[unpaid/sample] My friend Genevieve has been a long time fan of Albus & Flora so I have wanted to try it for ages. When I came home from Milan a box was waiting for me and now I see what she likes about it so much. It’s absolutely perfect for anyone who just wants a hint of colour on their lips. The rounder, Rachel Williams, has a background in physiology (the effects of physiological and neuroendocrine effects of exercise, stress and climate on the skin and body) and pharmacology, including consultancy and support for Olympic Team GB so I think we can safely assume she knows exactly what she’s doing :-).
There are four colours and one clear (above) and they’re all SPF30 so you get lip protection from any sun exposure. Weirdly, the brand focuses on the balms being anti-ageing which any brand can add as a USP if it contains SPF, and yet there are so many more focus points than that, in my view. For a start, they’re spot on for the lipstick shy – those of us for whom bright colours are just ‘too much’ because these balms leave just enough of a trace to enhance and look polished without being so bright they feel wrong. We all have days where too much is too much. They’re protective at every age obviously and nobody wants sunburnt lips regardless of where in life you are.
The shades, Snowberry Red (divine), Sheer Flora (lightly metallic), Mountain Rose (peachy pink) and Nude Flora (peachy neutral), are lovely – they have an understated presence – and feel beautiful on the lips. Given these are SPF30 they’re very light on the lips and slightly melty when they hit your skin. However, you don’t feel you need to be constantly topping up so it’s a good mix of staying power and discreet colour.
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My favourite – easily – is the Snowberry Red followed by Mountain Rose.
As you can see, Snowberry Red just gives an impression of scarlet in a warm and complexion enlivening way. It’s really spot on for sunny days or even as a poolside or ski slope lippie. The ingredients are very carefully chosen and not ones I see a lot in lip care products – think arctic raspberry seed oil (vitamin E and broad spectrum defence), alpine rose (polyphenols and antioxidants), arctic cranberry seed oil (potent Vitamin E) and so on… the balms` contain beeswax so aren’t vegan.
In the swatch : Snowberry Red, Sheer Flora, Mountain Rose and Nude Flora. They’re £16 each HERE.
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