Forest Essentials Madhu Rasa Anar Rasa lip balm

This is the second Forest Essential’s make up product that I am reviewing. The first product, FE’s kajal was a bit of a disaster (see review below) and thankfully this product is much better.

FE have taken great pains to highlight the benefits of this product. Here is a link to their non-technical verbiage. FE refer to the product as a lip serum: its a balm because when I think of serums, my mind thinks of a liquid.

I have been using this product (colour: Anar Rasa) for a week now and its super-inoffensive and its features are:

• It has a slight candy-like artificial smell (which you don’t notice after about ten minutes of application
• It does not have a sticky, icky feel, unless you use it more than 5 times etc
• Pigmented colour does show but requires multiple applications. In the photo below, I have swiped over my lips seven times.
• Colour does not stay (as you would expect of a lip balm)
• Packaging in golden container is very old fashioned but extremely pleasing
• Its a great addition to my lockdown routine: it gives a hint of colour without being a lipstick

On the benefits to my lips, it is a semi-light weight moisturiser: it is not as softening as Vaseline, but it is definitely more moisturising than FE’s shea butter lip conditioner. It probably is not enough to prevent chapping during peak winter in New Delhi (when temperature is regularly below 5C), but it is wonderful to use throughout the year.

I don’t know how it will hold up in 30-40 C, which will be the true test of the product’s physical integrity. (Watch this space for that update)

What does the product look like

My lips with no balm – yes, I am aware that asymmetry does not do any justice as a word to my misshapen lips.

With the lip balm (seven applications)

Will I be buying this product again?

Honestly, for the price of INR 1,300 (US$ 18), I am directly comparing it to Clarins Lip Oil (US$ 26) on Sephora. For proper long term lipcare I would still use Clarins Lip Oil, for two reasons. (1) Clarins Lip Oil is quick absorbing and this FE lip balm is not. The temptation is then to quickly reapply as soon as the product is absorbed by your lips. It is a problem that is characteristic of cheaper lip balms and I am sure you know what I mean (2) If I was younger, then this would be a great lip balm, but I am in my early 40s and I need products that I feel are going to diminish the appearance of fine lines and don’t need repeated application.

Honestly, I am being harsh on FE because this is a great first attempt at a tinted lip balm and the standard set by Clarins Lip Oil is pretty high. So well done FE.

Available for sale at Forest Essentials

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