Kiss me like you mean it Lip Balm

Kiss Me Like You Mean It Lip Balm
from Ajoeynamedroo via Etsy

$1.50 ( + $2.05 S&H)

[ Sugared Grape Lollipop: Beeswax, Organic Coconut Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Jojoba Oil, Cocoa Butter, Lanolin, Flavor, Vitamin E, Castor Oil, Red 7, Blue 1, Titanium Dioxide]
[Under the Mistletoe: Beeswax, Organic Coconut Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Jojoba Oil, Cocoa Butter, Lanolin, Organic Cinnamon Leaf Oil, Flavor, Vitamin E, Castor Oil, Red 7]

I'm sure the first thing you notice about these awesome lip balms are those bitchin' sparrows. Oh yea.... how Sailor Jerry. But I digress....

I got the splendid scents of Sugared Grape Lollipop and Under the Mistletoe (Vanilla and Cinnamon). The Sugared Grape is delightful. It is a nice sweet lollipop flavor, however it is not super sweet. If you love grape... this is a must.

The UTM is a super cinnamony chai like balm. It has lip plumping qualities and a slight tint. If you dig chai, this is the balm for you. Or is you are looking for a natural plumper that isnt a sticky gloss... this is for you.

Both have a nice firm texture, which transfers fairly smoothly to your lips. It feels very silky and nourishing. It lasts about 4 hours and does not hold up to drinking but it does hold up to mild to moderate snacking. That is impressive.

Overall this is a great lip balm. Quality for the price. It's not organic or vegan, but it's a fun little balm to have in your purse if your going out to a punk or rockabilly show.

Rating: 4 outta 5

My Birch Lip Balm and Butter Bar... MANGO MADNESS!

My Birch

Lip Balm
$2.50 (+ $1 S&H)
[Avocado Oil, Coconut Oil, Beeswax, Jojoba Oil, Castor Oil, Fragrance oil ]

Butter Bar
$3.50 (+ $2 S&H)
[Beeswax, Shea butter, sunflower oil , fragrance oil, turmeric root for color]


The simple ingredients of these products and the sleek logo design really attracted me to Birch.

First up, the lip balm. I opted for Mango-Peach Fusion. It does smell very sweet and fresh, but more like a peach than a mango. Once it is on the sweetness becomes obnoxious and overly floral. This is scented with a very strong fragrance oil so the balm tastes like perfume. This is not attractive.

The balm glides on very nicely. At first it feels a bit greasy but when you rub your lips together they feel like they are being wrapped in moisture. There is also a nice subtle sheen/gloss to this balm. It makes your lips look healthy, supple, and moist. Wonderful!

The balm lasts about 2 hours and can stand up to a decent amount of heat. It does not seem to surpass eating however drinking light drinks will not wash it away.

Overall, I was not overly impressed with this balm due to the taste of it. I don't like perfumey things on my lips. However, I would use this a sick balm (ie. when I cannot smell or taste because I am sick but do not want my lips to get icky and chapped).

Rating: 2 outta 5



Body Butter Bar

To continue with the mango theme... this butter bar is in... guess what? MANGO! And when I was opening my package I could smell it through the cardboard. I'm glad my crazy mailman does not like mango, cuz if he did, I'm sure he would have pocketed this.

This smells so refreshingly light yet has the full essence of a rip mango. It is the perfect scent for your skin because it lasts but it is not heavy and compliments most any perfume (especially L.A.M.B, Juicy Couture, and Daisy).

It comes in a little cupcake sleeve, which is so cute. However if these were offered in cupcake scent or even labeled as baked good scents... this sleeve would be 3 times cuter! Imagine... instead of just mango... I received Mango Madness Tart. I digress...

There are several options for use for this body butter. I found it cumbersome to try and take it out and apply it with the ridges. If i pressed to hard they broke off and I had to rub them in more with my hands. Yet this body bar seems to instantly melt when placed against your skin BUT does not melt if you leave it out on your night stand or in a dresser drawer. This amazed me, especially with how hot my room can get. Major Kudos!

When you rub it onto your skin it feels a bit greasy as you rub the bar over your skin, but when you take your hands and rub it in more that feeling goes away and your skin feels soft and moist. I was worried about the bright yellow rubbing off or transferring to my skin, but no worries there! There is no color that comes off.

Overall, I am in love with this body bar. Even though it can get slippery in my hands, it is an amazing cuticle softener and again... the scent is amazing. I highly recommend if you are looking for a natural lotion bar, get this. Or if you like to treat yourself to manis or pedis... this is a great way to soften those rough spots and cuticles.

Rating: 5 outta 5

You Go Girl Sopas Lip Balm

You Go Girl Soaps
Lip Balm

$2 (+ $2 S&H)

[almond oil, beeswax, flavor oil]

I love banana...and I love sparkles. This lip balm brings together my two aforementioned loves. There is a cute little jem on the top of the cap. Delightful.

