I think we are slowly moving away from the matte lip trend. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate a good matte lip especially as it gives your puckers a fleshier look. But given the weather changes we constantly have, our lips can be very dry. And nothing can help chapped lips than lip balms and lip oils.

Let’s start with the more familiar. When on-the-go, a good balm gives a hint of color to the lips and can sink into them, so that lips will feel soft and smooth the whole day. They also aren’t sticky or feel thick on the lips, as if you just ate some icing. It’s a bonus too when the lip balm gives constant benefits as you go through a tube. This is why my new favorite is the Burt’s Bees Flavor Crystals lip balm.

What’s unique about it is its real fruit flavor blend. It’s a bit of a throwback to when you were a child, I guess when you could smell your strawberry balm from a mile away. But the thing is, the fruit extracts in these Flavor Crystals lip balm help give your lips the extra boost. Just like how an orange slice is actually essential to your diet. This, combined with vitamin E and beeswax, conditions the skin. It comes in three flavors: sweet orange, red raspberry and tropical pineapple.

But if you want to veer away from the usual balm, you can try the Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Oil. If you’re not yet into lip oils, I suggest you should try them soon. They have a unique way of nourishing the lips. They have the shine of the gloss on first application. It’s a good thing to have over lipstick if you want those shiny lips.

They also can be used on their own. A tinted lip oil has the nourishing capacity of a lip balm. Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Oils are made with meadow foam seed and coconut oils, so you’ll get soft lips. And a big plus: they reduce the appearance of fine lines! As the day progresses, you will notice how the oil is fully absorbed by lips, leaving a hint of color. It looks fresh and natural. A good way to top a “no makeup-makeup look” or for an understated lip when you have a smokey eye look on.

Face time

Now that we’re done with the makeup part, let’s talk skincare. I noticed how pollution these days are making our skin look dull. Stress can also make it look sallow. So I think if you’re suffering from this, you should change your skincare routine to something that will bring back the brightness in your complexion.

Burt’s Bees has the Brightening Skin Care Line, targeting to stave off dark circles and discolorations on your skin. It’s a complete system with the Daily Cleanser, Refining Tonic, Perfecting Serum, Moisturizing Cream and Eye Treatment. These five steps can be your complete ritual every morning and night to make sure people can’t tell how many hours of sleep you’ve been missing, and to reverse the skin damage that has caused dark spots on your face.

The key ingredient in these products is daisy extract. Burt’s Bees sustainably harvests it in the mountains of Macedonia for its naturally brightening agents. You won’t be further damaging your face with harmful ingredients, but introducing it instead to something that’s gentle but effective.

You may find Burt’s Bees products at Beauty Bar and SM Department Stores, while you can get the lip balms from Watsons.

Ria Prieto is an editor, columnist and consultant who loves all things fashion, beauty and lifestyle. To read more of her musings, log on to www.riarecommends.com.

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