Devotees of Acqua di Parma’s Blu Mediterraneo Capri Orange (formerly Arancia) Eau de Toilette already know that the bergamot, mandarin, lemon and orange fragrance is one of the most pure, bright and happy citrus perfumes around. The matching lip balm carries that same clear sunshiny scent, and applying it to one’s lips is like inhaling the smell of an orange grove in summer. The balm also boasts fabulous moisturizing power — a coconut oil, beeswax and shea butter formula creates a thin but emollient and lasting barrier against dryness. It is supposedly enriched with vitamins for “free radical defense,” and has the far less debatable benefit of broadband UVA and UVB SPF 20 protection as well.

The lip balm comes encased in a turquoise blue metallic tube which certainly looks attractive, but the metal is so thin and light it feels flimsy, and the fact that the balm inside is molded into a narrow sculpted lipstick-wedge instead of a traditional solid cylinder of wax only compounds the impression. The printed white lettering on the outside also chips and rubs off easily. This makes it look cheap, but it is anything but: at $27 – $30 for a 5 ml tube, it is one of the most expensive lip balms you can buy…

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