I’ve been looking around for a lip balm that had sunscreen in it, since we’ve hit a string of sunny days here in Oregon. First, a quickie primer on what to look for in sunscreen.

When protecting your skin, you want to block both UVA and UVB rays – these are ultraviolet light waves at different wavelengths. UVA rays cause aging in the skin, UVB rays cause burning. (This is highly simplified, but you can find lots of information about UV radiation with a Google search.) There are a limited number of approved sunscreen agents that block UVA rays – avobenzone, mexoryl, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are mineral agents that block both UVA and UVB.

So, me being me, I’d prefer something with either the ti dioxide or zinc, since they are broad-spectrum, provide instant protection (they work by reflecting uv rays, unlike chemical sunscreens that absorb uv radiation), and are basically inert (they sit on the skin and are not absorbed). The biggest drawback is that they can leave a whitish cast on the skin, and it can be tricky to find a formulation that doesn’t feel like rubbing paste on your skin.

Finding a lip product that contains either of those ingredients is a nightmare! I started at my local New Seasons Market, a homegrown version of Whole Foods. I found ONE single tube of lip balm with zinc oxide, an Alba Botanica TerraTints in Dawn, which is not on their website – I must have gotten the last one that used zinc instead of chemical sunscreens. This is much to my disappointment, because the colors are so pretty! I can’t believe they would have reformulated this otherwise great product to take out broad-spectrum protection. (Update 10/5/08: All of the shades have been converted to the mineral formula on Alba Botanica’s website, so YAY! They must be been switching to the new formula, not away from it. Now if the new stock would just make it to stores…)

I turned to the internet to help me find some more options. Luckily, there are a few. I haven’t tried all of these products, but I will be checking them out in person, where possible.

Tarte’s 24/7 Lip Sheers contain zinc oxide, and come in some really pretty colors. I have tried this product and like it a lot. Also with color, Korres offers a lipstick that contains avobenzone – not mineral sunscreen, but it will protect you from uvb and uva rays. Juice Beauty offers a trio (two with color, one without) with spf 8 from titanium dioxide. I really like their products, so this could be worth looking into.

My beloved Badger Balm offers an spf 15 lip balm with zinc oxide. I may have to get this just to support this great company.

Origins offers a balm with spf 8 from titanium dioxide called Cover Your Mouth (cute name!). It’s worth mentioning that their competitor The Body Shop offers no lip balms with UVA protection. How disappointing. I’m increasingly finding Origins a company I like a lot.

A company called Collective Wellbeing offers a zinc oxide lip balm. Paula’s Choice also offers one, with titanium dioxide.

Remember kids, UVA rays are around us all the time, they penetrate clouds, and go through windows. You should always choose broad spectrum sunscreen protection to block these out – they also intensify the effects of UVB rays. Wearing a lip balm with broad spectrum protection every day is a great idea – it can go under your lipstick or gloss or pick one of the ones with color. Have a safe sunny summer!

Okay, I’ve been trying to finish this post for several days now and keep getting distracted…

The summer Sephora catalog came in the mail today and was promptly marked up with the lust list. Heh.

Aren’t these new shades of Too Faced eye shadow awesome? I keep seeing that teal blue (Neptune is the shade name) popping in summer palettes and me wants.

This Sephora eyeshadow palette looks almost as good as the Stila one, and it’s cheaper. Hmmm….

Guerlain Terracotta Pearly Sun Powder is ridiculously expensive… but looks so luxe and awesome! Of course I need more bronzer like I need a hole in my head (I have… three? four? already) but I can still daydream.

Here’s that blue again… This Smashbox quad is fab. The T5 Superfruit set from Tarte is cuter than a bug in a rug and I wants it…

Last, but not least, Figue-Iris from Guerlain.  Hello, Gorgeous. I love it.

I’ve sniffed (and purchased) a handful  of perfumes lately. Since I don’t want to spend hours typing up reviews, here are my impressions. Some of these may merit a longer review at some point.

Angel Men Pure Coffee from Thierry Mugler. I really, really wanted to love this. With notes of coffee, creamy musk, patchouli, cedar wood, and vetiver, it sounded lovely. I love the smell of coffee, especially that “just opened the bag of fresh roasted beans” scent. That scent is definitely there in the first few minutes of wearing A*Men Pure Coffee. Those few minutes are divine. Then that delicious coffee scent faded away on my skin and I was left with a vaguely sweet yet woodsy scent strongly reminiscent of Blue Sugar – which has crazy staying power on me. I really like Blue Sugar, so I’m not sure I need another scent like it (and yes, Blue Sugar is directly inspired by the original Angel Men, but it costs less).

Angel, Thierry Mugler. I have finally broken down and bought some Angel. The stuff is crazy expensive, but I thought this little bottle was cute, and reasonably affordable. I’ve been dancing around this perfume for years – do I love it or hate it? It’s hard to tell. It’s chocolate and patchouli, yes… but it’s also this crazy floral thing, and it has some fruit going on too. When I smelled it the first time, I couldn’t believe this was the scent responsible for starting the “gourmand” trend, because it smelled much too soapy – must have been the flowers. Anyway, after reading “Perfumes: The Guide” (a full book review to come, on my next day off) I decided I should just jump in with the Angel and admit I like it.

Organza Indecence, by Givenchy. It has notes of jacaranda wood, cinnamon, amber, vanilla and patchouli. I know, I’m starting to sound like a broken record. But I guess if the fragrances I like have anything in common, it’s the patchouli. This one smells like cinnamon on me, and I love it. It’s the alpaca blanket I wrap around myself on a cold day, warm, cuddly, sweet, and comforting.

Believe, Britney Spears. Lord have mercy, did I really buy a Britney Spears fragrance? I did, and here’s why. Drumroll…. it’s the patchouli. It’s not mentioned anywhere in the notes, but I’d swear this has raspberry in it too. Guava Pulp, golden tangerine, honeysuckle, linden blossom, patchouli, amber, and pink pralines are the actual notes. I don’t really get guava or tangerine, but the flowers are nice. Then the whole thing dries down to patchouli and raspberries on me, and I LOVE it. I’m excited to wear this all summer long. I just won’t admit to anyone it’s a Britney fragrance.

I also sniffed M Mariah Carey (not worth mentioning), gave Michael Kors Island Hawaii another try (since it was reissued) and decided I don’t love it anymore – especially since I found Pacifica’s Nerola Orange Blossom and got my neroli fix. Also, I tried Kenzo Amour Indian Holi, a fragrance I’d like to love but just don’t. It gets bonus points for being unusual, but I just can’t seem to like it much.