EOS Lip Balm is the Perfect Lipstick Base in the Cold Weather

Sponsored Post (Affiliate Links)

Clearly the winter, and the colder weather in general, is an appropriate time to talk about lip balms, and I have certainly done plenty of that over the years. However, that isn't my intention here. While lips certainly require more care and moisture during this season, I wanted to address the way in which all of the trending liquid lipsticks, matte lipsticks, and intensely pigmented lipstick formulas can compound the problem, and really test the limits of what our lips can endure. You may recall, in my 2012 eos lip balm review (reviewed here) that I asserted, 

"My trick is to always apply just a small dab of lip balm under all of my lip products. This locks in moisture, and when applied sparingly functions as an effective lip primer. I find that a more matte finish in a lip balm to be more effective (i.e. eos lip balm)...." 

While I have purchased many eos lip balms since I published my 2012 review, there have been two flavors that I have continued to repurchase: Sweet Mint Lip Balm and Honeysuckle Honeydew. For some reason those two flavors really resonate with me.

I find the eos lip balms very comfortable on the lips, and they quickly heal them when they are dry. I also really like that they are filled with lots of good healthy ingredients, and it is a definite bonus that they are 100% natural, 95% organic and cruelty-free.

eos lip balms are:

• Gluten-free
• Paraben-free
• Petrolatum-free
• Phthalate-free
• 95% organic
• 100% natural
• Packed with anti-oxidant rich Vitamin E, Shea Butter & Jojoba Oil
• Cruelty-free

Ingredients Honeysuckle Honeydew: Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Beeswax/Cera Alba (Cire D'abeille), Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Natural Flavor (Aroma), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Cucumis Melo (Honeydew Melon) Seed Extract, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Limonene, Linalool. Organic. Component of Natural Flavor. Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth.

Ingredients Sweet Mint: Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Beeswax (Cire D'abeille), Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Extract, Tocopherol, Limonene, Linalool. Organic. Component of Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil. Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth.

Overall Assessment: If you are looking for a good lip balm that serves as an effective base for your lipsticks, then you might want to pick up an eos lip balm! I have been using these charming little egg-shaped lip balms for many years, and they continue to be my go-to lipstick base.

Available from national retailers, eos, Ulta, Walgreens, Selfridges, Overstock.com and Bed, Bath & Beyond (Affiliate Links).

Sponsored. All views expressed are categorically my own.
Copyright © 2017 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.

Pink Ribbon Beauty Finds for BCA | Drugstore to Luxury

Essie 2014 Breast Cancer Awareness Mini Cube 

PSA (Affiliate Links)

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and many companies are currently selling products from which a portion, and in some cases all, of the proceeds are being donated to a variety of Breast Cancer organizations. If you are pondering pretty pink purchases for a worthy cause, here are a few lovelies to consider. Whether you are strolling the aisles of your local drugstore to replenish your deodorant or lip balm, or planning a luxury purchase for yourself-- there are a plethora of choices that proudly display the Pink Ribbon, and are worthy of your consideration.

Here are but a few:

Essie 2014 Breast Cancer Awareness Mini Cube 

A quartet of mini long-lasting nail polishes

Essie 2014 Breast Cancer Awareness Mini Cube features 3 limited-edition shades of nail polish to benefit breast cancer awareness and create a perfect at-home manicure. These feminine lacquers feature a safe recipe without the use of toluene, formaldehyde or DHP to protect nails with a chip-resistant finish. Mix and match for a personalized appearance or toss in your purse for touch-ups. 

Essie 2014 Breast Cancer Awareness Mini Cube includes:

• Pink Happy - bright pink (0.16 fl. oz)
• Pinking About You - baby pink sequin (0.16 fl. oz.)
• I Pink I Can - pastel pink (0.16 fl. oz.)
• Grow Stronger Base Coat (0.16 fl. oz.)

$17.00 from Dermstore and Nordstrom.

EOS Limited Edition Pink Smooth Sphere and Smooth Stick Lip Balm and Hand Lotion Set  

Includes Pomegranate Raspberry Smooth Sphere Lip Balm, Limited Edition strawberry Sorbet Smooth Stick Lip Balm, and Berry Blossom Hand Lotion.

