The Lip Balm Guide to Super Hydration

With temps in the cellar here and in many places across the country , even so called warmer climes, lip balm is a must.  Good lip balm is even more of a must because not all are created equal.  I apply all day and night and begin to have chapped lips the minute it gets below 60 degrees.  After a fellow blogger was looking for product recs for her continuously parched lips, I decided it was time to do my lip hydration  post, one I've had in pipeline for awhile.

Things to know-

1.If it has shea butter, it's got mega moisture, many of those listed below fall into this category.

2. The more thick, and viscous a  balm, the more barrier protection from wind it will give you.  Ones like the Clinique  listed below as well as old standy Aquaphor which now comes in  a handy  lip treatment tube  fit this type.

   That said,  here is my list of personal favorites that  work in  freezing cold.  There are plenty other balms I love and use in milder, say 40-50 degree weather. But for the coldest times, these get highest marks. Links will go to my  original review if there was one.

Philosophy Kiss me Tonight- Also should be called The Lifesaver or maybe LipSaver.  This is meant as an overnight treatment, but can be used daytime as well, it just doesn't lend itself to being used under lipcolor.  It's a thick, jelly balm which  makes a  coating on lips. Its stays there long and is super healing and softening with shea and mango butters One of the few products I keep a backup of.

Shu Uemuea Depsea Hydrability- Almost oily in texture at times this one covers the lips with a heavy gel/balm and keeps out the wind and softens the lips. Ultra hydrating, no tint, no scent. Contains  depsea water as well as hyaluronic acid and macadamia oil.  Available  only online in US  at http://www.http//www.shuuemura-usa.com 

Clarins Colour Quench Balm - The balm you want if you want major moisture , gloss and color in one. These pack  more pigment than most balms and come in a huge color selection from light to bright. They also have shea butter, vitamin E and a nice fruity scent. You'll see my original post dates to 2007, these have been a staple for a longtime.

Bobbi Brown Creamy Lipcolor-  Lipstick with shea butter. When you want lipstick but you need help with chapped lips, look here. These have nice pigment, are a lipstick tube but pack  much more moisture than most lipsticks. I use my nude shade, Bronzed Pink,  all winter every year. It's what I usually reach for when I want lipstick  not balm.

L'Occitane Pure Shea Butter- The small tin of pure shea butter is just what lips need . Apply right on for healing and moisture . The real deal , simple and basic but  nothing works like  pure shea.

Clinique Super Balm Moisturizing Gloss- As the name says it's a glossy balm. It's also thick enough to stand up  to wind and cold. The colors are sheer and the formula has aloe vera and vitamin E.

shu uemura egerie Spring 2010

The lead model photo for the Spring Shu Uemura campaign is smokin'. Ok it's not a total look I could pull off well, but the individual pieces are worth a look.

The eyeshadow duos consist of a long lasting creme shadow and an iridescent powder to go over or blend with the cream. I use them separately as well. I am partial to the brown cream shadow from the Glint Blue duo on it's own. It's very taupe.

The other duos are Shiny Mint which has cream shadow that is yellow with flashes of green sparkle and pink powder and Starry Violet which has a silver/grey cream and a light purple powder.

The lipstick with the line is a shiny, but non- shimmer golden nude. For summer,this will rock.

Two new nail polishes, both quite pretty. A pink I am really drawn to despite not being much of a pink wearer ( shade p935) and a deep gunmetal grey ( shade pa010).

Rounding things out is a fab cream blush stick. This has a nice light to medium wash of shimmering pink color. Good as a blush or highlighter. ( A separate pearl highlighter is available )

All are online now at http://www.shuuemura-usa.com/

egerie satin radiant stick blush $ 40.00
egerie eye shimmer duo $ 42.00
egerie nail enamel $ 18.00
egerie rouge unlimuted nude beige $ 18.00

*press sample

Shu Uemura Depsea Hydrability Moisturizing Lip Balm

You want to make my day, talk to me about a new lip balm. I am nuts for these things. So you can imagine my excitement when my inbox showed a new one from shu uemura. HOLA. One with depsea water one , no less. I was all a flutter. Silly, yes but what can I tell you. Thats why I write this blog.

This balm glides over your lips. It's got a little shine but no color or flavor. The moisture is intense . Lasts long too. A not so basic , basic. With this your lips will never be dry.

Other key ingredients in the depsea moisturizing lip balm include beeswax and macadamia nut oil .

On counters and online now at $ 20.00

http://www.shuuemura-usa.com/

*press sample

Shu Uemura Contest & Holiday

From November 16th to December 27th, 2009, when you sign into your personal account at http://www.shuuemura-usa.com/, you will be invited to select your favorite Shu products, up to five (5) or a $250 value. Each week, a winner will be drawn at random so… “make your list, check it twice”, and shu will notify each winner if you're one of them. Now I don't lnow about you, but $250 worth of Shu Uemura sounds good to me.

