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another reason Canada is awesome

While I was in Vancouver I sought out some Labello lip balm since it was overwhelmingly recommended. I found the regular balm kind (see this one at Chaptastic) and was pleased to discover I already own some – a friend (thanks Laura!) sent me a Nivea lip balm from the UK and it’s the same. So I grabbed a little squeezy tube of Labello CareGloss & Shine instead and found the sort of lip gloss I’d given up looking for, this makes me so happy.

I had spent some time looking for lip gloss to wear during the day and I was disappointed by nearly everything as it was either too sparkly or flavored with such an overwhelming amount of some chemical approximating “sweet” that I couldn’t stand it. Other kinds make my throat scratchy or were just too darn expensive to wear unless there was somebody around to see it. The Labello stuff is transparent, it does have a bit of pinkish mica in it but they are the type that make your lips look shiny, not sparkly. The scent is so light I do not notice it. And it has staying power. There is no SPF, but it does layer well.

I liked it so much I made sure I got some more before we headed home. You cannot buy this in US shops, but it certainly isn’t hard to find online (be aware there are a few tinted versions as well, the one shown here is called transparent). Note to Canadians, according to my receipts it’s much less expensive at London Drugs than Shoppers.

Now that I found something I want to buy again it’s likely to be immediately discontinued. You’ve been warned.

· comments [21] · 02-20-2007 · categories:beauty ·

21 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Chelsea // Feb 20, 2007 at 10:01 am

    I read Something Rotten and loved it. His books are great. I really want to try out that lip balm.

  • 2 Monkee // Feb 20, 2007 at 10:25 am

    Things I love are always getting discontinued. I know how you feel.

  • 3 lena // Feb 20, 2007 at 11:09 am

    there are some labellos with spf. merz apothacary here in chicago has a huge selection and i’ve just found they have an online site. here it is megan. the spf 25 version is a tad waxy feeling as you apply it, but it isn’t white on the lips, and it is smooth on, much like the classic blue version. hydro with uv filter (a german thing, unknown rating) is lovely but they appear to be out right now.
    http://www.smallflower.com/brand/br839

    lovely!

  • 4 Carina // Feb 20, 2007 at 2:28 pm

    You should definitely try Maybelline’s shineylicious lip gloss. It’s a glassy gloss, but not sparkly.

  • 5 megan // Feb 20, 2007 at 2:54 pm

    Carina – Since all the colors names are flavored I figured the gloss itself is flavored. Is it?

  • 6 laura dot // Feb 20, 2007 at 4:40 pm

    This sounds like a great product. I like the labello lip balm already – it’s weird you can’t get it in the U.S. I will have to check this out next time I am at shoppers.

  • 7 Suraiya // Feb 20, 2007 at 7:36 pm

    As someone from Vancouver I love your list! I’m heading down to Seattle in a couple of days and have a very similar one…someone should start some sort of US to Canada goodies swap :)

  • 8 jennifer // Feb 20, 2007 at 9:34 pm

    Just FYI, Clinique Superbalm. Is essential. I have unusually dry lips all the time and need a layer of super balm. Its affordable and extraordinary.

  • 9 Amy // Feb 20, 2007 at 9:48 pm

    Hmm, might have to pick some up. Interesting the price differences you found between Shoppers and London Drugs. Will keep that in mind!

  • 10 laura // Feb 21, 2007 at 4:29 am

    London Drugs rocks! I miss them, I really do …

  • 11 missval // Feb 21, 2007 at 7:41 am

    Oh Canada, how I love it there. Next time, try the lays curry potato chips. We have to get several bags everytime we go, then we do not share with people. Very naughty, but soooo good.

  • 12 Mary // Feb 21, 2007 at 8:04 am

    I bought some LaBello when I was in Germany back in 2004. I still have it. I try to use it sparingly. It is the most amazing lip balm ever probably because it is milk and honey flavored.

  • 13 Melanie Watts // Feb 21, 2007 at 8:18 am

    I’m so glad you think Canada is awesome. Being able to buy Nivea Labello lipgloss is not the only reason, check out this link. :)

  • 14 DW // Feb 22, 2007 at 7:53 pm

    You should try the Borghese lip gloss trio at Costco. It is fabulous and very inexpensive. Three big tubes (it is Costco) for only $12.99. The colors are great too!

  • 15 alesha // Feb 23, 2007 at 9:25 am

    Labello Rules!!! YAY!

  • 16 CanadianChick // Feb 23, 2007 at 7:52 pm

    almost EVERYTHING is less expensive at London Drugs – I LOVE that place.

    It’s really hard to explain to people…why yes, I bought my computer from the same place I get my prescriptions filled – why do you ask?

    *lol*

    And labello is awesome – I have the solid stuff.

  • 17 cupcaketastic // Feb 26, 2007 at 1:01 am

    I have this in my handbag! Its my fav and lasts all day long. With my glasses on and a bit on this on my lips I feel like a movie star. Whoooo Hooo, I have something that not martha has.loves. Ok I;m over it. Nivea is the brand on my tube.

  • 18 kathy // Feb 26, 2007 at 7:36 am

    just after reading your post re:Labello I was heading to Spain. I have always purchased regular Labello when in Europe and thought I’d give this one a try. Found it right at the checkout counter at a grocery store here in Torremolinos, it’s called Liposan here but is otherwise the same as you have pictured…………it’s great and the weather is too.

  • 19 Kerry // Feb 27, 2007 at 9:36 am

    Lays curry chips suck. The doritos tandoori ones are better. And, I just meandered my way into Pharmaprix yesterday (Shopper Drug Mart for all you non-Quebeccers) and found myself purchasing a tube of the lovely Caregloss and Shine. It’s pretty much my new favourite thing asides from my old Lush Eggnog lip balm and the beautiful hint-o-color pizazz of the L’oreal colourjuice lip gloss. Would that be colorjuice for you folks? Regardless.

  • 20 Melissa // Mar 13, 2007 at 2:02 pm

    I was searching for the Milk & Honey variety, because that is a favorite flavor of mine, but had no luck.

    I did, though, find this website, at which you can find other flavors and types on the cheap (or at least compared to the 7 bucks Amazon wants!!)

    http://www.getcanadiandrugs.com

  • 21 Laurie // Mar 24, 2008 at 8:28 am

    Hello from Toronto!
    I love Labello Caregloss and Shine too, but I’ve always bought the ‘Tinted’ shade. It’s been discontinued :( It was a nice alternative to the red, pink, and clear shades, it was actually the closest shade to my own lips with just a little vavoom – great for both day and evening. I was hoping some of you lip balm lovers would help me write to the powers that be at Nivea to ask for this product to be brought back to the market.
    Thank you in advance

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