Lip Balm Flavors: Pomegranate Raspberry Smooth Sphere, Strawberry Sorbet Smooth Stick

USDA-Certified organic formula; 100% natural.

Enriched with nourishing shea butter and soothing jojoba oil

Provide long lasting moisture for sensationally soft and smooth lips.

Soft-touch, ergonomic, recyclable packaging on Smooth Sphere lip balm is easy to find in even the largest of bags.

Superior Hand Lotion is 96% natural providing 24 hour miniaturization. Fast-absorbing and non-greasy, so hands are super soft and silky smooth.

$7.99 Available from Drugstore.com and Ulta.

Sonia Kashuk Proudly Pink 

professional quality makeup brushes

Beautiful eyes are works of art, and here's how you create them. This set of Sonia Kashuk Proudly Pink professional quality makeup brushes come with clean white handles, chic silver accents and pink plush bristles. And it's all wrapped in a silver carrying case with pink lining. Set includes powder/blusher brush, concealer brush, eye shadow brush, crease brush and bent eye liner brush.

Target is donating 15% of the purchase price (excluding sales tax) from the purchases of this item at Target and Target.com to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).  For more information about BCRF, visit www.bcrfcure.org. 

$15.99 Available from Target.

Soft & Dri Aluminum Free Deodorant Solid, Powder Fresh 

For generations, Soft & Dri® has been dedicated to helping women let their confidence and beauty shine through by keeping them fresh and dry, while being gentle on their skin all day, every day – no matter what life throws their way.

As part of this commitment, Soft & Dri® has once again partnered with Play for P.I.N.K, a non-profit organization that uses lifestyle and sporting events to raise funds for breast cancer research, in hopes of creating a world where women can feel confident knowing they can live their lives without the specter of a disease that has impacted the lives of far too many.

From May 1, 2014 – December 31, 2014 sales of specially marked Soft & Dri products sold in North America will support Soft & Dri’s $10,000 donation to Play for P.I.N.K.

Soft & Dri® Aluminum Free deodorant provides highly-effective all-day protection from odor only, with a gentle fragrance that gives you that confident feeling of clean.

Ingredients: Propylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Water, Sodium Stearate, PEG-6, Methyl Ether, Triclocarban, Red 33, Fragrance. Made in Canada.

$2.29 from Drugstore.com.

Jane Iredale Smell the Roses Hydrating Spray

All profits from the sales of Smell the Roses Hydration Spray are donated to Living Beyond Breast Cancer.

Smell the Roses Hydration Spray by jane iredale gives you a quick pick-me-up whenever you need it. The facial spritz contains rose flower oil and extracts to calm and support your skin’s function while its rosy fragrance refreshes and lifts your mood. Organic rose damascena flower water is an excellent skin tonic, cleansing the skin without disturbing its natural protective shield, while rose damascena flower oil and extracts penetrate deep into the layers of your skin, nourishing, tightening, cleansing, detoxifying and increasing blood circulation all while calming and supporting the skin’s functions.

How to use: Lightly mist onto your face from about an arm’s length away whenever your skin feels dry or when exposed to a drying atmosphere. It can also be used to set minerals and help conceal pores and fine lines, to moisturize oily skin, to use on makeup brushes to intensify eyeshadows or as static control for your hair.

$29.00 Available from Nordstrom, Pharmaca and SkinStore.

Arcona Magic Pink Ice

ARCONA will donate $2 for every Magic Pink Ice sold in the month of October to Cancer and Careers.

Daily hydrating gel moisturizes deep within the dermis without clogging pores, to protect against environmental damage and leave skin fresh and dewy.  Moisturize skin with white cranberry complex, hyaluronic acid and mucopolysaccharides.  Neutralize free radicals with a proprietary mineral complex of beta-carotene, vitamins B-5, C and E.  Clarify skin with anti-microbial totara extract.

