I am personally not much of a lipbalm fan. I don’t use any, in fact, which surprises some and shocks others. The only concession I have to lip balm is the Lucas Papaw Ointment I use at night as an overnight lip treatment. But I couldn’t help myself when I got hold of the Silly Lips lipbalm.
I loved the packaging. See how important packaging is? 😛 I must say that I was taken in first by the concept and then by the cheeky packaging. Silly Lips lipbalm hails from Florida, USA and each of the 3 available flavours are named after the founder’s friends – Tracy, Katie and Bekah. Each lipbalm has a different flavour and a different “personality” to it. That’s a lot of thought put into a simple lip balm!
However, I was also interested to see how they fare especially in hot tropical weather, whether the scents are too strong and just generally, how did I like it.
There are 3 flavours available in the Silly Lips range for now. I will have to tell you that these aren’t your run of the mill RM6 lipbalm you pick up at the pharmacy and call it a day (Actually, I have no idea how much a run of the mill lip balm costs. Is it RM6? 😛 ). Let’s just say that these are a little pricier than normal at US$12.50 (RM40) each.
Each of the 3 flavours come with its own distinctive packaging and colour:-
- Kinky Katie (pink) – Vanilla Mint flavour. “kinky katie is the ultimate temptress…she’s quirky, outspoken and plays by her own rules. Her stunning looks and captivating charm is an irresistible combination. Be prepared to surprise yourself with kinky katie.”
- Bangin Bekah (red) – Sugared Strawberry flavour. “bangin bekah is always having fun…her beauty and radiant energy always draws a crowd wherever she goes. Dancing is her middle name and music is her life. Get ready to rock the night away with bangin bekah!”
- Tasty Tracy (yellow) – Peach Coconut flavour. “tasty tracy is a true exotic beauty. Her love of the beach matches her sunny disposition and free spirit. She may be laid back but she’s full of life. Make sure you are ready for some fun in the sun with tasty tracy…”
The metal slide out tin cases are retro in feel as well as the illustrations on the box and on the cover. The top of the tin has a well constructed layer of clear resin over it so it does have a solid feel to it. The scent when you slide out the tin is quite strong. Thankfully, it does smell quite natural, reflecting the flavours stated on the box, so it isn’t all that bad.
You will have to use your fingers to apply the balm so I was quite thankful that they aren’t heavily tinted. I don’t mind applying balms with my fingers. In fact, it is just barely tinted when applied on lips. Texture wise, the balm is well, balmy and you don’t have to scoop out a chunk of it for it to be effective. I found that I only had to rub at the surface and then apply on my lips. It was emollient enough.
Taste was my primary concern. Silly Lips say that their lip balms aren’t sweetened and while scent is quite strong, it doesn’t taste quite as strong as it smells.
- Kinky Katie (Vanilla Mint) – I feel a very very slight cooling sensation thanks to the mint and there is quite a strong vanilla scent primarily.
- Bangin Bekah (Sugared Strawberry) – The strawberry flavour is quite light but quite unmistakable. There is no sweet flavour though.
- Tasty Tracy (Peach Coconut) – I thought this was the most interesting and brings to mind a tropical holiday. There is a rather stronger coconut taste but there is an underlying tart peach flavour to balance it so it wasn’t too overwhelming. I’m not a fan of coconut flavours at best, but this was interesting enough that I didn’t mind it.
Here is the ingredient list. Silly Lips are formulated with shea butter and beeswax, and I will attest to its moisturizing properties. My lips do feel nice and moisturized without a waxy or oily feel. There is a slight shine but not the sort of shine you get with lipgloss, so it looks quite natural.
In terms of performance, considering I’m not much of a lip balm afficionado, I will say its pretty good. With it, my lips feel soft and smooth. It is not so oily that you can’t use it under lip gloss or lipstick if you prefer, and the effects seem long lasting. Some lip balms dry my lips out over a prolonged period. This one seemed to work well enough in the past month that I’ve been trying it out.
