Photography courtesy of IMaxTree
Our Definitive Guide to Winter Lip Care From Balms to Oils
By
Lauren Hazlewood
Date November 22, 2018
A couple of years ago, I was about to take off on a 15 hour flight from Toronto to Hong Kong. While sitting in the window seat, I tried (as usual) to ignore the fact that I’m a terrible flyer. As the plane doors closed, however, I suddenly realized I had another problem. You know the way you lurch towards your handbag or pocket when you think you’ve forgotten your phone at a restaurant? That was me. But instead of digging around for my cell, I was frantically searching for my tube of Burt’s Bees Coconut & Pear lip balm. And it wasn’t there.
By the time we landed on the other side of the world, my lips were practically cracking and as I exited the aircraft through business class, I grumpily eyed the half-rummaged through pouches that included complimentary balms, moisturizers and tiny toothbrushes that didn’t make it to economy. No dice.
It’s safe to say I learned the vital importance of always having a good lip product on-hand–both on and off the plane. In honor of this, we’ve compiled a definitive guide of lip salves that include everything from traditional sticks to newfangled oils. Whichever you prefer, any one of these will spare you from the panic and terror I had to endure on that 15 hour flight:
The Stick
As the go-to product for no-fuss lip care, we’re sure you’ve already got one of these in your purse, your car, your desk, your other purse. But if your haul doesn’t include one of these four options, then you’re definitely still missing out.
We’re all about products that will make us feel the slightest bit more Parisian so just using one called French Girl provides a soupçon of that.
The Stick
Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Treatment
($32, FRESH)
This best-selling balm contains a mixture of sea fennel, orange extract and (of course) sugar.
Burt’s Bees really is THAT lip balm. There’s no better option when it comes to a product that’s inexpensive but highly effective. The Coconut & Pear, in particular, is a fave.
The Stick
Cold Cream Nourishing Lip Balm
($14, Avéne)
The star ingredient in all of Avéne’s products is its soothing thermal spring water and this balm does a great job at harnessing its many benefits.
The Tube
You can find lip care in a plethora of textures these days, but if you prefer a gel finish that dispenses with the ease of a squeezy tube, look no further than these, which include classics like Carmex Original and the cult fave Lucas’ Pawpaw Remedies.
Often referred to as a ‘holy grail’ item in the beauty community, this lip balm is the ultimate companion for cold weather.
Aussie celebs like Rose Byrne, Miranda Kerr and Cate Blanchett all swear by this option from their homeland.
Moroccanoil is pretty much synonymous with argan oil, and this product is no exception. We love that it also includes SPF–which is still super important in the winter.
Carmex is a classic and it’s easy to see why. Cocoa butter helps moisturize the lips while camphor and menthol help cool and soothe.
The Multi-Purpose
Winter brings with it the responsibility of keeping track of all your cold weather accessories, so keep what you’re carrying to a minimum with a hero product that can get multiple jobs done. These salves are multi-tasking miracles, saving your lips, nose and cheeks from the cruel, dry air. Pick one with a tint to brighten up your complexion, or use a clear version on the high points of your face for a healthy looking glow.
Heal, protect and hydrate with this award-winning product. Its use of cocoa butter and vanilla bean also means it smells amazing.
Is there anything more classic than a tin? Use all over for a rosy glow.
People swear by Glossier’s line of salves which use ingredients like beeswax and cupuacu fruit extract to help repair dry skin.
The Multi-Purpose
Cocoa Butter Lip Therapy
($3, Vaseline )
Sometimes you just need some good old Vaseline and this scent, a delicious mixture of vanilla and cocoa butter, is one of our faves.
The Mask
It may seem extra to use a mask just for your lips, but when chapping and peeling reaches emergency status, these will be your saviours. More intense than your daily balm, these will speed the healing process until you have fully functional lips again.
This formula uses Laneige’s own Moisture Wrap™ technology to form a protective film over your lips while you sleep.
Agave nectar and jojoba oil keep your lips nourished, while its lavender scent helps send you straight to dreamland.
This overnight mask contains a hydrating blend of coconut oil and mango butter.
The Mask
Pep-Start Pout Restoring Night Mask
($22, Clinique )
With zero fragrance, this is great for anyone with super sensitive skin.
The Oil
A newish addition to the lip balm category, oils penetrate deeper with their super moisturizing, potent formulas are. We’re also down with anything that gives us a glossy finish, so tinted versions are a great way to add instant colour. Lip balms may be your best friends, but lip oils deserve their own chance at recognition.
This rollerball is brimming with impressive ingredients like arctic cloudberry seed oil, lingonberry seed oil and rosehip.
The Oil
Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil
($25, Clarins)
This lip oil comes in a plethora of colours and leaves a glossy shine.
This product gets its name from its 28 ingredients. These include 14 essential oils, 10 lipid-rich plant oils and 4 nourishing vitamins.
This formula is creamy, non-greasy and comes in six colourful tints.
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Date April 19, 2024
By
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Date April 19, 2024
By
Lauren Knowles
Date April 18, 2024
 to ignore the fact that I’m a terrible flyer. As the plane doors closed, however, I suddenly realized I had another problem. You know the way you lurch towards your handbag or pocket when you think you’ve forgotten your phone at a restaurant? That was me. But instead of digging around for my cell, I was frantically searching for my tube of Burt's Bees Coconut & Pear lip balm. And it wasn’t there.
By the time we landed on the other side of the world, my lips were practically cracking and as I exited the aircraft through business class, I grumpily eyed the half-rummaged through pouches that included complimentary balms, moisturizers and tiny toothbrushes that didn’t make it to economy. No dice.
It’s safe to say I learned the vital importance of always having a good lip product on-hand--both on and off the plane. In honor of this, we've compiled a definitive guide of lip salves that include everything from traditional sticks to newfangled oils. Whichever you prefer, any one of these will spare you from the panic and terror I had to endure on that 15 hour flight:
The Stick
As the go-to product for no-fuss lip care, we're sure you've already got one of these in your purse, your car, your desk, your other purse. But if your haul doesn't include one of these four options, then you're definitely still missing out.
[gallery columns="5" ids="362082,362083,362081,362080"]
The Tube
You can find lip care in a plethora of textures these days, but if you prefer a gel finish that dispenses with the ease of a squeezy tube, look no further than these, which include classics like Carmex Original and the cult fave Lucas' Pawpaw Remedies.
[gallery columns="5" ids="362105,362107,362104,362106"]
The Multi-Purpose
Winter brings with it the responsibility of keeping track of all your cold weather accessories, so keep what you're carrying to a minimum with a hero product that can get multiple jobs done. These salves are multi-tasking miracles, saving your lips, nose and cheeks from the cruel, dry air. Pick one with a tint to brighten up your complexion, or use a clear version on the high points of your face for a healthy looking glow.
[gallery columns="5" ids="362152,362150,362151,362149"]
The Mask
It may seem extra to use a mask just for your lips, but when chapping and peeling reaches emergency status, these will be your saviours. More intense than your daily balm, these will speed the healing process until you have fully functional lips again.
[gallery columns="5" ids="362163,362164,362161,362162"]
The Oil
A newish addition to the lip balm category, oils penetrate deeper with their super moisturizing, potent formulas are. We're also down with anything that gives us a glossy finish, so tinted versions are a great way to add instant colour. Lip balms may be your best friends, but lip oils deserve their own chance at recognition.
[gallery columns="5" ids="362169,362171,362170,362180"]
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