Balm vs. Gloss: No Contest

I know this is a shocker for many of you, but I have a lot of lip gloss. A lot. Almost all of it the same colours. I mean, you have to know what works for your colouring, and I look great in Orange, Raspberry, and Gold. Nothing too pink (red hair) and nothing too purple (I want no part of anything that might bring out the yellow in my teeth). Sometimes I feel a moment of pause when I pull out my wallet to pay for yet another variation on the same shade, but it really is just a pause. Lip Gloss isn’t just about colour. It’s about shine, taste, lasting power, stickiness… different consistencies for different events. When you think about it, it is actually HELPFUL to have the colour you like in about 5 different variations. Just. In. Case. (Don’t ask me just in case of what….)

Anyway, my friend recently raved about the new Neutrogena Revitalizing Lip Balm – touting its cute packaging, and slight plum colour. I am not exaggerating when I say I was at the drugstore within an hour, excited to snatch up a new product. I mean, I am a longtime fan of Neutrogena’s MoistureShine Lip Soother, which is shiny, tastes pretty good, and has an SPF of 20. I have it in Glaze and Shimmer and replenish immediately if I run out.

My friend recommended the Fresh Plum, but I went for Healthy Blush. In retrospect, this was a mistake. I might have really liked this product in a different colour. “Healthy Blush” turned out to look like “Frosted Pink.” There is a fine line between “shimmer” and “frost” and this crossed it. In a light colour, my lips were looking awfully retro, and not in a sexy 1950′s pin-up kind of way. More in an 80′s bikini model kind of way, which is never the look I’m going for, not even on the days when my hair looks like I got a bad perm. I know frost/shimmer is making a comeback, but I will NOT jump on that bandwagon.

So… I’m sticking with the MoistureShine, but for those of you who don’t want too much shine (why are you reading my blog?) the Lip Balm might be a good option in one of the darker shades. Personally, if I’m going for a balm, I prefer Alba Botanica Terra Tints (though they only offer an SPF of 8.) I find they offer a nice sheer coverage that works as a blush in a pinch. Double duty? Sold!