I really wanted to be Loving, Laughing, Hoping and Dreaming about the four $1.99 Essence Caring Lip Balms, because they have so much promise to be cool.
Four of them for less than $8? Incredible! Just look at them in their adorable duds.
Each of them has a different color and scent, and the two I tried — Loving, a clear vanilla-scented balm with subtle glitter; and Dreaming, a sheer peach that smells faintly of fruit punch — feel soft, non-sticky and smooth.
But I’m picky about how lip balms taste, even unflavored ones like these, and to me these taste more waxy than wax (I feel like I’m eating a candle). I’ve tried to ignore it, tried to remind myself that “They’re only $1.99,” but not even that has helped me get accustomed to the taste.
You never know about scents and flavors, though, so I think they’re still worth a try.
My dry lips crave more hydration than these deliver, but gals who only need light lip moisture (and don’t mind the taste) might like them just fine.
Ingredients: Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Petrolatum, Cera Alba (Beeswax), Paraffinum Liquidum (Mineral Oil), Cera Microcristallina (Microcrystalline Wax), Candelilla (Euphorbia Cerifera) Wax, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Lanolin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Peg-75 Stearate, Mica, Hydrated Silica, Dimethicone/Methicone Copolymer, Ceteth-20, Steareth-20, Aluminum Hydroxide, Bht, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Parfum (Fragrance), Coumarin, Limonene, Eugenol, CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide).
While Tabs gives these two paws up for not being tested on animals, he would also love to see Essence revamp the formula to exclude the parabens and PEG-75 stearate.
Price: $1.99 each (WOW!)
AVAILABILITY: Available now at Ulta, Fred Meyer and HEB stores, and also online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B-
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Vijaya says
July 2nd, 2011 at 9:26 pmI need to not buy more lip balms. I have a million of ’em!
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yuri says
July 2nd, 2011 at 9:36 pmthe container looks so cute but the swatch doesn’t
Sophie says
July 2nd, 2011 at 10:15 pmThanks for doing this review. I saw that ULTA started carrying these and I wanted to try them but I couldn’t find a review on it. What is your absolute favorite lip balm? I need a lot of moisture for my lips.
Natalie Wilkinson says
July 2nd, 2011 at 10:16 pmwhat is your favorite balms or chapsticks, my lips are always chapped.
Yogirl says
July 3rd, 2011 at 4:08 amHi Natalie, I use Dr.Hauschka, which is pure natural and is wonderful for my dry lips. There is a stick and a small jar available, the texture is slightly different. You might give this a try if Dr.Hauschka is available in the US.
Arummmanis says
July 2nd, 2011 at 11:15 pmjust like you Karen, I’m also picky for my lipbalm/gloss. Anything sticky, waxy are off my list. I did find a good lipbalm here in Jakarta though. It’s by Wardah and only cost me USD 1.5. Can’t live without it.
Kayla K says
July 3rd, 2011 at 12:08 amYou should most definitely do a post on your favorite balms, as well as general lip care ;D as much as I try to take care of my lips, and as much water as I drink, I cannot fathom how they are still ALWAYS dry! Soooo frustrating. And it doesn’t help that I am tremendously picky about balms 😛
Jessica says
July 3rd, 2011 at 1:50 amThose balms are really cut, but the ingredients…yiks! The best I’ve found is Burt’s Bees Honey lip balm. It’s cheap, 100% natural, doesn’t test on animals, and totally taste free.
Jen W says
July 3rd, 2011 at 4:10 amThe little pots are adorable, but I am picky about scents and taste in balms. What a shame!
Pretty ordinary ingredients too, from the look of it.
Masi says
July 3rd, 2011 at 4:25 amI would still try this! I like the nude colored one. I’m currently using korres lip butter in jasmine, but I’m looking for a cheaper alternative when that runs out.
Naj says
July 3rd, 2011 at 5:23 amI am extremely picky about the taste. Once, I bought a cheap lipbalm, ripped it out of its packaging, applied it, and threw it into the bin. It was that bad.
karo says
July 3rd, 2011 at 5:36 amThis can be really nice,but I love my Chapstick !
xoxo
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Appu says
July 3rd, 2011 at 5:46 amWaxy than wax? That’s bad! I love the Korres lip butters, they are my absolute, all-time favorite 😀
Angela says
July 3rd, 2011 at 12:34 pmGreat review! I love how you include the ingredients!
Nina says
July 3rd, 2011 at 2:13 pmawww, sucks that they arent as moisturizing as they should be! but but but — the packaging is adorable!
Lisa S. says
July 3rd, 2011 at 7:55 pmI just got Tokyo Milk Dark bee balm and jasmine lip balm in Absinthe and I’m liking it as much as much as my EOS balm in honeysuckle. So you might want to try it. It smells awesome and doesn’t seem to taste like anything
Dhini says
July 4th, 2011 at 12:56 amAwwww that is bad but The package are so cute.
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