The banana scent is delightfully intoxicating. It is not the scent of a ripe banana rather a mix of banana cream pie and crispy yummy banana chips. If you love banana, I highly recommend this balm.

It has a firm consistency which is always nice. It glides on nicely and evenly, however feels a bit greasy until you rub it into your lips. It absorbs quickly, which helps decrease the greasy feeling.

It doesn't taste overly banana-ish, which is disappointing considering how intensely amazing the scent it. But that's okay. You don't lick your lips so it lasts longer.

And on the topic of length for wear... this is an average lip balm in that area: 2-3 hours. It does not stand up against food and fluids. However this balm has a great heat resistance. I had it in my pocket on a super hot day at a local park and no softness.

Overall, this is an adorable balm at a reasonable price. I would love to give this as a gift if I knew someone who loved banana. The greasy feeling is a bit much, but compared to all the pros...it's a con I can over look.

Rating: 4 outta 5

Kreated by Karina Mango Tart Lip Balm

Kreated by Karina
Lip Balm
in Mango Tart

$3 (+ $1.85 S&H)

[Shea butter, safflower oil, beeswax, vitamin e, flavor, mica]

I've been led astray by the allure of mangoes on many occasion, and throwing a tart in there made me a bit nervous about this balm... but my fears were put aside and tried this bad boy out.

First the label is this calming green and blue modern swirl thing. I just love it. It is so fun and fresh. If this lip balm completely sucked (which it doesn't) the label would clearly improve the crappy lip balm just because of it's amazing looks....seriously.

When you smell this balm you don't think mango. It is fresh and fruity but somewhat guava more than mango. When you put it on the mango comes out. It is a slight highlight of sweetness, very subtle, and very sophisticated. If you are not into sweet lip balms, this is the balm for you! However, if you love your mango sweet, you have to apply this a few times.

There is this great tingling sensation on your lips when you apply this. It feels like peppermint essential oil, however that is not listed. I have no idea where it comes from but it really enhances the feeling of this balm. The lip balm has a nice and firm texture but I found you had to go around your lips twice to get a really good application, which is not bad at all. This is common for harder lip balms. As you rub your lips together you can feel it absorbing into your skin and it is a very refreshing feeling.

This lip balm lasts the average 2 to 3 hours and does not hold up to food or drinks.

The ingredients say mica but I'm not to sure if there is actually any in it. It is not tinted and there is no sparkle or sheen to your lips once you put it on.

Overall, this a solid lip balm. If it were Vegan and sweeter I think it would be even better, however to the general public, I would recommend this balm to anyone that is over the age of 10.

Rating: 4.3 outta 5
(that .3 is for the label.... kudos label!)

Hidden Blessings Lips of Praise Lip Balm.... Balms for Jesus!

Hidden Blessings
Lips of Praise Trio
via Etsy

$5 (+ $2.40 S&H)

[castor oil, cetyl stearyl alcohol, olive oil, beeswax, soybean lipids, carnauba wax, candelilla wax, flavor oils]

I wont lie (that's a sin!), I got these as a joke. I thought it would be so hilarious to have Jesus approved lip balm. (Jesus would approve of these, like he does Birkenstocks)

I was pleasantly surprised with these balms.

I received the following flavors: cotton candy, wintermint, and tropical madness

Cotton Candy: It smells super sugary, which is yummy! When you put it on your lips it is just as sugary and sweet.

Wintermint: It is like sweet Wrigley's green gum. On your lips it tingles and is sweet but leaves and odd and unpleasant after taste.

Tropical Madness: COCONUT COCONUT COCONUT!!! Did I mention it's really just coconut? There is a slight sweet twist of maybe a banana or pineapple. I thought it would be more mango-y than pina coloda-y.

I was concerned when I saw alcohol, but I looked into it (yea wiki!) and it turns out it is not an alcohol, rather a common cosmetic ingredient that comes from vegetables. I dunno if it is considered natural though.

This balm is very, very soft. Yet it has a great creamy texture which just melts into your lips. There is a light gloss to your lips as well. Your lips are not greasy or waxy, just silkly and smooth. However the flavors all wear and there is this aftertaste. The Wintermint is icky after about a half hour, but the other two are not terrible... but they are odd.

These balms last about an hour or two. They do not stand up to drinking or eating.

Overall these are average lip balms with a super cool idea. If you are religious...or may even find having Jesus lip balm funny, these are for you. A little Bible verse graces each tube and the woman who runs it sent me the most sincere and darling note a long with these balms, she is truly a beautiful person making a product that I know people can appreciate. If these were firmer, I think I would like them better.

Rating: 3.8 outta 5

Take 2 Post

Often times I wanna give products a second chance or want to explore different flavors in balms that I totally loved. I've realized that I don't review these, but really should. This blog is going to be a quick run down of additional balms I purchased after doing the initial review.


BathLife
Original Review
Lime Grenadine

This lime sweet drink lip balm is an explosion to the sensations. It smells wonderfully divine, it feels amazing on, and the final product is smoochably smooth silky lips!

