Ah, good old Nuxe Rêve de Miel. One of my first “backstage” beauty discoveries – and possibly one of my first French Pharmacie purchases too. Rêve de Miel, Nuxe’s Ultra-Nourishing Lip Balm, has quite an odd texture in comparison to most lip balms; it doesn’t have that oily slip or bouncy, shiny texture that we’ve come to expect. It’s really quite matte, making it a brilliant lipstick base, and it has an almost grainy feel to it. Think of set honey, when it’s cool in the jar; it’s not smooth and silky, but opaque and sort of gritty looking.

Whatever the texture, Nuxe’s lip balm is something of a beauty hero. I’ve seen it in more makeup artists’ kits than perhaps any other balm (though there was a phase when everyone used Elizabeth Arden’s 8 Hour Cream) and it’s always a very comfortable, non-sticky product to wear. Really moisturising, great to slather on in a big layer when it’s cold and windy, because your hair won’t stick to it and annoy you, and it comes in a little glass pot. Very chic. It’s the 20th Anniversary of Rêve de Miel this year, which goes to show just how much of a beauty staple it has become. Très bien, Nuxe!

You can find Nuxe Ultra-Nourishing Lip Balm at Escentual.com here – it’s £9.50.