Lips

I've long suffered from severely dry lips and nothing that I have ever done has been fit to change that. Despite having tried an assortment of products, no results last longer than a day or two. Take a guess and I've probably tried it. My condition worsens during the winter and I mean beyond repair.

I know I can't be the only one suffering from this illness, perhaps even you, reading this, has suffered what I am constantly suffering through. It is possible that you gave up long ago, it is what it is. I get it but I wasn't ready to throw in the towel just yet. Especially after having tried medication-loaded balms and lip scrubs. Now it was time to consult with the professionals, namely Natarsha Bimson and Susan Ciminelli, I needed answers.

Keep reading to hear what they had to say.

You must understand your problem

You can't fix something unless you understand it. Bismon goes on to say, "The skin around your lips and eyes doesn't have oil glands. Your eyes drag the necessary oil from their surrounding areas. Your lips do not.". You may have noticed that when spending large amounts of time outside, whether in the winter or on a hot summer day, your lips get especially dry. Forgetting to care for your lips until it is too late is a common issue.

No oil glands on your lips mean that they dry up to ten times faster than the rest of your body. Lips are delicate, protect them from the elements and your own saliva. Lip balms may not be the answer because they contain menthol, a chemical that can cause irritation to your lips. Now we know why they get dry but why is it so hard to fix the other issues plaguing lips, peeling, and cracking?

You need to identify lip irritants

Ciminelli states that "Alcohol and coffee dry out your lips. Your lips react to the chemicals so avoid contact with them.". Check the ingredients in your lipstick or lip balm. Eucalyptus, menthol, and camphor feel great at first but they quickly dry out your lips. Do be sure to keep an eye out for ingredients such as acid that is salicylic, propyl gallate, phenol, octinoxate, lanolin, any fragrance, and cinnamon. The American Academy of Dermatology Association states that these chemicals worsen dry or chapped lips.

Immediately remove anything that causes your lips to burn.

Consider the weather

According to Ciminelli, certain weather conditions can increase irritation of your lips. You may not notice it at first but dry, windy days and the sun's rays will mess up your lips and the surrounding skin. Boy, I can vouch for her words with my own personal experiences. I have had plenty of days ruined thanks to solar beams and gusts. My lips experience increased sensitivity in the middle of winter and they even begin to burn, peel and bleed. This is why you need to bring out the big guns during these perilous times.

During the summertime, your lips are dried out by the heat. Believe it or not, this is a form of sunburn that your lips are experiencing. You avoid this form of sunburn by using SPF. Apply it to your lips and make sure that it is SPF 30 or higher. A great and affordable option would be Kiehl's Butterstick Lip Treatment which should only cost you around $24. Next, you will want to search for a lip balm that has either Titanium oxide or Zinc oxide. Reapply every 2 hours and keep it consistent whenever you are outside.

Do not lick your lips

Dry lips are usually a combination of licking your lips and breathing through your mouth, at least according to Bimson. She says "Dermatitis is a form of skin inflammation and it can be caused by excessive licking of the lips. This leads to lips that are sore and chapped to an extreme degree.". Licking your lips when you feel that they are dry is common but your saliva has enzymes that cause irritation.

You may not think that you lick your lips excessively but it could be a subconscious thing. If so, you won't be aware of the issue until it is too late. Attempt to keep track of the number of times that you lick your lips and remind yourself of the downsides. Apply a lip balm whenever you feel it necessary.

Use products that moisturize

Did you know that there is one magical ingredient that can be found in many different moisturizing products? You may have already guessed it but just encase you haven't, it can also be found in Vaseline. This ingredient is known as petroleum jelly. According to Bimson "Petrochemical-based lip products can easily prevent the loss of moisture. It is what they are designed to do. But it isn't the only magical ingredient that is used to combat dry and nasty lips. Castor oil is another commonly used ingredient, especially in lipstick.".

This should go without saying, but before you apply anything to any place on your body, read the list of ingredients. This is in order to ensure that the products you are using are both hypoallergenic and fragrance-free. Fragrances are the leading cause of skin irritation for many individuals. Castor oil and petroleum jelly-based products are recommended by the ADA alongside these other ingredients: ceramides, shea butter, hemp seed oil, Dimethicone, white petroleum jelly, and mineral oil.

