Don’t let the dry winter air affect your kisser. A touch of colour and a little pampering are all you need. Give your lips some service with the top tactics to get them looking soft, supple and sophisticated.
1. Exfoliate your lips as you would your face.
Use a warm washcloth, toothbrush or a sugar scrub to gently slough off dry, flaky skin. This will help prep your lips for moisture and make it easier for products to absorb into the skin.
2. Follow with a conditioning lip balm.
The skin on your lips is thinner than the rest of your face and has no oil glands so it needs extra care. Look for ingredients such as shea butter, beeswax, honey, jojoba and coconut oils, cocoa butter or vitamins C and E. Avoid menthol if your lips are chapped as it can sting.
3. Not all products are created equal.
Go for a gloss with nourishing ingredients but if you can’t live without your long-lasting lipstick or matte shades, alternate the days you wear them because some can be drying.
4. Choosing the right lip shade is key.
Whether you like reds or pinks, your skin’s undertone is a good indicator of what will work for you. You can’t go wrong with a colour one or two shades darker than your natural lip colour. Fair-skinned gals should opt for soft pinks and reds with blue undertones, olive skins should try berries or browns, and darker skin colours should stick with deep shades of browns or purples.
5. Break bad habits.
Not only does smoking cause life-threatening health issues but it also contributes to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles around your mouth, making you look older. Other habits to break include licking your lips, which zaps moisture.
6. Take some tips from the experts.
Makeup artists recommend applying a light base of foundation or concealer to lips before swiping on your colour of choice. It acts as a base to help hold the shade longer. Alternately, press the tube onto your lips, blot with a tissue and then reapply. Even as your surface colour wears off you’ll still have a base shade. You can also apply a lighter gloss to the centre of your bottom lip to finish off your look and to help give the illusion of fullness.
7. Your skin repairs itself when you sleep so a proper nighttime routine is the key to getting a soft pout.
Apply a thick moisturizer (which could include vitamin E capsules or even olive oil) before hitting the sack and turn on a humidifier to counter dry air in your room.
8. Take your vitamins.
In addition to your regular multivitamin supplement, make sure your diet is full of fruits and veggies that contain vitamins C, E and A to keep skin healthy. Make sure to stay hydrated by drinking eight glasses of water a day.
9. Always apply a lip gloss or balm before heading outdoors in cold weather.
Many contain ingredients that add shine and will also act as a barrier to hold in moisture and protect lips from the elements.
Bonus Tip: Make sure to clean out your makeup bag every season. If you’ve had a cold or flu, you should replace your lip products. Also, make sure to check the expiry date on natural balms or lipsticks. As many don’t contain preservatives, they may not last as long as traditional brands. If the texture or smell changes, it’s time to toss it.
