Makeup Madness: Up Close - Smith's Rose & Mandarin Lip Balm

I have always had dry lips. They're always cracked and peeling no matter what I put on them. This is probably why lip balm is one of the products I consider essential. I always have it lying around, on our nightstand, in my bag (as seen in almost all of my Purse Peek posts), and even in the fridge (hello, EOS).

The thing is, I keep buying them but never use them up. I just have too many, that's all. I am obsessed with finding the perfect lip balm for me -- one that absorbs quickly, keeps my lips smooth and moisturized, has great flavor, and doesn't feel thick or sticky. I've found many that I really liked over the years -- The Body Shop's flavored balms, Maybelline Baby Lips, Burt's Bees, and EOS are top contenders -- but I'm still obsessed with lip balms. It's just my thing and I don't think I'll ever stop trying out new ones.

The latest lip balm I tried is Smith's Rose & Mandarin Lip Balm from my mini weekend haul several days ago. Smith's Rosebud Salve has been on my must-try list for ages, as it is a cult favorite, especially among beauty editors. I didn't know that it was available here though until I found it on the counter at PCX. I was so thrilled, I went off with it as soon as I saw it.

The Product

Smith's Rose & Mandarin Lip Balm is the brand's newest flavor. I chose it because hey, it's orange-flavored, and I adore anything rose-flavored as well. I considered getting the original one first, but this won out.

Beauty Loot: Mini Weekend Haul 03.09.14

This is a quick post to talk about a couple of items I picked up over the weekend. As mentioned in this blog, I haven't been buying much makeup, mainly because I want to save money as well as be able to use up the products in my stash first so that nothing goes to waste. I don't always have that much willpower and self-control though! While I try to stick to the essentials, I sometimes indulge in something nice. I think I'm doing good in balancing my obsession with makeup and being practical though.

The beauty loot I got this weekend is one example of what I'm talking about. One product is a necessity, while the other is a product I've always wanted to try.

• Maybelline The Rocket Volume Express Mascara - I've been using Origins mascara, but it has been with me a while and while it hasn't gotten clunky or funky, I decided to trash it. Mascara only has a shelf life of a few months, so I really needed a new one. I got Maybelline The Rocket because I've been seeing it in YouTube beauty guru channels so much, it must be good. Hopefully, it helps my stubborn straight eyelashes keep their curls.
• Smith's Rose & Mandarin Lip Balm - I've always wanted to try Smith's Rosebud Salve because it's kind of a cult product and a lot of beauty editors swear by it. I had no idea that the brand has arrived in our shores though, until I found it at PCX. It was totally a case of I-had-to-get-it. I'm a sucker for lip balm and I always have a zillion lying around so this was a no-brainer. There were a lot of variants and I was torn between getting the original or Rose & Mandarin. The latter won out because I really can't resist anything orange, and the addition of rose -- which I also love -- made it even more enticing to me. It's also Smith's latest flavor for Spring 2014. 

Can't wait to try these and do a post on them!

For past beauty hauls, check out this tag: Beauty Loot.