A GREAT BUY!


Sassy Scrubs and Such
Original Review
Oatmeal Milk & Honey lip tin
Creme Brulee tube

The consistency of these balms is great. They do not hold up well in the heat, but their cover and ability to make your lips moist makes up for that. However the flavors are just off. The Creme Brulee is more sweet milk and the Oatmeal Milk & Honey has this extremely unsatisfying sweet caramel smell and taste.

When I'm sick, these balms work great because I cannot smell or taste them.

NOT A GREAT BUY

Embrace Bath & Body
Original Review
Brownie Batter, Pomegranate Gloss, Cotton Candy

The Brownie Batter lip tube is AMAZING! It provides a really nice bronze-ish tint... not to mention how yummy it is. The Cotton Candy is also as yummy! It is light and sweet and has a nice shimmer. The Pomegranate Gloss does not smell all that pleasant nor does it taste that great. It does provide a nice sheen too.

2 Great Buys, 1 Okay Buy



Cherry Blossom Co.
Original Review
Pomegranate & Rosemary
Lime & Coconut
Mocha & Peppermint
Orange

These balms have the best mix ever. Their consistency is great. Their feel is great. Overall a great balm. The Lime & coconut is a wonderfully sweet coconut. The Mocha & Peppermint smells like a yummy Christmas candy. Pomegranate & Rosemary is very Rosemary-ish, an herbal pleasure. And finally, but certainly very amazing, the orange smells like orange soda! A crisp and flavorful and fizzy orange paradise!

THE BEST BUY!


Kisse Girl
Original Review
Sugar Rush
Cotton Candy

These balms are wonderful and great in the summer heat! I hit the jack pot when I picked these two sugary delights. When you wear them together it creates this amazing flavor! It is very very sweet, so if you are not a fan of sweet lip balm, avoid this. But if you love sweet and are a little girl... Get this balm... NOW!

A REALLY GREAT BUY!

Overall... C&B Co. and Kisse Girl really have it going on: great price, great lip balm, great flavors and just plain FUN!

Loving Naturals Organic Lime Healing Lip Balm

Loving Naturals Organic Lime Healing Lip Balm
via Etsy

$1.49 (+ $.99 S&H)

[organic hemp seed oil, organic beeswax, organic olive oil, organic jojoba oil, organic lime peel oil, vitamin e oil]

This lip balm is 100% organic comes from an up and coming business from Cicero, New York. (Yeah New York!) I was really pumped about this because of the promise of limey goodness with all this wonderful organicness.

It looks like any hemp lip balm. A golden color with a hint more green because of the lime peel. It has a pleasant mix of lime and hemp that composes it's scent. When you put it on, there is a slight hint of the zing you get from a lime. It is very refreshing but not over powering.

It goes on well. It does not glide on super silky. It is a soft and firm glide that gets smoother the more you put on. It sinks into your lips almost instantly and begins to make them feel super moist. There is no waxy or greasy feel to this balm, nor is there a residue. I have been talking with some friends about hemp lip balms. Some thing that the hemp balm leaves a residue after it wears, and I haven't really seen that in any of the hemp balms I have tried, and especially not in this one. It absorbs into your lips so evenly it's wonderful. It is such a fresh sensation.

It wears a little bit longer than your average lip balm, about 3 hours. It doesn't hold up to eating, but you can drink a little bit and still have some balm left on your lips.

Overall, I think this is another superb showing of hemp lip balm. It is not vegan (which would have been stellar!!) but it is 100% natural and organic. The label is also made of recycled materials, and possibly the tube as well. This company, as states their site and etsy profile, are growing and focusing on the use of truly natural products in the home and in the lives of your loved ones. They began the company when their first child was born and I think that this is possibly the best motivation ever. Better products for our future generations that are also eco-friendly and leave a lesser carbon-footprint.

Rating: 4.9 outta 5
(If only it was vegan!!!)

Vintage Soap Co. Lip Cremes

Vintage Soap Co. Lip Cremes
From Vintage Soap Co.'s Etsy

$1.75 (+ $1.50 S&H)
3 for $5.25 (+ $1.75 S&H)

[sweet almond oil, jojoba seed oil, grapeseed oil, cocoa butter, shea butter, beeswax, essential oils, honey, stevia, flavor]

I received the following flavors:

Let's Smooch (grapefruit)
Sparkling Grape
Coconut Lime
Peace (anise, mints, cloves)

I was really excited about these balms because they had really cool Celtic labels...and Grape was a flavor.

These balms all go on the same. There are creamy and lush on your lips. They moisturize and nourish your lips. They are silky and soak in evenly. It is a great feeling. They last about 3 hours, and do not survive drinking or eating.

Here is the breakdown for the flavors:

Let's Smooch: If you love grapefruit...this is the balm for you! It smells great and tastes like a large grapefruit. It is tart yet sweet.

Sparkling Grape: It smells like an icky medicinal grape flavor. When you put it on, it does not get much better. I was really disappointed in this grape flavor.

