Jouer Essential Lip Enhancer

Jouer's Essential Lip Enhancer ($14) came to me as a result of a very hot UPS truck. It melted something I had ordered, and Jouer customer service sent me this Lip Enhancer as a gift along with my replacement product. That was great service!

Jouer's Essential Lip Enhancer is a nourishing and conditioning lip treatment with Jouer's clinically proven "Maxi-Lip" to naturally increase the fullness of your lips while decreasing fine lines. With its botanical ingredients, vitamin E, shea butter, and jojoba oil, this ultra-rich lip moisturizer protects the lips from environmentally damaging elements while hydrating and volumizing to provide lasting results. It's as simple - or as sophisticated - as that.

Jouer says it's sheer with a hint of pink. On my lips, it looks that way. On my arm, it's almost clear, with a white-leaning cast. It's the perfect size to throw in my pocket and use regularly throughout the day. Jouer recommends that you use it as a night treatment, but for or optimum results, apply it three times a day for 29 days.Why 20? Good question. Our skin cells turn over every 29 days or so. Perhaps that's the reason.

I was crazy enough to try to get a swatch photo in full sun. Can you see the clear gloss layered thickly on my arm? That's it. Look for treatment, not color, from Jouer's Lip  Enhancer.

You can find Jouer's beautiful products at the company's Web site and Henri Bendel (also Skin 6|2 in Las Vegas). Jouer also has an active presence on Facebook, so you may want to like their page to get all the news - and know when the next sale is announced.

Photo at top courtesy of Jouer; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

TATCHA Gold Camellia Nourishing Lip Balm

TATCHA's new Gold Collection harnesses the timeless gifts of the camellia to nourish the skin and lips. As I mentioned recently, the precious benefits of the camellia were first discovered thousands of years ago in Japan - specifically by Oshima Island "farm girls" who applied the flower’s extract to their skin and hair. The Ama (Japanese female free divers) evolved this ancient beauty secret by coating their bodies with camellia oil to protect their skin during frigid ocean dives. Centuries later, geishas began applying nutrient-rich camellia oil after bathing, a luxurious addition to their daily beauty ritual.

Rich in essential antioxidants and moisturizers that deeply nourish and protect the skin, the TATCHA Gold Collection is embellished with flecks of 24-karat gold to add a touch of opulence, celebrating the geishas' timeless practice of elevating the day from routine to exquisite. The sumptuous, two-piece collection marries Old World wisdom with modern sensuality.

On a recent day, when I was felling particularly blah, I received a gift of the Gold Collection from TATAHA. Everything about the gift was luxurious - the purple and gold embellished gift box to the purple tissue paper and gold cord. Opening it was a pleasure. I felt good even before I gave the Gold Camellia Nourishing Lip Balm ($36) its first whiff.

The balm is packaged in a beautiful box with a pull-out drawer that holds a beautiful jar, accented by the TATCHA logo, a purple rum, and a see-through window at the top. Behind the window the balm is adorned with gold leaf. It's gorgeous. I've never seen a more beautiful lip balm presentation.

There is a little story inside the box, "A Rediscovery." I won't spoil it be quoting it. You will enjoy its contribution to the experience of unwrapping your beautiful TATCHA treasure.

It took me only a nanosecond to try it. I lightly ran my finger over the balm (and gold leaf) and spread the treatment onto my lips. This natural treatment melted onto my lips instantly, infusing them with the treasured emollients of squalane; Japanese camellia oil, which has been long regarded for its antioxidant properties that protect the skin; licorice, which brightens; and rice oil to moisturize deeply. Also in the formula are macademia nut oil and TATCHA's HADASEI-3 Complex. It has a natural, very mild, and pleasant fragrance that all but disappears on application.

All TATCHA skin care is formulated without mineral oil, synthetic fragrances, sulfate detergents, parabens, PEGs, PPGs, DEA, TEA, urea, or phthalates. TATCHA succeeds at providing the best ingredients for your skin and your health.

To use the balm, scoop a tiny bit of balm and just a touch of the gold leaf, then spread or dab evenly on your lips. The first time I used mine, I took too much gold, but it was certainly a treat. My lips were instantly hydrated and gleamed with the trace of gold, which magically melted and fused with the balm.

