ChapSticks are perhaps one of the best known brands of lip balms available; it is not too uncommon at all to go out in public and see someone or other applying their ChapStick. In fact, this product even features in Katy Perry`s well known song `I Kissed a Girl`, perhaps accenting its fame. But is it really worth all the hype? Is it a popular product because it is actually effective or just because it is easy to apply?

Well, first let me point out that ChapSticks are really not that expensive in the world of lip balms; I would say it averages at around one pound per ChapStick, which is a very reasonable price to pay for a good lip balm. They are sold in most health and beauty stores (for example Boots and Superdrug), major supermarkets and pound stores. The best time to purchase these ChapSticks would be when stores are doing half price sales. I have seen ChapSticks, with nothing wrong with them whatsoever, on sprecial offer for the miniscule amount of 50p; a cheap price for almost any lip balm.

ChapSticks are available in many varieties and flavours; for example strawberry and cherry. The cherry flavour is, perhaps, my favourite out of the whole range, but the strawberry type seems to be sold more frequently and in a greater number in pound stores.

Chap Sticks are packaged in fairly small tubes. They are like glue sticks in the way that the block of lip balm can be pushed upwards by turning the small wheel at the bottom of the tube. There is a plastic wrapper wrapped and stuck around the exterior of the tube which has the ChapStick logo and the necessary information printed on it; this outer wrapper can be removed quite easily should it not be required. Each tube of ChapStick comes with its own cap which is vital for stopping the lip balm from getting damaged or dirty- so I would not lose it if I were you. Some ChapSticks come with additional cardboard packaging, but this really does depend on the retailer.

This can be very easily applied, which us probably one of the main reasons why people choose to buy ChapSticks instead of the type of lip balm you can receive in tins. All you have to do is pull the cap off, twist a certain amount of the lip balm up; this can then be easily swiped against your lips for a quick application. Then the Chap Stick can be twisted back down again, before the cap is replaced.

In terms of functionality as a lip balm, I would rate these ChapSticks as an average product; not bad but really not that good either. It can smooth the dry and chapped skin quite easily, nourishing and moisturising them sufficiently- however, there are not much long lasting benefits for your lips after the application of it. After some applications, my lips can begin to feel a little on the stiff and uncomfortable side. However, for their price range, these little sticks of lip balm are not bad at all.

The lip balm itself is almost translucent and it is easy to apply to your lips. I would not say it is uncomfortable against your lips, but then it is not very refreshing either, unlike some other better, but also more expensive lip balms. The surface of the lip balm can become chapped itself after several applications, making it not so pleasant to apply. This, I find, is quite a bit ironic.

I have gone through a large number of chapsticks throughout my lifetime, but I doubt that I have actually ever reached the end of any. They are very small and portable, yes, but also very prone to getting lost!

Despite my quite negative review, I have to say that it is an OK lip balm, very good value for the price which is paid. It is just not a perfect product, with its own considerable faults. However, due to the good price, availability and sheer ease of use, I think that this is a product I will be buying again.