IMAGE: CORBIS IMAGES
Dry and chapped lips can be a total pain. They make you look like you’ve emerged from a scorching desert, deprived of water and fluids ‒ when in reality, you’ve been doing all you can to get rid of the unsightly skin. Needless to say, lipsticks and glosses usually accentuate your flaky lips even more which is why I’ve come up with a list that will help you get rid of a dry and flaky pout.
TIP ONE: REMOVE THE DEBRIS
The first way to deal with a parched lip is to remove existing flaky skin. You can choose to use your beady face scrubs, but unless they have really big granules, it will be better to invest in a proper lip scrub. Why? Using a face scrub may not be as effective, and a body scrub will just be too abrasive. And unlike these scrubs whose primary intent is to cleanse and slough away dirt, the purpose of a lip scrub is to make your lips baby smooth and moisturised – so that they won’t peel again.
For beauty insiders, the gold standard for lip scrubs is Fresh’s Sugar Lip polish. Made with the brand’s signature sugar (a natural antiseptic for your lips) and a flurry of conditioning ingredients such as grapeseed and shea butter, this product gently exfoliates and nourishes. I use it once a week to get rid of dead skin cells (lightening my lips in the process), and I’ve realised that my lipstick and glosses go on superbly well after each scrub.
Alternatively, if you prefer something a bit more fancy, Bliss’ ‘pout’-o-matic might be up your alley. The brand famous for its oxygen spas created a unique exfoliating tool for its lip scrub. The toothbrush look-a-like has a small massaging head that is supposed to edge away dead skin cells while also moisturising your pout at the same time.
TIP TWO: BALM IT
You can’t avoid lip balm if you have dry and chapped lips. But as with all things, not all lip balms are made equal. Most lip balms do the job of moisturising your lips, but I often find it a hassle to keep reapplying ‒ which is why I opt for balms that keep my lips moisturised for hours.
When I want a colourless pout, I rely on Burt’s Bees to work its magic. Available in an entire range of different types, Burt’s Bee’s balms are legendary for keeping lips hydrated with its use of natural oils from pomegranate grapefruit, your lips will smell and taste great (trust me, I’ve tried!).
If you prefer a more pigmented pout, my ultimate favourite is Fresh’s Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment Sunscreen. Made with sugar and Vitamins A, C, & E, the buttery lip balm glides onto my lips and moisturises it for hours. And as the pigments are very intense, I often slather on an extra layer in place of using a lipstick. The brand’s range of lip balms are so popular that you’re sure to find a colour that suits you, but I’m particularly loving Ruby – a glittery red that makes me look ultra chic.
I know not everyone can spend $34 on a lippie, so for a more wallet-friendly version, you can try Maybelline’s Baby Lips Electro. The cute balm works in giving your lips sheer buildable colour and is available in flavours such as watermelon and orange. Infused with honey and collagen, the lip balm aims to give your pout an added moisturising boost.
TIP THREE: GIVE IT THE LUXE TREATMENT
To banish dry lips for good, slather on some serious lip serum. Fresh recently launched its Sugar Lip Serum Advanced Therapy, which is a very posh lip serum. Filled with anti-ageing ingredients such as Acmella flower, Vitamins C & E, this lip treatment works to firm and reduce fine lines on and around the lip area. I like to use it in the morning before I layer on my lip balm, or just before I head to bed. The nude shade works in giving me an even lip colour, and its texture is very light and absorbs superbly well.
With these tips, you’ll never have to deal with a dry and chapped pout for long!
Bliss ‘pout’-o-matic, $72, is available at Sephora stores. For more information, visitwww.sephora-sea.com and follow Sephora Singapore on Facebook and Twitter.
Burt’s Bees Lip Balm, $8, is available at Sephora stores. For more information, visit www.burtsbees.com and follow the brand on Facebook.
Fresh Sugar Lip polish, $33, is available at Sephora stores. For more information, visit www.fresh.com and www.sephora-sea.com, and follow the brand on Facebook and Sephora Singapore on Facebook and Twitter.
Fresh Sugar Ruby Tinted Lip Treatment Sunscreen SPF 15, $33, is available at Sephora stores. For more information, visit www.fresh.com and www.sephora-sea.com, and follow the brand on Facebook and Sephora Singapore on Facebook and Twitter.
Fresh Sugar Lip Serum Advanced Therapy, $58, is available at Sephora stores. For more information, visit www.fresh.com and www.sephora-sea.com, and follow the brand on Facebook and Sephora Singapore on Facebook and Twitter.
Maybelline Baby Lips Electro, $5.90, is available at all leading pharmacies, supermarkets and hypermarkets. For more information, visit www.maybelline.com.sg and follow the brand on Facebook.