Tag: balm

NIVEA Lip Care and GIVEAWAY – Closed

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I am pretty faithful to old school Carmex, so it takes quite a bit for me to love something new. Leave it to the classic, European brand, NIVEA, to give Carmex a run for its money. I worked with the brand for a challenge a couple weeks back (look for my Instagram and Twitter pics with hashtag #LipService). Each day that week, I tried a new variety of NIVEA Lip Care. And I can safely say I will have these stashed everywhere from now on.

My favorite was the A Kiss of Milk and Honey Soothing Lip Care. It is perfect for nighttime, but I actually like the soothing formula at work for a little stress break. My other favorite is A Kiss of Shimmer for just a hint of color and shine. Really they were all winners across the board.

It has been a long time since I have done a giveaway. And I am happy to report that I am bringing one back today! Just comment below on which NIVEA Lip Care would be your pick. Next week I will pick one winner to receive their prize! Good luck and happy Friday.

a note: giveaway is open to US residents. winner will be announced on Thursday, April 21st. 

Thanks for stopping by and entering the giveaway! The winner has been chosen.

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Deep Moisture Balm

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Deep Moisture Balm on Belle Belle Beauty

We have had a rather dry and cold winter here in Tulsa which is a perfect recipe for extra dry skin. My face seems to drink up moisturizer in a hot minute, leaving it feeling dry by the middle of the day. That was until this tub of goodness arrived here at Belle Belle.

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Deep Moisture Balm is one of the richest moisturizers I have ever used. The balm texture literally seals in hydration thanks to glycerin. The formula also contains the Ultra Facial Ingredient of Antarcticine which has bioprotective properties, keeping skin looking young. Edelweiss flower extract, known to thrive in the high altitudes of the Swiss Alps, helps to strengthen the skin’s barrier function to lock in hydration.

My skin stays soft and subtle all day – this balm hit shelves just in time for me to cure the driest of winter skin.

Available at www.kiehls.com.

Budget Lip Balms for Winter

Budget Lip Balms for Winter on Belle Belle Beauty

I am always reaching for a lip balm, but this time of the year I seemed to constantly have one at arm’s length. No wonder I fly through them in a jiff. So I always appreciate a good value. These three are my three recent favorite budget buys:

Softlips Cube Lip Protectant: My high school favorite reinvented. This little cube houses a dome of pure goodness. I keep Fresh Mint at my blog desk and Pomegranate Blueberry at my desk desk. They are chic but affordable and keep my lips hydrated but not sticky all day long.

Carmex Lip Balm Jar: I haven’t grabbed this classic in years but there was something that was so appealing about this throwback. And it works just as wonderfully as ever. I know the scent is unique, but if can get on board, this really is a workhorse healer for seriously chapped lips.

Burt’s Bees Lip Balm: These formulas are natural and paraben-free and feature nourishing beeswax. I love all the flavors but Vanilla Bean is especially cozy on winter days. And when I need a perk up, I grab Coconut & Pear for a tropical escape. Wild Cheery is actually clear and will please any lover of fruity scents.

Note: Don’t miss Burt’s Bees’ fun event now featuring original songs on Vine and Twitter – share yours with the tag #UnCapFlavor.

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AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE MAY HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

Glossier

Glossier on Belle Belle Beauty

I am fairly sure nothing could drag me away from my happy life here in Oklahoma. But if there is one thing I occasionally miss, it is the pleasures of a big city. The latest and greatest, trendy food and fashion inspiration come to mind. So when iconic beauty blogger, Emily Weiss, launched a beauty line up in New York City, I immediately hit purchase and a set of her complexion essentials arrived at my doorstep. A little Manhattan in Tulsa.

While Glossier does offer a la carte, I think their Phase One Set is the best value and really what you need to experience the fun and sophisticated brand. And once you do, you’ll appreciate the simplicity and natural look. Phase One comes with a mist, moisturizer, balm and tint, all for $80 which I think is a remarkable price for four luxe products.

The packaging was solid. Not porcelain or anything (but after breaking my Tata Harper mask in the shower, I’ve come to appreciate plastic). I loved the box it arrived in – so much so that I saved it for a month until I realized I was crazy. I did hold onto the adorable bubble zip bags – those are cherished for travel.

Because I ordered right after Thanksgiving, I received a free tote and extra mist. I use both at work – the tote for my lunch and the mist to refresh my makeup. Beware: keep away from the eye area (even with eyes closed) – it can be irritating. That being said, the rosewater spray is a welcome addition to the moisture factor and I use it to prep skin before the moisturizer.

Rather than stand alone hydration, I think the priming moisturizer plays better as a primer for my dry skin this time of year. In the summer, I expect it to be perfect just on its own but for now I need an extra facial oil or cream. The oil-free formula might be perfect for those with oiler or combo skin. The gel texture absorbs quickly and makes the perfect canvas for makeup.

