Although I have heard about the wonderful benefits of Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour Cream for years now, my first direct experience was a very rushed and last-minute purchase at Sydney airport in January 2009. I'd been in Australia for three weeks over Christmas (it was very hot!), and my lips were feeling really dry and uncomfortable, and therefore in desperate need of a bit of tender loving care. As nearly all my cosmetics were packed away in my luggage, I was faced with the prospect of a very long (and dehydrating) flight home with nothing to help soothe and moisturise my lips.

While wandering around the Duty Free shops I had seen the Lip Balm on the Elizabeth Arden counter, but decided it was too expensive. And then I thought, 'Blow it, treat yourself with your last remaining Australian dollars.' With a few minutes to spare, I dashed back to make my purchase, and I was very glad that I did. It's a fabulous lip treatment, and just what was needed. Although the wonderful air stewards brought round copious amounts of water for us to drink, somehow it was never enough. I was constantly thirsty, and my dry lips were delighted to make the acquaintance of their new pal.

The lip balm (which comes in the form of a lipstick) lasted for ages, so I considered that I'd had very good use from my fairly expensive purchase. I found it very handy to keep in my handbag for when I was out and about, but also liked to keep it on my bedside table so that I could apply it as a lip treatment last thing at night. So I decided that instead of being a one-off treat, I would really like to own two. But how to justify the price, when a tin of Vaseline (also excellent) is available for just over £1?

Having only joined the ranks of online shoppers in the last few years, one of my favourite sites is Cheap Smells, where you can buy many cosmetics and skincare items for less than the high street cost. Sometimes the saving is quite small, but sometimes you can bag a real bargain. To my delight, one of these was the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Lip Balm. At the time I made this purchase from Cheap Smells, I only paid an amazing £5.95, a huge saving on the RRP. Because I had some funds in my PayPal account, and because Cheap Smells offer free UK delivery, I was very happy to buy my 'spare'.

As my first Lip Balm recently came to the end of its life (there is just a little bit left, a stub that sits below the casing - and from which I am determined to extract the last few uses), I longed to buy a second replacement so that I could still keep one in my handbag and one beside my bed. Although at the time Cheap Smells (they don't have it at the moment) still offered it at an excellent discount, compared to the RRP of £19 that it costs in Boots and department stores, I reluctantly decided that I could not afford to spend my hard-earned pennies on what I now deemed a complete extravagance. But I could not get the idea of owning another of these little delights out of my head, so made some further online investigations. I was really pleased to find it available on Amazon for only £6.99, plus £1.70 shipping, so decided to treat myself with some of my Amazon vouchers. While doing my research today, I have found the cheapest option to be on eBay, where it is available for £6.95, with free postage, as a Buy It Now product from a top-rated seller.

Elizabeth Arden created the Eight Hour Skin Protectant in 1930. The name apparently comes from the occasion when a client used it to treat her child's skinned knee, and eight hours later the skin was better. Although I have never used the Eight Hour cream myself, I know that it is a very popular product, is suitable for all skin types, and is considered an absolute classic skincare treatment. It can be used to soothe sore, dry skin, and can also help treat minor sunburn and skin abrasions. It is dermatologically, allergy and clinically tested.

The lip balm has the same moisturising and healing properties, and although you can use the Eight Hour cream on your lips, the lip balm is an easier and less messy form of application. It is a clear balm that contains anti-oxidants and Vitamin E, and it has an SPF of 15. It provides instant moisturisation and a soothing effect to dry lips. You can apply it liberally, and as often as you like. It has a slightly 'medicinal' smell, which I personally find quite pleasant. It is not at all overpowering, and is not really noticeable once applied. The balm gives a soft and subtle sheen to your lips, and I do not find it sticky. My lips get very dry, and I have found that this product will relieve both the dryness and the occasional slight cracking or flaking of my lips. I like to apply some just before I go to sleep, so that my lips are given a lasting, overnight treatment, and also find it useful as a soft gloss over lipstick. I find that it lasts for ages, and although I am still devoted to my little tubs of Vaseline, I really appreciate the ease of application of the Eight Hour Lip Balm. The lipstick casing itself is elegant and well constructed, and is a pleasure to use.

The lipstick packaging can be found in a few different designs, ranging from a basic white to designs that reflect different eras. There is an elegant black design with white lettering, a white casing with an illustration of Elizabeth Arden's iconic 'Red Door', and a rather funky design that looks like a product from the 1960s.

Although I do consider the Eight Hour Lip Balm to be a bit of an extravagant luxury, it is one that delivers a beautiful and soothing treatment, and it lasts for some time. Because I've been poorly recently, I found that treating myself to this lovely product gave my spirits a bit of a lift, and so although it was an indulgence, I considered it money well spent. Being able to find it at the reduced prices available on places like eBay and Amazon, as opposed to the RRP of £19, I think this is an excellent saving, and so I definitely give this product five stars.

(This review is also on Ciao, under the same user name.)