pucker up

I think my lip balm love affair started with Bonne Bell Lip Smackers during my childhood, or even earlier with strawberry ChapStick and original Carmex. Over the years, my pucker preferences have changed in that I search for the most moisturizing, natural, and non-toxic lip balm with just the right scent. I don't wear a lot of makeup, but hydrating my lips is of the utmost importance. I will admit, like the little-girl me, I still like a variety of flavors.

In all sincerity, I'm very thankful for the ability to enjoy fun trinkets such as lip balm, bar soap, and tea. Even my current restricted diet. My lunch yesterday was a large bed of organic greens topped with wild Alaskan salmon, black olives, Greek seasoning, and extra virgin olive oil; I washed it down with iced green tea. To some, these simple pleasures may seem trivial, but I'm aware that many people go without, so I thank God for unnecessary blessings.

We have a jar of Carmex in a bathroom drawer that I accidentally left out of the photograph, but otherwise, I have a sizable lip balm collection stashed in another bathroom drawer, my bedside table drawer, and my purse. The collection is pictured above, left to right:
-Wendy Reed's orange blossom.
Wendy Reed sells local raw honey, beeswax candles, bar soap, ear candles, and more at a farmers' market in Houston. Currently, her lip balms are my hands-down favorite: the most natural, the perfect texture, leaving a nice gloss on my lips. I also adore her beeswax candles which burn with a real honey scent. I can't eat honey right now, but her whipped cinnamon honey is the stuff of my dreams. She takes mail orders, so give her a call (click on her name to see her phone number).
-Wendy Reeds's honey-hemp.
-Alba TerraTints in Blaze.
I do wear normal lipstick on occasion, but this TerraTint shade is perfect for giving my lips just a little bit of natural color.
-Super Lysine+ Coldstick in strawberry.
This balm is perfect for preventing and healing cold sores, and the scent reminds me of childhood strawberry ChapStick.
-Burt's Bees Replenishing w/pomegranate oil.
I love the smell and moisture, but there is a weird aftertaste for me.
-Burt's Bees Honey. I love it!
-Tropical Traditions orange/cinnamon.
I love this scent, perfect for autumn and Christmas. It's not quite enough gloss - it doesn't glide as well as the others - but it'll do in a pinch.
-Tropical Traditions tea tree oil.
Again, not enough gloss for me, but this one is also good for cold sores and I actually like how tea tree oil smells.
-Whole Foods' vanilla honey.
Love it - like a cupcake, remember?
-Indigo Wild's vanilla Zum Kiss.
Works beautifully, though not quite the perfect vanilla scent. It smells good, but I'm a picky vanilla connoisseur.
-In front of the lip balm tube-line, we have a tin of Smith's Rosebud Salve.
A nice gloss, a smidgen of color, and the rose scent is just right, not too strong. I love the old-fashioned tin, too.

And, not about lip balm at all: from my flickr favorites, my favorite photo of the week is "untitled" by Daniel in Italy. Beautiful.

Dish-washing/laundry/blogging music today: a full José González concert, thanks to NPR's All Songs Considered.

What's on your lips?