For many years, my lip care collection consisted solely of drugstore Carmex, Chapsticks and the occasional Bonne Bell Lip Smacker; I could never have imagined paying over $20 for a lip balm. But I've learned that sometimes when a really fabulous product comes along, a splurge is completely justified, and Fresh Sugar Lip Balm is one such product.
The quality is absolutely superb. It has a fabulous soft, waxy texture that simply melts on the lips and leaves them moisturized and protected for hours, and additionally nourishes them with vitamins A, C, and E and protects them with a layer of SPF 15. It carries the same fragrance as Fresh's original Sugar scent, which confusingly enough smells nothing like sugar, but is rather a weak lemonade-like scent. Personally, I find the Eau de Toilette a bit too bland and linear to wear, but I do think the smell is wonderful for a lip gloss, as it provides a brief but refreshing pick-me-up in the summer, and a pleasant memory of warmer times in the winter.
Previously, I recommended another pricey lip balm, Acqua di Parma's Capri Orange balm, whose smell and quality I also loved, but whose inferior packaging disappointed me. On the other hand, Fresh's packaging is absolutely fabulous, and is practically the selling point of the product. The balm comes in an earthy bronze tube of heavy, ceramic-like material, whose top screws off to reveal a lipstick twist up mechanism. It is truly beautiful to look at and has a fabulous heft that makes it a pleasure to hold and to use, much more so than any other lip balm I own. Yes its pricey, but for me, its definitely worth the price.
Fresh Sugar Lip Balm is $22 for .15 oz; for buying information, see the listing for Fresh under Perfume Houses.
This is one of my faves too. Always on the quest for a great lip balm. I love Kenebo best, but if you think this price is high, have a look at that one. So I settle for Fresh, it is convenient and I like the packaging style too. Also high on my list is Caudalie with its hint of vanilla. Very smooth going on.
Got the AdP Capri Orange balm after reading your review and love it. I've seen this one, but had passed it by since I don't care for the EdT. However, am going to have to give it a second chance now since you're right that what may be too dull in a scent is perfect for a lip balm.
My favourite remains Nuxe Rêve de Miel (it contains no petrochemicals). I would buy the Caudalie if I wanted a lip balm in a stick, but I hardly ever go out without wearing lipstick so I don't need to reapply lip balm on the go. SPF is irrelevant in London: those pale sun rays would have a problem getting through a layer of lipstick anyway. LOL!
I've been curious about the Fresh Sugar balm for a while, and your review might just push me into trying it at last! 😉
My favorite balms at this point at Nuxe Reve de Miel for intensive overnight treatment (with a delightful light citrus scent), and Malin + Goetz Lip Moisturizer for unscented daytime protection.
I have been lemming this for a while, but can't seem to find any in stock. The search continues!
Oh my Kenebo, I can only *imagine* the price! Now my curiosity is piqued however and I feel like I must try it and the Caudalie at some point! Perhaps when I use some more of my already overflowing lip balm collection. The Fresh for me was a present from a dear, dear friend, otherwise I don't think I would have thought I could afford to splurge on it either!
Oh and I just went and looked it up…$95? Ouch! It sounds like it would be heavenly though!
I'm glad you ended up enjoying the AdP! I like this better than the Capri Orange even, so give it a try 🙂
Hey J! I have heard wonderful things about the Nuxe, but never tried it (I tend to shy away from things in pots) — will have to give it a spin now however. And the Caudalie too, now that it has both your and Victoria's reccomendations behind it!
And you might be right about that weak sun in London, but you don't know how many California rays I would trade you to visit there again!
xo
A
Wow, so many great reccomendations today! My wallet is making wimpering sounds, but I'll have to try these too for sure! 🙂 Anyway, yes, do give the Fresh a try — I promise it really is as good as it sounds!
Do you mean in brick & mortar stores? I think all of the online retailers I mentioned have it in stock (and many have free shipping deals every so often), but if you are against ordering online (I respect your willpower!) then my Neiman Marcus and Sephora and some of the smaller beauty stores in my area usually seem to have it in stock for me…
Cazaubon – I bought mine when we went to the Fresh store in LA. Looks like we need a LA shopping trip!
As for the Kenebo, I've been living off samples sizes from the Barneys gift bag. I'm not paying that much either. But it really is the best I've tried.
I mostly use mine before I go to bed at night. It's not a day thing for me, unless my lips get chapped.
Thanks for the review of this. It sounds nice, and I have to admit that I love nice lip balms and glosses. I will look for this one. I went to the Sephora website to look at the sugar products and I find it amusing that there is actually sugar in the lipbalm (I am sure the name should have given that one away)…but I can't help but wonder what my dentist would think 😉
I'm half convinced that the trace sugar is only present in all Fresh Sugar products just so they can have the catchy name 🙂 I don't think its anything for your dentist to chide you for! 😉