August 16, 2011

Nuance Salma Hayek Rose Petal Hydrating Balm Review, Swatches, Photos

My love for Rosebud Salve really knows no bounds. I keep one in my desk drawer, one on my desk, one on my nightstand, one on my vanity, one in my bathroom….yeah, well, I’m obsessed with, I’ve made no secret about that.

But I’m a beauty junkie and therefore I have no loyalties to any one product so I’m always willing to try something new! Eep! How horrid of me to go cheating on Rosebud Salve but sorry the new Nuance Salma Hayek Rose Petal Hydrating Balm looked mighty interesting and it whispered at me to take it home since its on sale this week at CVS.

It didn’t take a whole lot of urging from the balm to actually get me to buy it….!

Jump!


An intense moisture balm with Evening Primrose Oil helps soothe irritated skin and provide long-lasting moisture for chapped lips, rough cuticles, cracked elbows and other dry patches.


Just like Rosebud Salve, Nuance Rose Petal Hydrating Balm is a little multitasking demon that can be used on lips as well as elbows, knees, cuticles, etc…..I actually went into the purchase assuming I’d be using it on my lips but was delighted that the box mentions using it anywhere you have drier areas! Awesome…! Heck, I use Rosebud Salve on smaller cuts sometimes so I guess Rose Petal Hydrating Balm can do the multitasking trick too!

Although they dub it an intense moisture balm I wouldn’t go THAT far. It’s hydrating and leaves a nice moisturizing finish on my lips or anywhere else I use it but I wouldn’t call it intensely moisturizing, it’s very nice and does keep drier areas smooth and soft, but not so much so that you’re feeling all kinds of cured from your dry, flaky, cracked skin.

This comes in a very elegant little pot that features a black lid and a clear plastic base. I like the packaging alot, count me surprised as hey, I did buy it at the drugstore…but it’s simple, understated, and has a little touch of elegance to it.

The actual balm inside is a translucent shade of pink that has a sweet rose scent. I find it smells and tastes very pleasant. The taste isn’t an overpowering full on rose, they actually sweetened the rose so it comes across very pleasant smelling and tasting on lips. The formula is made up of Primrose oil and shea butter plus it’s paraben free. After reading through the ingredients, I’m not chemist though, it appears the formula is quite friendly outside of the addition of Mineral Oil. I personally have no issues with Mineral Oil but some folks do so thought it deserved mentioning.

The texture of the gloss starts off a tad hard but you can press against it for a few seconds and it’ll melt. It glides onto my lips easily and leaves behind a touch of shine without feeling balm-y or waxy. It’s very lightweight and has a hydrating feel that does not have an unpleasant, uncomfortable wear.

There are a few bad factors…


I try to make my peace with balms and glosses and such that come in a package that isn’t exactly travel friendly. Depending how anal you are you’re not going to love the idea of dipping your fingers into the balm to apply, this also makes the product hard to travel with as we don’t always have clean hands 100% of the time we are out and about. So, yeah, kinda gross packaging.

The size versus the price is a little iffy if you’re already a fan of Rosebud Salve. Rosebud Salve will set you back six bucks for 0.8 oz of product versus this which is 0.265 oz and $7.49. You’re getting a hell of alot more product with the Rosebud Salve option.

You’re probably be using this alot on your lips however if you do use it on your eyebrows (great way to keep them in place) or around your face you might not love the addition of Mineral Oil in the ingredients.

  • Anyone who likes lip balms with soft, hydrating finishes.
  • Anyone who likes a product that can multitask for them (use it on your flaky areas, use it on your cuticles, your lips, to keep your brows in place, etc…)
  • Those who love rose scented and flavored lip products!
  • Those sensitive to flavored and scented lip products or sensitive to floral scents.

  • Those wanting more for less (the size is considerably smaller than other balms of the same style and the price alot more).
  • Those who aren’t keen on mineral oil as an ingredient.
  • Those anal about packaging that makes you use your fingertips to apply.


