Review: Carmex Lip balms

I love Lipbalms! I panic when I leave the house without one! I can't imagine applying lipstick or gloss without it coz I have super dry lips...
Whenever my lips chap badly, I use Carmex during nighttime and the next morning I exfoliate my lips with a toothbrush & a damp cloth. Instantly my lips feel smoother and less chapped!

How I wish its available here in Cebu. I kept asking my sister Khytt, who's in Manila to buy for them for me.. =) Love ya sis!

EDIT : Its now available here! yey!

I'm using 3 Carmex variants.. Read on for more info..



ORIGINAL CARMEX in a JAR
Available since 1937, with over 1 billion jars sold
Original lip-tingling formula
Relieves the symptoms of chapped lips and cold sores
Non-addictive and not tested on animals

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS:
Camphor alleviates pain
Menthol kills germs and relieves discomfort
Phenol gently numbs your sore lips and removes old, dead skin

OTHER INGREDIENTS:
beeswax, cetyl esters, flavor, fragrance, lanolin, paraffin, petrolatum, salicylic acid and theobroma cacao(cocoa) seed butter.


CARMEX MINT CLICK STICK

100% natural peppermint flavor in a solid stick
Cool and tingly
Moisturizing lip balm
Non-addictive and not tested on animals
Contains SPF 15 sunscreen

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS:
Octinoxate and Oxybenzone - two sunscreen agents



STRAWBERRY CLICK STICK

Strawberry flavor in a solid stick
Moisturizing lip balm
Non-addictive and not tested on animals
Contains SPF 15 sunscreen

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS:
Octinoxate and Oxybenzone - two sunscreen agents


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"MOISTURISES - Carmex lip balm restores the moisture that wind and dry, cold air can suck right out of your lips. One of the moisturizing ingredients in Carmex lip balm is cocoa butter, a natural emollient. Cocoa beans were discovered by the mysterious ancient Mayans. Whatever caused their great civilization to vanish, at least it wasn’t chapped lips. "

"PROTECTS - Carmex adds natural emollients to your lips, while locking in your own body’s moisture to help protect against chapping and cracking. Lanolin, for example, is a natural substance that locks in moisture. The lanolin in Carmex is easily absorbed into the delicate skin of your lips, where it provides a temporary barrier against the drying effects of wind, heat and cold.

Also, several of our product varieties include SPF 15 sunscreen to help protect your lips from the sun’s damaging rays. It’s effective protection you can wear every day." armex® lip balm is packed with ingredients specially selected to help heal your chapped, cracked, burned and otherwise abused lips.


" HEALS - Carmexlip balm is packed with ingredients specially selected to help heal your chapped, cracked, burned and otherwise abused lips.

Menthol and phenol, for example, both have antiseptic qualities, helping to speed healing by killing germs.

And if you suffer from painful fever blisters, you’ll be glad to know that Carmex helps relieve the symptoms of cold sores."


WHAT CAUSES CHAPPED LIPS?

Lips get chapped because they’re too dry, usually because of exposure to the elements. The usual suspects: dry air, wind, sun, cold temperatures and even dust.

>Tempting as it is, don’t lick your lips when they’re dry—it just makes them more chapped.
> Allergic reactions can cause chapped lips.
> Lips are more easily prone to chapping if your entire body is dehydrated.

What are the not-so-secret ingredients, and what do they do?

Various forms and flavors of Carmex lip balm may include all or some of the following ingredients that moisturize and help heal chapped lips while protecting them from further damage.

Menthol — Kills germs and relieves discomfort.

Derived from oil of peppermint, menthol is a common ingredient in over-the-counter topical products used for respiratory congestion, headache, skin problems and muscle pain. Menthol also has anesthetic properties and helps soothe the discomfort of dry, chapped lips and the pain associated with cold sores. Menthol elicits a cool, refreshing sensation.

Camphor — Alleviates pain.

Camphor is a naturally occurring compound that shares many properties with menthol. The cooling, tingling effect of camphor is similar to that of menthol, and it too acts as a mild local anesthetic and antimicrobial agent against germs. Camphor is also one of the ingredients that relieves the burning, itching and pain associated with cold sores.

Phenol — Kills germs, exfoliates and anesthetizes.

