A few days ago when I was telling you about my trip to Costco with Mrs.HB, and how I thought buying a 6 pack of lip balm was ridiculous, several of you chimed in on Facebook and the comment section of that post to tell me you LOVE your multiple tubes/containers of lip balm. Can’t live without them you said. My kids loose/steal them from me all the time so NO MAVIS… You’re totally wrong on this one.
And honestly, I was secretly shaking my head at you from behind the computer screen because if I don’t need 6 tubes of lip balm… then why the heck would you?
YADA YADA YADA…
Fast forward to yesterday morning when Mrs. HB picked me up so we could take her dog for a walk around the harbor. We were yakking away and as she parked the car I happened to look down and noticed 2 tubes of lip balm next to her center console.
I started laughing. And then I began telling her about the post I had written about the lip balm {which she said she had read} and then she started telling me that my lips looked a little chapped {they weren’t} and before you know it…
I instinctively opened the center console real quick {like you would open a door if you were trying to catch a kid in the middle of doing something naughty}…
And then I was like OH MY GOODNESS WOMAN…
OPEN YOUR PURSE!!! OH PEN YOUR PURRRRRRSE.
And then the chapstick just started rolling on out… I couldn’t believe it!!!
There was even lip balm hidden under the seat of the car for Pete’s sake!
It was hilarious.
Seriously!!! Who needs this much freakin’ lip balm!?
Clearly, I’m going to have to start a hotline for all you lip balm addicts out there….
~Mavis
Rachel says
My name is Rachel and I live in a house full of lip balm addicts (husband and 2 teenage daughters). I have never used it. I suppose I’m lucky to not have chapped lips, or not care if I do. I’m with you Mavis, I’ve never understood it. Then again, no one gets my need to buy used books either, so who am I to judge! 😀
Amanda S says
Rachel, if you actually got chapped lips, you would care. They hurt and bleed and you would not ignore them.
JD McCue says
I’m with Team HB on this one Mavis! Roll your eyes all you want. Mine are the healthier organic ingredient balms, but at least my lips are not cracked, dry, and ugly. Gardener hands, now that is a different story. How many tubes of hand cream does she have?…@repurposedgardener
Heather says
I have lip balms in several places, but I always buy the cheap tubs from the dollar store and get them 2/$1, I can’t imagine spending more than that for lip balm. I don’t need brand name or fancy ones.
Tejas Prairie Hen says
Wow! Guess I am out of touch with reality, too. I had NO idea people had, let alone USED this much lip balm. Maybe they need they need to see a dermatologist to help get off this stuff. Seriously. That is what my dermatologist said!
Lisa MTB says
I usually keep several lip balms in my purse because … dry lips (dry skin, really) and long winters. I do use them up eventually (really) and that’s the only place I stash them because I’m less likely to lose things if they only have one “home”. I have noticed recently that some lip balms now have expiration dates printed on the tubes, so I’m curious about that. Do they really expire?
Stacie says
Hilarious!!! There is no way I could ever stash that many anywhere; I’m with you Mavis, I don’t even own that many lip balms! Most of mine are freebies too. Even if I had that many there is no way they’d survive the Texas heat stashed in my truck; it would be a melted mess.
Em says
I was thinking the same thing, Stacie! I’m near Houston.
Karen says
One on my nightstand which I use religiously every night and one in my purse. My husband keeps one in his pocket. Now I do stock up on a few when it is on sale. I have five, sealed in their packages in a drawer. As for my 11 year old, she has tons and loses them all the time. I make her spend her money on them. She wants to try every new one she sees, but that seems to be slowing down. Maybe she is growing up.
Bonnie says
It’s because a lot of people are mouth breathers! They do not breathe through their noses, hence their lips are always dried out. I am a mouth breather and I wear lip stick during the day, however, I do have chap stick by the bed for nights. I am somewhat of a minimalist, so I limit myself to the 3 packs.
Tammy says
Oh my goodness, too funny!
I have a natural chap stick in my purse, and one in my bathroom. Otherwise, I don’t use it enough to have more. The natural ones have oils that will go rancid over time, so you don’t want to get too many going at once!
Sue R. says
Do some investigation–there are ingredients in lip balm that can actually dry your lips 🙂 Here’s one article but there are lots to check out:
https://www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/makeup/lips/chapstick-addiction-lip-balm?xid=synd_xovain
Sarah says
Oh my, Mavis. You are such a kindred spirit. I love reading your commentaries like this. I don’t know if I’ve ever bought lip balm in my 42 years. We always keep Aquaphor in the house, though. Love Aquaphor.