Coconut Lime: This balm smells like a warm pina colada. Now, that may not sound good, but it is really nice. It tastes like coconut, but has a slight sweetness, which I assume is the lime.

Peace: This was my favorite. It is a warm and calming lip balm. It is not lick liping goodness, but it is a really great sophisticatd scent/flavor. If you love cloves, this is for you! And it makes your lips tingle wit the mint. Very nice.

Overall, these balms feel great. They are a great balm, I just picked some bad flavors. The only negative is that these balms do not hold up to the heat well. So I would advise against keeping them in your pockets.

Rating: 4 outta 5

Urbody Lip Balms... VEGAN!

Urbody Lip Balm
Vegan Natural lip balm in Gin & Tonic
Vegan lip balm in Persian Dessert

$2 per tube ($1.50 S&H)

[hemp seed oil, virgin coconut oil, candelilla wax, flavor oils/essential oils, agave syrup, vitamin e]

I wanted to try the lip balm entitled Persian Dessert. It is a blend of rose, lime and cardamom flavors. It sounded really intriguing, and I'm glad I got it. It is a strong and sweet floral scent. It tastes like roses with a twist of lime. Plus this is a Vegan lip balm!

The Gin and Tonic is the answer to my search for a fantastic lime flavored balm. The bonus is that there is no alcohol in it. This is a great lime flavor and the scent is really invigorating. The Gin and Tonic I received did not have a vegan label, however I was informed that this is indeed vegan as well!!!!

Both balms go on very well. It is a nice and smooth transfer and there is this great feeling of coverage. They feel very rich, like most of the hemp balms I've reviewed. They last a little longer than your average lip balm, about 3 to 3 and a half hours. They do not stand up against drinking or eating.

The gin and tonic seems to hold up better in the heat than the Persian dessert.

I have also found that together, these balm have a great scent and flavor. I put one on my top lip and then the other on the bottom. They are a dynamic duo!

Overall, these balms are really great. I am so glad that I was able to the Gin & Tonic, the lime is fantastic! Not to mention the price is just right!

Rating: 4 outta 5

Fresh N' Fruity Lip Balm

Sun Chief's Soaps Fresh N' Fruity Lip Balm
$1.50 (+ $1.50 S&H) from Etsy

[shea butter, beeswax, kumquat and melon essential oils]

This is a super great lip balm deal. Really cheap. I couldn't pass it up.

This lip balm smells really yummy. You can really smell the melon and then the slight kumquatty sweetness. When you put it on it tastes sweet, not overly fruity thought.

I applies nicely. A very smooth transfer, however it does feel a bit heavy on the lips. It is not waxy just very thick. It also does not absorb evenly. I was rubbing my lips together to see if I could melt it faster and now there are patches on my lips that feel slick and others that still feel thick with the balm.

Aside from this unevenness, it does last a little longer than your normal lip balm. I would say about 4 hours of wear. It doesn't make it past eating, but I was able to drink and still have some left, yet do not use this and drink milk. Very bad combination.

Overall, this is an alright lip balm. It's different because of its use of kumquat, but that is about all that stands out with this balm.

rating: 3 outta 5

Frost Fish Cove Vegan Lip Duo

Frost Fish Cove Vegan Lip Balms
$4.50 for two (+ $1.48 S&H)
From Etsy

[Babassu Oil, Safflower Oil, Castor Oil, Golden Jojoba Oil, Candelilla Wax, Cocoa Butter, Mowrah Butter, Hemp Butter, Aloe Vera Extract, Vitamin E, Natural Vanilla Oil and Essential & Flavor Oils]

I have been debating about getting this lip balms for a while. First, the price (that sounds silly, I know but they just look bland and unappealing in the ad photo) and secondly.... fish. Fish and I do not get a long (unless it's crab and in sushi...and crab isn't really a fish anyways). I sucked it up and was like, I might as well try it. Their feed back was solid.

I selected Mango Passion and Cranberry Lime as my poisons.
The Mango Passion has a biting scent. It is sweet but it has that sharp and crisp edge like a citrus fruit. Not very mango-ish.

The Cranberry Lime smelled very berry is, but again, has a crisp and biting scent. I can't really describe it better than that. I did not like smelling these balms from the tube. Once you put them on, the scent became very splendid and mild. Yet they do not taste like anything but lip balm. I think lip balm flavor is a nutty butter taste, but that is just my interpretation.

When you apply them, they go on softly. They don't feel greasy, but slightly waxy on your lips. This feeling dissipates if you rub your lips together for a few passes. This balm does a great job quenching dry lips. My allergies have been on the fritz with this bi-polar weather, and breathing through your mouth is a one way ticket to chapped lips and this balm has been a great night time application ritual. It really has helped keep my lips soft and moisturized while I sleep. However, I did find out if you have chapped lips and there is a crack (or just a cut on your lip) it burns when you put it over that wound.

They last about the same as your average lip balm would. About two to three hours. They don't last past drinking or eating.

