Ah, innovation..
Many people have requested that I review these. Luckily for them, I already had a few of these sitting around, waiting to be reviewed. It seems that so many people are going absolutely ga-ga over these little balls (and sticks) of balm, brought to you by eos (note to self: must try their shaving cream). However, the only opinion that counts here is mine, so I’ll tell you what the deal really is with these thingies.
Totally kidding about that last part. No need to open up a can of whoopass.
PRICE: $2.99 each at eos, $3.99 at drugstore.com, and also available at various drugstores, grocery stores, and Target-like stores (I haven’t personally seen them elsewhere as of yet, so I can’t tell you how much they’re charging in-store).
PACKAGING: This seems to be where people are going absolutely bonkers over this stuff. I’m an idiot and lost the info these came with, so I don’t know exactly how much balm you’re getting for your buck, but I’ll say roughly around .15oz, like your standard sized tube, give or take. There seems to be less in the sphere, but don’t quote me on that. So, obviously, there is the stick version. Not too much to comment on there. There’s a groove at the top of the cap, to easily rest your finger in. Umm.. Not really sure what that’s there for, but whatev’s. I actually think it’s the company’s “mark”, but I just find it silly and unnecessary. Nobody really cares about the tube, though, right? It’s all about the sphere. So, the sphere is, obviously, a sphere. The top half twists off and, low and behold, balm. Unlike Ballmania, the balm in this ball protrudes out of the lower half, rather than sits inside of it, like a tub. Some people find this design to be more helpful in the balm application process, but I personally just find it annoying. The only way this works out all right and a little less awkward is to pretty much shove the thing in your mouth, and tuck your lips under. Balms both lips at one time, but sooner or later, you’re going to have a couple nice grooves going along each side of the dome-o-balm, and eventually that top portion you’re not using is going to fall off in your mouth mid-application, and.. Yeah, ew. Okay, maybe that’s a little extreme, but to me, there’s just nothing innovative and amazing about this style of packaging. To me, it’s just annoying. But I digress. Both types of balm are packaged in this textured, rubberized plastic. Another downer. I cannot even begin to tell you how quickly that crap gets dirty. Unless you’re vaccuuming your purse every single day, any time you pull these things out, they’re bound to be covered in dust and hair and whatever else you might have dwelling in there. ANNOYING. So, yeah. The packaging of this balm, both versions, is a major downside for me, personally. Not a fan whatsoever.
TEXTURE/GLIDE: The glide, regardless of how it’s applied, is really good. Very buttery, very smooth, very soft. The texture is creamy and not at all thick, but not at all light. It’s right in between, and really good.
SMELL/FLAVOR: I have this in three flavors: Sweet Mint, Honeysuckle Honeydew, and Pomegranate Raspberry (also available in: Summer Fruit and Vanilla Bean). The Sweet Mint is easily my favorite of the ones I own. It’s, duh, a sweet mint scent. Think vanilla + peppermint. I almost always love that scent. Honeysuckle Honeydew is one I was really excited for, until I actually had it under my nostrils. I mean, it’s not bad by any means. It’s definitely honeydew. But where’s the honeysuckle? I don’t smell it. Pomegranate Raspberry has a very sweet, fruity, almost sugary smell. Not bad, but just a tad too sweet for me.
LASTING POWER: Not bad at all, say about three hours or so. And even then, the remnants of balm are still lingering.
INGREDIENTS: Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Olea Europa (Olive) Fruit Oil, Beeswax (Cire D’Abeille), Simmondsia Chinensis (Joioba) Seed Oil, Flavor (Aroma), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Tocopherol, and various extracts and oils depending on the flavor.
OVERALL: Balm-wise, these are great. Very softening, very moisturizing, very creamy. Packaging-wise, though, a freakin’ headache. Honestly, I think I’m just disappointed I don’t like these more than I do. It seems everybody has fallen head over heels, whereas I’m left here, being way too picky for my own good. I have to be, though. It’s what I do. And after being too picky, I’ve discovered that the packaging overcomes the goodness of the balm and I’m just not a fan. There are other amazing balms out there in much better, more practical packaging. But don’t take my word for it, as it seems everybody and their mom has been swept under the eos spell.
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Wow. I always liked reading your reviews, but this took me aback. I never thought you would act this way. Were you having a bad day when you wrote this?