Mary Elizabeth Tait says
This makes me wonder what else we might keep in multiples in multiple places….maybe it’s not lip balm but gum? or hand lotion?… or pens?…… I get teased about writing implements!
Ramona says
I use to live in Seattle area where it is “moist”to say the least. Now I am in southern Idaho and it is very dry so I use more lip balm. I spend a lot of time outside and the one I use has spf15 in it to help protect against the sun. I also use a way lot more lotion here because my skin dries out. I keep lip balm in my purse and nightstand. On the plus side our dentist gives away lip balm at each visit. You can take all you want.
Helen in Meridian says
I,too, get my lip balm fro my dentist. I have had problems in the last 2 years with lipsticks melting in my purse, I often leave in my car when I run into stores with just a wallet. In fact one of my lipsticks sorts broke off from being soft just day before yesterday.
UpstateNYer says
While I would generally leave 2 in my purse at all times, keeping balms in the car allows them to melt. And add bacteria so ewwwww.
Ladies – drink more water if your lips are dry. You are dehydrated.
And thanks for this car article, Mavis. I made me laugh!
Kim says
Lip Balm is definitely addicting. There is a Lip Balm Anonymous website for anyone who needs help!
Alice says
The same can be said for reading glasses, sunglasses, and for my son-in-law, ….pocket knives. Rather than try to keep track of an item it’s just easier to have multiples. For me it says we don’t really value the item, even if it’s inexpensive. My daughter-in-law bought a $300 pair of sunglasses. I couldn’t imagine such a purchase, I’d be afraid I’d loose them. She said she will wear the sunglasses for many, many, years and three years later she is still true to her word. It’s a vicious cycle, if I have too many of the item I can’t keep track of it, so I need to buy more. So in my later years I’m trying to cut back and value things. (and keep track of them)
Dena says
I think that in today’s commercial and conspicuous consumption society, that some people have reached the point of having surplus income and that it is more convenient to have multiples of some small item in multiple places, rather than carry around just one. In past lean times, people had (e.g.) one pair of shoes, one good outfit, one tube of lip balm (if at all). You might take your good shoes with you to an event, while wearing muddy, filthy work boots. You might wear your overalls to a location, then change into your good clothes for a special occasion. You might carry the one tube of lip balm with you everywhere, until you used it to it’s last little bit. Now a-days, multiples equals wealth equals convenience. How often does one reach the bottom of a tube of lip balm anymore, as opposed to just throwing away one that is half or 3/4’s full?
Maria says
the center of the earth is filled with lost items like lip balms, earring backs and that one sock.
I change them out when it gets yucky or they melt in the car in the summer and then I put the plastic tube in the recycle bin.
Mrs HB says
Dena to my defense most of these are freebies and believe it or not I do use every last tid bit , even so far that I dig it out with my finger nail or toothpick . Is that yucky or what? It annoys me that there is so much left after it’s “all gone”. The problem is I don’t know what I have in my big a__ purse or car and in a rush grab another stick and there it goes and gets lost . My problem, I know but at least I don’t waste them . Now I will have to look for the expiration dates that someone mentioned . I never even thought about that!! Next time at dentist or at the MariTime Gig parade this weekend I won’t have the HB kids grab me extra and leave for others more needy of the smooth lip quinchers. As always thanks for all the input!
Pamela says
I use them up unless I purchase one I don’t like by mistake (which doesn’t happen very often). The last one I stopped using was a regular old-school chap stick. I felt like I was trying to rub a candle on my lips!
I work at a job that has very dry air. It really does. So I have one in my pocket at work at all times. I also have one in my night stand and one downstairs next to my computer. I do not have one in my purse or any in my car. I used to get a carmex single tube at the dollar store but I recently found a 3 pack at another store for a little less. Not everyone has oodles of surplus income that gets spent on excess lip products. I probably spend less than $10 per year. I can think of worse ways to spend my $10.
Lilypad says
I use up every single one. I never lose them. I would never throw away anything that was still useful. It has nothing to do with “conspicuous consumption”. I’m not trying to impress anyone or show off supposed wealth. I just need lip balm frequently and so like to keep them close by as I go about my day. It’s not bothering anyone else, so I’m having a hard time understanding why so many people are getting judgmental about it!!