One big plus of this balm is the fact that it's vegan. One major negative is that this balm is so low heat, I can't even put it in my pocket. This is an exclusive purse only lip balm, which is often uncool. Who wants to search for their lip balm? (If you are a true lip balmer, you have a special compartment but backups in every little zipper space....don't act like I'm exaggerating)

Rating: 3.5 outta 5

Kisse Girl Lip Balm

Kisse Girl Lip Balm
on sale via Etsy 2 for $3 (+ $.75 S&H)

[beeswax, castor oil, vitamin e, flavor oil]

These simple lip balms are rather rad. The list of flavors are fun and any gal would love 'em!

This company aims to give girls (8 and up) insight to their inner beauty. They want girls to feel great, look great, and know that greatness radiates from inside, so have some products that match that radiance!

I choose the flavors Cherrylicious (I'm not a cherry person but it was brought to my attention I have no reviews on cherry, one of the most popular balm flavors) and Grape. As a bonus I received Tango Mango (Yes, I was pumped about that!)

Cherrylicious smells like a bowl full of wonderful cherries floating a glorious Cherry Kool-Aid.
Grape smells just like a ripe grape, with the skin peeled off! (Any grape lover would know this smell and taste!)
Tango Mango is a succulent and sweet mango-licious flavor. Very realistic of a ripe and juicy mango.

They flavors are all sweet but I was not constantly licking my lips.
The blend of this balm is on the harder side of those that I normally try. The only carrier oil is castor, and I have never used anything with just that. I enjoyed it though. It was not waxy, but it did leave a coating on your lips. This coating is not unpleasant, it is just a heavier gloss. This blend is also wonderful because it is high heat. I (once again) left the Tango Mango in my car outside the other day (temp reached 72) and it was as good as solid. Good show I say.

These Kisse Girl balms wear a little longer than an average lip balm. I would guesstimate it at 3 to 3 1/2 hours worth of wear. It did not hold up against eating, yet it lasted pretty well through drinking.

The design on these balms is super cute as well! It is girlish, lavish, and just plain fun. I like how the large diamond motif carries out through the entire Kisse Girl like. I enjoy continuity.

The only unpleasant thing I have found with this balm is the label seems to attract lint. I kept the Grape in my pocket for a full day of work and now on the outside edge of the label its dark blue from being in jeans. Yes, this is minor and superficial, but that should speak highly of the balm.

Overall, this is a great balm for the forgetful, who would leave it in their car, and for those who push super hard when applying lip balm. Sweet and divine for any woman.

Rating: 4.5 outta 5

[I would love to see Kisse Girl come out with an entire cupcake line. I think it would be chic, trendy, and extremely delish!!!]

4th Ave. Soap Co. Pomegranate Lip Lustre in Sheer Merlot

4th Ave. Soap Co.
Pomegranate Lip Lustre in Sheer Merlot
$4.50 (+ $2 S&H)

[Persea americana (Avocado) Oil, Ricinus communis (Palm Christi) Oil, Apis mellifera (Beeswax), Butyrospermun parkii (Shea) Butter, Limmnanthes alba (Meadowfoam) Oil, Ovis aries (Lanolin anhydrous), Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) Oil, Butyrospermun parkii (Shea) Oil, Euphorbia anisyphilitica (Candelilla) Wax, Persea americana (Avocado) Butter, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) Oleoresin, Azadirachta indica (Neem) Oil, Lip Safe Cosmetic Grade Mica (mica, iron oxide).]

**Note: I obtained an "oops" product. The top cooled unevenly, and therefore bumps occurred. You're Lustre will have a wonderfully smooth top.**


This lip balm is actually a lip tint. It does have a wonderful color, and I have found if you use a lip stain as a base, this color stays longer and looks stunning. It is sheer if you put it on lightly. Yet if you put three or more layers on, it gives your this classic pin up, sultry dark red lip.

To put it on, I first used my finger, then realized that was silly because it stained my finger. So I recommend you do not use your finger. I now have been using my lip brush to put it on, but if you are not a fan of those, Q-tips work just as well. Another warning though.... this does stain your clothes.

This balm does not go on waxy or slimy at all. When I first looked at it I thought, crap... this is going to be some slick glossy color that doesn't actually stay. Oh boy, was I wrong. This lip tint goes on like the best balm I could imagine. It is smooth and really coats your lips in a great way. It is a nice texture, one I would compare to a luxurious M.A.C. lip stick yet more breathable for your lips. Another great aspect of this tint is that your lips do not dry out. The Eco Lips Tint seemed to absorb moisture form your lips rather than seal it in, and this Lustre does a great job keeping your kisser soft and supple. I mean, look at this great color!


And before I wrap this up, let us not forget the scent!
It is this great pomegranate flavor and scent.
It is sweet and fresh, like cutting into a ripe
pomegranate. It is deeeee-lish!!!


This lip luster lasts a while. Again, if you put it over a lip stain, it seems to last longer. It does hold up well against drinking and eating if you let it sit for about ten minutes for your start gobbling and such.

