Every winter I gear up, beauty-wise, for the elements: I upgrade my face moisturizer, stuff an extra-luxe hand cream into my purse and prepare to exfoliate, buff and protect my lips from the cool and dry weather at all costs. But this year, I was blown away by a single product: Basic Balm from Lululemon. Here’s why.
Tell me more about this miracle balm. Lululemon actually created Basic Balm to treat a super niche problem: dealing with the aftermath of high-intensity breathing when you’re running, playing soccer or doing any kind of workout, really. It’s made from rich butters and natural oils that hydrate and protect your pout. (Think organic beeswax, shea butter and jojoba oil.) The leggings brand suggests applying this balm before, during or after a workout, which sounds like a lot of multitasking during cardio.
How does it handle chapped lips? Before my first application, I had low expectations. Most products of its kind (like Carmex or even just regular ChapStick) feel tacky or waxy. But as I applied Lululemon’s balm using the soft-touch applicator, the formula went on in a smooth layer and felt like it was really sinking in to the thin, vulnerable skin around my mouth. It worked quickly to soothe flaky spots and calm down any red, angry areas. After an hour of wear, my lips felt pillowy and supersoft, a rarity in the middle of February. Plus, the Basic Balm goes on with a natural finish with just a little shine and is not at all gloppy.
Is it really better than other lip balms? This Lululemon lip balm is the one I keep coming back to. Prior to discovery, I was a Blistex devotee, reaching for a tube anytime my lips needed extra help. I’m also a huge fan of Beauty Counter’s Lip Conditioner—still number two in my book—but the Basic Balm provides a slightly faster fix. I’ve even applied a light layer over lipstick and found it reduces the drying effect that often goes hand in hand with deeply pigmented lip color. I love that this balm moisturizes without reminding me that I haven’t exfoliated night after night.
