The Agave Lip Mask comes in a thick metal tube with a screw on cap. Much better than a pot, but the tube is really difficult to squeeze! The first time I used it, I squeezed for a while without any luck. Suddenly, the product started oozing out the top and I couldn’t get it to stop. It made a slight mess of the lid, but nothing too horrible. I guess I would recommend waiting a minute or two before continuing to squeeze, as there seems to be a slight delay in the initial release of the product. I’m kind of on the fence about the packaging, but I prefer a tube to a pot and I’m not sure how else you could package it.
The first thing I noticed is that this is a thick lip treatment. That said, it doesn’t feel thick or heavy on the lips. It kind of creates a soft and protective gel-like barrier that keeps the elements out, while sealing in moisture. It actually feels very nice and protective on the lips – and it stays put! Even using it during the day, it takes a fair amount of eating and drinking before it fully wears off! This would be fantastic if you’re going skiing or just going to be out in a harsh climate for any length of time. It is a tiny bit tacky on the lips, but it’s not at all sticky or uncomfortable. And if feeling wonderful weren’t enough, it smells and tastes insanely good! It’s infused with Vanilla and it has a true vanilla bean kind of scent – not too sweet or bakery-like. It’s delicious! J
I was hoping that this would completely rid my lips of any dry, flaky bits. So far, it has not quite done that, but my lips feel much softer, more supple and nicely hydrated. I don’t feel like my lips are likely to crack or peel, and I have no fear of the wind or the bitter cold when I wear the Agave Lip Mask. I do still need to exfoliate them once in a while to remove any flaky bits, but my lips feel much nicer and more comfortable than with only the traditional balms or night treatments I have tried.
As for the description as being as “mask,” I would call it more of a treatment. It’s not the kind of thing that you wipe off after a certain period of time like a face mask. Perhaps it’s similar to an intensive hair mask that you leave on overnight, but I still wouldn’t intentionally remove the Agave Lip Mask. Whatever you want to call it, it is a wonderful product for soft, hydrated and protected lips.
I have to say that I’m not convinced it is worth the $26 price tag, although I suspect the tube will last a long, long time. It is a wonderful product and I really like the way it makes my lips feel, but less expensive balms keep my lips feeling comfortable enough without breaking the bank. If you have a lot of trouble with dry lips, live in a particularly cold or windy climate, and/or do a lot of outdoor activities, this is probably worth the splurge. For me, it’s a nice treat that smells and tastes divine while making my lips feel wonderful, but it’s not something that I would die without. Still, I may continue to purchase this…in two or three years when it actually runs out! J Well done, Bite Beauty! J
I feel it is also important to discuss the ingredients a bit since the first ingredient is lanolin, which can be somewhat controversial in cruelty-free circles. Feel free to skip this bit if you’re not interested! J
So, on to the ingredients. The Agave Lip Mask claims to be 99% Natural, and the ingredients are mostly recognizable. Like all Bite products, this is rich in Resveratrol, which is high in antioxidants and delivers the equivalent of resveratrol from 15 glasses of red wine! J In other words, it’s supposed to be very nourishing and anti-aging. So, for those interested in the ingredient list, it is as follows: Lanolin (medical grade) Castor Seed Oil, Organic Shea Butter, Organic Glyceryl Rosinate Blue Agave Nectar, Organic Olive Oil Unsaponifiables Beeswax, Organic Flavor Vanillin Monk Fruit Vanilla Fruit Extract Carnauba Wax Trans-Resveratrol Grape Oil Tocopherol Acetate Honeysuckle Flower Extract Jojoba Seed Oil
Nothing too horrifying, although some will have strong objections to the lanolin. I have to admit, I almost didn’t buy it because of the lanolin. If you’re not sure what lanolin is, it’s a waxy substance that is secreted by a sheep’s skin to help weatherproof, waterproof and maintain skin hygiene. That’s actually exactly what the Lip Mask seems to do too. Lanolin is a by-product of wool production and is commonly used in cosmetics. It is usually extracted from already harvested wool as it passes through rollers, often to make yarn or felt, so nothing is done directly to the sheep other than the removal of wool…and that is where some objections enter the picture. I’m not an expert on the horrors of the wool industry, but I know that some people will not purchase anything that can help support the it. So if that is of concern to you, be aware that the main ingredient in Bite Beauty’s Agave Lip Mask is lanolin.
I hope you found this review of the Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask helpful! It is a pricey little tube, but it’s a nice luxury pampering product. Does anyone need it? Of course not! But it certainly is a really nice lip treatment! J
The Agave Lip Mask can be purchased exclusively from Sephora in the US.
