POPSUGAR Australia Beauty (BellaSugar)

Bella Review: A Lip Balm That Lasts and Lasts

Jessica Cruel — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 15:13:00 EST

Elizabeth Arden's cult favourite Eight Hour Cream has been around since the 1930s, but a new product in the line, Intensive Lip Repair Balm ($25) is about to hit shelves. Nestled in this portable jar are shea butter and arnica flower oil, which combine to bolster the moisture in your lips. But what has us most impressed is this product's staying power. Hours after applying the menthol-infused balm, you'll be surprised to find your lips are still supple and soft. While the instructions recommend overnight use, consider it an all-day essential to kiss chapped lips goodbye.

Be My Valentine: 10 Kissable Lip Stains & Balms

Alison Larsen — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 09:19:19 EST

It's the day you either love, hate, or love to hate - Valentine's Day! Personally, we love it because even if there isn't a certain someone to lock lips with, cocktails with the girls is always fun. But on the subject of kissing, the logistics of pashing with a bold, red lip can be tricky, so why not opt for a crazy sexy smoky paired back with a non-committal lip stain or balm? We've got 10 favourites, all tried and tested!

Big Day Out Beauty: 5 Steps To Long Lasting Makeup

Alison Larsen — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 09:53:16 EST

Big Day Out kicks-off today in Sydney, and true to the festival's history, it's going to be a scorcher. Temperatures will hit 38°C today with the hottest point coming late in the afternoon, so, you're going to want to apply a lot of sunscreen. Yesterday we covered hair, and now we're onto product order for long-lasting festival makeup. Click through for our five steps to Big Day Out beauty success.

2012 Christmas Gift Guides: Under $10

Alison Larsen — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 13:30:06 EST

Last week we highlighted all the lovely beauty products you can buy your loved ones for under $20, and now, it's time to get budget serious. That's right, 10 things under $10! We find it's often the cute and quirky presents that make the biggest impact, so let us show you how to best spend a blue one.

The Surprisingly Simple Way to Get Naturally Flushed Lips

Kaitlyn Dreyling — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 10:50:03 EST

Nothing screams natural beauty quite like luscious lips with a hint of I-was-born-with-it colour. Aussie actress Bella Heathcote proved that a tinted lip look is quite lovely because it gives you a healthier-looking flush than standard lipstick. You can easily get this pretty pout with products already in your makeup bag. Before applying any lip colour, apply a thin layer of lip balm to your lips, like cult beauty product Smith's Rosebud Salve ($12.95). Next, use your ring finger to press in a rosy-pink shade of lipstick. Blot with a tissue and then press a little bit of balm on top of your lip colour for a hint of shine. Simple, see?

Bella Review: Mac Cosmetics Tinted Lip Conditioner SPF15

Alison Larsen — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 12:24:11 EST

You might already know, but I'm partial to a bright lip. I think it is the easiest, quickest and most effective way to sharpen up my beauty look, and a pink, orange or red lip makes me feel "done". That said, I'm always scared of products that might dry out my lips, and a lot of lipsticks can do that. Enter Mac Cosmetics Tinted Lip Conditioner SPF15 in Fuchsia Fix ($28). The perfect amount of hydration (contains almond oil, shea butter, avocado extract, vitamins A and E ) mixed with the triple threat that is: yummy to taste, sun protection factor and great pigment. You don't need much so this one will last you a while, and it is also great on top of your favourite like-coloured lippie - another way to rock the trend without sacrificing skin health.

Debunking the Lip-Balm-Dependency Myth Once and For All

Maria Del Russo — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 07:33:20 EST

Whenever an unexpected cold snap comes around, men and women alike start reaching for their favourite balms to soothe their chapped lips. Regardless of what kind of lip balm you use, however, you've probably heard of so-called "lip-balm dependency." While you may just love the feeling of swiping that cooling balm over your dry lips, people have gone so far as to suggest that certain balms contain ingredients that actually dry out your lips, making it difficult for you to ever stop using them.

Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi, codirector of the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery in Washington DC, is quick to blow the lid off these rumours. "There is no truth to this at all," she says. "ChapSticks and lip hydrators have waxes or emollients in them to create a barrier to keep lips hydrated." The barrier prevents dryness caused by the elements, so it's practically impossible for balms to actually dry your lips out. So it turns out that lip-balm addiction is only in your head. But excessive dryness could be caused by a bigger issue, so you should check in with your dermatologist if your lips refuse to smooth out.

Easy DIY Project: Learn How To Make Your Own Lip Balm

Kirbie Johnson — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 08:15:45 EST

Lip balm, a beauty staple, is surprisingly easy to make at home. Concocting the perfect recipe, though, means creating a balm tailored to your needs. See how you can get it to smell, taste, and feel exactly how you want it - and don't be surprised if you want to whip up lip balm for all of your friends, too.

Pharmacy Find of the Week: Natralus Natural Paw Paw Ointment

Alison Larsen — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 12:42:37 EST

Whenever a celebrity visits Australia, there's a good chance they go home with paw paw ointment in their carry-on. It's our signature rescue fruit (containing peptides, enzymes and antioxidants), but did you know some brands sell their paw paw ointment laden with petrochemicals? Naughty! It's a good idea to check the back of the tube or tub before you buy your next top up or give to an international guest, just to be sure it is natural. I'm loving Natralus Natural Paw Paw Ointment ($4.94) right now, I can really taste, smell and notice the difference in consistency from other paw paw ointments I've used that contain naughty stuff. It also has double the amount of paw paw compared to most others - which is a big bonus. Natralus Paw Paw Ointment has other lovely, skin nourishing ingredients like shea butter, cocoa butter and olive oil; so you can use it anywhere. I like to use mine on my elbows and knees while I'm sitting at my desk.

2012 BellaSugar Australia Beauty Awards: Vote For the Best Lip Balm

Sarah Macrae — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 17:20:35 EST

A staple if ever there was one, everyone from guys and girls, young to old uses a lip balm. Or two. Or three. Which means everyone should have their say on which new release gets crowned Best Lip Balm in our awards. Will it be Blistex Raspberry Lemonade Blast which offers a fruity hit of SPF and antioxidants, Burt's Bees Ultra Conditioning Lip Balm with Kokum Butter which is clinically proven to offer four hours of hydration, Burt's Bees Refreshing Lip Balm with Pink Grapefruit which really nourishes the lips thanks to vitamins C and E from the grapefruit seed oil, Maybelline New York Baby Lips SPF 20 Lip Balm in Mango Pie which is enriched with centella essence to improve cell turnover and turn your pout form drab to fab or Carmex Moisture Plus Ultra Hydrating Lip Balm which has a clear stain gloss finish and features vitamin E and aloe to moisturise as well as SPF 15 to protect lips.

popsugar poll

2012 BellaSugar Australia Beauty Awards: Vote For the Best Lip Balm

Blistex Raspberry Lemonade Blast

20%

Burt's Bees Ultra Conditioning Lip Balm with Kokum Butter

17%

Burt's Bees Refreshing Lip Balm with Pink Grapefruit

24%

Maybelline New York Baby Lips SPF 20 Lip Balm in Mango Pie

23%

Carmex Moisture Plus Ultra Hydrating Lip Balm (Editor's Pick)

16%