Review: Thann Shiso Lip Butter

This rave review is slightly tinged with guilt. Guilt because of all the times I walked past the Fresh counter and announced "I've heard so many praises for this lip balm but I absolutely cannot justify paying a couple hundred (HK) dollars for a lip balm." All the time I spent in drugstores and discount stores hunting for a great but inexpensive (below HKD50 in my mind) chapstick. All the times I walked into Kiehls, swiped a generous amount of balm onto my lips and declared that, even though it smelled amazing, I would never buy this if I could find a tube of Lip Smackers.

Oops.

It all started when my colleague asked me to help her buy something in Thann during my Bangkok trip. A simple request, made less simple when I walked into the store. The ambience was gorgeously earthy and comforting wafts of lemongrass floated through the store. Streams of wood-scented steam trailed from sticks of incense next to pots of ginger tea and ceramic cups. I felt like I was immediately transported to a spa.

I started out sampling some hand cream, then an oat scrub, and...it just snowballed from there. I dimly remember piling products into my basket as soon as I saw the "20% off with 2 or more products" sign. I think I caved when I saw the 'Marie Claire 2012 Awards' sticker on the packaging. I'm not entirely sure...the whole memory is still foggy, unlike the very solid and real credit bill. I placed this box in my basket and moved on...to the toner section, stayed tuned! 

Thann's Shiso lip butter is created with natural botanical ingredients and contains no artificial ingredients such as petroleum jelly or parabens. The actual product squeezes out clear and scentless and applies easily and smoothly over the lips, sinking in quickly and leaving my lips soft but...natural-feeling. There is absolutely no thick and waxy texture; it feels as though I wet my lips and patted them dry, and my lips stayed soft and matte for hours. 

I love the natural effect but I hate the tiny squeeze tube. It's just...so very tiny, and I think I paid just under HKD200 for this product. 

So here I am, coming clean with my hypocrisy and wishing that Thann is just more affordable because I want so badly to repurchase this lip balm but...I absolutely cannot justify paying a couple hundred dollars for a lip balm... again.