In the days I've had TATCHA's Gold Camellia Nourishing Lip Balm, I've saved it for nights, trying to make it last forever, I guess. When I apply it at bedtime, my lips feel indulged. It has almost unheard-of lasting power. When I awaken at 3:00 or 3:30 - a nightly occurrence - I can still feel it on my lips! For a balm that feels lightweight, that is remarkable. When I finally drag myself out of bed (5:30 lately), I still have moist lips. I consider myself the lip balm expert (there are few I haven't tried), and I have never found one that lasts eight hours on my lips - until now.

Gold Camellia Nourishing Lip Balm is a remarkable product. If you are as compulsive as I am about having moist lips, you must check it out at TATCHA's Web site. It is work every penny, if not more, of the $36 price (the jar is generously sized at .28 ounces).

Next up, I will be introducing you to the Gold Camellia Beauty Oil, which I am testing for a little bit longer (as I normally do with skin care) to ensure that I can give you the straight scoop.

Photos courtesy of TATCHA

Chantecaille Lip Screen Tint SPF 15 for Summer 2013

Chantecaille is introducing a new Lip Screen Tint SPF 15 ($36) with its summer collection. These beautiful sheer lip colors offer a hint of shine and whisper of polished color, combined with a serious SPF lip treatment. When I was in the store swatching, I believed the shades above were the new shades. They were in the right display slots. I was only partially correct. I'm sorry. The only one that appears to have been correct was Sardinia.

The high-performing and extremely comfortable formula contains an ultra-healing botanical blend of rose and honey. Packaged in a chic shiny silver tube, it's the perfect accessory for your summer look.

There are three glistening shades inspired by the islands of the Mediterranean Sea.

• Ibiza - muted pink
• Sardinia - bright and extremely wearable "coral"
• Neutral - apparently a clear SPF

I took swatch photos of the three on the display outside Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie. My photos were taken in full mid-day sunshine. Sardinia is shown at the top of my arm and at left in the display photo above. The existing Mai - not a new shade, but like Ibiza, I'm told - is in the middle in both photos. Neutral, shown at right above, may or may not be at bottom on my arm. The tester actually says only SPF 15.

After looking at the testers, I was sure that my favorite would be the pink - the one it turns out I haven't seen. Imagine my surprise when I nearly drooled over Sardinia. While it could be called coral, it has enough rose in it to look fabulous paired with my cool-toned skin. I feared that you wouldn't be able to see Neutral is expected to be clear.

I love the way Sardinia looks and feels. They are perfect for a casual summer. I've got Sardinia on my list for Camp Gorgeous, but I fear it won't arrive in time. I just learned that Sardinia is shipping to the stores today, and Ibiza will ship Monday.

If you'd like some help with the Camp Gorgeous event, give Jeannine Barnes at Neiman Marcus a call at (202) 966-9700, extension 2289. The Chantecaille Web site doesn't show all the new summer colors. If you want one of the limited numbers Jeannine will receive, call her tomorrow. Don't wait!

Update: Chantecaille just posted on Facebook a 10% discount on its site for purchases between now and June 3. Use code SMR10 at checkout.

Update #2: This feature was modified after I learned that only one of the colors in the display unit was "right color." I am sorry. After swatching at two stores, I wasn't expecting that.

Update #3: This is the Chantecaille GWP for Camp Gorgeous. I promise, no more updates.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty; last photo by Jeannine Barnes

Fresh Sugar Shine Lip Treatment

Last week, when I was browsing at Sephora, I saw that Fresh had a new lip product: Sugar Shine Lip Treatment ($18.50). As something of a Fresh groupie, I circled around it for a few hours, thinking, "Do I need another clear lip treatment?"

Sugar Shine Lip Treatment is a high-shine lip treatment that moisturizes, promotes suppleness, and improves lip definition.  It works to promote suppleness and improve the definition of the lip area while preserving moisture for up to six hours. The high-shine treatment enhances the natural color of the lips while offering essential nourishment. It can be worn alone or on top of your favorite Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment [really any lip color] for smooth, youthful-looking lips.

I parsed that marketing blurb and decided it would offer me shine and moisture. It was a go! The lure of the Fresh brand and my endless fascination with moist lips sealed the deal. I ordered it.

