Not every lip balm deserves a dedicated review, but TATCHA GOLD Camellia Nourishing Lip Balm makes you want to write songs about it… or at least a haiku.
I hope those of you who are literary majors forgive my lack of experience in this genre [last part has 6 syllables instead of 5], but it just came from the heart, and isn’t that what poetry is all about? Camellias bloom in Winter when most other flowers are dormant, and can survive in pretty harsh conditions. This evergreen shrub grows in some of the most remote locations in Asia, including the Himalayas, so it’s well prepared for whatever hardships Mother Nature throws at it. It is this unique quality to persevere no matter what while producing big, bright, and delicate flowers that made camellia oil one of the most kept secrets of ancient geisha skincare rituals, that were recorded 200 years ago in an ancient manuscript, which remained unseen until very recently. To decipher the rituals and ingredients from this text TATCHA team traveled to Kyoto to work with teams of scientists, scholars and even modern day geisha.
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| Each full-size skin care purchase from TATCHA will provide one day of school and support to a girl enrolled in Room to Read’s Girls’ Education program. |
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| TATCHA GOLD Camellia Nourishing Lip Balm – packaging reminds me of drawers |
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| TATCHA GOLD Camellia Nourishing Lip Balm – delicate leaflet made of pure 24K gold |
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| TATCHA GOLD Camellia Nourishing Lip Balm – unboxed |
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| TATCHA GOLD Camellia Nourishing Lip Balm – golden flecks |
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| TATCHA GOLD Camellia Nourishing Lip Balm – jar packaging |
What is luxury? I would say it’s a “beautiful unnecessary”, and people who buy luxury products don’t mind paying a little extra [or a lot, it depends] for aesthetics and potentially more exclusive formulas and ingredients. For instance, the packaging and presentation of this lip balm is just on a whole other level from anything else I’ve tried. Upon opening the box, you discover a small sliding drawer, containing the actual product, which is wrapped in a lovely sheet of ivory rice paper with written instructions; while the balm itself is housed in a thick glass jar.
When you open the jar, the first thing that stands out is a sheet of pure 24K yellow gold [a real gold leaf, and not one of those edible foils that people decorate cakes with] hand placed there by TATCHA skincare professionals, resting on a solid balmy cushion. It’s not just for decoration though, although I must admit, it definitely adds a certain level of sophistication to such basic product as a lip balm. The trick is to try and mix it together with the balm for a subtle hint of sheen.
The formula is very comfortable on the lips, it’s neither sticky nor tacky, and really feels more like a primer. It also doesn’t make the lips look wet or greasy, so it’s suitable for both men and women. The wear time is great, I get a solid 6 hours of wear before I have to reapply, even after I drink a few cups of tea. Squalane [derived from olive oil] tops the ingredient list making this lip balm a fabulous moisturizer for the lips, which actually heals the skin and improves the condition over time.
THE VERDICT
Camellia Nourishing Lip Balm is a beautiful product, inside and out. It primes, repairs and moisturizes my lips, while providing lasting comfort and subtle natural sheen. Since it comes in jar packaging, there is a risk of cross-contamination from constant finger-dipping, but I’m hoping to use it up before it gets too “dirty”.
PRICE & AVAILABILITY
$36 USD for 0.28 oz. Available at Tatcha, Barney’s.
Ingredients:
Squalane (Olive Origin), Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Dextrin Palmitate, Fragrance (Natural), Dextrin Palmitate/Ethylhexanoate, Polyglyceryl-10 Pentaisostearate, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Germ Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Water, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate (Licorice Extract), Oryzanol (Rice Bran Oil Extract), Hydrogenated Lecithin (Soy Origin), Inositol (Rice Extract), Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Alcohol, Glycerin, Algae Extract, Gold.
This looks really neat! I’ve never seen such a thing but I want it!
I agree, Eugenia, this is a very unique product, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it before.
What a luxe item. I love it!!
I’m so glad to hear that you love it too, Amber 🙂 <3
What a super luxurious item. Love the gold . it sounds so great!!
It really does sound fantastic, and the performance doesn’t disappoint. Mr. Glamorable wears it too and loves it 🙂
I LOVE their products! This looks amazing!
So glad to hear that you like their products, too! Tatcha is an amazing brand, and everything is very high quality.
Good Lord. Imagine receiving that as a little gift. 😀
If I got this as a gift I would honestly be so happy! Isn’t this a super unique yet thoughtful gift? Everyone can use a nice lip balm 🙂
Interesting concept with the gold leaf, though not likely something I would go for.
I agree, I have never seen anything like this before.
wow! This looks so stylish and the lip balm itself sounds to be very good.
Yep, this little jar is the whole package: it got the looks and the personality 🙂
wow, that is such an expensive lip balm
It’s definitely a luxury product, and so unique, too.
This looks and sounds amazing! I love a good lip product since I like to wear bright lipsticks.
-Erica
http://diaryofatrendaholic.blogspot.ca/
This works really well as a base for bright lipstick – smooth surface and no staining 🙂
I am so excited you love it too! Anytime anyone in our family has terribly dry lips I chase them around with this! 😀
I read about it on your blog a while back and it’s been on my wishlist ever since 🙂
This looks awesome! I want to try!
So happy to hear that you also find this lip balm exciting 🙂 I hope you have an opportunity to sample this product, because it’s amazing 🙂
This seems like a great product. So royal!
Royal is a good word to describe this lip balm.
This seems like such a great product and I’m taken by the gold. I love lip butters… my fav being from The Body Shop – but man – I do hate that I have to dip my finger in a pot. It seems like I spend as much time sanitizing or using a brush as I do putting the product on. It can be a pain in the butt… but I want to try this.
I agree with you, Honey, I’m not a big fan of dipping, but the formula is fantastic. I hope I can use it up within a month before it gets too dirty 🙂
I adore this one. Feels amazing!
So glad you like this lip balm, too 🙂
I’m buying this as a gift for myself after I land my first major freelancing client!
Good for you, Terrah, you are not going to regret this purchase!
I want to try their Indigo cream, too. This lip balm sounds so extravagant! That gold leaf is over the top.
Indigo line sounds fantastic, and looks like it’s perfect for people with various skin problems, like eczema or dermatitis. There are so many glowing testimonials!
This looks great! 😀
yourclosetdiva.blogspot.in
It really does 🙂
That gold leaf is like cherry on top! I soooo want to try this lip balm!
Love your comparison, that’s exactly it! Or maybe sprinkles? 🙂
The packaging is amazing. I would love to try this line sometime.
They are blogger-friendly, you could try reaching out 🙂
I haven’t seen anything like this !
I’m with you Betzy, this product is so unique and unlike anything else.
I think this looks extremely unique but I’m not sure how useful it really is with that gold sheet. Nevertheless, it looks spectacular!
I don’t think the gold sheet serves a real purpose, aside from being a gorgeous accent, but it sure adds to the overall experience.
Super luxurious and absolutely beautiful.
Absolutely 100% agree with you, Sheila!
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