I love a Balm Off. OK, I love the idea of a Balm Off, I’ve never actually done one before but basically I was thinking I’d just put them through various obstacle courses and report back my findings. Like who couldn’t make it over the big wall. You were thinking the same? Great minds or what.

The Contenders (Balms): Trilogy Everything Balm (from $18) and Molton Brown desert bloom ultrabalm ($55).

Trilogy Everything Balm Pros: can be used for absolutely anything (as a cure for dry skin, to make your nails healthy, for massage, to make your lips kissable . . .); all-natural formula; comes with a spatula and little cloth bag; smells very nice; easy portable size so you never have to be without it; set to last you forever.

Trilogy Everything Balm Cons: comes with a spatula that I now can’t find; slightly greasy but very nourishing all the same; its solid formula makes it slightly hard to get lots out for a larger area.

Molton desert bloom ultrabalm Pros: can be used for absolutely anything (as a cure for dry, chapped skin, to make elbows smooth, to make your lips kissable . . .); has no spatula (a plus in my book); its tube packaging makes it easy to control the exact amount you want so it’ll last you a long time; perfect size to pop in your handbag; contains lots of natural goodness like lotus complex and African desert plant; more fluid formula making it easy to apply.

Molton desert bloom ultrabalm Cons: very hard to open (think I had a dodge one, am not just weak) but well worth it once you do crack it; very greasy but very nourishing all the same.

And the winner is . . .
It’s a draw. Both products are very good and when used in conjunction with the other one make for the perfect solution. Trilogy is great for the hands and nails as it’s less greasy, but Molton Brown will sort out those cracked elbows in no time at all. Either will give you the perfect pout, it just depends on whether you prefer a more glossy finish (Molton Brown) or a more natural look (Trilogy).

Stockists: Molton Brown (02 9150 0590); Trilogy (03 9533 1336)