Whenever a celebrity like Angelina Jolie steps out on the red carpet with a perfect pout, the beauty world goes crazy. And it’s no surprise – after all, us mere mortals have a pretty good appreciation of just how hard it is to get your lips looking that good.
It’s not just a case of finding a killer shade of lippy (although that’s part of the battle) – it’s also a matter of conditioning, moisturising and nourishing the delicate skin. No wonder we sometimes feel as though we might as well give up and refuse to leave the house...
Not so fast. It can be difficult trying to finding the right lip balm, but we don’t think it’s time to confine yourself to your bedroom just yet. It might take years of slathering on different products, getting your hair stuck to your lips and losing lids inside your handbag, but trust us - one day you’ll find the balm that you just can’t be without and you’ll live happily ever after.
Never tiring on my quest to find the elusive ‘one’, I put Softlips, the lip care brainchild of the health and beauty gurus at Mentholatum, to the test. But was it to be a long-lasting love affair or a fleeting fling? Read on to find out...
The brand
Produced by healthcare company Mentholatum, Softlips products aren’t just about pretty packaging and appealing flavours (although they’ve got both of those things covered). The brand aims to deliver efficient, easy to apply lip care at an affordable price – great news for those who are looking to save some pennies for a rainy day.
The product
Available in either alluring French Vanilla or Vitamin Enriched (with avocado oil), the Softlips balms have been designed to restore the natural moisture balance of the lips and protect against damage caused by temperature and weather conditions. I road-tested the French Vanilla, which came in a pretty pink slimline applicator, making it easy to apply and not at all shabby to look at.
With a tasty vanilla flavour and pleasant tingling sensation (that’ll be the menthol at work), the balm was surprisingly moreish. I found myself applying it regularly, rather than shoving it in my bag and forgetting about it, which all too often happens.
I was pleased to read that not only do the balms contain vitamins to nourish (the Vitamin Enriched stays true to its name with vitamins A, B2, C and E), but they also contain SPF20 sunscreen to protect your delicate lips from the sun, all year round. Definitely one to take on holiday, then...
The result
Whilst I enjoyed the sensation of the cooling menthol and the attractive scent and flavour, for me, the most impressive aspect of the Softlips balm was its ability to transform my lips. After the first use they were already feeling much softer and smoother, and, with regular use, they became beautifully moisturised - the ideal canvas for applying lipstick.
So, is Softlips set to be the lip care love of my life? It’s a little early to commit at this stage, but suffice to say, I think this may well be the beginning of a beautiful relationship.
Looking for more ideas to get you looking glam? Keep an eye on our community page for more product reviews, and have a browse of our makeup treatments page for some tempting offers.
