Ask Chaptastic: Love Is In the Air

Dear Chaptastic,

Long-time reader, first-time commenter. Quick question: as we approach Valentines Day, can you recommend some hot 'n sexy chapsticks that can keep my lips smooth and supple, ready for all the hard work they'll be doing, while at the same time looking great? Also, have you come across any chapsticks that double as herpes blockers? That would be awesome!

-Anonymous


Excellent questions. There are plenty of lip balms out there that can get you ready for all that "hard work" to which you allude, which I'm assuming is in no way inappropriate and involves reading Valentines Day cards out loud to orphans.

If you're looking for color and shine, you're set with any balms from Alba Botanicals, Juice Beauty, or Carol's Daughter. For exceptional softness, the Softlips flavors are excellent and come with SPF 20 to protect your lips from the winter sun.

For me V-Day is all about the candy, and there are some luscious chocolate lip balms out there from Ganache for Lips, Oh Wow, and Chocolate Lip Bliss (from Etsy seller Alchemille). Pookie has a bunch of great balms, including a special Valentine's Bubble Gum flavor.

Certain foods like honey have softening properties all on their own, so if you're feeling creative (you know, with the orphans) then raid the kitchen cabinets.

As for the second part of your question, I don't believe there are any sticks that double as herpes blockers. In fact, I think the only things that are herpes blockers are condoms and abstinence, only one of which is 100% effective. There are special lip balms out there like Herpecin that provide relief to herpes sufferers and Abreva, an antiviral topical, but on the whole I'd probably avoid making out with anyone who whips out one of those sticks.

If you want to avoid the risk altogether, don't share your lip balm with anyone- it's possible to pass colds and other viruses (and herpes is a virus!) to others or yourself. Luckily, if you did get herpes from a lip lock, it'd likely be of the HSV-1 variety, not the HSV-2 can be much more serious (don't let those ads fool you- having herpes isn't all hiking trips and windsurfing). Short of a physical barrier, there's nothing that can guarantee protection, so unless you want to wear a dental dam on your face, I'd say be cautious and conservative with those lips.