A cherry to put *on* rather than *in* your mouth (Carmex Cherry Flavoured Lip Balm)

Member Name: JJJJ

Product:	Carmex Cherry Flavoured Lip Balm
Date:	28/05/09 (205 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Smells great, really works

Disadvantages: Doesn't 'taste' of cherry

I once vowed never to write a review on lip balm, or in fact any other overly girly product listed in the 'Fashion & Beauty' category. But times have obviously changed, and my feminine side must be taking over, considering that i've now produced at least three lip balm write-up's, and even a review of the dreaded Lush... the shame!

Whilst in Boots today, I couldn't help notice the brightly coloured packaging of 'Carmex Cherry Flavoured Lip Balm', which appeared a lot more inviting than the dull, pastel shades of the Vasaline and Nivea products which it shared a shelf with. Although seemingly marketed at the good lady-folk, I really couldn't resist the lure of a "cherry flavour", and therefore, a purchase was made.

Carmex contains a SPF 15 cream, which is an added bonus, as we often forget to put suncream on our lips when we go out in the sun, and painful, sun-chapped lips just so happens to be why I was looking for a lipbalm in the first place.

Costing £2.45, Carmex comes in a 7.5g (.25oz) yellow circular container with a metal screw-top lid. Although smaller than the rival Vasaline 'Lip Therapy' products, Carmex is a little taller in height, but should still easily fit into a pocket or one of those 'micro-womeny-bag-type-things'.

Upon unscrewing the container, the product is amber in colour and has a similar shade and consistency to furniture wax. The aroma is very appealing, with unmistakable cherry overtones which make you want to eat, rather than apply the balm. Although it says "Cherry Flavoured" on the packaging, I'm afraid that particular claim is an absolute lie! - there is absolutely no cherry taste whatsoever, which left me a little disappointed - actually, it's probably a good job, as I may well have eaten rather than applied the product.

After using the easily spreadable substance, my lips felt soft and the burning soreness stopped very quickly. The product description suggests that Carmex adds natural 'emollients' to your lips, whilst at the same time "locking in your own body's moisture to help protect against chapping and cracking". Now, I wasn't sure what emollients are, but a quick dictionary search tells me that the word means "substances that soften and soothe the skin" - so there.

In terms of its greasiness, Carmex is certainly not as greasy as vaseline, but seems to be just the right consistency to protect lips without that nasty slimy feeling.

The directions suggest applying liberally and evenly as often as possible, and before exposure to sun wind and cold. The initial feeling of the lip balm is a little tingly - probably due to the inclusion of Menthol in the ingredients, a full list of which I have included below;

Petrolatum, Lanolin, Ethylheyxl Methoxycinnamate, Ozokerite, Benzophenone-3, Cetyl Esters, Theobroma Cacao, Cera Alba, Cera Microcristallina, Euphorbia Cerifera, Limnanthes Alba, Camphor, Menthol, Salicyclic Acid, Parfum, Vanillin, Citronellol, Coumarin, Hydroxycitronellal, Linalool, and Limonene.

I'm not to good at interpreting these scientific sounding ingredients - besides, I thought Theobroma Cacao played for Real Madrid! - but nevertheless, the text on the packaging promises that Carmex is 'tested on family members, not on animals' - which is good to know.

As a company, Carmex sounds like it has a rich history, and the packaging describes some of the events which has forged its past. Explaining how Alfred Woebing invented the product in the 1930's, the company history makes for an interesting read. Apparently, the original lip balm mixture was hand poured into small glass jars, which Alfred would sell to people from the boot of his car - what an entrepreneur!

In conclusion, I highly recommend Carmex Cherry Flavoured Lip Balm as an effective and pleasant smelling product which does exactly what it says on the tin. The added bonus of the suncream and the cool looking container make this lip balm a real alternative to the excellent Vasaline Lip Therapy range.

Product Summary
- - - - - - - - - - - -
-Moisturising lip balm
-Lovely cherry smell
-Non-addictive and not tested on animals
-Contains SPF 15 sunscreen
-Comes in a 7.5g container

For more information, please see: www.mycarmex.com

Summary: Awesome lip balm