Before I start contemplating the illusion of time, my place in the universe and other grand philosophical ideas, let me get to these lip balms:
(retail: around $3.99 each, 0.15 oz)
I picked up these two shades (there are six shades altogether) back when they were still hard to find in stores. But now they're everywhere (by the way, they're permanent, not limited edition) so you should be able to find them without any problems at your local drugstores, Target, Walmart, etc.
I actually was a bit confused about the purpose of these particular balms after reading the packaging. On the back of the package (above), it states that the use is "for the temporary relief of pain associated with fever blisters and cold sores." But on the front of the packaging, it says "12HR hydration." So I suppose it's supposed to do both.
Medicated care soothes sore lips and combats dryness
In 6 New natural tints
In 1 minute, lips feel soothed.*
In 1 day, lips look more smooth.*
In 1 week, lips are renewed*
*Based on panelists' self-evaluation
Pigmentation: The above swatches were done after three swipes of each shade. As you can see, these aren't wildly pigmented, but they don't claim to be. On the Maybelline site, they're described as "natural tints" that "even out lip tone for healthier looking lips." So don't expect huge color pay-off with these--in fact, I couldn't photograph them properly on my lips because they kept reading as "clear" in my photos. In real life, Soothing Sorbet does give my lips a subtle pink flush, but Pink Me Up yields very little color at all on my lips. My lips have medium pigmentation though, so if your lips aren't very pigmented to begin with, these may give you a more noticeable wash of color.
Flavor and fragrance: The best comparison I can give you is Vicks VapoRub. They smell like Vicks to me (obviously due to the menthol and eucalyptus in the formula) and the taste is very menthol-y as well. No sweetness to me--just zippy menthol with a bit of eucalyptus.
Texture, consistency and staying power: The texture of these balms is actually thinner and more slick-feeling than the original Baby Lips. To me, the original Baby Lips formula feels creamier on my lips, with better staying power as well. The Dr. Rescue formula feels a bit more greasy on the lips, and thus it doesn't last as long on my lips as the original (I can get about an hour of wear before it's pretty much gone).
Moisturization: I don't suffer from cold sores or fever blisters, so I can't speak to how this balm would ease the pain in that respect. But I DO have chapped lips quite often, and the menthol does feel nice on my chapped lips--it's soothing in the same way that Vicks is soothing when you have a cold. As for providing any type of real moisturization or healing to my chapped lips, sorry...not happening. My lips basically feel the same--not better or worse--after using this product.
FINAL VERDICT: As a Baby Lips fan, I'm sad to say these aren't a love-match for me. I much prefer the original Baby Lips formula. I find the original formula to feel creamier on the lips and I think the staying power is better as well. Dr. Rescue feels a bit thin and greasy on my lips, and I'm not a huge fan of the menthol/eucalyptus combo when it comes to scent and flavor (I love the candy-like fragrances and scents in the original Baby Lips line-up). But the kicker here is that, for me personally, the original Baby Lips formula provides better hydration and actually helps heal my chapped lips better than the Dr. Rescue formula. But if you generally have good luck with lip balms that contain menthol, your results could obviously vary. Sadly, these just aren't something I find myself reaching for when my lips are chapped.
Have you tried the Baby Lip Dr. Rescue balms yet? If so, I would love to know what you think of them! Also, I will be reviewing one of the Baby Lips ELECTRO shades in the near future, so please check back soon if you're interested.
The products featured in this post were purchased with personal funds. For more information, click here.
i completely agree. i bought coral crave and have used it exclusively for a few weeks . the scent is terrible. and my lips feel more chapped when i use it than when i dont. when applied, it wears off in minutes! The best hydrating one for me was twinkle, but unfortunately it was limited edition.
ReplyDeleteTwinkle was amazing!!! I hoarded a few before they left stores but I wish they would bring it back permanently.
DeleteTwinkle is my favorite one ever. I bought a back up. Lol. I don't get the point of the Dr. Rescue ones. Maybelline is going to run this line into the ground fast from over saturating the market.
DeleteI love twinkle! I wish they'd add it to the permanent collection. I'm crossing my fingers that maybe they'll bring back for the holidays.
Deletethis review mirrored my impressions of this product almost exactly!
ReplyDeleteSame
DeleteSame here. I can't keep forcing myself to use them, they do nothing but leave a greasey mess behind and I am still chapped. Thank heavens I finally found Vaseline Rosy Lips! The stuff is worth dealing with a jar! Walgreens if anyone is still looking, above the Cocoa Butter one in lotion aisle.
