the good stuff

I remember the "when", "where", and "why" of the first time I bought this little mustard bullet of awesome-ness.

When: April 11, 2003

Where: Austin, Texas - Red River H.E.B.

Why: I couldn't find my trusty Carmex and there was a basket full of Burt's Bees at the checkout stand. I thought I was settling but my life has never been the same.

Unlike ChapStick, BB is waxy enough to stay put when worn under lipstick. And I can't wear lipstick without lip balm. Don't get me wrong, ChapStickis still great if you want to turn a pigmented shade sheer but I use it under lipstick and I look like Tammy Faye - it just spreads all over the place. And the tingle you get from the pepermint oil just feels nice.

Creme de la Creme?

This cream rocks. I got my hands on this behemoth bottle Kiehl's Creme de Corps by bartering a tub of Natura Bisse's DERMAREPAIR with my office mate.

The good
It's fragrance free so it doesn't compete with my perfume, gets rid of dry patches, and makes my skin smooth and soft and after a week of continued use it gives my skin a pretty glow.

The bad
It's fragrance free so it's not as fun to slather all over my 2000 parts. It's also a bit thick so I really have to work it in - not so fun when I'm running late in the mornings. And last, the price - don't know if I would spend the $70 for the bottle. Granted, it's a 1-liter, so I can see this bottle lasting a good year, maybe a year-and-a-half. I might spring for the smaller bottles though - less sticker shock.

One note though - it's eerily similar in scent and color and feel to Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion. And since both companies are under the Estee Lauder umbrella, it's one of those things that make me go "hhhhmmmmm". I'll let you know what I find out...