Coming up this week!

I'm headed to Los Angeles tomorrow afternoon so next week I'll be on vacation, but I'm definitely going to try to post on my usual Thursday night if not earlier. I'll try to bring a whole stash of balms with me so I'll have some options on what to show you guys. But here's some brands that may show up next week:

Plum Valley Notions

eco lips

Yes To Carrots

Pucker Ups from Sally Beauty Supply

Aubrey Organics

I could also throw a curve ball and write about something completely different, but I'll try not to do that =). Also, since I'll be on vacation there is a likelihood that I'll pick up some new balms which would mean I'd write about something not pictured here.

--The Chapstick Wrangler

Dr. Bronner's: Peppermint and Lemon Lime

While doing an errand in nearby Indiana a month ago or so, my boyfriend and I stopped at a Target to do our usual "hunt for items that fulfill our obsessions" which of course meant I got to look for new balms. I picked up a balm that I'd never heard of before and when I first applied it I couldn't help but exlaim, "WOW! It's so smooth!" This of course made me want to find another one of these balms and, as mentioned in one of my previous entries, I picked up some balms at a Whole Foods near by which included another flavor by this company!

Company: Dr. Bronner's Magic "All-One!"

Flavors: The first one I picked up was Peppermint and the second one I picked up was Lemon Lime. The Peppermint has that characteristic minty smell of any peppermint balm but it is a lighter smell, very pleasant. It didn't knock me on my butt with an overload of peppermint which was great. The Lemon Lime doesn't really have a very lemon limey smell to it and actually doesn't have too much of a smell at all which I don't think I really mind. There's something there but it's very light. I like the flavors of both of these balms. They also carry two other balms: Naked (a plain balm) and Orange Ginger.

Wear: As I've previously stated, these balms went on SO SMOOTH. Right from the start it was just perfection. Probably one of the smoothest applications I've ever had. They also last about 1.5-2 hours at a minimum (I realize I always end up eating or drinking sometime after applying the balm which is why each duration of an application of balm is a little different).

Packaging: They're your average sized lip balm tube color coded to the flavor from head to toe. The Peppermint is all Blue and the Lemon Lime is all Green. Easy enough to identify and keep track of. It's a pretty low-key lip balm tube design wise, but has all of the information about the balm straightforward on the front of the tube. Simple. Easy.

Price: Around $3, perfect price! Did I also mention it's a USDA Organic balm? Great price for this product.

Overall:
Pros: Flavors, application, long lasting, packaging, price
Cons:Nothing, it's a great balm! Perhaps more flavors, but I don't think they really need to do that (I just love having tons of different flavors on hand).

Rating: 5 out of 5 twists, definitely pick this up and try it!

Alba Botanica: Passion fruit, Coconut, and Pineapple

I picked one of these balms up a long time ago and absolutely loved the scent, feel, taste--basically everything about it--and wanted to pick up any other delicious looking flavors they had. I've finally got around to buying the last two to complete my collection and am absolutely in love with them.

Company: Alba Botanica

Flavors: Coconut Cream, Passion Fruit Nectar, and Pineapple Quench. The Coconut Cream is amazing, very pleasant coconutty (I know, I just made that word up). This balm was the one that made me fall in love with coconut lip balms. It's a sweet coconut smell. I think the Passion Fruit Nectar is the absolute BEST smelling out of these three. It smells like candy and just overall deliciousness. Even my boyfriend was trying to guess for forever what flavor it was because he liked it so much. The Pineapple Quench smells like pineapple with a little sugar...sugared pineapple I suppose. It's almost candy like but still very nice. Overall, all three are absolutely amazing!

Wear: Not the smoothest application, it's not terrible--still very easy to apply--but not like some other balms. It is a little stiff when you start and goes on thick but it's very nice. One swipe on top and one on bottom and you're good to go. Great coverage and no having to guess if you applied enough. Lasts at least an hour, it's fabulous.

Packaging: It's your average sized lip balm tube with a Hawaiian themed label and design. The flavors have different color coded caps, very simple yet pleasing to the eye.

Price: About $3 which is right in my price range. It's worth it to add at least one of these balms to your collection, I really doubt you will be disappointed.

Overall:
Pros: Price, long lasting, packaging, flavors
Cons: There could be an improvement in how smooth the balm goes on, but not a huge problem

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 twists