Overall, this has got to be one of the best natural lip tints I have come across on Etsy. My only complaint is that I feel with how cute of designs 4th Ave. Soap Co. has on their business cards, an equally cute and sophisticated label could appear on this balm. That would be the only suggestion for improvement I could offer.

Rating: 4.5 outta 5

[The Adios Qee is from my new Tokidoki for Le Sportsac purse. They will no longer exist so get them now while you can! Great investment!!!! Plus the Tokidoki bags will be pricier and possibly not as great as the established Le Sportsac quality]

Pooka. Machine Pooka Gloss

Pooka. Machine
Pooka Gloss in High Gloss Vanilla & Sweet Orange
$1.50 (+ $2.00)

[Vanilla: candelilla wax, mango butter, avocado oil, vit. e, vanilla infused oil]

[Orange: Candelilla wax, sweet almond oil, shea butter, organic sweet orange oil & coloring]

Due to a bad cool down time with the vanilla, I've been putting this review off, and this it makes me really sad. The wonder woman behind Pooka. Machine is an artist and lip balm enthusiast. She recently obtained a full time job which means she currently is unable to make lip balm anymore (or until further notice). Before this review begins, and this spoiler is valid, go to her Etsy and buy whatever balm she has left. You will not be disappointed.

But on with this review....

First, please note, these are hot pink mini tubes. Small but powerful. I've found that these little containers fit anywhere!!! My super small Gucci purse, your super tight girly pants, and I would go as far as saying if you're at the Black Out Party in Downtown B-lo, these would stay nice and secure in your bra.

These little balms smell divine!!! The sweet orange smells like a great orange tea with sugar. The vanilla is also intoxicating. It almost smells like a vanilla cupcake. Super yummy!!! And the weird thing about these balms is that I didn't lick my lips at all. I mean, for the initial taste, yes they are wonderful, but this balm lasted forever. Much longer than I anticipated because I thought I'd be lip-licking and I wasn't. I'm not to sure why or how, but Pooka has this balm down to a science I think. It has almost every amazing aspect of a great balm you could imagine.

The only negative that I found was that the vanilla, if left in your pocket and while you are outside, gets kinda melty. Not soft, but super wet.

Please note the vanilla is also a high gloss. A very high gloss. I would compare it to the gloss extreme of M.A.C.'s lip glass, the clear one.

Overall, this balm is rocking! And you all need to go buy it while it is still available. Portable, cute, practical, and super yummy for your lips!

Did I mention.... THESE ARE VEGAN!!!?? Major kudos, because I have not found a great vegan balm as of late.

Rating: 5 outta 5

Fresh Lime Lip Balm

Fresh Lime Lip Balm
by Rachel323
$2 (+ $1 S&H) from Rachel323's Etsy

[soy wax, cocoa butter, avocado oil, vit e, lime essential oil]

***Yes this photo shows Key Lime, there was a labeling error, I received the Fresh Lime flavor***

After the first dance with a lime lip balm, I was cautious but still yearning for the refreshing lime that I sought.

This lip balm is pretty simple. The composition and the labeling. It's not overly appealing but let's roll with it.

This balm smells super lime-y to a point where it's intense. When you put it on, that intense smell does not transfer. Thank goodness. It doesn't taste like anything. It is mildly sweet, but there is no lime flavor. And yes, I realize that is silly, because an essential oil was used, and because of it, there shouldn't be a flavor, but lime EO does taste lime-like.

Moving on... the glide of this balm is nice. It is not greasy but it is slick. I think this is due to the soy wax. For some reason soy wax seems to be slicker than most other waxes when oil is added. This balm does a great job creating a nice, cool, and smooth coat on your lips. You can really feel the benefit from the cocoa butter. It is really luscious .

It wears pretty well. It does not hold up while eating and drinking, but you can still feel it on your lips about 2 hours after you put it on.

The neato part of this balm is the vegan factor. It's been a while since I've looked at a nice vegan balm. This, for being a vegan balm, is nice and shows a great quality for the low price.

Overall, this balm is a good deal for the price. It doesn't stand out, but it isn't terrible. I have found that it is a really nice base balm for lipstick and glosses.

Rating: 3.5 outta 5

epli Asian inspired lipbalm

epli lip balm
Chopstick lip balm in Sudachi and Kabosu
$3 per balm or $5 for "Pair of Chopsticks" (+ $2.50 S&H)

[soy wax, cocoa butter, beeswax, palm stearic, fractionated coconut oil, candelilla wax, rice bran oil, grapeseed oil, avocado oil, sweet almond oil, evening primrose oil, citrus]

and
Pout Premium Lip Balm in Yuzu
$5 (+$2.50 S&H)

[soy wax, rice bran oil, camellia oil, macadamia oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, apricot kernel oil, cocoa butter, illippe butter, mowrah butter, sal butter, menthol, yuzu citrus oil]


I am in love with Asian inspired everything. I stumbled across these on Etsy. I had no idea what a Sudachi or a kadosu was. Well, I found out (thanks wikipedia!!!) that they are these delightful citrus fruits from Japan. The Pout is a bit pricey but these balms rock!!

