The fashion experts: The best lip balms

Sometimes it seems that the world can be divided into two types of people – those who can live without lip balm and those who can't. I'm firmly in the second camp – and never more so than in the deep midwinter, when icy winds and drying central heating conspire to shred my lips.

For heavy-duty re-plumping, try a smear of Lucas' Papaw Ointment (£4.99, pawpawshop.co.uk). First invented in the early 1900s in Australia, it's something of a wonder-balm with myriad topical uses and one which no self-respecting Antipodean would be without. Of course, on these isles it's of more use soothing windburn than sunburn, but the principle is the same.

Another old-fashioned invention is Carmex (£2.65, boots.com), which was first cooked on a stovetop more than 75 years ago. Although the strong taste of camphor and menthol takes some getting used to, users crave the tingling the waxy balm provides – nothing else will do.

Nuxe's Ultra Nourishing Lip Balm (£9.50, marksandspencer.com), tested in extreme conditions in Canada, is just that; although it should be dabbed from the pot to prevent any graininess.