Like all products in ARCONA's skin therapy regimen,  Magic Pink Ice  is cosmeceutically formulated with pure, natural ingredients, cold-pressed in small batches to keep them fresh, active and super-effective.  For optimal results, we recommend using this product within six months of opening.  change may be immediately noticeable;  however, full benefits are derived as skin is brought into balance by regular use. All Skin Types. Made in the USA.

$40.00 Available from Arcona, SkinStore and Beauty.com.

Bobbi Brown Pretty Pink Ribbon Lip Gloss Collection (Limited Edition)

Gloss for a cause — four ultra-pretty pinks that will make lips shimmer: Pretty Pink Sheer Lip Gloss, Pink Tulle High Shimmer Lip Gloss; Bright Lilac Lip Gloss and Soiree Pink Shimmer Lip Gloss.

When you purchase this gorgeous limited edition set, Bobbi Brown will donate $12 of every sale to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Bobbi’s award-winning Lip Gloss gives lips beautiful, brilliant dimension and stays color true without that sticky feel. Enriched with emollients and Vitamins C and E, High Shimmer Lip Gloss will condition, protect and moisturize lips.

Wear it alone or on top of your favorite Lip Color — either way our new tapered applicator lets you apply like a pro.

$60.00 Available from Bobbi Brown, Nordstrom, Macy's, Saks Fifth Avenue, Harrods and Bloomingdale's. 

Clarisonic Mia 1

InStyle Editor's Pick - Best Beauty Buy (Best Face Tool)

It’s time to think beyond the washcloth and elevate cleansing to a sonic level. Traditional methods of cleansing don’t get your skin as clean as you’d think. Fortunately, the lead inventor of Sonicare discovered a breakthrough in how we cleanse. Clarisonic’s patented sonic technology works with skin’s natural elasticity to gently remove the impurities traditional methods leave behind—cleansing 6X better than your hands alone. In just 60 seconds, the sonic action removes impurities from pores so creams, serums and moisturizers absorb better. And with regular daily use you’ll notice a reduction in dry patches, oily areas and blemishes. Cleaner skin is healthier skin and healthier skin is more radiant and more beautiful.

The perfect compact cleansing system for use at home or on the go. Mia 1 is the, go-anywhere Sonic Skin Cleansing System in a great compact size. The one-button, one-speed Mia 1 fits your active lifestyle for beautiful, glowing skin wherever life's adventures take you.

$99.00 Available from SkinStore. 

NuFace Trinity Value Set - Petal Pink 

A portion of the proceeds from every NuFace Trinity Petal Pink will be donated to the Look Good...Feel Better campaign. This organization is dedicated to improving the self–esteem and quality of life for people undergoing treatment for cancer.

Known as the 5 minute face lift, the NuFace Trinity delivers beautiful, unparalleled professional results in an easy to use at-home system. Built on the same soft wave microcurrent technology that made the NuFace Classic the best-selling handheld device to lift and tone your face, the NuFace Trinity will gently stimulate the facial muscles to improve your skin's appearance. The NuFace Trinity is beautifully engineered with an improved ergonomic design to deliver an amazing user experience.

With the addition of the Wrinkle Reducer and ELE attachments for added functionality, the NuFace Trinity will make it even easier to achieve beautiful results in as little as 5 minutes a day. Trinity's included Microcurrent Facial Trainer attachment easily removes and is interchangeable with the Trinity Wrinkle Reducer or ELE attachments. The Wrinkle Reducer and ELE attachments are sold separately.

In a Recent Clinical Study:

85% of clinical study users experienced significant improvements in facial contour.

80% of clinical study users said their face felt more toned.

73% of clinical study users experienced significant improvements in skin tone.

$325.00 Available from SkinStore.

100% of net proceeds through October benefit the Noreen Fraser Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds for women's cancer research and creating awareness of the importance of early detection.

Stella & Dot Benefits Breast Cancer Research STRENGTH BRACELET

Strength is beautiful. Inspired by the power and loyalty of the elephant. Shiny gold plating on a malleable brass bar with cutout elephant detail sits atop a hot pink leather band. Easily adjusts to fit SM-LG wrists with buckle closure.Adjusts to SM-LG with buckle closure.

