The Product ~ 'Plump Up'

The product comes in the same format of general lipsticks on the market; with the casing being no different with its pop off lid and twists mechanism to higher or lower the contents. This Anew range in a 7 ½ cm soft off white sheen outer cover has a classic design of a 1 cm gold mid section rim that separates the two portions of contents and lid. Adorned with a sculptured 'ANEW' in MS UI Gothic font on the gold belt, completes the high quality appearance. The lipstick has a subtle pleasantly sweet fragrance. With just over 2 ½ cm in length, the plumping stick affords longer usage. The tip of the light fawn coloured stick is tapered at an angle to afford easier application.

Usage Experience ~ 'Lip Service'

I did not purchase this for the company's promise of making 'lips look plumper'! My lips are of mid thickness and so the 'plumping' benefits, for my personal taste, aren't important. I bought the product for two reasons, to help my lips 'feel moisturised' and because the product contains 'SPF15'. 'SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor...a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 filters 92% of the UVB. Put another way, a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 will delay the onset of sunburn in a person who would otherwise burn in 10 minutes to burn in 150 minutes. The SPF 15 sunscreen allows a person to stay out in the sun 15 times longer' {http://dermatology.about.com/cs/skincareproducts/ a/spf.htm Therefore, this lip balm would complement my other sun protection facial products. As the product contains 'retinol and collagen known to help' the 'plumping' effects, it needs to be applied with care, irrespective of reasons for purchase!

1) Before applying any cosmetics, I always wash my hands thoroughly. Although the product can be applied straight onto my lips without touching the contents, because I tend to use my fingers to remove overlaps in usage, the hygiene routine is necessary.

2) There are no other requirements on the preparation or application front other than simply using the applicator's wand to spread gently and evenly over the lip areas.

3) I generally extend the wand to a 1/3 of its length. Then, with the magnifying side of my mirror held parallel toward my face, I begin applying the product. I start at the left side of my lower lip, slightly away from the edges, with the angled slant of the wand against the lip surface. The lipstick spreads easily and softly along, with immediate moisturising effects. I notice a faint glossy pearliest sheen instantly. I continue to apply the balm, topping up areas a little closer to the edges after the initial coating.

4) I then perform the same method to my top lip. Although the contents feel smooth, unfortunately, the substance leaves my lips feeling very greasy. This flawed effect eliminates the advantages of secondary applications.

5) I find that using this formula with lip rouge isn't an option due to the unctuous conditioner. Any excess needs to be carefully wiped off with a soft absorbent tissue.

Results ~ 'Lip Reading'

As a 'lip plumper', I cannot detect noticeable effects. The 'dual plumping with retinol and collagen known to help minimise wrinkles...consumer study of 155 people' simply isn't apparent to me! Even although Avon informs that, 'All cosmetic product results are achieved with continual use', I still do not detect a difference after months of regular usage. Thankfully, as noted in my opening paragraph, I did not purchase the product for this particular reason. As a 'lip conditioner', the product stands a good 6/10. The moisturizing effects stay on around two to three hours. But, if I eat or drink during the time of wearing the lipstick, this does diminish the conditioning effects to a degree. As a sun shield, I can only assume that the contents are effective as I do not have the technical means to prove otherwise!

Would I Recommend? ~ 'A foolish man tells a woman to stop talking, but a wise man tells her that her mouth is extremely beautiful when her lips are closed'!

Yes as a moisturizer and Sun protection, but not as a plumping agent! In Avon's consumer study of a 155 people, the company found it helped to 'minimise wrinkles', which would be the effect from a plumping action. But, for me, I did not observe this in my personal usage, not even after considerable time of using the product. As a moisturizer, it is certainly effective if a little too greasy on initial application. I would not recommend paying the full price of the product, but on offer, it would be a practical item to have handy for both summer seasons, where the skin can suffer from dehydration and against the Sun's rays. For winter, I find the moisturizing effects of the balm particularly welcome.

The Avon Anew Lip Plumping Lip Conditioner is available in the company's current campaign brochure, no 15 on page 74, for £9.00 which is available from local Avon representatives. The product can also be purchased online at http://www.avon.uk.com

Thank you for taking the time to read my review, i hope that it has been beneficial :~) xXx