Traci says
I agree with you – I live in western Colorado with very low humidity. I’ve got a lip balm in my purse, the kitchen, the bedroom, and living room. I use them up before I get a replacement out. What a silly thing to judge me for!
Lynne says
I always have a couple of tubes of tinted balm in my purse – I don’t like lipstick, but need the color and the moisture. I have a tube with SPF in my beach bag for when I go swimming. And always Aquaphor at bedtime (I really love that stuff for lips, dry skin, scratches, whatever). My almost 13 year old niece has a large tackle box that is FILLED with lip balms – she must have over 50. No idea why.
Amanda S says
I don’t wear lipstick, only lip balm and I can’t imagine not wearing it. I reapply all day long. I have 2 different types in my purse, plus an extra strong one in case I do get a split in my lip which happens occasionally. I have one on my desk at work, one in my nightstand, and one in a drawer in my coffee table. Plus lots of unopened ones. That way I have one wherever I am. Maybe it’s lazy but it’s also convenient. I would never leave one in my car though.
Mrs HB says
My HB sis in GA is like you and ALWAYS has her lips on. She looks in the spoon for the reflection for proper application . I myself like balms and stains .
Amanda S says
If by “lips on” you mean lip balm, then yes, that’s me. I think the last time I wore lipstick was to my wedding. (That’s a bit of a lie, I remember wearing it to a Christmas party a few years ago.) I hate the feeling of no lip balm and actually, that’s why I can’t wear lipstick, because it’s matte and drying.
Maria says
There are six in a bowl by the front door, one in the drawer of the coffee table, at least one in every vehicle. Two by my bed, plus all the ones in the unopened packaged in a basket on the shelf. I counted there are 24 in that basket. I coupon and get them for free so it’s not like I am paying for them.
Lip balm has alot of other uses you know (says the addict. I can quit whenever I want to). You can rub it on your elbows when they are chapped and dry, on the end of your nose when it is sore from having a cold (might want to dedicate one certain tube for that chore), anywhere that is chapped and dry.
I melt them down and use them to scramble eggs in the morning. Ok I made that last one up.
gina says
LOL!!!!!!
Anna says
Maria, That last bit about the scrambled eggs was hilarious! Thanks for the laugh.
andrea d. says
Ha! I must confess I have two in my purse, but one is mine, the other belongs to one of my kids. I hardly use it, but like to have one tube handy just in case. That said, my first thought when I saw your post about the multi-packs was that they are perfect for large families. (They make great stocking stuffers.) I have 5 kids, so I can buy one pack and they are covered for the year.
Karen says
I don’t wear lip balm or lipstick. I hate the way makeup feels on my skin. I do drink lots of water though… one big cup of coffee in the morning then only water for the rest of the day. If my lips are chapped, I use a little coconut oil, stolen from my kitchen counter. Oh yeah, I am a mouth breather too.
Kristina says
I apply a balm with spf 15 or higher whenever I’m going to be outside or in the car. Maybe it’s a ginger thing, but I’ve already had skin cancers removed, and my dermatologist tells me that the lips are about the most susceptible place for them. My world is peppered with lip balms, so that I am never not lip balm adjacent.
Jumbe says
If society breaks down no one in her circle will have chapped lips. So there is that.
Jfred says
I have lip balm all over….a couple in the car, 2 in my makeup bag, 1-2 by my bed, by my chair in the LR, by my bed in the rv, and by the front seat in the rv. Now, all were either made by me or a gift from my SIL for xmas….but I like having it when I need it, and not having to go look for a tube or a tub of it. Oh, we also have 1-3 tubes in the laundry room, that my dh left in his work clothes. Those are usually store bought lip balms.
Marcia says
I was the one who said that my kids lose them.
I have exactly one lip balm in my purse, been using it for years.
The kids each have one.
Then I have an unopened pkg with 3 backups! Because I’m sure they’ll lose them.
Monica says
I buy exactly ONE of those lip balm combo packs every winter. Everyone gets one balm in their stocking for Christmas. That’s always been enough for us. It’s a pretty cheap, useful, stocking g stuffer that is pretty universal. What else can you get for literally ANYONE?! But that’s kind of different from having a have dozen in hand at any one time.
Earlene says
If you would check my purse, I have no lip balm , but I probably have 5 lipsticks. And in my travel lunch pack , I probably 3 more lipsticks. I would totally buy the lip balm in the egg if my granddaughters wanted them( I have 4).
