[GIVEAWAY] One For All: Beauty Balm

If you are completely oblivious to the idea of beauty balm, don’t worry, you’re not the only one. Until recently, I had no idea what a beauty balm was.

The idea came from Korea, where BB’s [blemish balm or beauty balm] are commonly used to lighten skin and address skin flaws. They can be a primer or a tinter, a moisturizer and a sunscreen, an anti-aging formula and an acne treatment. In theory, it’s the perfect product that does everything.

You can see why I’ve fallen head over heels for the idea of a beauty balm. There are many options available from the big brands [Think: Garnier, Estee Lauder and Clinique] and the au natural brands [One Love Organics and Boscia]. As you can imagine, the mass marketed drug store brands are more affordable but certainly not ideal for the guilt free glam girl. If you stop to take a look at the list of ingredients for most beauty balms you might feel compelled to find a dictionary or a scientist to help explain what you just put on your face.

Sad to say, you’re probably doing more harm than good by using the chemical heavy brands which is counter intuitive if the idea of a beauty balm is to heal your skin and give you a fabulous radiant glow.

Thanks to Michelle at Hip Apotheca, Inc. I was able to sample the créme de la créme of beauty balms: One Love Organics Skin Savior, Waterless Beauty Balm.

This product is a waterless salve that doesn’t strip your skin of moisture [like soap does] but rather works with the natural oil production to give your pores a deep clean and soothe your skin.  It can be used in many ways: cleanser, moisturizer and conditioner. You can see the beauty balm in action, here.

The list of ingredients is pretty easy to understand [shocking, I know]. Coconut Oil and Mango Seed butter are fantastic ingredients for cosmetics, both are mild, moisturizing and protective making them suitable for inflamed or irritated skin. Oat extract contains silicic acid which is soothing on the skin and has historically been used in soaps and cosmetic products in Europe. Vitamin E is a natural preservative and antioxidant.

There are a few things I tend notice right off the bat when I get a new product.

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First: Smell

This product smells like a slice of fresh orange on a summer day. It’s not bad at all. My only caveat is that the smell is quite strong and stayed on my skin for 2-3 hours post application.

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Second: Texture

The texture is a mix between a salve and a lotion. It’s very malleable and soft. You can dig your fingers right in. I found that a dime sized amount was more than sufficient to remove eye make up and moisturize my skin.

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Third: The Aftermath

What happens in the hours after you use a new product is just as important as your first impression of the smell or texture. I applied mineral foundation after using the beauty balm and I was amazed by the results. My make up stayed in place for 12+ hours on a hot and sunny day. I didn’t need to touch up at all! My skin didn’t feel greasy, despite using an oil based product, however you will notice if you use too much, so use sparingly.

Applying it before bed is also a great idea. I woke up with skin that was refreshed and baby soft. I have really sensitive skin and I often wake up feeling like my skin is angry which I attribute that to stress and the occasional slip in my diet.

It’s nice to find a product that treats my skin so well. Having sensitive skin can be frustrating, I feel as though I’ve tried every product ever marketed for my skin type without much success. One Love Organics Waterless Beauty Balm has made a world of difference in my beauty regime.

And now, a gift for you!

Everyone loves presents!

One lucky reader will win a $20 gift certificate to Hip Apotheca, Inc. to splurge! Leave a comment below letting me know how you’d spend your $20 and a winner will be chosen at random on May 28!

DRUM ROLL PLEASE…

THE WINNER IS:

Lucky #9, Hannah R.!!!