$39.00 from Stella & Dot.

Stella & Dot Benefits Breast Cancer Research INSPIRE BRACELET

Delicate can be so powerful. Inspired by the strength and design of a braided rope. Shiny rose gold plating on a malleable brass bar with cutout rope detail sits atop a neutral metallic leather band. Easily adjusts to fit SM-LG wrists with buckle closure. Adjusts to SM-LG with buckle closure.

$39.00 from Stella & Dot.

Have you made any Pink Ribbon purchases in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month? If so, what wonderful products did you find?

Copyright © 2014 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.

Empties Post Volume VIII: March 2013

This month I endeavored to use up as many sample packets and lip products as possible. I sought to be pragmatic because I had been down with a nasty cold and wanted to avoid infecting full-sized products. 

Full-Size Products: *Remedy with Phytoplex Hydrating Cleansing Gel (reviewed here). MAC Volcanic Ash Exfoliator (reviewed here), and *FutureDerm Time Release Retinol 0.50 (reviewed here).

I really loved using the Remedy Hydrating Cleansing Gel for shaving because it left my skin indescribably smooth and soft. I really liked the MAC Volcanic Ash Exfoliator, and am pleased that it is finally part of their permanent collection, but I probably won't repurchase it since I have other physical exfoliants that I prefer to this one.  FutureDerm Time Release Retinol 0.50 is a highly effective  and gentle retinol-based product. I liked it so much that I opened up the pump bottle and scraped out every last bit. Once I finish using my other retinols- I will definitely purchase another bottle of this great product.

Lip Products: EOS Sweet Mint Lip Balm (reviewed here), *Reviva Labs Vitamin E Oil Stick (reviewed here), Eve Lom Kiss Mix (reviewed here), Bonne Bell Lip Smacker (Watermelon, Vanilla, and Strawberry reviewed here), *Remedy Phytoplex Lip Balm (reviewed here), and Korres Lip Butter in Jasmine (reviewed here).

I made it my goal to finish up all of my nearly completely used up lip balms, and it was fairly easy to do for two reasons: 1) each of them had very little left, and 2) I had been sick with that awful cold, and for the most part was unwilling to infect newer lip balms. My disastrously chapped lips were cracked and on the verge of bleeding at the height of my cold, therefore requiring constant reapplication. I felt so satisfied when I realized that I had actually finished up an unprecedented 8 lip balms, but to be fair the contents of these 8 lip balms amounted to no more than 2 full-sized products, and they were used over the period of about 3 weeks. I did scrape out the last bits in order to recycle the packaging- so I really did use every last bit.

Samples Galore: I have continued to work my way through my samples, and I really managed to use up quite a few. I relied upon samples for my cleansers, makeup removers, lotions, serums, masks, cotton pads, scrubs, sunscreen, eye creams, and anything else that I could find to use during that time. The Tatcha Classic Rice Enzyme Powder, Koh Gen Do Cleansing Spa Water Cloths, and The Organic Pharmacy serums all rank amongst my favorites- and I have full sizes of each that I covet!

Makeup: MAC Select Moisturecover Concealer. I have had this concealer for so long that if I hadn't finished it I would have tossed it. I liked it a good deal, but was ready to move on to the next thing once I made my way to the bottom of the tube. 

*Denotes Press Samples.

What did you use up, toss out, give away, or return this month?

Perhaps the best anthem for Empties!

Empties Post: Volume V: December 2012

I initially thought that I would make a larger dent in all of my samples during the month of December, but since I was using vbeauté skincare exclusively I really didn't use other skincare products. Still, I did manage to use up a few skincare samples that didn't interfere with reviewing the entire line.

Skincare Products: My big surprise was the Clarins UV PLUS HP Ecran Multi-Protection SPF 40- this is hands down the best sunscreen that I have ever tried, period end of subject!  Needless to say, I purchased the full sized bottle. It doesn't have a strange texture, it plays well with makeup, and feels silky smooth. REN Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask (reviewed here) is a fabulous peel mask- I used these samples while traveling. This is simply an amazingly effective mask, and I will continue using it as long as REN makes it! MAKE UP FOR EVER Sens'Eyes- Waterproof Sensitive Eye Cleanser (reviewed here) handles even the toughest waterproof makeup, and it does so effortlessly and gently.

