Natural Ice Lip Balm

Natural Ice Lip Balm

Why should I do a review on Lip Balm? Well, because after smashing my lips against a piece of hard steel for the better part of my life, I'd have to say I qualify as a bit of an expert. Unless, you too, are a trumpet or brass player, you might ask why someone would choose to spend their life putting their lips through this torture. If I haven't just answered your question, I suggest you refer to my article on, Read Naturally. The important thing to know is that being a trumpet player has made me a chronic lip balm user. Those of you who are just occasional lip balm users, may not agree with the information presented here and I will explain why later. For many brass and reed players, lip balm is a way of life. You will notice them as the guys or gals always having a stick of lip balm or ChapStick in their pockets. Long after I gave up playing the horn, I still need to have a stick of lip balm with me at all times during the day as well as by my bed side at night.
The other thing is that I noticed is that nobody else seems to be doing reviews on Lip Balm these days. Why not?  We may not all be trumpet players, but we all have lips, right? Perhaps it is something that is taken for granted or regarded as a personal preference, but I will say from my own personal experience that there may be a better lip balm than the one you are currently using.  A trumpet-playing college roommate convinced me of this when he introduced me to one that I had never tried, but became my lasting favorite ever since; Natural Ice.
If lip balm is something that you use infrequently for chapped, dried or cracked lips, just use whatever heals them the quickest and move on. For the rest of us who are obsessed with the way our lips feel at all hours of the day and night, it is important to find a lip balm that is not too sticky, not too waxy; doesn't burn the lips or smell like a medicine cabinet. There is a time and place for extreme treatment and protection, but every-day lip balm has to make our lips feel, well...normal. So, with our criteria for this review set as, 'normal-healthy-feeling-lips', let's discuss three of the most popular brands; ChapStick, Carmex, Burt's Bees Wax and compare them to my favorite, Natural Ice.

ChapStick

ChapStick has been a trademark name for lip balm for as long as I can remember. It goes back to at least the mid-70's when an Olympic skier, Susie Chaffee (nicknamed Susie Chapstick), starred in commercials advertising the product. One word describes ChapStick: Waxy. As long as you're putting wax on your lips, they're not going to feel smooth, soft and normal. ChapStick is the worst one I've tried. Not only is its texture waxy, but it contains Octinoxate, Octisalate, Octocrylene and Oxybenzone. At least one, if not all of these ingredients make my lips itch. Not everyone has this reaction to ChapStick, but those who do, know what I am talking about. ChapStick? No thanks, Susie.

Carmex

Before I discovered my favorite back in college, I used Carmex. Carmex is less waxy than ChapStick and far better at keeping my lips moist. However, it has one annoying quality. Carmex contains Camphor, Menthol and Phenol. One or more of those ingredients come on a little too strong, not only on the lips but the nose as well. Carmex tries too hard to please and as a result comes off a bit arrogant and obnoxious. Lick your lips and go on to the next one.

Burt's Bees Wax

Burt's Bees Wax gave my long-time favorite a run for the money the first time I tried it two years ago.
It was wrapped along with some other Christmas gifts to me from my daughter, who presented it as a 'Very Fine, High Quality Lip Balm'. I put it on and was instantly impressed. It felt cool, soothing, yet moist and warm at the same time. Not overly brash or obnoxious like the Carmex. Wow, I thought that perhaps I had finally found a new favorite. My new found joy was short-lived, however, upon taking a glimpse in the mirror and seeing that my lips were completely white. It looked like I had just attempted to put a powdered-donut in my mouth and missed. Burts Bees Wax does contain real wax from bees and hives as well as lanolin, coconut oil, sunflower oil. No where on the listed ingredients, though, do I see powdered donuts sugar, so why does it make my lips look that way? I found myself rubbing the balm off to remove the whitish-looking freak lips, but that sort of ruins the purpose of a lip balm, doesn't it? For that reason alone, Burt's Bees Wax is for the birds.

Natural Ice

As its name implies, Natural Ice goes on very naturally. It feels cooling and soothing without being overbearing, obnoxious, pretentious and rude like Carmex. It leaves very little wax buildup on your lips and unlike Burt's Bees Wax, doesn't make you look like a clown. Natural Ice was not only known by that name. Years ago, when I first discovered it, it was called Mentholatum stick. As its name once implied, it contains menthol. Natural Ice has only changed by name and it remains my favorite today.
Let's rank them:

Lip Balm Ratings

ChapStick: 70
Burt's Bees Wax: 80
Carmex: 82
Natural Ice: 90

Lip Balm Conclusions

Okay, I realize that the other brands are popular for a reason. Also, I realize there are about 6,524 other brands which I have not mentioned or even tried. I'm not a snob about Natural Ice, it just happens to be what's best for me. In fact, I've saved you some time and found where you can buy your favorite brands on eBay below. By the way, this is one of the few places, you can still find Natural Ice. Choose the one you like best.