The glide of these balms is heavenly. It is smooth, yet firm, and you can feel the great mix of butters and oils settling nicely onto your lips and absorbing. I cannot express how fantastic this balm feels on. It has a nice cooling sensation and such a sweet, light, citrusy aroma it's intoxicating.

These Chopsticks have wonderful tastes/scents. True citrus bliss. The Kabosu is a flatter combination of grapefruit and lime. It is not overly acidic. The Sudachi is a more broad blend of flavors. It reminds me of lime, grapefruit, clementines, and a hint of lychee. This has a more acid scent to it, clearly denoting its citrus roots.

The Pout in Yuzu is a great representation of the yuzu fruit. A nice grapefruit like flavor. The menthol crystals in it gives your lips a nice tingle. It is very refreshing.

These balms also wear for a long time. A few hours, and depending on what you're eating, it lasts through your meals and drinking.

The only negative thing I have to say about this balm pertains to the Pout primarily. It softens rather fast. I have been using these as my primary balms because I love them so much, and I cannot keep the Yuzu in my pocket. It gets very mushy within an hour from your body heat.

Overall, this balm is worth every penny. I plan on purchasing more of this and keeping it stocked. It is a great "adult" balm with an exotic flavor that is surprisingly pleasing for people who are not big fans of change or risks. Oh and I almost forgot. These are VEGAN!!!!

Rating: 5 outta 5

Soapbox Soaps Natural Lip Balm

Soapbox Soaps Natural Lip Balm
$2.50 (+ $1 S&H)

Comes in a variety of flavors

[bees wax, sweet almond oil, mango butter, vitamin E oil, sunflower oil, flavor oil]

Flavors purchase: Green Tea Freeze and Pomegranate



The adorable little Alice inspired girl standing atop, what other than a soap box, is a cute and clever little business logo. I love it! Not to mention that these balms are in tins, such novelty! And look at that price! It's a deal! But let's break down if this balm is super rad.

I would consider this balm a high heat balm. Which has many pluses and one major minus. The major minus is the fact you have to swirl your finger around several times before you get a good coat of balm for a transfer to your lips. However, the pluses are, it doesn't melt easily in your pocket. You don't have to worry about it leaking out into your purse and staining things, and it doesn't leave the grease like stains most balms leave if they touch something other than skin.

Once you get this balm warmed to your touch, it glides on nicely. Its a firm glide, due to the beeswax, but it is not waxy. It glides on like a balm stick would, however you don't have one. Its an interesting concept and really this is the first tinned balm I've come across with this effect. I like it.

These balms wear for an average amount of time, about 2 hours. They do not hold up against eating and drinking.

The Green Tea Freeze is a very interesting flavor. I thought it would be a light tea flavor, but it actually has a heavier vanilla background. I equate it to an iced chai from Spot. As much as Chai dislikes me, this flavor is addictive! It's fabulous!



The Pomegranate is sweet and succulent. It is a bit sweeter than the actual fruit, but is super yummy! I'd consider it a candied pomegranate.
It is a lighter scent and flavor than the Green Tea Freeze, but both are sophisticated yet sweet enough for a kid to enjoy!

Overall, these balms are pretty awesome. They are simple, not overly filled with crap, and come in a great selection of flavors. Presented well, and boasting appeal for a vast demographic, the only real downside is that they don't wear as long as I wish they did.

Rating: 4 outta 5

Pretty Monsters Vampire Kisses & Vampyra Kisses

Pretty Monsters Vampire Kisses (round tin)
$4.50 - $8 (+ $2 S&H)
[organic shea butter, mango butter, sweet almond oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, beeswax, EO ruby red grapefruit and sweet orange, vitamin 4]

Pretty Monsters Vampyra Kisses (rectangle tin)
$3.50 (+ $1 S&H)
[Organic coconut oil (unrefined), candellia wax,mango butter, avocado oil,boysenberry flavor oil, and vitamin E]
(There are three flavors to this Vampyra Kisses balm. 2 are vegan, the peppermint is not vegan)

By the fantastic and creative naming of these products, I had to have them. I feel that being an excessive Buffy fan compelled me to purchase these vampyric lip products.

These are organic products from Pretty Monsters. The maker of these balms buys from a certified organic dealer in Oregon. And as I mentioned, some of these products are vegan!

Let's start with the Vampire Kisses balm. Now this can be used as a lip balm or as an all over balm. I have found that it does work nicely as a balm, but it is also a fantastic cuticle balm.
The scent is light and sweet. The scent absorbs quickly into your skin, but on your lips it does linger, which is lovely. It tastes sweet like a ripe orange with a hint of the tartness from the grapefruit. I want to call this balm blood orange, because that is really what I smell. Plus it sounds neato. The balm is a nice consistency. It is thicker so it does make for a nice everywhere balm. I've found that it doesn't run or get greasy because it absorbs so quickly.
Another super cool feature for this balm is it's container. It is not in one of the pop off lid tins, instead you have to unscrew the tin. This rocks beyond belief because I don't have to worry about cutting myself or have the lid fly three feet away from me.