Found in a variety of mouthwashes and sore throat lozenges, phenol is an antiseptic that kills germs and provides a local anesthetic or mild numbing effect. In Carmex, phenol helps reduce the itching and burning associated with dry chapped lips and cold sores. The phenol in Carmex’s lip balms also helps to gently remove old, dry and peeling skin found on very chapped lips.

Lanolin — Softens, lubricates and protects.

Lanolin has an emollient action that protects lips from the elements. Its water binding capacity moisturizes by locking in hydration, restoring softness and elasticity to tender lips.

Cocoa Butter — Moisturizes and protects.

Cocoa butter is extracted from the seeds of the cacao plant. Because of its pleasing fragrance and excellent emollient qualities, cocoa butter is a popular ingredient in many cosmetic and skin care products. The cocoa butter in Carmex lip balm moisturizes lips.

Salicylic Acid — Exfoliates and relieves pain.

Salicylic acid has been used as a pain reliever since ancient times, when a simpler form of the compound was extracted from the bark of the willow tree. Also known as beta hydroxyl acid, salicylic acid improves the overall texture of your lips by promoting very mild exfoliation of the outermost layer of the lip, allowing dead skin cells to slough off and enabling the other important ingredients in Carmex—menthol, camphor and phenol —to more effectively penetrate your lips. Only a small amount—less than 1%—is used in various Carmex lip balm products. Salicylic acid can be found in many skin care products such as cleansers, facial creams and lotions.

Aloe Butter — Helps heal and soothe.

Aloe serves as a water-binding agent for skin. It aids in rapid hydration of dry skin caused by sun burn, wind burn, and general chapping. Research has shown aloe also has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial qualities. Aloe butter helps to keep skin smooth and supple and helps sooth burns, cuts and scratches.

Vitamin E — Reduces damaging free radicals.

Vitamin E helps retain moisture and prevents lips from chapping. It reduces the formation of free radicals upon skin exposure to UVA rays and other sources of skin stress such as sun damage. Vitamin E helps heal wounds faster and also increases the efficacy of other active sunscreen ingredients.

Shea Butter — Penetrates to soften dry, cracked skin.

Shea Butter is a plant lipid that is used as an emollient in cosmetics to moisturize and soften skin. It can be very helpful in making dry skin look and feel better because it penetrates to alleviate dry and cracked skin.

Petrolatum — Reduces inflammation and helps heal.

Petroleum jelly, petrolatum and soft paraffin are all names for the same ingredient. It is recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an approved over-the-counter (OTC) skin protectant and is widely used in cosmetic skin care. Topical application of petrolatum can reduce inflammation and help the skin’s outer layer recover from damage (e.g., chapped lips, minor cuts and burns).


MORE THAN JUST A LIP BALM..

Carmex is made for the lips but you can also use it as:

> As an antiseptic for minor cuts, burns and insect bites.
> Relieving the itch of athlete’s foot.
> Drying out pimples for faster healing.
> Softening cuticles.
> Smoothing elbows and knees.


Picture & Product Info taken from CARMEX's Website

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A lot of Local & International celebs are a fan of Carmex! I read from Kris Aquino's Magazine that she's also a fan of this (she prefers the Original formula in Click stick packaging.. Cool! =)

Out of the 3 variants I'm using, my Ultimate fave is the Strawberry Stick followed by the Mint variant. Soo yummy! And the Click Stick packaging is a plus for easy application..

The Original Carmex in a jar, really tastes & smells weird.... like medicine! tehehe.. I only used it less than 3x! But whenever I have insect bites, I apply this to the affected area to minimize the itch! LOL! I also don't like the packaging.. I have to wash my hand first before swiping the product on my fingertip..


Click here for a chance to win Carmex Samples.. For U.S. Residents Only..


Hope you enjoyed reading my detailed review.... Have a nice day ladies!!!

My Makeup Haul..

From Toma of Makeup Mix Shop, I ordered NYX & L.A. Colors Cosmetics


NYX Concealer in a Jar in Beige & Medium

NYX round lipstick in Femme
L.A. Colors Mystic Foundation in Nude & Warm Beige

L.A. Colors 5 Color Metallic Eyeshadow

Fabulous
Tea Time

L.A. Colors Dual blush in Blushing Pink/Pink Mauve


L.A. Colors Trio Eyeshadow in PE409


I only paid $21.50 plus free shipping( for orders $20 or more)! Yay!