The BalmDotCom is probably the line’s most iconic product. The beeswax based formula is soothing, healing and locks in moisture like a champ. It is my little winter MVP. I have used it on cuticles, elbows, dry spots and lips. And I actually appreciate that it is basically scent-free – perfect for sleep, work or layered. The thick texture takes a while to come out of the tube’s dispenser, but that keeps me from wasting this precious goodness – as my ex would say, haste makes waste.

The final products is Perfecting Skin Tint which, unlike the moisturizer, packs a punch of delicious hydration thanks to glycerin. And ever since the arrival of these serum-like foundations, I adore the way they add slight coverage, improve skin but still look so natural. Make sure to shake. And I need extra concealer for blemishes and under-eye but overall this might be my favorite out of the bunch. I think it will also be ideal in the summer when I am doing the “undone” look more often than not. I ordered a medium and it is perfect. If you need help, there is a graphic to help you decide on the site. Available in Light, Medium and Dark. Keep in mind that coverage is very sheer so you don’t need to fear a huge mismatch unless you are on the edges of the complexion spectrum.

Available at glossier.com.

Skinfix Body Repair Balm and Rapid Repair Balm

Skinfix Body Repair Balm and Rapid Repair Balm on Belle Belle Beauty

Previously only distributed in Canada, Skinfix is finally available in the US! Yay! This little brand is quite the lifesaver and has come in particularly handy for me the last couple of weeks. Developed based on a family recipe passed down from British Pharmacopoeia, these medicinal balms are proven to work without all the irritating ingredients that can so often be found to treat eczema, dryness, dermatitis, chaffing, razor burn and sunburn.

These balms are made from secret blends of vitamins, minerals, botanical oils and plant extracts. Both balms are dermatologist tested, steroid-free, fragrance-free, hydrocortisone-free and with BPA-free packaging.

Body Repair Balm landed on my desk right as I got my first eczema diagnosis. This tiny (and annoying) patch appeared below my eye last month. My doctor advised me to pick up some hydrocortisone. But I always try to steer clear of unnecessary steroids. I remembered this all-natural balm and started slathering away. Just as the doc promised with the hydrocortisone, that patch was healed in under a week. Now I know that hydrocortisone can harm skin’s natural moisture barrier, so I’ll be turning to Skinfix Body Repair Balm for any dryness or dermatitis from now on. The formula contains colloidal oatmeal, healing botanicals and sweet almond oil. While the texture is very thick, it does absorb quickly into skin leaving behind only a slight stickiness.

Rapid Repair Balm is an amped up version that is specifically targeted for the most injured skin. It tackles chaffing, minor burns, sunburns, razor burn or chronic rashes. Like the Body Repair Balm, this formula is hydrocortisone-free but offers a sort of steroid-free all-natural hydrocortisone. A medicine cabinet staple, it helps with ailments for the entire family. This extremely thick balm doesn’t absorb but sits on top of skin with a little greasiness. But that’s its role as a super healing balm. While each balm is slightly different, I honestly will have these stocked in the future. Their natural properties and ability to treat a wide range of ailments make them invaluable.

Available at Skinfix.com and C.O. Bigelow.

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE MAY HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant // Belle Belle Beauty

I was thrilled to recently guest pin on Pinterest for Birchbox in honor of International Women’s Day (check out the board here). Birchbox teamed up with Elizabeth Arden for the event, and as a thank you for participating, I was gifted the classic Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant. Frankly, I was kind of embarrassed to be a beauty blogger and not have tried this iconic product. Birchbox to the rescue!

A confession: I did hunt down this classic at a department store a while back and was turned off by the smell. I now realize the counter sample must have been old and turned. Once I was assured the cream has basically no scent, I couldn’t stop using it. Beta-hydroxy helps calm irritation. Petrolatum adds moisture. Salicylic acid gently unclog pores. Vitamin E (a.k.a. tocopherol) acts as an antioxidant. This team of stellar ingredients makes the cream versatile enough to hydrate dry skin, tame brows, condition cuticles, treat post-shave and even soothes minor scrapes and sunburns.

Elizabeth Arden’s legacy shines through in her bestsellers – her focus since opening her first salon in 1910 was enhancing women’s looks with a focus on science. The resulting products have fostered the most fiercely loyal fans. The multi-purpose salve has been around 1930 and remains a best-seller. Now I also understand why people remain so devoted to the formula.

I put Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant on a bad scrap on Monday afternoon. Where I’d normally have scabbed and dealt with redness, I just have two small flaky spots a couple days later. Makeup artists love it to add glossy lids and lips to any look. It also can help reduce redness. Basically, it is just a lovely thing that we should all have on hand. Available at Birchbox.

I’m also totally hooked on Eight Hour Cream Nourishing Lip Balm Broad Spectrum – was so clutch at the beach last weekend. I can’t find it at Birchbox but it is available here.