I am pretty obsessive about taking care of my lips as I consider them one of my best features! Here are my tips & tricks for awesome lips...
Exfoliate
Lips are skin and thus require exfoliation like any other body part. However, the skin on your lips is VERY delicate. You don't need a fancy "lip exfoliator" product. Exfoliation can be done with a moistened soft toothbrush or washcloth on a regular basis. If you choose to use a toothbrush, use one that hasn't been used to brush your teeth. Toothpaste contains ingredients that are very drying to the skin, and for some people even cause dermatitis. I know I said you don't need a fancy product for exfoliating your lips, but there are still some out there that I really like. These are just kind of if you want to use them for extra help. My favorite one is very sadly discontinued-- mark. Kiss Xpert. This product was in-freaking-credible for when my lips needed some extra TLC (like after a cold when your whole body needs some TLC!). It was $5 or less and worked great. I have a couple that I'm hoarding and you'll have to pry 'em out of my cold dead hands. Another option that I haven't personally tried but have heard very good things about is Mary Kay Satin Lips Lip Mask ($9.50, marykay). The Mary Kay lip mask also comes in a set with a Satin Lips balm for $18. Similar to the Mary Kay product is Benefit's Dr. Feelgood Lipscription, which is a buffing scrub and silky balm in a set. The set is $32 though and that seems like a bit much for a product that you really don't need.
Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize!
Lips need moisture! I keep hearing about all these moisturizing lip products-- lip glosses and lipsticks that claim to balance your lips' natural moisture. Pucky, most of them. Seriously. Think about it-- you apply moisturizer to your skin before you apply makeup. Why would you neglect to do this for your lips, too? I did this without thinking and did not realize that many women do not. I always apply balm before any gloss or lipstick, no matter how moisturizing it claims to be.
But Alyson, a shiny lip balm will change the finish of my lipstick! I know what you're thinking. You don't have to use a shiny lip balm. There are several lip products out there that are not shiny at all and will do the job without changing the finish or depth of your lipstick/gloss/etc.
Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm - $3 at drugstores
C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Balm Stick with SPF 15 - $7.50 at Bath & Body Works
Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25 - $7 at Sephora, Beauty 360
Personally I don't care about a little shine. If I'm worried the balm makes my lips too "slick" for the lipstick I'm wearing, I just let it sink in a bit and then blot with a tissue (actually napkins work better for blotting in my experience).
And don't forget to wear sunscreen!
Lips can sunburn. And it hurts really bad. So it's always a good idea to have an SPF product for your lips around. I admit I do not wear SPF on my lips on a daily basis, but if you're going to be doing something like going to the beach, walking around at an outdoor mall, etc. it'd be a good idea to have one of these or something like them around...
Burts Bees Weatherproofing Lip Balm - $3 at drugstores
MAC Lip Conditioner SPF 15 - $14.50 at MAC - comes in tinted versions as well as a stick
Night Time is the Right Time
I always wear lip balm to bed. I wear a nonsticky one and apply it well before going to bed. I keep one on the nightstand so I don't forget. :) Your skin is in state of repair at night when you sleep, and you shouldn't miss the opportunity to help your skin heal itself.
Quick Fix
A MAC artist taught me that if you need a fast-acting surge of moisture for your lips to dab on your favorite deep moisturizing eye cream. MAC's Fast Response eye cream is great for this purpose! I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly it moisturized and plumped my lips.
Hope these tips help you. :) I also wanted to include some other lip balms I love...
- Philosophy Kiss Me high emollient lip balm in Pink - $10 @ Philosophy
- Softlips Pure in Chai Tea - < $4 @ drugstores
- Sephora Professionnel Most Complete Lip Balm - $2 @ Sephora
- Wet 'n Wild Juicy Lip Balm - $3 @ drugstores
- Lipsmackers - $1.50 @ drugstores
- Labello (particularly in Dragonfruit) - not available in the US, available at smallflower.com for about $7 ea.
What about you? What are your favorite goodies for pampering your lips?
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