My Top Picks for Winter Lips

Can you tell I have a teensy bit of a lip balm obsession? I do and I'm not ashamed to admit it! Besides, you're about to reap the benefits of all my product knowledge and various purchases so you can find the right one for you! I'm breaking down the features and benefits of all the lip products in my rotation below...

Let's start with Laneige since it was all the rage this year and won Allure, Best Of. I first tried this brand while on holiday in London and I should have bought it then because before Sephora sold it, I was paying almost the same price as it cost, just to ship it but I did and I did that more than once so that should say something? Now that we can all easily get it at Sephora I feel like I can boast about it and not feel bad that you'll have a hard time getting your hands on it. The Sleeping Mask, aka, the OG is super hydrating and just the right thickness to last the whole night. It does come with a tiny spatula if you are like me and prefer not to stick your hands in the tub but I'll be honest, I lost them all along the way or my cleaning lady, Betty tossed them, so I end up using the tip top of my nail to scrape a little out before bed after I've washed my face and have clean hands. It contains "Moisture Wrap™ Technology, a mineral network of moisture-rich beta-glucan to form an eight-hour time-release moisturizing layer over skin; locks in active ingredients and mineral water. A Berry Mix Complex™: Rich in vitamin C and antioxidants from a nutritious blend of raspberries, strawberries, cranberries, goji berries, and blueberries to soothe and soften, revealing smooth, supple lips." Laneige has since expanded their lip range and now offer lip balms in tubes (aaaahhhhhh, I hear you - me too!) I tend to use this in the morning and throughout the day if I need it because of the convenience. I love both but I do think the tube has converted me and I'll be repurchasing it instead since I can't tell much of a difference in hydration - they're both amazing!

Since we are talking about tubs, let's chat about Sara Happ. This is a brand I've wanted to love for ages. We used to carry her original scrubs (not pictured) at my spa and I've had the pleasure of meeting the creator so of course I want to support a fellow girl boss. I recently tried it out again and to be honest the scrub sat in my shower, hardly used until I finally threw it out. I found that I wouldn't use it at my sink because it was too messy, then I would forget in the shower because it just wasn't memorable to me. I had also picked up a gloss and this Lip Slip so I've given them both ample time to impress me and although I like the gloss and I like the Lip Slip, I don't like either enough to repurchase, partially because the gloss is very thick, but that doesn't seem to add to the hydration and the Lip Slip is very glossy which is pretty but it never lasts through the night and because it's packaged in a tub, I don't carry it with me and for me it's not worth having to stick my finger into. Now I don't have particularly dry or chapped lips either so the need for a scrub isn't really important to be and with that being said, it is female owned and created, not tested on animals, sustainably packaged and packed with stellar ingredients like Beeswax, Jojoba Seed Oil, Castor Seed Oil, Macadamia Seed Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Vitamin E so give it a try for all of those awesome reasons!

So that we can finish on a high note, let's get another non-favorite out of the way shall we? The Fresh Sugar Lip Wonder Drops were a favorite of my all time favorite makeup artist, Lisa Eldridge so of course if she swore they were a game changer, I had it in my Sephora cart before the video ended however, unlike Lisa, I'm just not blown away by these. I don't notice a great exfoliation or even hydration for that matter so it doesn't really fill a gap for me BUT I think if you used matte lip colors, which I don't, you may love this for just enough of a primer to make the color glide on and look great. I had previously purchased the Fresh Serum and used it all the way through, I didn't repurchase however ,because I didn't notice much of a texture difference; as the company claims it helps fine lines, to warrant the additional step before lip balm.

Now on to what I LOVE...

For a tinted balm, which I enjoy applying before makeup in the morning and wearing throughout the day on weekends, I equally love the following three:

Dior Lip Glow in 001 Pink Glow and 004 Coral Glow. These two give my corpse colored lips just the hit of natural color, without much sheen so I can apply whatever lip color over them and it won't affect the wearability of it. I've purchased both at least 5 times and here's a little tip, you can usually find a duo pack of my two favorite shades at the Duty Free next time you're at the airport.

Bobbi Brown Extra Lip Tint (not pictured) is another lip color reviver balm I've used for years. This one is glossy though so for me it is a great option to carry in my makeup bag and apply thoughout the day on days where I'm not really feeling lipstick or traditional gloss. For ages it was only available in the original pink which never let me down but I recently picked up the Bare Punch and ladies... let's just say my lips are JUUUUICY!

Speaking of juicy, who loves a lip oil? Me, me, me! If you're like me and think there's nothing sexier than a super shiny, not sticky just bitten lip, especially in the summer time, YSL Tint-in-Oil is where it's at but there's one big ol' problemo... I think they discontinued it (whaaaaaa). I was able to find a replacement at the duty free but the only place I can find it now is on ebay. I am perplexed. It has huge hydration, wonderful scent, great packaging, lovely applicator and I am obsessed with the No 4 shade, Rose You. From my research there's no mention of them discontinuing them however where you can find them still in searches like Neiman Marcus and Nordstom.com, they say SOLD OUT. If this changes, I will updated you but for now, keep your eyes peeled next time you're flying somewhere and on my recommendation, STOCK UP! You won't be disappointed. If you can't find it though, try Becca Liptuitive Gloss... it has a similar feel and just as flattering of color and it's cheaper and more importantly available at Sephora.

Now for my friends with those really super dry and easily chapped lips... I give you La Roche Posay Cicaplast Lip Treatment. I found this thanks to another British YouTuber I've followed for years and years and for about a year I could not find it online to purchase so when Simon and I were on our honeymoon, I popped into a little pharmacy in Lake Como and saw they had a few on the shelf. I bought one, tried it that night and I went straight back the next morning to buy every one they had on the shelf! It's a bargain and I like it just as well as the Laneige Sleeping Mask and it's more conveniently packaged but the downside is it's next to impossible to get in the US and it leaves a little white cast on your lips so if yours look as grey and dead as mine do, you won't love that but if you're looking for something that will get you through the cold winter months with the heat pumping in our houses, THIS IS IT!

I hope this helps you to buy the right lip balm (or two) for you! Let me know over on Instagram which one is your favorite!

xoxo - Kara