I was browsing Wildberries for a lip balm. I usually buy from Aveline, but I thought, why not try something new? My eyes landed on these quirky stickers from Eat my. I ended up buying two of them, and I'm glad I did. I wanted to order more, but the sale had ended by the time I got around to it, and the flavors I liked were all gone. Now I'm left with just two, and I'm grateful for that.
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Lip Balm by Eat my "Strawberry with Cream"
Description
This lip balm has a strawberry with cream scent that gently moisturizes and nourishes my lips, keeping them soft and smooth all day. The secret to its effectiveness lies in its unique recipe:
Sweet almond oil helps to combat dryness and chapping,Cocoa butter returns the natural moisture and elasticity,Castor oil soothes and calms,Jojoba oil prevents dryness and cracking,Candelilla wax protects against wind and dry air.
Price: 172 rubles (now 225 rubles)Place of purchase: WildberriesWhere to buy: marketplaces, LetualVolume: 4.8gIngredients: strawberryShelf life: 36 monthsCountry: RussiaManufacturer: Eat my
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Packaging
First impressions count, and the packaging didn't disappoint. A cardboard insert with a transparent window showcases the balm stick, which caught my eye. The design is vibrant and eye-catching, and the front only features the manufacturer's logo, giving a hint about the flavor. In this case, it's strawberry with cream.
The reverse side has all the information a consumer needs:
Product description from the manufacturer;Usage instructions;Ingredients list;Best-before date;Storage conditions;Contact information for the manufacturer;
The compact plastic case inside is a nice touch. It's sturdy, and the packaging fits snugly into even the smallest purse or backpack.
Everything from the cardboard insert is duplicated on the plastic case, including the ingredient list in English, usage instructions, and best-before date. I didn't check the last one, but the packaging looks fine: the balm smells nice, has a consistent texture, and the packaging isn't damaged.
I really like how the balm rolls out smoothly thanks to that special roller. It's super easy to use, similar to the ones in my deodorant sticks. The roller itself doesn't get stuck, and you can spin it with just one hand.
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Ingredients
Octyldodecanol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Seed Oil, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Cera Alba, Microcrystalline Wax, Fragrance, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Stevioside, Tocopheryl Acetate
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Color
The balm has a milky color, but when I apply it to my lips, it looks transparent. The shade is consistent, with no visible flecks of other colors. But here's the thing: when I apply it, I can see tiny sparkly particles that aren't noticeable in everyday life, unless I wipe it off with a tissue or my hand. That wasn't what I was looking for - I wanted a simple moisturizing balm without any sparkly additives.
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Smell
I wasn't impressed with the scent, and it's actually why I bought this product. I was expecting a rich, strawberry-like aroma without any chemical notes. But what I got was a barely noticeable aftertaste that's cloyingly sweet. It's not pleasant, to say the least.
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Texture
The balm has a thick, dense texture that's almost waxy. It's packed into the tube, which is about 4.8 grams, but it's still a decent size. It's easy to squeeze out, and it doesn't take much to get a good amount. However, it melts quickly when it's outside, becoming more runny and less pleasant to use. I only use it indoors.
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Usage
I've been using this balm nonstop on my lips since summer started, and I'm shocked at how often I need to reapply it. I'll go into more detail about its full benefits later, but the light consistency has actually worked against it - the effect is so short-lived that I find myself reaching for it all the time.
I've been using it for over two weeks now, and I've already gone through half the stick. By comparison, I can get 3-6 months out of the same balm from Aveleyn during the winter, when my lips are dry both indoors and outdoors. But this summer, with the heat, I'm going through it even faster.
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Application
Apply the balm to your lips as needed throughout the day.
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Final Thoughts
I have to say, I'm really disappointed in this balm. It's not just that the balm itself isn't great - it's the whole package that's the problem. From the packaging to the lack of a pleasant scent, it's just not something I enjoy using. One plus is that it's compact, and the design is really cute, with some great-sounding names.
To be honest, my lips aren't super dry, they don't get as dry as parchment, and they only get really dry in the cold winter months.
For the rest of the year, they don't flake off or get super dry all the time. But I do need to use a balm to keep them comfortable and hydrated – it's just a habit I've gotten into. I use the balm throughout the day and apply it at night so my lips are soft and smooth in the morning.
Before
The first thing I noticed was how light the balm is – it's got a bit of a greasy feel, but it's not too thick or sticky. It doesn't feel like you're coating your lips with anything, and it's actually really hard to overdo it with this balm.
After
I'll admit, the cream's lack of moisture is a major drawback, despite its silky texture. It's supposed to hydrate my lips, and the tiny bit of oiliness suggests it might just work. But it doesn't. It feels like my lips are softer and smoother at first, but that's just a temporary high. Within 20-30 minutes, I start to feel discomfort.
It's like the cream is actually drying out my lips, not hydrating them. Otherwise, how do I explain why my lips feel dry and desperate for more cream after I've applied it? That's a major turn-off for me. And when I compare it to the same Evelyn product, I notice the consistency is similar, but the Polish cream leaves my skin feeling smoothed out and softer.
The manufacturer's promises:
the sweet almond oil is supposed to eliminate dryness and flakiness,
To be fair, I don't have naturally dry lips. I just like to keep them comfortable. And I don't have any flakiness, so I can't confirm or deny that claim. What the cream does eliminate is the temporary moisture it provides. As soon as it absorbs, my lips feel drier and need more hydration.
• the coconut oil is supposed to restore smoothness and elasticity,
I have to say, my lips aren't exactly smooth without balm. Yes, it does make a difference when I have it on, but it's not the same level of smoothness and elasticity I've seen on other lip balms. If I apply it at night, the difference is pretty negligible compared to applying it for an hour or more.
• I've found that castor oil really helps to soothe and calm my lips.
I get lip irritation from salty or spicy food pretty often. Sometimes my lip contour gets dry and irritated, and any balm helps to calm it down and get rid of the symptoms. That's what I'd call soothing. As for moisturizing, it's pretty weak, and in comparison, it's almost nothing. My lips are only smooth with the balm on, and as soon as I take it off, all the problems come back.
• Jojoba oil seems to help prevent cracks.
I don't get cracks on my lips often, so I don't have much to compare it to. Maybe it's not effective in cold weather, because for winter, this balm would be too weak and ineffective.
• Candelilla wax is supposed to protect against windburn.
My lips usually get windburn in the winter, but this balm isn't something I'd trust to fix damaged skin. For summer, it's still up in the air, but for winter, it's definitely not the one.
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Conclusion
A bit of a mixed bag, to be honest. I liked the packaging, but that's about it. Using it is a bit of a hassle, and the balm itself doesn't do much even for problem-free lips. I won't be keeping it through the winter, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone else either. The sparkly bits are just a nice touch, I guess.
🔴 Pros:
pretty, feminine packaging;loads of flavor options in the lineup;light balm texture;
🔴 Cons
the stick format is a bit awkward to use;terrible value for money;overpriced compared to other balm brands that actually work;no discernible fragrance;the strawberry and cream scent is really weak;does nothing to moisturize or nourish my lips;doesn't even take care of my lip skin;only makes my lips feel slightly softer for a short time;after using it, my lips are actually drier than before and begging for some real hydration;