Now I've popped this cherry it's my new favourite lip balm! (Carmex Cherry Flavoured Lip Balm)

Member Name: sakura8

Product:	Carmex Cherry Flavoured Lip Balm
Date:	27/04/09 (138 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Soothes dry cracked lips, smells gorgeous, contains SPF 15

Disadvantages: None

When I was in London recently I'd forgotten to take any lip balm with me and as it was a really hot day my lips were getting really dry and cracked. I religiously apply lip balm to my lips and I feel really uncomfortable without it so I popped into Boots and I bought the cherry flavoured Carmex as I'd remembered reading a review about it.

It comes in a little 7.5g metal jar with a screw on lid and this is packaged in a blister pack. The cardboard part of the packaging has loads of information about the product and it is bright yellow, with a large picture of a cherry on it, so it's very eye catching and easy to spot amongst all the other lip balms on sale. Even though the blister pack is really unnecessary packaging, I do like the fact that no one has been able to open the jar and stick their fingers into it!

So I ripped open the packaging and applied some of the balm to my lips. I instantly felt a tingling sensation, which was quite weird at first, but I soon got used to it and it was reassuring that it was actually doing something to my lips. Carmex contains camphor and menthol, which creates a cooling effect and helps to relieve itching of chapped lips. They also claim it can help speed up the healing process of cold sores, but I've never had that ailment so I can't comment on its effectiveness for that.

Before I bought it I was a bit unsure about the cherry flavour, because some products have quite a nasty cherry flavour and smell. I needn't have worried about the smell, as it smells absolutely gorgeous - it smells just like cherry or strawberry bubble gum! The taste however, is another matter altogether. It doesn't actually taste of cherry, but it tastes like you've licked a bar of soap or some moisturiser, so it's not very pleasant at all. However, I think this is a good thing as it stops me licking my lips, which is probably a major reason why I have dry lips.

I like that the balm is quite solid in the jar, so you have to swirl your finger over it a few times to get just the right amount to put onto your lips. This means it's less messy than Vaseline Petroleum Jelly and it doesn't melt in the heat.

I also like that it contains SPF 15 sunscreen as I think it's important to protect your skin from the sun. Another good thing is it's not tested on animals.

I've tried a lot of different lip balms over the years and Carmex is definitely the best I've tried. My lips are a lot less dry and cracked and I like that it doesn't make my lips greasy or sticky. It won't give your lips the shine of a lip-gloss, but that's because it's more of a medicinal product than a beauty one and that suits my needs perfectly.

It cost £2.44 from Boots, which I think is very reasonably priced. Boots are currently offering 2 Carmex products for £4.50.

Carmex products also include:
- Original Carmex Jar, Tube and Stick
- The Strawberry and Mint Flavours seem to be only available in the U.S.


INGREDIENTS:
Carmex is a blend of Menthol, Camphor, alum, salicylic acid, and fragrance in a base of petroleum, lanolin, cocoa butter and a mixture of waxes.

UPDATE:
I've used this on mosquito/insect bites and it has stopped them from itching, so it's a brilliant multi-task product!

Summary: Tingle your way to healthier lips.