I am wearing for the fourth time it as I write. Although it appears to have a slight, light pink color in the tube, it's clear. There is absolutely no sense in taking a swatch photo. What you will see is clear lip gloss. I can make it shine with a direct hit of sunlight, but why bother? Is it shiny on my lips? Not particularly.

I can feel it on my lips; it's not weightless. It's not sticky either, but its feel on my lips is a clear reminder that I've applied it. Does it make my lips plump or youthful? Of course not. Most of those claims are silly - no matter which brand makes them. I know some of you don't like certain kinds of sunscreens, but this product offers none. I give it a demerit for that. Our lips are sensitive to sun exposure, and they burn just like the rest of our skin. SPF protection would have differentiated this new product.

Is it hydrating? Yes, for however long it lasts. Here are the major players in the ingredients.

• Sugar (Fresh signature): Attracts and seals in moisture. 
• Commiphora Extract: Promotes suppleness and helps smooth rough lips. 
• Cupuaçu and Mango Butters: Help nourish, soften, and restore suppleness.
• Hyaluronic Filling Spheres: Help make the lips appear fuller. 
• Black Currant Seed and Grapeseed Oils: Help hydrate and protect.

The only bone I can pick with Fresh's description of the ingredients is their description of hyaluronic filling spheres. Hyaluronic acid is nature's sponge. It gloms onto moisture and keeps it in the skin. Moist lips might be fuller lips, but in my case, that isn't often the case.

Fresh is really good about disclosing all ingredients, so there is the list...
Diisostearyl Malate, Polybutene, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Isostearyl Isostearate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate, Commiphora Mukul Resin Extract, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ribes Nigrum (Black Currant) Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Fragrance, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ci 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Trihydroxystearin, Bht, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ci 77491 (Iron Oxides), Ci 75470 (Carmine), Hexylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Propyl Gallate, Limonene, Citral, Linalool, Benzyl Alcohol, and Phenoxyethanol.

The product has no overt scent - just a slightly fruity hint you have to purposely smell to notice - so the fragrance was probably added to mask one of the other ingredients - a common practice.

I'm not sure this new product offers any advantages over Fresh's Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Treatment ($25). I like it's gloss-like formula and texture, but not enough to recommend that you run right out to buy it, especially if you already own the Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Treatment, which I do. At $18.50, it is less expensive than the other. Regardless, I'll stick with Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Treatment.

Fresh says Sugar Shine Lip Treatment is proven to preserve moisture for six hours. I have not experienced that, but I don't get that from any lip product during the day. After an independent consumer testing panel (of undisclosed size) used Sugar Shine Lip Treatment:

• 97% reported smoother lips;
• 94% felt their lips were softer, more supple, and healthier-looking;
• 84% said it conditioned and protected their lips;
• 84% immediately noticed their lips looked radiant;
• 81% felt it hydrated and moisturized their lips.

You be the judge. Lip products are so personal. You can purchase Fresh Sugar Shine Lip Treatment at Sephora. Just don't expect miracles.

Photo courtesy of Sephora

NEOVA Copper Peptide Complex Intensive Lip Repair

I have appointed myself the lip treatment queen. If I find one that looks interesting, I'll do anything to get my hands (well, my lips) on it. Is there a lip treatment ever that I haven't tried? It turns out the answer is yes.

I found out when the nice folks at the Neova company offered me a press sample of NEOVA Cu₃ (Copper Peptide Complex) Intenstive Lip Repair ($22), they didn't realize it was like offering candy to a six-year-old. I opened the package and started using the tube immediately - in the dead of winter. I was already parched, despite my frequent application of lip balms.

NEOVA Copper Peptide Complex Intensive Lip Repair is a lip treatment designed to restore and visibly repair the lips from irritations, including wind, extreme temperatures, and dehydration caused by low humidity. The serum formula replenishes moisture loss in delicate skin and reduces lines around the lips for a younger looking appearance. Copper Peptide Complex, a registered ingredient, helps build an essential barrier around the lips, protecting them from future irritations.

What's Copper Peptide Complex? It's a protective delivery system that allows the body to recognize and accept copper into the cells to optimize skin health. Making the association between DNA damage and premature skin aging, Neova developed products to repair DNA (using a liposome-encapsulated DNA repair vehicle for enzymes that help prevent visible damage from surfacing) and its Copper Peptide Complex to provide complete, continuous, optimized care.

