My Favorites: Chapstick Lip Balm

I have tried a lot of different lip balms. And when I say a lot, I mean a whole lot. The prices have ranged from free (promotional gifts at the mall, job fairs, etc.) to upwards of $30.

I would never buy an expensive lip balm, but my mom swears by Clarins lip moisturizer. Before that, she loved Fashion Fair's lip moisturizer. Other ones I have tried are Walgreen's "chapstick", Bath and Body Work's lip balms, Smuckers soda-flavored lip balms, Carmex, Nivea's Kiss of Moisture, Nivea's Kiss of Protection, Philosophy's Kiss Me and countless others. They all suck. To me, at least. Well, Philosophy's Kiss Me is good as a lip gloss, however it tastes disgusting so only use a little at a time. I just love trying new things, perhaps it's a grass is greener type of thing. But truthfully, cherry chapstick has never let me down.

Why I love cherry chapstick: like Katy Perry, I love the way it tastes :). I hate the taste of those weird oils and medications that can be lip balms / moisturizers. I like the matte finish. You should always use a balm as a base to protect your lips, and this is something I can use with matte lipsticks or shiny glosses. Similarly, it's hard to line your lip with a shiny, slippery balm. Sometimes I even apply lipliner before applying chapstick. However, if my lips are dry, it's still easier apply lipliner after using chapstick than other balms. In addition, I like the pink tint, it looks very girly and sweet just by itself. You also get a little sunscreen, and that never hurts!

Last but not least, it's never more than $2.00! At that price, you can keep one in your bathroom, your purse makeup bag, your desk, your backpack, and your car, etc. Plus, you don't have to worry if you lose one.

What's your favorite balm?

My Favorites: Maybelline Lash Stiletto Ultimate Length Mascara

This is the best mascara I have ever used. I love to shop at Sephora for things such as high-quality pressed powders and high pigment eyeshadows, and of course MAC for lip glosses. However, there are quality beauty basics to be found at drugstores as well, and Maybelline Lash Stiletto is one of them.

I used to hate to wear mascara because, especially as the day went by, the product would start to bleed all around and even into my eyes, making them sting and become irritated. Within a few hours, especially if I rubbed with a Kleenex when the product was irritating my eyes, I would end up with "raccoon eyes". Horrible, horrible, and horrible.

Other problems I have had with mascaras: voluminizing mascaras tend to make my lashes stick together; some lengthening ones take forever to dry, so I get little black spots on my lid if I blink while it's drying; and most mascaras go on black, but dry into a really dull color, almost gray.

Lash Stiletto does none of this - it dries quickly, dries shiny, really lengthens, and gives subtle, natural-looking volume. Best of all - it doesn't bleed! It's a really great product, especially for the price.