Part of the brand’s lip care range for ages, The Body Shop Born Lippy Lip Balms have seen a few changes in packaging over the years. The strawberry-flavoured one was one of my first lip balms ever and I still remember its clear pot and black lid, as well as the translucent pink salve and its slightly tangy whiff with hints of sweetness.
This year, the brand re-introduces some of them in retractable tubes – more hygienic and user-friendly, certainly! There are a few new flavours too. Containing Community Fair Trade beeswax and marula oil to soothe and moisturise the lips, they also promise to impart sheer colour. Vibrant comic graphics adorn the tubes, giving them a snazzy retro spin. Some flavours are still available in pot form, though; if you have a special fondness for the little jars, don’t fret. ;)
I was sent three of the new stick balms to try: Lychee Shimmer, Pomegranate and Strawberry.
I opened the first because I like the fruit and was curious about its shimmer effect. Here’s what’s the brand has to say about it:
Gives lips a pop of colour, a shot of moisture and a soft shine.
– Moisturises and conditions lips
– Transparent shimmer
– Subtle shine
– Fruity lychee flavour
True to the description, it has an authentic lychee scent but…
Whoa! Its strong colour payoff totally surprised me and honestly, you prolly can’t wear this on its own. Given its frosty nature, there’s nothing transparent or subtle about its shine! On its own, I see it as a retro lip shade for a ’60s mod look, rather than an everyday balm. It will make a nice reflective topper, when layered sparingly over another lip colour. (PS: It has pretty pink and green shimmer dispersed within the silvery white!)
I haven’t opened the other two but I reckon they will be much subtler than Lychee, going by their appearance.
In Singapore, these retail at an affordable S$9.90. The range also includes Pink Berry, Plum and Toffee but the last is not available here.
I’m interested in Plum, given my penchant for berry tones, so I’m going to check this out when I next pass by a TBS store. The texture is a given but I hope I’ll be pleased by its colour tint. ;)
Image source: The Body Shop
Ooh i’m a sucker for lip balms and see this post makes me want to pop into a TBS outlet on my way home from work today. LOL…
Hi Pris!
Did you manage to find anything? I went to TBS today but quite a few shades, including Plum, were sold out. Guess they’re really popular. I was told they’re permanent, though. :) Plum is sheerer than I’d expected but still lovely. I need to compare it to Fresh Sugar Plum Lip Treatment. ;)
Looks good! It’s been a long time since I checked out TBS. I am not fond of the brand. Perhaps it’s time to go back and try.
Hi Jyoan,
They’re very cute…and many shades are currently sold out at the TBS near me! :D TBS has some gems – I love their synthetic brushes, cotton pads and some of their shadows. My good friend, who has lip allergies, told me that the only gloss that works for her is the TBS one that I’d given her. I was quite surprised! I need to look at the ingredient list. ;)
Looks great! I always throw out lip balm pots after a few months as they feel quite unclean, but this would be a longer lasting option :)
Hi Mei,
I agree! These are much more convenient to use and last longer too. ;)
Mag, I did! I bought one in Strawberry to try & i like the emollient texture. Wore it last night to bed & again this morn to work…so far no sensitivity on my eczema-prone lips. :)
I bought it at the TBS outlet in AMK Hub. There were quite a few left. I may go back & pick up another one in Plum. You’re right that it’s quite sheer!
Hey Pris,
That’s a great choice for night usage – it doesn’t have a strong tint and won’t stain your pillows or sheets. :) Great to hear that it’s ok for your lips. Which other brands that work for your lips? Thanks for the heads-up re: Plum. :) I’m actually looking forward to using Fresh Plum Sugar – it looks pigmented in online swatches. :D
So far brands that are ok for my lips are Burt’s Bees, The Body Bakery, Carmex, Fresh Rose Sugar & TBS! I can’t use stuff with petroleum jelly. :(
I actually have a few more balms (tinted & untinted) in my stash. Buying lip balms is one of my penchant. Haha…
Hey Pris,
Thank you for sharing. I have a friend who has adverse reactions to lip products too, so I’ll be passing on your recs to her! :) Make Me Smooth, an e-store, is back in action – if you like balms, I think you will love their shea butter Sheshe Balms. :)
They look really yummy and those fruity flavours! Exciting packaging too – reminds me of MAC’s Wonder Woman lippies ;)
So did Plum turn out to be your best bet? :)
Hello THP,
The packaging is quite refreshing! Plum looked quite sheer in-store + it was out of stock, so I didn’t buy it. I do have some plum lip balms (Korres and Fresh) to look forward to! :)
Aw, had high hopes for lychee. Maybe I’ll look into getting another one (I don’t even know if they’re out in Australia yet).
Hallo Sam!
You’ll have to take a look at it yourself but I still think it’s too frosty!