Review - Chopsaver lip balm - For Musicians with Lips.

Having suffered badly from cold sores all my life I am always on the
look out for new products to take care of my chops and to hopefully
minimise the amount of outbreaks I suffer from.

In fact, I use to carry a small bag full of various different ointments, creams, gels, fairly dust, you name it (hey, I was desperate...tell me that black pudding and raw onions had been found to help cold sores and I would have tried it!).

Over the years I have slightly modified my thinking and realised that the skin on my lips probably didn't much enjoy being submerged in various forms or alcohol or nasty chemicals, therefore, had limited
what I use to a select few substances e.g. Vaseline, Ultra balm from Blistex or Zovirax (for the cold sores).

This does not mean that I am not open to new suggestions though and when I saw a review for 'ChopSaver' lip balm on 4barsrest I was defenatly interested - especially since the balm boasted all natural products therefore it had to be better for my skin.

Since moving to the humid east coast of Australia (Brisbane) I have needed to use 'lip stuff' less and less often and suffer cold sores half as much as I used to . However, I was in Melbourne recently and, having acclimatised to Brisbane tropics found the cold and wind a bit hard to deal with and my poor lips found it even harder. I ended up with some pretty amazing chapping which all too often leads to a cold sore, and it did!

So I decided that it might be time to go and try out some of this 'ChopSaver 'so that I was better prepared next time (also, although not strictly a cold sore remedy, many of the listed ingredients are recommended in the prevention and healing of cold sores, see below)

I placed the order through the company website  (www.chopsaver.com) and received a very prompt response and delivery (they also have a few deals where if you purchase so many you get some freebies).

The listed ingredients pack a pretty impressive punch and all have slightly different benefits for delicate lip tissue:

*Arnica: Herbal, used in the relief of bruising and strains.
*Shea Butter: From the Shea nut, primarily a moisturiser but also known to have anti - inflammatory qualities
*Mango Butter: an emollient with healing and regenerative properties.
*Aloe - Known to reduce inflammation and ease pain
*Vitamin E: Known to encourage skin healing (and recommended in the treatment of cold sores)
*Avocado oil: valued for its regenerative and moisturising properties
*Calendula: reduces inflammation and soothes irritated tissue
*Comfrey: general wound healing and known to speed up the natural replacement of body cells
*White Willow: often referred to as "herbal aspirin" (people with aspirin allergies should use with caution), also, can reduce swelling and is a recommended supplement for cold sore sufferers.
*Ginger - treats inflammation and stimulates blood flow
*Natural Waxes (including beeswax)
*Citrus Oils

A bit of the history behind ChopSaver (taken from chopsaver.com)

"One day, back in May of 2004, a friend and former trumpet student of mine, Wesley Bullock, told me how he treated a severe lip injury with an herb called arnica montana. That conversation
changed my life forever. And the result will change your approach to lip care forever.

My name is Dan Gosling. I have been a professional trumpet player for over 20 years. I have degrees in Trumpet Performance from the University of Illinois and Northwestern University. I've studied with some of the finest teachers in the country and played in every musical setting you can think of - including symphonic, pops, opera, and ballet - as a member of three major orchestras and as a soloist and chamber musician. I have had hundreds of students and have served on the faculties of two universities.
And I have performed outdoors in 100-degree heat and in the dead of winter. In other words, I am all too familiar with the chapping, swelling and soreness that can strike your lips when you play a wind instrument whether you are a beginner or a seasoned pro.

I wanted to see if I could create a product specifically made
for people who depend on their lips on a daily basis.
I envisioned something that wasn't thick and gooey or hard and
waxy. Something that wasn't filled with harsh chemicals and didn't smell awful as so many lip care products do. Something that would make your lips feel better after a hard day of playing.
A simple conversation turned into an idea. That idea quickly
became an obsession.

Made of 100% natural ingredients, ChopSaver is a combination of shea butter, mango butter and other natural moisturisers. Its
secret weapon is a mixture of herbs that promote healing and
reduce swelling, chapping and soreness in a natural, gentle way.
And the smell is clean yet not overpowering.

What do I think?
Well, in a nutshell, I'm really impressed. Upon application ChopSaver
didn't leave my lips feel like they were swimming in a vat of lard or that I had liberally applied sand paper.

The balm is not too thick and smells lovely (thanks to the citrus oils).
An added benefit for me is that I have found that it has already prevented a few cold sores from appearing when they were at the point of 'no return' (when I was 100%sure it was going to come up) and I believe that this is related to the anti-inflammatory qualities.
I have been suffering much less from tired chops and no bruising and it leaves my lips feeling as soft and silky as a babies bum. I apply the balm immediately after finishing playing for the day and , if needed, a bit before I go to bed.

I took a punt and bought 6 sticks as I didn't think it would be particularly easy to get in Australia and I'm so glad I did.

If your still not convinced just come and give me a kiss and find out for yourself : )

Website: www.chopsaver.com
Contact: info@chopsaver.com

Review on 4BarsRest:

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