In this horribly hot weather we’re having here though, I will have a small caution about carrying it around because it is more prone to melt if you are out in the heat a lot. Indoors, its fine but outdoors, even I will melt!
In a nutshell
Silly Lips lipbalms come in 3 flavours for now with 3 distinctive personalities to match. There is little to no tint on the lips but it does have a slight shine. I find that it does keep my lips moisturized and lasts quite long without feeling waxy or sticky. The scent is stronger than the taste which suits me fine. I prefer my lip products not to taste too strong. These aren’t the cheapest lipbalms out there but they are quirky, do a fairly good job and make excellent gifts!
Pros: Adorable packaging that feels quite sturdy, Sliding mechanism is quite smooth, Light flavour, Keeps lips feeling moisturized and soft
Cons: Only available online, A little pricey for a lipbalm
Who will like this: Anyone who likes a fun quirky lipbalm and packaging, Anyone who is a fan of lipbalm
I thought I should mention that the pan of the lipbalm can be slid out and detached from the cover, so once you start hitting pan on one end, you can swap it around and start at the other end. It will last quite a while, I anticipate and what I like most is casually pulling it out in company. Among girls, they’ll squeal with delight and among guys, they will be trying very hard not to stare at the interesting packaging. Either way, its a great conversation starter 😉
Oh and once you are finished, I reckon you could melt your own lipbalm into the case. Its too adorable to toss! I ordered a couple for use as gifts (shipping was pretty quick!) and I think the girls I gave them to liked it too. If not for the formula, for the packaging 😉
So which are you then? A Kinky Katie, Bangin Bekah or Tasty Tracy? 😉 Is the Silly Lips lipbalm something that appeals to you?
Paris B
Silly Lips lipbalm Price: US$12.50/11g (RM40 at today’s exchange) Availability: Online at Silly Lips website International Shipping: Yes at US$10 flat rate for a sizeable number of boxes
LeGeeque says
Awww…those are adorable 🙂 I’m not a fan of using my fingers to apply the balm >< A little of a germaphobe
Paris B says
It would appear you aren’t alone 😉 I’m fine with it though. I used to use the lipbalms from TBS that came in a pot all through uni!
MisSmall says
I’m a big sucker for packaging, so sold at first sight! Not a big fan of the taste (happens to be all the flavours I hate in lip products), but the retro packaging is just so pretty to look at. 3 please!
Paris B says
Erm you won’t get much use out of them if you don’t like the flavours, will you? 😉 the packaging is super cute though. May make up for it 😉
Sukie says
As wrong as this may sound, I’m a kinky Katie kinda girl. Lol! I like the packaging but the illustrations on the tin reminds me of brands like Benefit / The Balm.
Paris B says
Not as wrong as Bangin Bekah! 😛 yes, now you mention it, I see the similarity
Arpita says
looks so retro and lust worthy….
but kind of pricey for a lip balm 😛
Paris B says
Agree with you on price. But I guess it’s one of those things that you buy into for the fun factor 😉
Charlotte says
OMG! I love the packaging! <3
Paris B says
That’s what grabbed me too 😀
Nikki says
Those are super cute!!! I don’t know why but I’m loving those lip balm that needs you to dip your fingers , they’re unhygienic but I find myself attracted to them 😀
Paris B says
Lol! I’m fine with dipping my finger into lipbalm too. I figure it’s about as hygienic as applying the tube straight on lips right? Well, provided you don’t stick dirty fingers in there hehe
Monstro says
Really nice packaging, super fun and caught my eye. But these tins never finish do they? I keep thinking of how many years my fingers go into these balms! LOL
Paris B says
Nope, they never do lol! I did go through tubs of TBS lipbalms in a pot in uni though so I guess with regular use, they do finish 🙂
Lumi says
Oohhhh I like the fun packaging~! The retro, cheeky style reminds me of theBalm products~
I don’t like lip balms that need to be applied with fingers when I’m running errands and going places.
I rather use them at home before bedtime or when I can wash my hands right after.
But these are so cute.