Nuance Salma Hayek Rose Petal Hydrating Balm is an excellent little balm with a few quirks that prevented me from Muse Approving it for purchase. Overall, the balm is a fabulous little treat for lips that lacks the petroleum that Rosebud Salve is made up of. The price is a little bit higher but it may be worth the haul if you really aren’t a lover of petroleum based balms. I thought the balm was a rather nice little pick for soothing dry, chapped lips plus easily multitasked for other dry areas. For something created for a drugstore, this lacks no issues with the quality and presentation of the product. So far Salma Hayek has captured my interest with her Nuance Makeup Collection, I had my doubts but she’s proven me wrong if this balm has anything to say about it.

Note: Apologies but someone pointed out that Mineral Oil and Petroleum are one in the same. I’m not big on researching ingredients and didn’t realize that so please take that into account when reading the review! Thanks 🙂

Likey!

Available now at CVS.

I suggest heading to CVS this week as all Nuance Color Cosmetics are Buy 1, Get 1 Free.

If you tried the balm, I’d love for you to share your thoughts on it!

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Sarah S.

    Hi Muse! This is a great sale, making me buy a couple of things to try that I probably wouldn’t have bothered trying… I’ve got the “Flawless Coverage” mineral foundation and tinted moisturizer which I bought about 15 minutes ago, heh, and I’m going to give them a try out tomorrow! I really hope I don’t have a reaction because I have a vacay coming up, but they do say “non-comedogenic” “Hypoallergenic” and “fragrance free” so wish me luck. If they’re great or terrible, I’ll review on my blog (middling things usually get stuck in a box somewhere…) but I can’t try this rose stuff b/c I hate potted products and I hate rose scent esp. on lips!

    • the Muse

      hey sarah I thought so too. I prob wouldn’t have indulged if it wasn’t for the sale. keep your receipt, return it if it doesn’t work. CVS is good with returns! GOOD LUCK! ;-D I love rose products 😀 fragrance, lotions, etc…but def hate the pot :-/

  • Cj

    I love balms like these! So many uses lol. One question tho is it solid? Like you can just swirl your finger on the top or does your finger just go all the way through like a cream or something?

    • the Muse

      no it’s actual dense CJ but it’s melt-y if you press hard enough…but not so much so that your finger will go right through to the bottom if that makes sense? ;-D!

      • Cj

        Awesome thanks! 😀 I’m so gonna get this as soon as I see it in CVS 😛

        • the Muse

          my pleasure! It’s Buy 1, get 1 this week so def check out the line as that’s a killer offer imho! OR at the very least ask for a rain check if they don’t have it yet….! simply have them look through the flyer point out they don’t have Nuance yet and can you please get a rain check ;-D

          Use the rain check for the sale price when the items come in stock!

  • kiwikiwidragon

    Bought one, went back for second one. Like it but not love. Why the second one then? Well, I am a total sucker for rose balms. The smell is great., the feel and performance, ok. Its good under gloss and lipstick.
    Mine was so hard to undue the first time I literally threw it on the carpet a few times to maybe break the seal. It worked I was finally able to open that damn jar! The second one wasn’t as tight, thank goodness. Avon is coming out with a rose cuticle balm in the next few weeks. Also check out Tokyo Milk’s rose water lip balm, its nice too.

    • the Muse

      hey kiwi got TM’s version LOVE ;-D I have far to many of TM’s balms hanging around ;-D Loving the Avon deets, thanks! I need that ;-D I’m obsessed with products that have rose and this was gorgeous ;-D

  • Liane

    mineral oil actually is petroleum, so it’s not really any better than rosebud salve.

    • the Muse

      ah Thanks Liane…I’m not much on ingredients, didn’t realize they were one in the same.

  • Jayne

    I think I’m going to skip this one. I really don’t see how it could be better than the “real” Rosebud Salve, plus the fact that you get so much less product for so much more money just makes this seem unnecessary. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. But thanks for the review, otherwise I probably would have bought it anyways! Haha.

  • kimkats

    damitalltohell…. If I can ever find a CVS that actually has the Nuance in stock, I’m gonna do me some damage!!

