As I write this review, I am drinking a cup of coffee. It’s not an unusual circumstance for me, and I suspect that more than a few of you might be joining me in this ritual as you read. If so, you might share my interest in Perk Lip Lattes. Each of these lip balms, made by a small Brooklyn-based company called Crazy Rumors, is labeled as “a coffee break for your lips.”
So far, I’ve tried two of the six blends of Lip Latte: Coffee Bean and Mocha. Smelling the Coffee Bean balm, I felt as though I had just entered one of those little shops that roast and grind their own coffee, where you can order beans by the pound or just a freshly-brewed cup to go. The Mocha flavor is a sweeter mix. Rather than chocolate, to my nose it had a caramel tinge that made me think of Coffee Nips candies; however, my husband happened to give me a kiss while I was wearing the Mocha blend and he told me that I tasted like maple syrup. In any case, it’s a treat for gourmand fragrance lovers. Now I’m curious about the Hazelnut and Irish Coffee flavors, too.
Even if I weren’t attracted to all things coffee-scented and coffee-flavored, I would want to use these balms for their ingredients and their results. Lip Lattes are all natural and vegan: in addition to their flavoring, they contain jojoba oil, shea butter, olive oil, and an assortment of other natural waxes, plus Vitamin E. This formula has what I think of as the “aahhh” factor: it feels soothing and nourishing as soon as it’s applied (not unlike that first sip of coffee, if you’re as dependent on it as I am). The balm has the texture of a creamy solid lotion, rather than a hard wax or slippery goo, and it gives moisture without a sticky or greasy feeling. I’ve been wearing my Lip Lattes under lipstick, but they also give a slight shine on their own (and the scent and flavor stay for a nice long time).
Last but not least, I’ll note that Lip Latte’s price is a fraction of what you’ll pay for lip balms produced by some upscale natural beauty companies, but this product is just as effective and enjoyable to use. Crazy Rumors also offers a range of Brew Tea Balms, whose lighter flavors (Ginger Peach! Plum Apricot!) will tempt me when the weather gets hotter.
Perk Lip Lattes sell for $4 each; for purchasing information, see the “Store Locator” section of the Crazy Rumors website.
Update: we've changed the photo to reflect the newer packaging for the Perk Lip Lattes.
See also: Scented Lip Balms: A Round-Up for Winter 2007 & for real coffee-flavored chocolate, Chocolates & perfumes, part 2 ~ coffee, cacao nibs.
Aren't they cute? Love lip balms! What's more, it looks like they're available in London. Hooray!
The tea flavors sound incredible.
I do usually read this while having my coffee, but I'm sick today, so I'm abstaining.
I was impressed by their very organized store listings! Online retailers, brick & mortar stores, nicely broken down… Well done!
Aw. I hope you feel better soon. When I don't want a cup of coffee, then I know I'm really not feeling well!
I own and love the Plum Apricot tea flavor–I highly recommend it and will seek out the coffee line as well!
It's hard to choose just one flavor! I actually came across this line completely by chance: it was being sold next to the cash register at Pearl River Mart in NYC. I'm glad I made that impulse purchase!
Jessica, I love your wonderful column and I appreciate your reviews. I have now learned that I have to bone up on my research. My company sells organic, non-organic (natural of course) and fair trade coffee, tea, cocoa, etc flavors and ingredients and i am completely neglecting the plethora of fragrance outfits out there.
thank you so much for reviewing these. I am a shea butter olive oil loving lip balm person. And I cannot live without my fresh brewed cappuccinos every morning. And I will be in the States (NYC) on business this weekend coming up, so, guess I know one place that will get my money!
That is a fantastic buy.
Just a note of my own, shea butter products and olive oil seems to be so much healthier for the lips and this is something that only needs to be applied a couple of times a day.
I know lots of people are addicted to lip treatments, but I think it is because of the poor quality of the products they use. (not mentioning any names here, but the stuff everybody had at least once and is purchases in drug stores.)
What great flavors! Lip balm is in every bag, on my desk, in my nightstand. During the day, I favor one with a sunscreen (love that Sonoran desert sun!), but because I probably eat a pound of lip balm a month, I'd rather have something yummy. And the peppermint lemongrass sounds nice, too.
oh..these lip balms look so cute! (and what a great website they have-fun and cute!)..I love that they are completely natural..
Thanks J
What a novel idea! Though it's best not to lick your lips as that will only dry out your lips…
Indeed it's such great news that it's available in UK, will have gone to the shop mentioned in the website today had it not been snowing (in April!).
Guess I am more interested in the tea ones, the coffee ones sound fab only that I have been a bit poorly these days and the smell of coffee (which I used to love) sort of made me slightly nauseated (sorry…).. having said that, I might still get a couple of coffee ones just for my good days
as for the tea ones, I like the sound of ginger peach.
Hi OnlyDemi, You've reminded me that I should learn more about actual coffee, since I drink so much of it!
Feel better soon, Bittergrass! I wish I'd grabbed one or two of the tea flavors while I was shopping, but I can only use so many lip balms at once! I'll be making a return trip at some point, though…
Thanks, Kim! I agree that balms made from natural ingredients seem to give better results than ordinary petroleum-based balms. This could vary from person to person, I suppose… but I recently re-tried a petrolatum balm from my “collection” and was very disappointed. It didn't do a darn thing!
Oh, I know… my lip balms are scattered all around (just like the hand creams and the perfume samples!). On the plus side, I rarely have a problem with chapped lips! And yes, these balms do seem literally edible. Not that we should *eat* them, of course.
Hello Lavanya! Since I grabbed these balms on the spur of the moment, I was happily surprised to find out that they were such good quality, smelled so luscious, had such a well-done website, etc.!
Very true! Best to let the balm stay in place and do its work. But these balms are so well scented that the wearer can enjoy the smell/flavor without actually tasting them. Thanks!
I think there have been studies showing these types cause addictions, but I am too lazy to google it without my coffee
I've heard that, too… It may be an urban legend, but like you, I've never quite bothered to find out! I find that the more natural balms just *work* better on me.
Hi Jessica – thanks for posting this enticing review. Using that great Crazy Rumor website, I tracked down a local place that sells the product and bought the Coffee Bean and Ginger Peach tea balms today. (The place carries Crazylibellule & the Poppies, too, the first I've seen around here – who knew?) At $5 CAD, the balms are not marked up terribly for us Canucks, which I appreciate. And what a funky, fun product! They were out of the Orange Bergamot tea (darn) and the French Vanilla coffee, but I also liked Plum Apricot, Peppermint Lemongrass and the Irish Cream coffee scents. Thanks again!
Thank *you*, Erin! I'm glad you liked this recommendation. I'm still enjoying them, and I'm definitely going to buy a tea scent or two at some point. Enjoy!