$12.50 is a bit pricey, but the whole tin is *filled* with the lip balm right?
Paris B says
Yep, it’s all filled. 11g of it if memory serves me right 🙂 I never apply lipbalm outside unless I’m in a cold country. Then, I sort of like lipbalms that I use my fingers to apply because the residue serves to calm dry chapped skin on hands too 😉
Jyoan says
I like tin cases, but for some reason, I am not fond of lip balms in tin cases. I find it so unhygienic. But it’s a really nice packaging, haha, and you’re right, that will get guys staring.
Paris B says
Guess its all our personal preferences 😉 I dislike lipbalm in tins that I have to twist off. They always get stuck at some point 😛
pigellen says
love the packaging!!
Paris B says
Eye catching right? 😉
Mira says
OMG! I love the packaging~~~~ ^^ I like the Kinky Katie since I’m a big fan of vanilla. I have a Vanilla Lipbalm from The Body Shop. The price however is a bit pricey, but I wouldn’t mind since the packaging is sooooo nice and eye-catching.
Stacey says
perhaps i am the only one but i’m not a fan of the retro packaging. i like the stila girls better. 🙂
germs says
i really like the quirky retro packaging, plus katie+bekah both sound so delicious! but the idea of having to dip my fingers in for a touch up (especially when out of home and my hands are dirty) isn’t too appealing 🙁 i love reading about lesser known, quirky brands though, these remind me of another brand i read about which makes lip balms in a ‘unicorn farts’ flavour!
Paris B says
Unicorn farts! Now how will we know what that tastes like?! 0_0 I have a soft spot for quirky indie brands too. It’s nice to support the small businesses 🙂
S. says
I love this kind of packaging!
Paris B says
Me too! I think it’s the retro feeling 🙂
Kris Ong says
Hi Paris, I just chanced upon your blog and I love it! Its very informative with all the nice photos! I’m a Fan! xoxo Kris from Spore
Paris B says
Hi Kris, thank you for visiting and leaving a comment.means a lot to me 🙂 see you around!
Sunny says
Haha this is so cute! I just don’t use lip balm all that often either, and I am very paranoid about containers in which I have to dip my finger… So maaaybe it’s not for me 😉
Paris B says
I guess I’m the only unhygienic one here lol! Or rather the one least fussed. I always figured that with lipbalm, because it’s beeswax and Shea butter in this case, contamination is minimal as opposed to a more liquid medium 🙂
Sze Ling says
Cute packaging! 😀
But I have something against lip balms in pot/tin form. Don’t like sticking my fingers into it every time I want to apply. Much prefer a lip balm in tube form.
And I’m terrible with applying lip balms. I have them in my bag and beside my bed, but I keep forgetting to apply them. 😛
Paris B says
I don’t even carry a lipbalm! Only had this in my bag for some random reason recently but still like you, I rarely use it on the go. I prefer using a Moisturising lipstick 🙂
xin says
i love the tin casing! just a thought – imagine one day i manufacture lip balm and i print your pic on my lip balm. LOL
Paris B says
Eh a glam pic can la. Call it Passionate Paris or something 😀
anis says
hi PB long time no see!!! i’ve been silent for a while, but still reading!
hmmm figure i am bangin bekah heheh but i am interested in kinky katie! like sze ling i am also terrible at putting on lipbalm, but am currently loving korres lipbutters i got for a steal at strawberrynet 🙂 so for the time being, yes, i am a diligent girl hihi
Paris B says
Hi Anis! How have you been? 🙂 I peg myself more for a Bangin Bekah. I like red hair and the colour is pretty heh… Glad you’ve found a lipbalm that you’re more diligent with. I still don’t except at night or unless my lips feel exceptionally dry but I otherwise just use a Moisturising lipstick 😀
Sam says
I think that’s really cute, but I’d prefer a tube! I would be them all – like the flavour for Tracy, but the colours of the other two.
Paris B says
The flavour in Tracy is surprisingly quite nice. I’m not into coconut scents but the peach helps temper it. But I do prefer the pink and red shades too