    I’m not trying to pick nits (ew) but I think “petrolatum” is what we’re talking about with Smith’s salve – petroleum is basically crude oil right outta the ground, and I know none of us would slap that on our lips! (or anywhere else!) Just trying to keep folks from getting confuzzled – I know it happens too easily to me!

    Speaking of the Smith’s salves, is the rosebud one the best? The strawberry one sounds nice too, as does the rosebud mint one! I’ve never used one (?!) so now I simply must have one if it’s Muse approved, but wanna get the best one! Which do you rec?

    Thanks for another stellar review Muse!

    Kim 🙂

    • the Muse

      spell check sorry kim ;-D all correct now. ;-D I like them all…mint, strawberry, rose ;-D they are just awesome imho! ;-D my pleasure!

  • Xail

    Do you think that this would be fine to use on burns like you can with Rosebud Salve? My mom just got a burn from getting her eyebrows waxed, and I don’t feel like going to Sephora to pick up some more Rosebud if this is able to do the same thing, since CVS is a block away from me. (Also, the sale on this whole brand is very tempting…)

    • the Muse

      xail…I’m not sure. I used it on a hang nail and it worked a treat but wax burn…mmmm maybe?! I think the thicker texture of salve is the best thing to go with or a little Vaseline!

      • Xail

        Hmm, maybe I will go to Sephora, then, or at least break out the tub of Vaseline…my poor mom also had an allergic reaction to the bacitracin she used after she got her eyebrows waxed, so maybe the Rosebud or Vaseline would be the best option. I only have the Minted Rose salve at home, but I’m afraid it’ll sting like hell.

        I might pick up this product for myself, though, because of the sale. Can’t resist a good sale… *shakes head*

        • the Muse

          rosebud salve best stuff ever xail! Hope your mum is feeling better! me either lol damn sales!

  • kiwikiwidragon

    All the balms mentioned here have petroleum/mineral oil. It is a personal choice to like or dislike it. I have all the Rosebud balms, my favorite is the Mocha vanilla. The rose version doesn’t really smell like roses to me, unlike the Nuance version and Tokyo Milks versions. That being said the rose version of the Rosebud balm isn’t bad, its just a matter of preference and personal choice. Personally I don’t like the bird nest thing for facial masks or goat poop coffee (its real) or monkey picked tea, but that’s why there are literally so many choices out there. Whoo hoo!! PO-ed about the muppet palette thing from thebalm…grrrrrr

  • tee

    Sounds tempting… And oohh… I just looovvveee roses…

    Btw,Have you tried badger lip & body balm? That’s my holy grail balm so far…

    • the Muse

      oh yes tee 🙂 I’ve reviewed a ton of the badger balms on Musings ;-D awesome stuff!

  • mumtaza

    I bought 3 of these. 5 of the lipsticks, both lip quads and two cheek trios. I know it’s a lot but with the bogo and mucho cvs extrabuck coupons it wasn’t too bad. I wanted to stock up because I am crazy about lipsticks/colors that actually moisturize! Before nuance the best one I used was 3 custom colors lipgloss palettes. I even wore those overnight. but 3 custom colors is very high-end, worth it but still, $$$. So for $5 a pop plus coupons I took salma up on it! You are right about the rose petals balm though, I am halfway through one! I carry a covered lipbrush in my purse. germ problem solved. also, those little pots seem to have a sort of child-proof catch on them. when you figure it out it’s nice. they won’t open in your purse.

    • the Muse

      nice haul mumtaza ;-D I noticed that about the balm! I should have mentioned it because I can’t begin to tell you how many times balm has unscrewed and made a mess of my makeup bag!

  • Veronica

    Thank you for the wonderful detailed review! I bought it today w/ some doubt, but I like the balm. The cute black top is somewhat loose.

  • kim

    Just bought it and cannot get it open- the little jar has instructions for locking it closed, but not for opening. Does not twist open no matter what I do. Does not flip open. Would love to try it but it will go back.