Review of Chapstick 100% Naturals - Lip Butter by Jaychra
Chapstick Naturals is the best natural conditioning lip balm I've used. Tried Burts Bees, Badger (tangerine dream ftw), Dr Bronners, Palmer's, L'Occitane, Shizen, Egyptian Magic, Sukin, cocoa butter etc... Carmex is the only rival, but I keep that for colds since it's drying afterwards where CN isn't. I've been using CN for a couple of years now, enough time to try other balms, but I keep coming back to it. Oh - otherwise I think years ago I had Nivea Vitamin Power which compared, but haven't ever found it again. Plus - this is natural.
My lips dry out quite easily. If they're in good condition anything above works - however when chapped and peeling, this has been the only thing to soften them up completely, and *keep* them in good condition. Afterwards, I can apply anything and it'll look great. If my lips are peeling a lot (from complete neglect), once this is absorbed I can just use a tissue to scrub them completely smooth (because the skin is softened).
The moisturiser needs a little time to work - it isn't absorbed immediately like petrolatum bases (which mess with your hormones if you absorb too much), but it's much healthier. I find it more effective than other naturals. It's slick and silky to apply, so be careful not to wind it back in each use or it'll break, like any other tube.
I'd advise against using too liberally (i.e. keeping a constant slick layer on) once your lips are in a good state, because you can over-moisturise if you've already absorbed as much as you can. Sometimes you just need a little sheen/colour instead. But this is the perfect base.
If you need a good, everyday lip conditioner, I definitely recommend. <3 ^_^
**Update #1: just found the brand 'yes to carrots' - they make beautiful natural lip butters in tubes which feel quite similar, the only other brand that's ever come close (!!!). If you've been allergic etc to something in chapstick, give yes to carrots a go :)
**Update #2: My new daily HG is Pangea's natural mandarin and rose lip balm, it's creamy and silky, and I've come to prefer how it doesn't go on as slick. I use CN when I need a deep conditioning treatment.