Yes, I am a clown with Chapped Lips. Get me some Burt's Bees Wax.

4 Burts Bees Honey Lip Balm New Sealed
4 Burts Bees Honey Lip Balm New Sealed
Paypal   US $9.99
9 NEW BURTS BEES BEESWAX LIP BALMS JUST 99
9 NEW BURTS BEES BEESWAX LIP BALMS JUST 99
Paypal   US $15.55
RARE 3x SAVANNAH BEE Honey Lemon Beeswax Lip Balm
RARE 3x SAVANNAH BEE Honey Lemon Beeswax Lip Balm
Paypal   US $6.99
RARE 3x SAVANNAH BEE 100 Natural Beeswax Lip Balm
RARE 3x SAVANNAH BEE 100 Natural Beeswax Lip Balm
Paypal   US $7.99
RARE 3x SAVANNAH BEE Peach Natural Beeswax Lip Balm
RARE 3x SAVANNAH BEE Peach Natural Beeswax Lip Balm
Paypal   US $6.99
3 New BURTS BEES HONEY LIP BALM MOISTURIZING STICK
3 New BURTS BEES HONEY LIP BALM MOISTURIZING STICK
Paypal   US $6.95

I'm a hardcore user. I need that strong-smelling Carmex you talked about.

NEW SET CARMEX LIP THERAPY FOR COLD SORES CHAPPED FEVER
NEW SET CARMEX LIP THERAPY FOR COLD SORES CHAPPED FEVER
Paypal   US $.99
Carmex moisturizing lip balm 8 sample packets
Carmex moisturizing lip balm 8 sample packets
Paypal   US $.99
CARMEX Moisturizing Lip Balm
CARMEX Moisturizing Lip Balm
Paypal   US $.01
Carmex Click Stick SPF 15 3 tubes sealed
Carmex Click Stick SPF 15 3 tubes sealed
Paypal   US $.99
4 SEALED PACKAGES 8 STICKS TOTAL CARMEX LIP BALM CLEAR
4 SEALED PACKAGES 8 STICKS TOTAL CARMEX LIP BALM CLEAR
Paypal   US $4.00
12X Carmex Strawberry Moisturizing Lip Balm
12X Carmex Strawberry Moisturizing Lip Balm
Paypal   US $12.99

My lips are made of plastic. I need wax and lots of it. Susie ChapStick Rules.

NEW 4 Chapstick Moisturizer Shimmer FOR THE CURE NR
NEW 4 Chapstick Moisturizer Shimmer FOR THE CURE NR
Paypal   US $.98
5 Chapstick FRESH EFFECTS lip balm Refreshing Mandarin
5 Chapstick FRESH EFFECTS lip balm Refreshing Mandarin
Paypal   US $.99
4 New ChapStick lipbalm
4 New ChapStick lipbalm
Paypal   US $3.00
26 Chapstick Classic Cherry SPF 4 Chap Stick15 0z Each
26 Chapstick Classic Cherry SPF 4 Chap Stick15 0z Each
Paypal   US $31.00
6 LIP SMACKERS LIP BALM CHAPSTICK SPF 24 ASSORTED
6 LIP SMACKERS LIP BALM CHAPSTICK SPF 24 ASSORTED
Paypal   US $4.99
Lip Balm Chapstick 3 Avon GUSHING GRAPE lip balms
Lip Balm Chapstick 3 Avon GUSHING GRAPE lip balms
Paypal   US $.25

I play the horn and need my lips to feel smooth and silky. I'll take the Natural Ice.

Mentholatum Natural Ice Cherry Lip Balm single
Mentholatum Natural Ice Cherry Lip Balm single
Paypal   US $1.39
Natural Ice Medicated Lip Protect SPF 15 Cherry 12 Pkgs
Natural Ice Medicated Lip Protect SPF 15 Cherry 12 Pkgs
Paypal   US $17.99
Mentholatum Natural Ice Cherry Lip Balm box of 24
Mentholatum Natural Ice Cherry Lip Balm box of 24
Paypal   US $23.50
Mentholatum Natural Ice Cherry Lip Balm box of 12
Mentholatum Natural Ice Cherry Lip Balm box of 12
Paypal   US $12.39
Natural Ice Lip Balm Display 12 Pieces Pack
Natural Ice Lip Balm Display 12 Pieces Pack
Paypal   US $16.99
Mentholatum Natural Ice Original Lip Balm box of 24
Mentholatum Natural Ice Original Lip Balm box of 24
Paypal   US $23.50

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2 Comments

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  2. The style of writing is quite familiar . Have you written guest posts for other blogs?

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