If Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Ryan Kwanten (below, that’s “Jason Stackhouse” for the True Blood fans out there) are any indicator, only good things come from the land Down Under.
Australia’s latest-to-be-loved import is Hissyfit, a line of beauty goodies that aim to protect, renew and perfect.  I can’t guarantee that caliber of results (”perfect” is a pretty bold statement…), but I will admit to a minor infatuation with lip service, an SPF 50 lip balm available in five hues, including clear.
This thick, glossy balm is instantly soothing to chapped or dry lips thanks to the inclusion of shea butter, …read more

Steamy summer days call for a lot of SPF and a light hand with makeup. MAC’s new SunTints SPF 20 Liquid Lip Balms have you covered on both ends.

Released with the Baby Bloom collection late last month, these balms comes in five shades:

Just a Smidge: Soft Pastel Yellow with Multi Colored Pearl
Lilt of Lily: Soft Creamy Pale Pink
Pink Tinge: Clean Bright Yellow Pink with Gold Pearl
Full of Grace: Soft Sheer Rose
Moist Plum: Light Lilac with Very Fine Pearl (my personal favorite!)

The color payoff here is slight but the real benefit is in the emollient rich texture, which  moisturizes lips beautifully …read more

Philosophy’s new Kiss Me Tonight is designed for bedtime use but I’m so hooked on this balm, I’ve been using it day and night.

Kiss Me Tonight has a beautifully emollient formula that’s thick and creamy, without a lot of gloss.  The scent is neutral – so if you have a significant other that hates the smell or taste of other balms, this may be the pick for you.
Snag a tub for yourself for $20 at www.philosophy.com.
p.s. If you’re a huge Philosophy buff (like, ahem, some people I know), follow them on Twitter via @lovephilosophy – they frequently offer up …read more

Every now and then, I find myself longing for a bit more simplicity in my day – and of course, that trickles down to my beauty regime. Inevitably, when I’m feeling that way, I reach for a trusty tube of ChapStick.  These moisturizing balms are tried and true – they WORK, they’re cheap and so, so portable.
The season’s latest addition to ChapStick’s lip balm collection are True Shimmer. These moisturizing balms add just a hint of shimmer and shine, along with some yummy fragrances.  Available now are Peppermint Rush and Blended Fruit Sherbert…and coming soon are Botanical Berry (left) and …read more

Never underestimate the power of “cute” in beauty products (or in life.) That’s my mantra. The folks at eos agree – their new Lip Balm Smooth Spheres prove it!
Packaged in a sleek round, rubberized ball, the eos lip balms are more than just pretty, though. These babies are enriched with super moisturizing ingredients including Vitamin E, shea butter (is there nothing this stuff can’t do?) and jojoba oil.  Plus, since you don’t have to dig your finger into a pot of balm, there’s no hazard of yucky germ transfer. 
What’s really amazing about the Smooth Spheres is just how affordable they …read more

I am such a sucker for a great lip balm and I’ve recently tested a string of hits: La Mer, Darphin, Sara Happ and NOW, AmorePacific’s Moisture Bound Lip Treatment.  Frankly, this may be the very best of the bunch. It’s the perfect solution for lips that are dried out and in need of moisture.
Formulated without parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrance, synthetic dyes or phthalates, this thick rich balm restores supple texture and a healthy glow to lips thanks to what it DOES have: bamboo sap, green tea seed oil extract, and red ginseng.
Since the Moisture Bound Lip Treatment is a bit …read more

Have you seen these adorable vintage lip balms that Sephora has with On10? The balms are all inspired by the iconic brands of childhood such as 7Up, Tootsie Roll, Hershey’s Kisses and Dr. Pepper. Now they don’t taste like your favorite soda’s and sweets, but they have the fragrance. Which makes me want to choose the Sparkling Pink Grapefruit Lip Balm since the fragrance of grapefruit is scientificially documented as making men think a woman is at least 6 years younger than she really is. I heard the Almond Lip Balm smells heavenly as well.
On10’s products are found only at …read more

I’ve been too lazy to take down that poll in my sidebar asking you which color you felt would be more popular this fall–blue or purple hues. Overwhelmingly you have voted purple, thus I bring you Korres Sugar Plums set.

This limited edition set, exclusive to Sephora, contains a Plum Lip Butter, Plum Cherry Lip Gloss and Plum Sunflower & Evening Primrose Shimmering Eyeshadow (which is my favorite of the 3).
You’ll start seeing a lot more Holiday-inspired products here on Makeup Minute over the next few weeks. While the economy may have you down, there is nothing better than window …read more