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Review of Kaplan MD Lip 20 Balm

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Kaplan MD Lip 20 Balm Pricegrabber
Dr. Stuart H. Kaplan is a world-renown dermatologist in Beverly Hills, California. He’s known for medical consulting on many television series, as well as being loved and adored by many celebrities in Hollywood. Since most of us live outside of Beverly Hills we haven’t been able to try any of his fabulous and world-renown products, until now. Dr. Kaplan has launched his line of skin care and makeup products at Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus. Our first review was of Kaplan MD’s Lip 20, which is a sheer lipstick. To continue our testing we have decided to test the Kaplan MD Lip 20 Balm, which is supposed to be an ultra-hydrating lip treatment meant to moisturize and repair your lips while slightly plumping them at the same time. So let’s find out the results.

Pros and Cons of Kaplan MD Lip 20 Balm

Pros:

  • Very moisturizing
  • Not sticky or tacky
  • Can be used by both men and women
  • Gives your lips a slight natural plump by using Hyaluronic Filling Spheres
  • Absorbs quickly
  • Contains SPF20

    • Cons:

  • Extremely bad "taste" that doesn't go away
  • Price may be too high for most

    • Description of Kaplan MD Lip 20 Balm

  • Manufactured by: Kaplan MD (USA)
  • Uses Hyaluronic Filling Spheres & Marine Collagen for a more natural lip plumper
  • Contains no parabens, castor oil or petroleum jelly
  • Infused with 22 certified organic extracts
  • Available online and in-store through Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman
  • Size: 0.35 ounces
  • Only available in clear
  • Suggested Price: $35

    • Review of Kaplan MD Lip 20 Balm

    After reviewing several of the other Kaplan MD lip products I thought I would round out the reviews with their Lip 20 Balm. The balm is supposed to be used alone or as a good base for you lipstick, lip liner or lip gloss. Over time, and with daily use, the product is supposed to moisturize, repair, and slightly plum you lips naturally. Since the Lip 20 Balm follows suit with the Kaplan MD Lip 20 Lipstick and the Lip 20 Treatment Gloss you get the benefit of their naturally plumping technology of Marine Collagen through their MaxLip Technology. This is also combined with Hyaluronic Spheres which naturally fill lines in your lips, giving you a more natural plumping effect. Basically this means that you may notice a slight plump, but your lips won’t look like Angelina Jolie.

    Just as with their lip gloss the balm also contains the super moisturizer Seabuckthorn Berry Extract. This doesn’t make your lips feel slick, greasy, tacky or sticky but instead moisturized and very comfortable. The balm also has a mint scent and slight mint-like taste, which could be part of the not-so-likeable “taste” overall. I believe this could be from a combination of the natural extracts, but I cannot be 100% sure. At any rate there is a definite taste, and unfortunately it doesn't go away until you wipe it off and scrub your lips. The feel of the balm is the best part, and I think of this product as a combination between a lip balm and a lip gloss. This is because it doesn’t leave your lips looking like an oil slick, and you can use it as a base for your lip products without having them run or bleed.

    The packaging doesn’t have the “wow” factor that the lipstick had, but this is a good thing because the navy blue tube will allow men to feel comfortable using it as well. The 0.35 ounce tube is comparable to a tube of drugstore brand lip balm, but the price tag is not. Unfortunately the price sits at around $35, and for many people this is way too expensive for a simple lip balm no matter what it does for your lips. Technically the product is a balm, but it is also a lip treatment with an added SPF20 so if that helps with the price then go with it.

    Bottom Line on Kaplan MD Lip 20 Balm

    A great concept for a lip treatment balm over all, especially if you don’t want added color, but getting over the lofty price and extremely bad taste may be difficult. After all, why would you pay $35 for a bad tasting lip balm when you can buy the Kaplan Lipstick or Gloss for less and get the same benefits? Or better yet drop $6 on Smith's Rosebud Salve and keep your lips and wallet happy.

    Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.

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