Review: Kiehl's Lip Balm #1

I'd vaguely heard of Kiehl's rather famous lip balm but I didn't properly pay attention until a very generous swapper sent me a brand new tube.  Meh, I thought.  It says petroleum on the tube.  It is essentially the same as Vaseline, but more expensive.

Well, I was wrong.  I cracked it open one morning when I couldn't find my usual balm and have applied it every morning since.  While it does contain petroleum, that's not all - it contains cotton seed oil, and a physical sunblock which helps to provide an SPF 4.  It squeezes out of the tube into a thick, almost solid form, which quickly warms up and spreads easily over the lips.

The initial effect is pretty much the same as any other lip balm, imparting a natural glossy shine and a slippy feeling.  What makes this product stand out is the amount of moisture it injects into the lips within a short period of time.  Left on, it eventually sinks in after about an hour or so, but when wiped off after fifteen minutes, it leaves the lips feeling beautifully soft and ready for lipstick.  Which makes it a perfect product to apply before you start work on your face, leave on while you apply your makeup, and then remove just before applying lipliner/lipstick/gloss.

Yes, at £9 it's a little bit expensive, but given how little is needed, the 15ml tube will undoubtably last a fair old while.  For me, the best indicator that I love a product and its effects is that I reach for it unthinkingly on a regular basis - and I reach for this unfailingly every morning.

If you'd like to try it for yourself, you can grab it from Kiehl's online or in store at the price of £9 for 15ml (and if you go to a store, be sure to take advantage of the complimentary hand massages - bliss).  We're also giving away the vanilla version in our giveaway, if you've not already entered!