Kim Stanley* writes:

No matter what I do, my lips become dry and chapped during the winter months. However, I have found a product that alleviates both problems. Although the company is not new to beauty junkies, Philosophy is better known for products such as Hope in a Jar. Kiss Me is a very emollient lip balm that delivers on its promise to leave your lips well-moisturized.

Lipsticks and lip glosses look best on lips that are smooth and well hydrated without cracked or peeling skin. If you want to fully appreciate the ultimate lip care experience you should use an exfoliant first and follow up with a super moisturizing product to protect and heal your lips because lips can not maintain moisture. A good lip exfoliant to try is Laura Geller Lip Strip.

I put Kiss Me to the test during the busy Christmas season while cashiering, for 9 hour shifts, at Sephora. On average, I applied the lip balm approximately three times during these long hours of talking, eating and drinking but not more than 4 times in a 24-hour period.

The one caveat of this product, but its performance is not affected, is that it reacts to hot and cold temperatures. The tube will harden if left in the cold and will soften during the warmer months.

Philosophy’s Kiss Me offered the best of all worlds because it had a natural shine, moisturized, tasted like citrus, and was long-lasting. I purchased the lip balm by Philosophy in Kiss Me Red, but it is available in clear and pink shades as well. I love this stuff!

*Kim Y. Stanley has been a self-confessed beauty junkie since the age of 12. Over the years, she has experimented and tested tons of beauty products; comparing similar products of different price ranges is what fuels her addiction.

Too often, there’s a good deal of false advertising when it comes to lip butters. In some cases, they’re actually waxy lip balms in a tube. And sometimes, they turn out to be gooey lip glosses – which I personally love. But if it’s gloss, then call it gloss – right?

Lucky for you, Spoiled Pretty as done some of the leg work – and we’ve found one that’s not waxy or gooey. I think even Goldilocks would agree – this lip butter is just right.

Korres Lip Butter is a buttery balm that melts on the lips and offers a shiny finish. The combination of shea butter and rice wax penetrate for deep hydration and softness. And because the lip butter is part of Korres’ new good-for-your-skin color collection, it’s perfect for those gals who prefer natural, eco-friendly beauty – but still prefer Manolo Blahniks to Birkinstocks.

Korres Lip Butter is available at Sephora.