Paying lips service

Perfect Potion, Elizabeth Arden, Lancome, Nivea and L'Oreal. Picture / Glenn Jeffrey

Dry and chapped lips are an urban myth, because city folk know all about balms and treatments. The salves are almost standard issue in every handbag and, because of this, a wizened moisture-deprived mouth is all but extinct. But when you leave the city limits and go to a skifield or mountain - as do those in wont of outdoor pursuits - it's a different story. Don't leave home without plenty of lip balm.

To get rid of dry flaky lips, gently brush an old toothbrush - generously coated in lip balm - over your lips. Then become a serial lip-balm user.

Nivea Mandarin Vanilla Lip Care
$3.50 for 4.8g

Those who frequently use balm could do much worse than develop an addiction to the mandarin and vanilla flavours of this limited edition moisturiser. Not only is it yummy, it's nice to wear, has almond oil and vitamin E, and, not to put too fine a point on it, is as cheap as anything.

From selected supermarkets and pharmacies.

Lancome Le Rouge Absolu Base SPF10
$55 for 4.2ml

A super-rich revitalising treatment that does a lovely job of nourishing lips. Feels nice on the mouth and even comes with a highlighting effect so lips can look their best at all times. Aside from the SPF10, the best thing about this is that it looks for all the world like the glamorously-packaged Le Rouge Absolu lipsticks.

From selected department stores and pharmacies.

Perfect Potion Sublime Lip Balm
$14.95 for 15g

This one is literally the heavyweight in the handbag because of its glass jar. Although it's slightly less portable than the rest, it's no real chore to cart this about, unless you're using a teeny-weeny handbag. Its base is the oh-so-softening shea butter, with lime and peppermint essential oils added, so its a vivacious little number.

From Health 2000 stores.

L'Oreal Kiss Proof Comfort Lip Balm
$16.95

This balm in a lipstick's body is specially for dry lips and cold weather. But it has another function - L'Oreal's Kiss Proof lipstick is one of those lippies that stays put even through a passionate clinch. Use this balm two minutes after you've applied one of the Kiss Proof colours and you get the benefits of the balm with the longevity of the lipstick.

From selected department stores and pharmacies.

Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Plump Perfect Lip Moisture Cream SPF30
$59 for 14.55g

First, a round of applause for the SPF30. If this were simply a moisturiser for lips it would be good. But it goes further, plumping-up lips with special skin plumper-uppers so the appearance of vertical lines is reduced and you get fuller-looking lips. Best used before lipstick and sun exposure - every day, really.

From selected department stores and pharmacies.