The Vampyra Kisses lip balm, came in three flavors. Boysenberry, Guava, and Peppermint. The first two were vegan which my my choosing easier and of course I went for the Boysenberry. (And I'm sure the guava would have been just as amazing, but since I was already getting the citrusy vampire kisses balm, I wanted something different.) This balm is a bit softer than the Vampire Kisses. Yet the boysenberry scent and taste is deeeelish! It even leaves a little gloss on your lips.

As a bonus in my order, I received a Zombie Kisses lip balm stick in Peppermint. This isn't vegan. Sorry....but it is organic! [Organic castor oil, beeswax, organic shea butter, sweet almond oil, EO peppermint, vitamin e] This sells for $2.50 (+$1.25 S&H) from Pretty Monsters Etsy.
This balm makes your lips tingle and even makes your breathe seem fresher!
How can you go wrong!? It's glide is the same as Vampyra Kisses, a little softer than the other balm, but again, it is not greasy or runny. It is a great blending of wax, oils, and butter.

All of these balms wear for a great while. I have found that the Zombie kisses lasts about an hour longer than the Vampyra Kisses and the Vampire Kisses. I think it may be because it is not fruity...and fruity flavors are lip lickingly good!

Overall, these are great lip balms. They display such novelty that anyone who is a fan of classic horror films or Gothic novels needs to get these! I mean, Zombie kisses?! What Shawn of the Dead fan wouldn't eat brains for these!? (Ugh... bad pun) Even as a Buffy fan, I am drawn to the vampire-lore of these balms. And let's not forget the greatest is not just label deep. These are high quality and ORGANIC products for a very reasonably price.

Rating: 4.5 outta 5
(5 outta 5 if you are a zombie. clearly)

Mad Gab's Moose Smooch Lip Lube

Mad Gab's Lip Lube
Moose Smooch Blackberry Lip Balm
$3 from Mad Gab's site or $2.99 (+ $1.72 S&H) from this Ebay store

[Olive oil, Beeswax, Vitamin E oil, and Natural flavor]

Can I just say that the fact this is a natural lip balm did not grab my attention. Nor was it the fact it is in a tin. What made me want this lip balm was the fact a moose was wearing purple lipstick. Yes.... This was the motive behind this buy.

Apparently Mad Gab's is this little operations started by a college gal in 1991. It's based in Maine and it has a cool history, the neatest part is that the woman who runs this works with programs that help provide employment for handicapped adults. I think that is awesome.

So...this balm....it has a very nice natural blackberry smell. It is not overpowering and just the right sweetness, to make your mouth water for berry picking. It isn't super sweet to the taste either. It has a hint of blackberry flavor, but the olive oil stands out.

When putting this lip balm on, it is a bit greasy. It's not a terribly slick, greasy feel, but it is not a silky glide. You can rub your lips together and it goes away quickly. Your finger feels a bit oily for a bit though. I guess that would be good if you had calluses.

It lasts a normal lip balm time. About an hour worth of wear. You have to re-apply when you eat or drink.

I've come to find that olive oil in lip balm tends to make it greasy/oily. And yes...I realize that sounds silly, but greasy/oily in a not good way. It makes it feel like my balm is melting and therefore running down my chin. Uncool.

Overall, I think this balm is a solid investment. I think this is a super cute gift for an animal lover, or an outdoorsy person. It is a bit slick, but is all natural. This balm is really going to be about your own opinion of sweetness and oiliness. I think its just okay.

Rating: 2 outta 5

Goodegear Lip Balm tin

Goodegear Lip balm tin
$1.95 (+$1.25 S&H)
from Goodegear Etsy

[beeswax, apricot kernel oil, avocado oil, island delight flavor oil]

I was impressed with the price and the simplicity of the this balm, also the cool graphic on the label.
This was really an impulse buy that I thought was a bargain.


When you slide of the tin, the balm is a light pink color. Mica was not listed in the ingredients so I think that the either it is the apricot kernel or the flavor oil adding the tint.

It smells divine. A nice slice of fruity paradise. When you go to swipe your finger over the balm, it is very difficult. The balm is extremely waxy. I have to breathe on the balm or warm it up some how just to get a good amount onto my finger to put on my lips. Once on my lips this balm tastes pretty good, but is really waxy.

The Etsy description for this item says that it stays on for hours, and I will admit that it does. I think that is because your lips are encased in wax.

I ended up poking the lip balm outta the tin and using it like that to apply. And then my fingers get sticky...

Overall, this balm has the potential for greatness if the composition of oils and wax were more balanced. It smells great but is a work out to put on.

Rating: 1.5 outta 5