The iVillage editorial team are true lip balm connoisseurs. We asked them to put eight lip balms through their paces

Vaseline Lip Therapy, 99p
A bit like beauty lard in a tin, Vaseline is pretty hardcore. It's intensely greasy, but really sorts out dry and cracked lips. I always have one of the handy little tins on my desk at work and in my handbag, and apply a generous layer several times a day to ward off any hint of dryness. It's virtually impossible to apply lipstick on top, since it sits on your lips like an oil slick for at least 15 minutes. However, it's cheap, cheerful and brilliant for keeping your pout perfect.
iVillage verdict: Bargain buy

Blistex Herbal Balm, £2.25
I'm a fan of Blistex already, but this is the first time I've used this particular lip balm and I'm pretty impressed. Unlike other Blistex balms, this comes in a stick format. The balm isn't too gloopy or too runny and the herbal taste - a mixture of aloe, avocado, camomile, shea butter and jojoba - is quite nice. The blurb claims that the balm moisturises and soothes and I agree. It also has an SPF of 15, which is a great added extra. My lips do feel softer and moisturised, although I have noticed that I do need more of it as time goes on. I presume my lips are just getting used to it.

Virgin Vie Lip Defence SPF15 Anti-Oxidant Lip Balm, £5.50
Hands up - I'm a lip balm addict and have been since the age of 13. There are not many balms I haven't tried, but the Virgin Vie range is virgin territory for me. Described as being 'perfect for combating dryness', it sounds perfect for my winter-worn lips. The balm is sleekly packaged in a posh lipstick case, but unfortunately after a few applications, the stick started wobbling around and looked a bit fragile. Otherwise, the balm is good, though a bit sticky. It has a plain taste, gives your lips a lovely glow and most importantly does seem to nourish and replenish them.

Clinique, Superbalm Lip Treatment, £8.50
I've always suffered from dry, flaky lips, and am a seasoned lip balm wearer. This pinkish balm was thicker in texture than most other balms I've tried and slightly stickier, although not so sticky as to be off-putting. A small amount of it went a very long way - a tiny dab was enough to cover my whole lips and unlike some of the cheaper brands I've tried, it stayed put on my lips for longer rather than migrating around my mouth. My lips felt pleasantly tingly for a while after I put it on and also significantly more hydrated. I wouldn't recommend it for application under lipstick as it's a bit too thick, but it's a great nourishing treatment for slicking onto your lips before bed.
iVillage verdict: Best intensive treatment

Lancôme, primordiale lèvres, £20
This is less of a lip balm and more of a lip treatment. The cream comes in a tiny pump dispenser in Lancôme's signature classy packaging. Touted as a 'plumping balm', this isn't the easiest product to apply on the go as you can't put it directly on your lips and have to use your fingers. But it feels satiny-smooth and non-greasy. It gave long-lasting moisture to my winter-dry lips and my lipstick didn't slide off when applied on top of the cream. As for delivering younger and plumper-looking lips - this isn't a replacement for collagen implants if you're looking for a Jagger-pout. But I definitely enjoyed using this more than the cheaper balms and my lips feel as if they've been treated to some posh tlc.

Caboodles Flower Power lip balm in cherry, £2.79 from Superdrug
Caboodles Flower Power Cherry lip balm fulfills every girl's dream of lip gloss. It's light pink. It smells sweet. It comes in a clear plastic pot shaped like a flower. If you love wearing sandals and live for nail polish, this is the finishing touch. But while your fashion sense may be satisfied, your chapped lips may not. A fingertip of the stuff goes on smoothly, but after about half an hour it starts to feel gritty. It even made my sensitive lips peel. Still, at just £2.79, it's a lot cuter than pulling your average lip balm pot out of your bag. Who knows? Flower Power might just grow on you.

Lypsyl lip balm in Strawberry, £1.20
I'm not really a great lip balm wearer - not because I have luscious soft lips but because I just forget to put it on. The great thing about Lypsyl's strawberry stick is that it smells and tastes great - in a kids' sweets kind of way - and this is enough to keep me putting it on! The one down side is that it doesn't seem to stay on my lips long, although this could be down to me licking it off too regularly! Not what you'd call a glamorous, luxury item. But you can't beat it for a nostalgic trip down memory lane back to childhood.
iVillage verdict: Best tasting

Simple Sun Lip Protector Factor 25, £3.75
A beauty editor once told me that lip balms are a great base for lipstick and I've been using them ever since. I loved the translucent look and feel of this product and within days my lips - which are notoriously sensitive - felt so much better, softer and more moist. I've discarded lots of lip balms in the past because of their greasy, 'globby' quality. Thankfully, there were no such problems with this product. Definitely the least greasy product I've ever used. The sun was in hiding on the day I tried it, so I can't speak about its sun protection qualities. But I'd definitely try it out in the summer. Generally, I just loved the way it felt.
iVillage verdict: Best base for lipstick