Spring Style

Give your wardrobe and beauty routine a spring cleaning with the hottest new trends and products.

Test Lab

We love new products, trends and tips but ever wondered about wearing them in real life? Each week we’ll take on a test drive, from the newest nail colour, to playing with perfume or seeing how long that hairstyle actually takes and share what we find (sweet, not-so-sweet and everything in between).

Pucker Up

test lab: lip balm canada (Oct.30.09)

The inspiration: Winter is about to weigh down on us and we'll do anything to avoid dry, flaky lips.

The test:

This week's testers:

Sarah Rogers (usually wears Kiss My Face)
Nadine Silverthorne (usually wears Aveda Lip Saver SPF 15)
Monica Lapa (usually wears Blistex Fruit Smoothies)

The results:

Balea:

First Impressions:

SR: I liked the smell though it was a bit sweet, the flavour not so much. I found the texture greasy, a little goes a long way.
NS: The smell is delish. But something feels gritty. Is this an exfoliant?
ML: The smell is amazing and I love the hint of sheer pink on my lips. This helped me look past the gritty texture.

One hour later:

SR: After tea and a water, I can still taste the lip balm but it’s been completely absorbed and my lips are ready for another application.
NS: Scent is bugging me now. Kinda feel nauseous. And please can I wipe this sparkly grit off my lips?
ML: Still on my lips even after my breakfast and the smell has added a little spring in my step!

Cake:

First Impressions:

SR: I’ve always liked Cake lip balm (but also the convenience of sticks). The scent is subtle and texture is smooth -- so far I am liking the experience.
NS: Yum and ooh! Love the texture. Not greasy.
ML: That berry smell is too reminiscent of awkward high school years for me (like the thickness though).

One hour later:

SR: Still loving this balm. My lips feel soft and kissable - I wish my husband was here to take advantage!
NS: Still love. Stayed on, feels good and not too much smell or taste (sometimes Cake products can be, well… like eating too much icing for me).
ML: They definitely feel moisturized but I just can’t get over the smell, it’s too much for me.

J. R. Watkins:

First Impressions:

SR: Wow, love at first application. The smoothest texture yet and the I kind of love that the scent is minimal (it means I won’t get sick of it). This is what lip balm is supposed to feel like.
NS: Meh. Taste is bland. But texture is good.
ML: I like the way it feels on my lips but it is leaving a bit of a white residue…not sure if ghostly lips look good or not!?

One hour later:

SR: I am still loving this balm an hour later. This is definitely the most durable of all the brands so far and the most subtle.
NS: Forgot I had it on. How nice and light! And my lips feel soft.
ML: The whitey look has really toned down and my lips feel like they have sucked in the moisture which I enjoy!

Lypsyl

First Impressions:

SR: This scent-free balm almost feels like salve going on. I think it would be great for seriously chapped lips in the later winter months.
NS: Ooh, gooey smooth. Wait, it might feel a bit heavy.
ML: The texture feels a bit thick for my taste but I love the lack of a strong smell!

One hour later:

SR: My initial reaction was right. This lip balm is sure to soothe and protect against the harshest of winter days.
NS: Still on, lips feel moist, but really don't like that I still feel it on my lips.
ML: Lips feel very moisturized! Not sure I’ll have to reapply anything for a while. I like!

WINNERS:

SR: J.R. Watkins (Cake and Lypsyl in a close second)
NS: Tie between Cake and J.R. Watkins
ML: Balea

[Ed note: Looks like lip balms are all about personal preference since each one ranked depending on our tester! All made for soft lips though so our advice? Find one you like and stick with it to ward off the cold climate coming.]