Deletethe original babylips actually GAVE me a cold sore, so I don't see these relieving mine when I get them. As a chronic sufferer, I have my doubts that any balm would soothe a cold sore or fever blister but I can see how this would feel nice on chapped lips.
ReplyDeleteI also suffer from chronic cold sores and I finally broke down and tried the clinique super balm in the green tube. It has helped me TREMENDOUSLY! And I am the Queen Of Cheap, so it absolutely breaks my heart to spend the money on it, but so far, it is only thing that has helped my cold sores. You could try it and see if it works for you too.
DeleteG, I couldn't agree more! I bought it in Coral Carve & Just Peachy. At first, I really liked it and I didn't mind the menthol scent or the tingly feeling on my lips after applying. But after a few days, I started to see that this doesn't really last very long and I felt like I was always reapplying.
ReplyDeleteI won't be purchasing anymore Dr. Rescue after I finish off these tubes...
I am probably the world's biggest fan of Baby Lips. I have loved every color/flavor released so far. (And I have them all *shameface*)
ReplyDeleteBut this Dr. Rescue is the one group I have not tried because it only just made its way to my area. I have to admit that these disappointing reviews make me curious. I think I might make a $3 investment when I see these at my Wal Mart just to see how they react with my body chemistry.
And I love picking up useful tidbits from your other readers, G. My husband gets cold sores from time to time, so I am going to buy him that Clinique product mentioned by Nancy Mac, above. So thank you, Nancy M.!
I also found it a little weird that it says not to apply more than 3 times daily, which I think most people would use a lip balm more than 3 times in a 24 hr period. I guess they have to say that due to the menthol as an analgesic in it.
ReplyDeleteI had one of these in my hand last night but passed because I wasn't sure about the menthol and eucalyptus. I've read in other blogs where these have been compared (scentwise) to Vick's. Plus menthol can actually be an irritant for some people, and while I like the touch of mint in Burt's Bees, eos and some indie balms I've tried, thanks to your review, G., these will remain a pass. I want something I can happily and compulsively try and enjoy all day long!
ReplyDeleteI really liked the more slick formula to these over the original baby lips. Though it does mean I have to apply it a bit more often I'm more likely to reapply it over the original since I prefer the feel of Dr.Rescue. I got the Soothing Sorbet and it's quite a nice color on my lighter pink lips, a my-lips-but-better kind of deal. The best part is the fantastic menthol tingle I get from these, not as strong as something like the Candy Cane Chapstick but close. I didn't feel any numbing/soothing feeling on my lips even when they were cracked but I didn't really buy it for that. Mostly I wear this as a tinted lip balm and it works well for me as that. I switch between this and Apple Cider Chapstick depending on what I want at the moment.
ReplyDeleteOverall I didn't find it lived up to it's claims but I quite like it anyway.
I almost picked up one of these for my daughter but passed based on the description because of the scent.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely LOVE the medicated taste of the eos tangerine. Is this a similar taste? I think I'd like the slicker texture, too. Also, I suffer from cold sores. I'm thinking about picking just ONE up to try it out. I shamelessly have all of the previous Baby Lips (and actually gave a little shriek when I found the LE ones back in March).
ReplyDeleteI don't have very chapped lips but I have all the other baby lips and picked up soothing sorbet. I'm actually happy with the color feel and taste. But I am sure just like everything this is not going to be a one fits all. I do buy more eos because they last a long time, I don't find myself needing to reapply and my lips feel like satin all winter long and it gives a sigh of relief when you see everyone else sporting heavy chapped lips.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the dr rescue! I bought the "too cool" and its what i reach for every time now. I've been a fan of baby lips for some time now and have purchased several shades of every edition they have released and the "too cool is by far my fave! It has the longest lasting time in my lips than the others and actually helps heal my chapped lips unlike the electro ones i purchased that now sadly just sit in a drawer somewhere in my home. I love love the menthol and eucalyptus scent. I'm most definitely going to purchase a few more of the dr rescue line including more of the "too cool" because i don't want to run out.
ReplyDeleteI bought 2 when they were new @ Walgreens BOGO 1/2. I wasn't impressed. I agree that I prefer the regular Baby Lips.
ReplyDeletewhy does it say only apply 3 to 4 times a day?
ReplyDeleteI actually really like this line. I only notice the scent when I'm smelling the balm in the tube and then just briefly as I apply it. After that the scent fades and doesn't bother me. I also really liked that this formula was thinner; I think it feels really nice to apply them.
ReplyDelete