There are darling Holiday collections as well. Shu collaborated with acclaimed fashion designer Tsumori Chisato, and have created a collection called “Wish Upon a Star”. These are already selling out I hear. Not hard to imagine as they are so cute and actually useful. A small pallette loaded with Shu products is great to have. The couture palettes have eyeshadows, liners, highlighter and blush.

Meet Madonna's Makeup Artist Gina Brooke

Madonna’s makeup artist and shu uemura Artistic Director Gina Brooke is making several personal appearances to share her celebrity tips and tricks with women across the country.

Gina has also done makeup for Gwen Stefani ,Cindy Crawford and more as well as being on tour with Madonna

Of course we also know how amazing shu uemura makeup can be. In the next round of appearances, Gina will be nearish to me, and I hope I can make it.

If you get to one of these events, let me know how it went.

Here's the current list of appearances :

Saturday, October 3, 2009 – SEATTLE
Nordstrom Downtown Seattle
500 Pine Street
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 628-2111
9:30am—11am – Meet and greet Gina at the brand new shu uemura counter!
12pm – 5pm – Book an appointment where you will meet Gina and get personalized recommendations for your look.
For a personalized look by Gina Brooke and to reserve your space for this exclusive appearance, simply call (206) 628-2111.
Bonus: With a $250 purchase, receive a portable brush set (while supplies last).

Saturday, October 10, 2009 – GARDEN CITY
Nordstrom Roosevelt Field
630 Old Country RoadGarden City, NY 11530(516) 746-0011
11am – 7pm– Book an appointment where you will meet Gina and get personalized recommendations for your look.
For a personalized look by Gina Brooke and to reserve your space for this exclusive appearance, simply call 516-746-0011 extension 1429.

Saturday, October 17, 2009 – NEW YORK CITY
Bloomingdales 59th Street
1000 Third Avenue
New York, NY‎ 10022
(212) 705-2000‎
11am – 7pm– Book an appointment where you will meet Gina and get personalized recommendations for your look.
For a personalized look by Gina Brooke and to reserve your space for this exclusive appearance, simply call 212-705-2000.

Saturday. November 14, 2009 – HONOLULU
Neiman Marcus Ala Moana
1450 Ala Moana Boulevard Honolulu, HI 96814(808) 951-8887
11am – 7pm – Book an appointment where you will meet Gina and get personalized recommendations for your look.
For a personalized look by Gina Brooke and to reserve your space for this exclusive appearance, simply call 808-951-8887.


Saturday, November 21, 2009 – NEW YORK CITY
Barneys Madison
660 Madison AvenueNew York, NY 10021(212) 833-2007
11am – 7pm – Book an appointment where you will meet Gina and get personalized recommendations for your look.
For a personalized look by Gina Brooke and to reserve your space for this exclusive appearance, simply call212-833-2007.

Coming soon will be personal appearances in San Francisco / Atlanta / Short Hills, New Jersey / King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.

Win A Year's Supply of Shu Uemura Haircare

Shu Uemura Art of Hair is giving you the chance to win an entire year's worth of their amazing haircare. Trust me, your hair will be the best ever with these goodies.

Here's what you have to do to enter :

Grand Prize: One year’s worth of Shu Uemura Art of Hair products, retail value approximately $1680.00.

To enter, go to http://www.shuuemuraartofhair-usa.com/ . Existing Shu Uemura Art of Hair registrants and Salon Professionals are not eligible for the sweepstakes. Consumer non–registrants must register by completing their online profile, providing their complete name, birth date, zip code and a valid e-mail address to be entered. Registration is free and you can cancel your membership at any time.

All entries must be received by 11:59:59 PM ET on June 30th, 2009. Limit one entry per person/e-mail address. Multiple or duplicate entries received will be disqualified. Entries are the property of the Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned. Sponsor is not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, or otherwise misdirected entries that are processed late or incorrectly or are lost due to computer or electronic malfunction or other error. This Sweepstakes begins at 12:00:00 AM Eastern Time (“ET”) on June 16, 2009 and ends at 11:59:59 PM ET on June 30th, 2009

WINNER SELECTION/RANDOM DRAWING: One (1) Grand Prize Winner will be selected in a random drawing from among all eligible entries received. The random drawing will be conducted on or about July 6th, 2009 by Sponsor whose decisions on all matters relating to this Sweepstakes are final and binding in all respects pertaining to this Sweepstakes. Odds of winning a Prize will depend on the number of eligible entries received.