Tami says
I dont even have 1 lip balm. Each of my daughters has 1. “They” say if your lips are always dry you really are dehydrated. “They” also say you can become addicted to lip balm…like cigarettes almost. And having so many shows a sign of dependence! Lol
Patty P says
I have one tube of lip balm. I keep it by my bed on my nightstand. I’ve had it for two years (and it’s still going strong). I don’t really like how it feels, but in the winter when my lips are chapped I use it.
bobbi dougherty says
I’m with you Mavis. One. that is all I need and half the time I don’t even know where it is, lolol
Angel says
I have one lip balm in my wallet because I always have my wallet in the car….if you leave lip balm in the car it melts…wasted lip balm…..
I have lip balm beside my bed and one in my bathroom…..I USED to have a ton of them everywhere….completely wasteful for me….may not be for others…I only care about my tends your to hoard stuff,lol
Brianna says
I banned lip balm and lip products from my house nearly 2 years ago. I bought several fun flavored and scented lip smacker varieties for each of my kids (I think it was 5/pack) and I showed them how to use it and a good place to store it. Within a week I had pink waxy drawings on bedding, walls, a few that made it into the laundry, and several empty tubes with my kids pointing fingers at one another for who ate the lip smacker. I hunted down every tube, stick, and cute little tin of it I could find and made sure it would be gone forever. My husband has kid proof lip balm at work….it stays there and doesn’t come home. If my kids or I have chapped lips we use either coconut oil or lanolin.
Krista says
I’m a fairly forgetful person, and I lose stuff easily, and so I used to buy extras of things so I could always have them on hand. But I’ve realised that this habit makes my life very cluttered, so I’m slowly becoming more intentional about the stuff I own. Even if I have more than one, I try to keep a specific item in a specific place, and return it there after I’m finished with it. If I stock up on something, I try to store that intentionally too, so that I can find it when I need it.
I have a small zipped pouch in my handbag that has a lip balm in it. I only need it when the season changes suddenly and my lips dry out. If I used more lip balm, I might keep another one in my car, as it’s safer than digging through my bag for the one stashed there.
Katherine says
I currently have 2 tubes of chapstick with sunscreen. One each for my purse and camera bag. I have 3 tubes w/o sunscreen. One for my purse, one for the kitchen and one on my nightstand. I can live without make-up but I can’t live without my chapstick, sunscreen and hand lotion.
Preppy Pink Crocodile says
Haha I read that yesterday and though oh she’s totally going to get flack for that. I’m never without a lippy {usually Carmex} and a Tervis of ice water. Ever. I get nervous just thinking about it. But I also live in the Northeast. It’s DRY here in the winter…and winter lasts like 97 months {give or take} each year. I’m constantly using lippy, lotion, and drinking water. And a hair band. Those are my essentials.
Though yesterday when you showed the photo of the six pack, my immediate thought was they would make great little gifts. Little teacher or friend gifts- each in a little cello Baggie with a cute note. Cheap and fun.
Angela D. says
I’m on Team HB, too!
Cheryl says
I buy Burt’s Bees Aloe and Peppermint and it lives in my pocket during winter as it is incredibly dry here. I am prone to fever blisters/cold sores/whatever you want to call them and have noticed when my lips have that snap krackle pop texture, soon after I am blessed with the cold sore from hell. So during the winter, one tube is like a new appendage.
Jessica says
I used to buy a ton of balms, but I’ve whittled my way down to one brand. Trader Joe’s sells a three-pack of spearmint “Virtuouso” balms with SPF 15 for about $4, and they last forever and smell wonderful. One on the nightstand, one by my toothbrush and one in the handbag 🙂
Emily B. says
Guilty as charged, an yet….I don’t FEEL guilty. I feel gloriously moisturized! I have two in my car (one carmex, and one tinted when, ya know, I wanna get fancy). I have two in my purse, see above for reasons, and I have one at ALL times in my nightstand drawer (along with hand lotion). Must. Be. Moisturized.
And, let’s not look to closely at lotion. I don’t want to admit to how many of those I have in different kinds, scents, and thicknesses.
JC says
I keep a lip balm next to the bed, in the overnight bag, and in my wallet (don’t usually carry a purse). I think I need to place one of them a year maybe. So I’m with you, Mavis, I never buy that much either, and I am prone to excessively dry skin problems (including lips), and sunburned lips because I’m a ginger.
Sherri says
I own zero lip balms. And I have survived 65 years without one. So glad I never acquired the addiction!