand funds I received.: active-balm "Perfect lips" with vitamin E and regenerating hygienic lipstick "Vitamin F". Hygienic lipstick was initially chosen to combat dryness and mild inflammation caused by cold air. The short annotation on the tube promised vitamin F would soften and soothe the skin and prevent cracking. Alas, the product did not meet the high expectations. It removed the inflammation extremely slowly, and the corners of the mouth, carefully treated with lipstick, remained dry for a long time. At the same time, the lipstick lay on the skin with a heavy, greasy layer, causing the feeling as if the lips were sealed with wax. Of the obvious advantages, only a pleasant sweetish smell can be noted. Perhaps this tool is good at preventing chapping, but for the "advanced stage" it is better to choose the Perfect Lips balm. Its vitamin E is known for its anti-inflammatory effect, so in just a day my redness and an unpleasant feeling of dryness almost disappeared. And it took the balm three days to completely eliminate all the symptoms of weathering. Its texture is much lighter than lipstick, and it also gives the lips a pleasant, seductive shine. So this tool can be used for chapping or just like that - the balm justifies its name "Ideal lips" completely.and just like that - the name "Perfect lips" balm fully justifies.and just like that - the name "Perfect lips" balm fully justifies.
Roman Bespalov
Designer of printed applications
Baume Levres Ultra Rich, L'Occitane
A good oily balm: it spreads well and feels very comfortable on the lips. It has almost no smell and taste, which is also among the pluses. The texture is pleasant, but immediately after application it tends to shine, which is not very comfortable for me as a man. It is easy to eliminate the problem with a napkin: if you blot the excess, the glow goes away. The main thing in the composition is shea butter in a rather high, ten percent concentration: it provides good hydration and softening of the lips.
Ivan Annenkov
Art Director
Him / Her Lip Care, Giorgio Armani
Using balms is a novelty for me - my lips dry only in severe frost and, as a rule, I do not connect any care products and just wait until it gets warmer. Applying this product, I felt a slightly viscous texture (although, perhaps, it should be), but the strange sensations are more than compensated for by the barely perceptible, pleasant taste of the product. The tube itself fits comfortably in the hand, and from a design point of view, I also like the packaging: it does not scream “try me” and does not “announce” juicy strawberries or a whirlwind of exotic fruits. They are not there: the aroma is (fortunately) discreet, but at the same time very pleasant. Despite the fact that the tool is announced as "for him" and "for her", the texture has a hue. This is not to be feared - it does not appear on the lips in any way.
Svetlana Korshunova
Publishing editor of print applications
Baume Levres Repareteur, Clarins
I have been using the Clarins brand for several years now because it is always a win-win option. And the revitalizing lip balm hasn't spoiled the brand's reputation. Good texture (absorbs quickly, leaving a slight shine), pleasant fragrance (smells like fruit monpensier) and a very convenient, economical dispenser - I have been using one tube for a couple of months now, applying the balm several times a day, but it still seems full. On weekdays, I also use it as a base for lipstick (then it fits better), and when at home, I apply it myself: my lips are immediately moisturized and retain this feeling for a long time.
Irina Urnova
Editor-in-chief, director of the Beauty and Culture sections
Softening balm for skin with cinnamon oil, Tender Care, Oriflame
Having received this balm as a test sample, I plunged into pleasant nostalgia - once upon a time my older sister brought Oriflame catalogand allowed to choose any five means. I put together, as I now understand, an extremely healthy kit for cleansing, exfoliating, moisturizing and emergency assistance in case of a pimple that jumped up overnight. The fifth was a balm with vitamin E in a cute pink jar from the Tender Care series. And in spite of my sister's doubts ("Did you decide for sure? This is a series for older skin"), she was adamant - not being completely sure of what it was all about, I knew for sure: I need it! And even in my ignorant 12 years, I was right. At first glance, a microscopic jar is capable of much more than it might seem - a soft balm, similar in consistency to honey, in a matter of seconds moisturizes not only lips, and even the most chapped, but also dry areas on the rest of the body, including coarse skin on the elbows …And personally from me, the balm was especially warmly grateful for the instant moisturizing of the cuticle, which in the fuss is not always possible to pamper with manicure on time. In a few seconds, the fingers of a busy person turn into the fingers of a sleek and idle person, there is no greasy shine, and this jar does not take up space in the bag, so it will be very useful both on weekdays and on secular evenings, and on a long journey … The orange color of the package gives it a novelty - this version of the balm contains cinnamon oil, due to which there is even more hydration and nutrition. The cozy scent of cinnamon cookies is a nice bonus. At the same time, there is no oily sheen, and this jar does not take up space in the bag, so it will be very useful on weekdays, and on secular evenings, and on a long journey. The orange color of the package gives it a novelty - this version of the balm contains cinnamon oil, due to which there is even more hydration and nutrition. The cozy scent of cinnamon cookies is a nice bonus. At the same time, there is no oily sheen, and this jar does not take up space in the bag, so it will be very useful on working days, on social evenings, and on a long journey. The orange color of the package gives it a novelty - this version of the balm contains cinnamon oil, due to which there is even more hydration and nutrition. The cozy scent of cinnamon cookies is a nice bonus.
Yana Lukina
Fashion editor
Satin Lips, Mary Kay
Actually, Satin Lips is a whole line: under the same name you can find a mask and a lip scrub at Mary Kay. As for the balm, overall it made a good impression. Shea and jojoba oils in the composition really work in full force: they soften, smooth. With such a protector on your lips, you can safely go for a walk even in sub-zero temperatures (of course, if we are not talking about minus thirty - although who knows; Satin Lips passed the test five degrees below zero with flying colors). Perhaps the only drawback of the product is a slight, but still the feeling of a film immediately after application. Fortunately, it does not last long. And quickly - unlike the balm, which lasts even after meeting with soft drinks - it disappears.
Contained in balsam, in Norway it seems that it is also not tropics, which means that the problem of chapped lips, chapped hands, frostbitten cheeks and noses is no less familiar to the locals than to us - the happy metropolitan residents who live in withering vapors of salt reagents from late October to April. >