Body & Hair Products: I try to be judicious in my use of hand sanitizers, but I did have a really bad flu this year so I did use them after touching door knobs at work. The one from Traders Joe's was of the regular gel variety, but the one that I really loved was Intelligent Nutrients Certified Organic Hand Sanitizer (reviewed here) because it was a pleasant smelling organic product in a spray bottle. It was so convenient to use because of the way that it was packaged, and I highly recommend it for this reason and for the quality of the product itself. My husband bought Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle Shampoo and didn't use it because he preferred one of their other shampoos- so it just sat in the shower unused. Being one who hates waste, I decided to repurpose it as a shower and shave gel- and it worked well as such. The Curls Gel-les'c curl gel/ shine serum (reviewed here) was a really lovely product that felt moisturizing on my curly locks, and it really gave my hair a lovely shine! EOS Pomegranate Raspberry Shave Cream was an awesome and affordable product that left my legs very soft and moisturized after use.

Makeup, Lip Balms & Fragrances: I made a decent dent in my pile of fragrance samples- which I have vowed to get through. It drives me nuts having drawers filled with piles of things that I don't use-- so it gives me great satisfaction using up these perfume samples. As always, if they smell awful on me I end up using them near the kitty litter boxes to deodorize the area. I managed to get through another Suki Lip Repair Butter (reviewed here) and a Weleda Everon Lip Balm (I love this stuff!), but both were nearly used up- so it didn't take much time to use the last bits of each of them. I also used up a Chanel Mascara sample, the last bits of a MAC eyeshadow duo, and the last bits of a Trish McEvoy Blush. For the last few months I have been trying to make a dent in some of my makeup, and the aforementioned MAC and Trish McEvoy products were on my hit list to finish up before 2013. I am so pleased that I actually finished both of them.

Which products did you finish, toss, or give away in December?

EOS Sweet Mint Lip Balm Review

Purchased (Affiliate Links)

I think that we really have a false sense of the seasons living in Los Angeles. The weather here really is temperate year round, and it is not at all unusual to wear what is considered spring and summer clothing during the "colder" months of the year. While the seasonal changes may at times be imperceptible to us- our skin often tells a very different story.

The weather has been gorgeous lately, but I have noticed that my skin is a little dry (and I have decidedly combination skin) and my lips are ridiculously chapped. I have plenty of good moisturizing lip balms, but the other day while at CVS I saw the EOS Sweet Mint Lip Balm that I have been trying to find for some time. So naturally I grabbed it and started using it immediately.

EOS (Evolution of Smooth) lip balms are really comfortable on the lips, and frankly the little twist top egg is pretty fun to use- making it a go-to product for me. I have their Honeysuckle Honeydew flavor as well, but I prefer the refreshing feeling and taste of the Sweet Mint.  This balm really seems to help heal my parched cracking lips, and feels good in the process. I also really like that it is filled with lots of good ingredients, and that it isn't filled with lots of bad ones. That it is 100% natural & 95% organic is even better!

EOS Lip Balm are:

• Gluten-free
• Paraben-free
• Petrolatum-free
• Phthalate-free
• 95% organic
• 100% natural
• Packed with anti-oxidant rich Vitamin E, Shea Butter & Jojoba Oil

Ingredients: Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil*, Beeswax (Cire D'abeille)*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Natural Flavor, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Extract*, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Cucumis Melo (Honeydew Melon) Seed Extract*, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract*, Limonene, Linalool. * Organic. Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth.

Overall assessment: I really really like EOS lip balms in general, but I L O V E the Sweet Mint lip balm the most! I highly recommend EOS lip balms, but try to find the Sweet Mint!

I paid $3.29 at my local CVS. Also available from EOS, Ulta, Walgreens, Unbeatable Sale, Selfridges, Overstock.com and Bed, Bath & Beyond (Affiliate Links).