From EVERYDAY MINERALS:

I already have their Flat top brush and fell in love with it,
that's why I decided to buy their other brushes..


EDM Skunless Foptic Brush $10 (c/o Chase, got it way cheaper!)
EDM Long Handled Kabuki $ 10 (c/o Chase)

EDM Angled (Super Full) Blush brush $ 10


EDM Free sample Makeup kit
includes 3 mineral foundation shades , a concealer & blush


I chose the ff samples:
> FOUNDATION : Soft butter peach(Original Glo)
> FOUNDATION : Golden-Fawn( Intensive)
> FOUNDATION: Golden-Winged butter (Matte)
> CONCEALER : Bisque Color Corrector
> BLUSH : Wake up Call


And last but not least, MAC Cosmetics from my friend Dona Yee in the US.
Thanks to her 40% discount card! I'm sooo happy!!!

I asked her to buy me the ff:

MAC blot powder in Medium
MAC lipglass in Pink Poodle
MAC Red lipstick
MAC lipglass in Lychee Luxe (i hope its available now!)

I'm so excited for my goodies to arrive! =)


Concealer Reviews..

Here's a product review of the concealers I've tried..


MAC select cover up $15 - my HG concealer! I have this in NC20. Instantly brightens my undereyes, this also serves as my eyeshadow primer. Its so lightweight & doesn't crease throughout the day.
Available in MAC Counters for around Php 800.

From MAC's site: " Liquid camouflage for the skin. Texture-free, virtually invisible. Comes in a tube. Blends in. Brightens and lightens dark areas, erases spots, evens-out skin tones. Makes skin flaw-free. Use pre-foundation, or on its own. Don't reveal it, conceal it!"




VOV Cover foundation $10 - a foundation & concealer in one! I only use this as a concealer for my undereyes & pimple marks! Its creamy and buildable. Have this in #2 or natural beige...
Available in VOV counters for around Php 500.

Click
here for my full product review.






NYX concealer in a jar $5 - Got this from swap.
I just love how quickly this blends on my skin. Im shocked coz the pot is kinda small, but a little goes a long way. Have this in Light shade.
Not available in the Philippines.

From N.Y.X.'s site : "Provides natural & lasting coverage of discolorations & imperfections without looking caked-on or clumpy. Super concentrated so just a little will do the job."




The Balm Timebalm Concealer $18 - The consistency is great, but after a few hours of applying its really cakey.. to think I set it with loose powder!
Available in Beauty Bar for around Php 900.

From TheBalm's site: "Use this uniquely smooth anti-wrinkle concealer all day to cover dark circles and protect your delicate eye area from enviromental stress. Apply it to a clean face before you go to bed to fight wrinkles while you sleep and wake up looking fab. Timebalm is packed with beneficial ingredients including Vitamins A, C, and E, soy bean oil, panthenol, linoleic acid, and phospholipids to help you look absolutely stunning around the clock."





Maybelline Perfect concealer in light $7-
Texture is smooth but I didn't like the coverage, it's not enough to cover my undereye circles.. Limited shades too, only 2 are available here in the Philippines.
Available in Maybelline Counters for around Php 400.




New York Color Cover stick $2 - First I bought the Light shade, it looks too "light" on me. Next, I bought the Medium shade, didn't match my skintone 'coz it has a pink undertone.. I gave up!
Not available in the Philippines.

From N.Y.C.'s site: "Evens out skin tones for a flawless look. The soft formula will not pull or tug around your gentle eye area. Use yellow Corrective Cover Sticks to conceal dark under-eye circles and freckles. Green cover sticks hide blemishes and red blotches. Blend well under foundation. Create a fresh, natural look that lasts all day.
"


Palladio Herbal treatment concealer
$7 - had this in yellow coz the SA said its for dark undereye circles. Its really obvious on my skintone. I want to try other shades though..
Available in Beauty Bar for around Php 400.

From Palladio's site: "The Herbal Concealer is a fusion of proven scientific skin treatments like Alpha-Hydroxy Fruit Acids that help eliminate fine lines. Enriched with 5 beneficial Herbs: Ginseng, Green Tea, Gingko Biloba, Chamomile and Aloe Vera. Cucumber to reduce puffiness and build up of toxins that causes dark circles.


P.S. Im still looking for my HG concealer for pimples / pimple marks. If you found a good one, please let me know.. =)


Edit : More Concealer Reviews here.