It’s not like I’m defending eos. I bought one, but I didn’t like it and have only used it a few times. I just don’t really trust your reviews anymore, seeing as how easily your ire is earned. You kind of let me down. It seems that if you personally don’t care for something (example: the packaging), that makes the whole product terrible and not worth anyone’s time. Whatever happened to objectivity? You were also sarcastic (not in a funny way), rude and honestly, kind of mean.
Now, I understand that this is your blog and you can say whatever you want. I’m not trying to insult you or boss you around, I just want you to know that your behavior for this review was really ugly. a regular reader(Quote)
I judge a balm based on EVERYTHING that the balm has to offer, but when a balm is obviously being marketed on one aspect, I will judge it on that one aspect. In this case, this balm is strictly being bought for the packaging, and I felt that I had to give a fair review on the packaging. I never said that the product was bad, nor did I say that people should base their decisions on what I say. This post, and every other post on this blog, are strictly my opinions and my opinions alone, and I urge everybody to only take what they want from those opinions.
I’m sorry you found this post to be disappointing, but I’m just saying what I feel that people should know before spending money on something. Balmaholic(Quote)
Wow. I for one really enjoyed this review. You saved me $10 cause after reading all the reviews I was going to purchase the 3 pack. Thanks so much, and keep up the work. Your website has now been favorited
Michelle(Quote)
Hey Balmaholic, just to let you know, there’s another way to apply the balm. You don’t have to shove the whole thing in your mouth and tuck in both bottom and top of lips to apply the balm. You can just glide the top of the sphere of the balm across your top lip and over the bottom lip. You can even glide the top of the sphere across both top and bottom of the lips in one go if you keep your lips together (let your lips rest, it’ll be easier). But, anyways, nice site you have here! just to let you know(Quote)
I agree, I like the balm itself, but both the sphere and tube are too big and clunky for my taste. I really like the vanilla flavor, but gave up on using it because I usually keep balms in my pocket, and it’s just too big and bulky. The sweet mint sphere is kind of fun, and the mint is isn’t way too overpowering (I tend to stay away from mint balms for that reason), but again too bulky for my pocket so I keep it by my bed and use it occasionally (depending on my mood for that day!) I also wish they had SPF! Just my opinion! G – Lip Balm JUNKIE(Quote)
The company sent me two of the Sweet Mint Sphere Balms to review, I agree with how you feel about the packaging and it can be annoying but I do like the balm. Sweet mint smells so good! The balm has a good lasting power too. But I’m pretty sure most people buy it only for the packaging. Jessica (GlamourGirl21)(Quote)
I like the balm also. I just think the sphere packaging is inconvenient, lol. Balmaholic(Quote)
Ok, I have to admit I too purchased the eos lip balm because of the unique and fascinating design. I have to admit I was a bit disappointed with the design (not everyone’s cup of tea, right?), but I really enjoyed the balm itself. I found myself at an odds as to what to do. The balm was in my makeup bag collecting lint and taking up so much space. I decided to use one of my old lip balm tubes that I had saved and I melted the balm and poured it in there. Ok, you’re probably asking yourself why I didn’t purchase the tube! Well, I got the sphere for the whimsical shape.
So now, I have the eos sweet mint balm in a twist tube that can easily fit in my pocket or purse without being weird, and I’m loving it! Megan(Quote)
I definitely, definitely like the tube more than the sphere. The sphere is just bulky and inconvenient. :\ Balmaholic(Quote)
I was just cleaning out my dresser basket and found my eos sphere. I came on back here to read the review, and I had to laugh at the comments. I agree with you about the textured packaging. Also, I found all of mine (spheres and tube)to be a bit grainy and greasy. Vanilla does smell awesome though.
I hope regular reader has continued to read your reviews, because in my opinion they are insanely accurate and genuinely funny. Kris(Quote)
I said before that I wasn’t going to purchase the balm well I guess I lied. LOL I purchased it and love it. the container is weird, but I love the balm
Michelle(Quote)
I’m pretty sure you’re supposed to apply the sphere lip balm by gliding the top of the sphere across your lips. Ang(Quote)
Yeah, I’m sure you’re correct about that. The way the balm is shaped, though, that’s just uncomfortable for me. lol Balmaholic(Quote)