Plump up the volume

Lip balms - I think I'm addicted to them. It's almost the first beauty product I apply in the morning, the last one in the evening before I go to sleep and in between I re-apply it more times than I can count. I have a lip balm on my bedside table, on my desk at work, and on the sofa table. In the very unlikely event that I should have forgotten to take a lip balm with me when I leave the house, I almost get a case of separation anxiety and I will always stop somewhere and pick another one up, which means that by now I have one lying around in every handbag, just to make sure that I'm not caught without. Does that classify as an addiction? Probably!

The most important thing for me when it comes to lip balms is that it gives a deep sense of hydration that lasts as long as possible and if it happens to have a lovely yummy flavour, it's a welcome bonus point. Since I always use lip balms as a primer under lip stick or lip gloss, I prefer them to be without any color, but it is also nice to have a tinted lip balm for those lazy days when you can't be bothered with makeup but you still don't want to look like death warmed up. I have tried a lot of different lip balms and almost all of them have been budget buys. Since they've done a decent job at keeping my lips moisturised I've never really seen the point in splurging on premium brands - at least that is until I tried the Gatineau DefiLift 3D Perfect Design Revolumising Lip Care.

The Defi Lift 3D Lip Care contains natural ingredients that will heal, moisturize and smooth the lips - e.g. shea butter, jojoba oil and lavender extract. But what sets this lip balm apart from other products is the wonderful plumping effect created by a cocktail of ingredients that stimulate the synthesis of collagen to create firmness, retain hydration and better define the contours of the lips. The lip balm is a silky glossy consistency that immediately smooths the lips and adds a little bit of volume that lasts for a few hrs and unlike many products with plumping effects, it doesn't give an intense tingling sensation in your lips that can sometimes be quite uncomfortable.

As the balm isn't sticky you can use it on its own, as a primer under lipstick or as a lip gloss. Because of the firming effects, you can also use it as a lip contour mask, adding a generous layer and then just let it sink in for the next 10-15 mins or so. This will reduce the appearance of any small lines or wrinkles by giving a filling effect an boosting the lip contours. At £22, this lip care product is definitely not a budget buy, but keep in mind that you're getting not only a lip balm but also a long lasting plumping product and a lip contour mask enriched with anti-ageing properties. If you don't want to waste this great lip balm during the day, you can do what I do and use it as a treatment overnight so you wake up in the morning with lovely plumped lips, all ready for your favourite lipstick.