Their award-winning Combination Therapy Skin Care products target photodamaged skin and help to visibly improve it. Their products are special - so special that Neova products are available through dispensing physicians, including dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and medical spas. Fortunately, they are also available online at Neova's Web site, SkinCare.com, and Drugstore.com - to name a few sources I found online.

They made a "Smart Sunscreen" that looks really interesting. I'd love to try it. It's said to offer complete photoprotection with a spectacular cosmetic finish on contact. It's the latter part of that description that caught my eye.

Anyhow, back to the Intensive Lip Repair. It feels like a more fluid version of another product I use often, Aquaphor Lip Repair - a serum, as advertised. You can use it alone or under lipstick or gloss. It absorbs nicely, but leaves behind a protective coating that makes my lips feel hydrated.

It seems to last longer than many lip treatments I've tried. My test for hydration is to rub my lips together. If they are hydrated, they will slide easily. They feel smooth. If they are not hydrated, they start to feel uncomfortable, They don't slide, and if too much time passes, the dry skin will feel rough, not yet chapped, but not comfortable - and certainly not a good surface for lip color.

I used the NEOVA tube they sent me. It's almost empty (sob). I feel that same panic that I experience when gasoline level light comes on in my car. My tube lasted for a little more than two months. I'll admit, though, that I used the Lip Treatment far more often than expected. My lips are that dry. When I'm home, I'll apply it multiple times a day as I pass by and see it. It's almost reflexive.

Here are the ingredients.

• Copper Peptide Complex [CpC]. Also known as Bis (Tripeptide-1) Copper Acetate, a delivery system that uses the body’s natural protective carrier to deliver proprietary copper peptides, an essential micronutrient for skin health, for maximum restorative benefit.
• Petrolatum. Forms an occlusive film on the skin’s surface, preventing moisture loss due to evaporation and protects against irritation. [NEOVA is much nicer than the time-tested Vasoline at bedtime routine.]
• Mineral Oil. A non-comedogenic, occlusive substance that helps improve the epidermal barrier function.
• Glycerin. A humectant that attracts essential moisture to the skin.

There you have it. NEOVA Copper Peptide Complex Intensive Lip Repair offers anti-aging, hydrating, and healing benefits that you can wear under your favorite lip color. Can't beat that! This is a press sample I will definitely purchase after I've squeezed the last life out of my tube.

Photo courtesy of Neova

Fresh Sugar Honey Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15

Fresh has done it again with the latest shade of its Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15 ($22.50). Sugar Honey, a warm nude tint, is a color anyone can wear - and treat her lips while she wears it.

Sugar Honey Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15 is formulated with an array of ingredients that nourish and protect the lips. Sugar, a natural humectant, ensures long-lasting moisture, while hydrating meadowfoam and black currant seed oils condition the lips. Its antioxidant-rich vitamins defend against wrinkle-causing free radicals and provides year-round protection from damaging UV rays. The versatile formula allows for buildable coverage to customize a sheer or rich hue.

I have every shade of Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment! The inspiration for the collection dates back to the childhoods of Fresh co-founders Lev Glazman and Alina Roytberg. Each of their grandmothers used sugar, a natural antiseptic, to heal their scrapes. Wanting to pass this effective ritual onto the world, they bottled their shared tradition, pioneering the use of sugar in the beauty industry. Today, the beloved Sugar Collection offers a complete head-to-toe sensory experience and is an amazing source for supremely soft skin. The lip treatments make sure your lips feel and look great.

Here's a swatch photo of Sugar Honey, taken in full sun. The shade will look a bit more pink on your lips if they have pink pigmentation. I find it a perfect shade for a nude look on me. It's sheer, which I love, and the combination of my lips and Sugar Honey is flattering. The case is bronze, which helps me differentiate it from the clear ones in darker cases that are always at my side.

If you don't want nude, you'll find plum, rosé (strawberry), and clear shades of this wonderful balm-like lip treatment. You can purchase Fresh at Sephora, Neiman Marcus, the Fresh Web site, and other sources. It's easy to find. I bought my Sugar Honey at Sephora.

Photo at top courtesy of Sephora