Few things can kill a makeout session quite like a pair of rough, chapped, peeling lips. Yuck. Just like dandruff, or a bad case of coffee breath, this beauty faux pas can happen to the best of us. It’s true, if you’re not careful, the dry, cold winter air can make even the most pillowy of pouts feel like sandpaper. But, not to worry, just in time for the month of love, we’ve rounded up the best tips and tricks to keep your smacker supple (and smooch-ready):
1. Exfoliate, Exfoliate, Exfoliate
Much like the rest of your body, your lips need an occasional deep-down scrubbing to keep things soft and smooth. Once a week, after showering, or washing your face (when your lips are moist), use a lip scrub to gently exfoliate the delicate skin on your mouth. Using a clean finger, rub the product into your pout in a circular motion for about a minute. If you’re into DIY, you can make your own lip scrub at home by mixing equal amounts of your favourite lip balm and granulated sugar. If you’d prefer the premade variety, try LUSH’s Sweet Lips Lip Scrub.
2. Sleep On It
Adding an emollient-rich lip salve (look for ingredients like shea butter and jojoba oil) to your nightly routine will help heal and protect lips from cracking and peeling by keeping the moisture in and the dry air out. Whether you’re looking to prevent, or treat sore, chapped lips, smoothing on a protective barrier before you hit the hay will work wonders for the health of your pout. To lock in moisture, treat your pucker to an eos lip balm smooth sphere.
3. Add SPF
During the day, reach for a dual acting balm that not only moisturizes and protects, but also contains an SPF of 15 or higher. Just because it’s the dead of winter and summer seems lightyears away, doesn’t mean you don’t need protection against the sun. Guarding the thin skin on your lips from harmful UV rays will not only help combat dryness and lessen the risk of developing skin cancer; it will also keep your pout wrinkle-free much longer. If you’re into colour, swap a boring, old clear lip chap for a moisturizing, rosy lip colour armed with SPF, like Benefit’s benetint lip balm SPF 15 instead.
4. Pucker Up!
Once you’ve mastered maintaining smooth lips, help get them date ready with a luscious lip stain or a kissable gloss. Prettify your pampered pout with care by reaching for moisture-packed products and staying away from those that can dry lips out, like that expired, chalky lipstick at the bottom of your handbag. To add extra moisture, prep lips pre-colour by smoothing on your trusty lip chap and let the smooching begin!
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