Romy Raves

One of my ongoing beauty misssions is a relentless quest for moist, supple lips. Why you ask? Three reasons:

1) I HATE the feeling of dry lips—tight, flaky and yucky

2) Dry lips make you look and feel old and dried up

3) And last but not least, plump, hydrated, wet, pouty lips are sexy as hell and kissalicious!

With that said, I can now reveal (‘In No Particular Order’ for you DWTS fans), my absolute Favorite Lip Quenchers for Summer 2009:

Sugar Rose Tinted Lip Treatment with SPF 15 by Fresh

This is the latest creation by those creative geniuses at Fresh, which is an enhanced upgrade of the cult fav Sugar Lip Treatment. It has the same nourishing oils, hydrating butters and a yummy bright citrus and sugar flavor, but this new version also has a delightful sublte rose tint that makes your lips look flushed and just bitten. I love the way this product feels going on my lips because it has the right amount of hydration and I love the lemon and sugar flavor. But I think I love this new and improved version even more, because of the pretty pink aluminum packaging and the addition of a reddish pink tint–it feels like a very girly lip treat!

Vitamin E Lip Conditioner with SPF 15 by Jo Malone

I recently discovered this lovely lip conditioner packed with vitamin E and liked it instantly. I found it nicely moisturizing, healing because of the vitamin E, and slightly cooling with a hint of menthol. I really like the light texture and weight of this product and it has just the right amount of gloss. And I always like a hint of flavor in my gloss, and the minty quality in this lip conditioner is perfect and refreshing.

Energizing Pomegranate Lip Protector with SPF 15 by Murad

This is a yummy, juicy, perfectly shiny fruit flavored gloss with a hint of pink. It is both exfoliating and conditioning and I love how it makes my lips both supple and glossy. This feels like the perfect spring or summer gloss to me!

Lip Service Anti-Aging Lip Balm with SPF 50 by HissyFit

I have been raving about this brilliant new fav all summer (I love the playful diva-like ‘tude of this burgeoning company.) This lip balm is wonderfully hydrating, anti-aging, and has a nice lip plumpimg effect. But the best thing about it is that it has a major SPF of 50, so you can look good and feel good about its level of protection at the same time.

The Lip Balm by La Mer

This is one of my newest discoveries, which I am especially loving as a renewing night time treatment that totally gets rid of my dry flaky over-exposed summer time lips. I love the hint of mint and it feels luxurious, calming, and soothing all at the same time. This beautifully made balm has the same nutrient-rich broth that is found in La Mer’s cult favorite Creme de la Mer, along with a patented lipid complex and a unique mineral complex, which all work together to moisturize and protect your lips.

Kiss Mix by Eve Lom

This is the most medicinal, mentholly product in the bunch, but I love it! It’s a bit tackier than most, its wonderfully tingly, refreshing and feels like it is really healing my lips. It also contains zinc oxide which acts as a natural sunscreen. This is the type of product I would turn to in the winter months, when my lips are sore and dry and need lots of TLC and healing.

Renewal Lip Complex by Dermalogica

This is the most unique lip product in this group because it has THE best and most innovative packagaing and delivery system–you twist the barrel and it pushes out a rich, emollient, nourshing balm through seven little holes and onto your lips. This inspired dispenser drenches my lips with a luscious, moist anti-aging lip balm-type-serum that I just love, and it truly feels more like an anti-aging treatment rather than just a lip balm.

Aromessence Baume Levres Lip Balm by Decleor Paris

This is my favorite bedside fix because I love the calming aromatherapy smell and bits of herbs in the balm, it makes me feel relaxed and sleepy. It is very emollient and hydrating, and my lips instantly feel coated in lovely nuturing natural herbs. This night time treat feels so good going on and it really shifts my mood.

What have I missed? Please post your favorite lip treat, I am always interested in getting tips from other beauty mavens.

I have to be honest, although I have been a beauty junkie for years, Murad has never really been a blip on my radar. I have never been overly impressed by their products nor had I noticed any buzz about them in the beauty circles. However, recently my opinion has dramatically changed. Why you ask? Two reasons; First, I had the unique opportunity to meet Dr. Murad and his professional team and was blown away by the level of passion, knowledge, genuiness and dedication to changing the lives and skin of all who embrace their wellness philosophy and use their products; and second, he makes amazing, high quality transformative skincare products that are well thought out and truly make a noticeable difference in your skin.  Â

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I have to say that of all the products I had the opportunity to try, I was the most impressed by the treatment serums–Murad really knows his way around serums, and his treatment products do the two things I desire most in a product: Deliver instant and noticeable results in the look and feel of my skin as well as offer more cumulative results in the long term. Following is a brief review of the three serums I tried and loved, and here is why:

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Active Radiance Serum

This is Murad’s most recent product innovation and it is proven to firm skin up to 64% in just 15 minutes as well as brighten and renew skin in one week.  This serum contains a new Vitamin C technology that helps the user achieve immediate radiance, enhanced collagen synthesis, and the ability to neutralize damaging free radicals. While all the research and scientific data is impressive, for me its all about the usage experience and here’s what I love: It has a slight orange citrus scent (which I find appealing), it absorbs instantly and plumps/refreshes my skin, and the best part for me is that it DOES give my skin an instant radiance and glow, which is exactly what I need first thing in the morning. And then after a few weeks of usage, I notice that my skin is smoother, clearer and more youthful. Very impressive!

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Intensive Wrinkle Redcuer

This is one of Murad’s multi-purpose-wow-does-it-all serums. It contains GlycoNutrient Complex (which aggressively resurfaces the skin) and Durian Cell Reform (a tropical Asian superfruit) and after one month of usage, it has been clinically proven to significantly diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin smoothness and hydration, rebuild youthful radiance and resurface the skin without irritation. What I have noticed after a few weeks of use: my skin feels smoother the morning after and over time it is looking smoother, clearer and brighter. This is one of those products that you need to have more patience with, and if you do take the time to let it work its magic, you will start to uncover more beautiful youthful skin.

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Sleep Reform Serum

The last product in my review is this inspired night time serum (I find it intriguing that they position this product as exclusively for night time use), which for me it is the evening equivalent of Active Radiance. This evening indulgence contains topical Melatonin which is a known sleep aide, as well as an anti-aging complex (ironically called REM-Repair Enhancing Matrix) that capitalizes on the critical downtime your skin needs to rebuild by improving collagen production and promoting cell turnover. What I love: It smells like lavender which instantly calms me, penetrates instantly, immediately hydrates and makes my skin feel supple, and then in the morning my skin is soft, smooth and clear. It makes me feel like I did something productive in my sleep!

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Bravo! Murad team for grabbing my attention with these deligthful products and for making my forty-something year old skin happy. I look forward to seeing what new innovations you come up with next. And to my faithful readers, consider giving these inspired products a try and let me know what you think or let me know what Murad products you love and why.