Pucker up Glossies, because it's almost Valentines Day! And while we've all curated our own skincare routines by now, our perfect lip care regimes may have been neglected.
But don't worry Glossies, we've got you covered with this very easy three-step ritual…How To Look After Your Lips This Valentine’s!
This ideal lip care routine involves...
- Exfoliate
- Moisturise
- Protect and condition
Step 1: Exfoliate
Exfoliation is a must for your pout! Why? Well, because it's key to getting smoother, softer, more supple lips (perfect for a kiss or two this Valentine’s, wouldn't you say?).
So, how do you achieve this? Look out for lip scrubs! Once you’ve found your favourite (and we’ve shared ours below…), apply with your finger and gently massage it into your lips in small circular motions for around 30 seconds. This helps remove dead skin cells! To finish, remove any residue with lukewarm water and gently pat your lips with a soft towel.
How often should you exfoliate your lips?
We recommend you exfoliate lips one to two times a week. But be sure you don't over-exfoliate, as this will damage your lips’ skin barrier.
Our favourite exfoliators
Not only does theBarry M Cosmetics Watermelon Lip Scrub smell refreshingly gorgeous, but this scrub is also blended with nourishing olive oil, vitamin E, jojoba and avocado oils which work to hydrate lips. Antioxidant properties also soothe your pout and support your natural repair process.
We also love Burt's Bees’ 100% Natural Conditioning Lip Scrub with Exfoliating Honey Crystals. This all-natural formula gently buffs away dry skin to reveal smoother lips! Harnessing the power of beeswax and honey crystals, it not only exfoliates, it also hydrates and leaves lips feeling super supple!
Step 2: Moisturise
Moisturising after exfoliating is important, as lip scrubs can leave your lips feeling dry. Take a lip balm (preferably with hydrating qualities) and lather it all over your top and bottom lip. Let the lip balm soak in for five minutes too, so that you can reap its full benefits.
What ingredients are beneficial in lip balms?
Top ingredients to look out for in lip balms are coconut oil, cocoa butter, almond or sunflower oils. These ingredients harnessed in a balm will provide you with essential vitamins and leave you with the ultimate smooth look and feel your lips are craving.
Our favourite lip balms
We couldn't talk lip care without mentioning the Dr. PAWPAW Original Balm. The OG of the lip balm world - a best-selling, multi-tasking balm that delivers moisture for days!Key ingredient Carica Papaya is an antioxidant-rich fruit that helps this balm repair while protecting and intensely hydrating too.
Another OG in the lip care game is Burts Bees - especially the Burt's Bees Lip Balm - Ultra Conditioning. This balm is clinically proven to offer four hours of long-lasting moisturisation, thanks to rich kokum, shea, and cocoa butters. So, why do we love this? Well, this buttery balm leaves your pout super soft and even more smooth. With no added flavours or fragrances, this non-irritating balm focuses solely on pure hydration.
Step 3: Protect And Condition
Now step 3is dependent on the time of day. So, we’ve broken this down to daytime and nighttime… You pick what's best for you and your needs.
Step 3 Daytime: SPF
We all know not to leave our house without SPF on our face, but did you know this tip should also apply to your lips too.Following on from step 2, after you have let your balm sink in, it's time to apply a second balm to lock in moisture and protect your pout for the day ahead.When shopping for SPF balms, we recommend a minimum of SPF 15, as this will give key protection to harmful UV rays. And, remember, just because it's not sunny outside, doesn't mean we should skip SPF!
Our favourite SPF balms
The Natio Moisturising Lip Balm Spf30+ is suitable for all skin types. It moisturises (thanks to aloe vera and vitamin E) and protects lips against the harsh effects of the wind and the sun.
Another of our go-to's is theMavala SPF15 Lip Balm. The swiss skincare and cosmetics brand known for its gorgeous nail polishes has also released a hydrating lip balm… Its velvety texture and subtle vanilla fragrance add a touch of luxury to this SPF 15 balm - which also banishes dryness and heals chapped, damaged lips.
Step 3 Nighttime: Condition
It’s nighttime and your moisturising lip balm has sunk in. So, it’s time to lock in all that moisture and condition your lips overnight. To do this, we suggest that before bed you apply an overnight lip mask. The consistency of a lip mask is thicker and feels more luxurious than a balm, and this is because it'll be working through the night while you get your eight hours of beauty sleep. And, when you wake up, you’ll be boasting the smoothest, softest lips imaginable! This hard work overnight will also give you a perfect base for a matte or liquid lipstick the next day!
Our favourite lip masks
Jake Jamie known for his fruity skincare collaboration with Revolution has given us a zingy and zesty lip product - theRevolution Skincare X Jake Jamie Lemon Meringue Lip Mask. Perfect for revitalising lips, overnight this mask replenishes lips and aids dryness. Part of Jamie's ‘Feed Your Cravings’ collection, this fun yet effective Lemon Meringue mask leaves lips feeling and looking kissable and juicy, just like a lemon!
The this works Stress Check CBD Lip Mask is another miracle worker. Apply this mask before bed to wake up to kissable, soft, supple lips this Valentine’s! This lip mask soothes dry, cracked, weather-beaten lips and brings visible relief to redness, with an added minty cooling sensation.Flavoured with an invigorating fusion of natural chocolate and peppermint oils, this lip treatment is fun, yet still the ultimate overnight mask.
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