All of the ingredients mentioned above are recommended due to their ability to heal lips that are chapped. Before going to bed, apply large amounts of moisturizers such as the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask which only costs $22. As you are starting your day, Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip

Balm for only $26 should be applied but don't worry, as it can also be used at night. Both of the aforementioned products keep your lips plump and healthy thanks to the antioxidant orange extract and hyaluronic acid within them.

If you prefer to get your hands dirty then here is a step-by-step guide on making your own lip balm using oil from coconuts and sunflowers.

Use essential oils to hydrate

Products that are loaded with minerals and essential oils are recommended by Ciminelli. Vitamin E not only smooths cracks but prevents future cracking as well. Products with these essential oils will provide the proper care to your lips: Sweet Almond, Lavender, Camellia, Carrot Seed, and Rose Geranium oils. These ingredients are combined with coconut oil for improved effects. They have multiple uses, for example, Lavender oil can provide pain relief.

Dilute these ingredients with jojoba oil and then apply to your lips, never apply undiluted ingredients. This Jo Malone London lip balm is perfect for facing the cold winter weather.

Treat your cracked lips with skincare

We are often reminded not to neglect our necks when we are applying our products to our faces. This can be said about lips as well. Don't neglect these areas just because you feel that they aren't as important as your eyes or cheeks. Apply your soothing moisturizers onto your lips as well. Eye creams such as the Glossier Bubblewrap Eye Plus Lip Plumping Cream costs $26 and they won't irritate your lips. This is because the skin around your eyes is just as sensitive as that around your lips.

When should you see a doctor?

The American Academy of Dermatology Association states that you should consult a certified dermatologist if all of the tips above have not improved the health of your lips in two weeks. There could be several reasons why you have dry lips including Oral thrush(caused by a fungus) or an allergic reaction. Anti-fungal medication can treat this. You could also suffer from actinic cheilitis, which causes dry and scaly lips. Your doctor can help you treat any vitamin deficiencies, should that be the cause of your dry and cracked lips.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are dry and chapped lips caused by lip glosses that are designed to plump lips?

A majority of lip plumping glosses contain even capsicum and wintergreen in order to irritate and plump your lips. Overuse can lead to dry and chapped lips.

Do any deficiencies cause dry lips?

If you are low on vitamin b or iron you could suffer from dry and cracked lips. Taking supplements or changing up your diet can fix this issue.

How do I get rid of flaky lips?

Learn to gently exfoliate your lips using products that are designed to soothe. A great choice would be the $24 Bite Beauty with Agave and Weekly Lip Vegan Scrub. But keep in mind that moderation is key. Only exfoliate once a week or risk causing your lips to get even drier and chapped.

As with anything in life, the key is moderation. Too little or too much of anything can be a detriment to your health. Portions and frequency of application matter when caring for an area as sensitive as your lips, etc.

All of us may use makeup products and try them time and again in our daily routine. However few people are aware of how to use them most appropriately. Lip liner is one such product that cannot be used perfectly by most people. Lip liners are useful for defining and structuring your lips, or when you want to provide your lips with better fullness.

The lip liners the makeup trends associated with come and go and undergo changes from time to time. When you want to achieve the ideal and best lip shape that follows the trend, lip liners can provide you with adequate control. Below are tips provided by a leading makeup expert for using a lip liner in the best ways. We also bring to you certain fun tricks for the use of lip liner that can provide for a more fun-filled application process.

Prepare Your Lips

The chapped and flaky lips and skin may be a cause of pain and deteriorate the beauty aspects as well. You must keep your lips hydrated, moist, and smooth. Caring for your lips is an easy process. You can first exfoliate the lips so that all the dry and dead skin cells are removed. After the exfoliation, you can apply a hydrating and moisturizing lip balm (for instance Lip Balm 30 by Sun Bum). You can also use a gentler lip exfoliant, like the one listed here.

It is rather easy to hydrate and moisturize your lips through the lip masks applied at night. All you need to do is to apply the lip mask before going to bed, and you will find soft and moisturized lips in the morning that will be in the same state for the whole day. One of the good lip masks available is the one from Milk Makeup. It can provide instant results and adequate hydration to the lips. It is not compulsory to use a lip mask only at night. You can use them at any time of the day. However, if you have put on some extra amount, you can use your finger or tissue for blotting and wiping away the excess application.

Apart from hydrating your lips, you also require a lip brush, lip liner, lipstick concealer, and lip gloss, when you want to learn how to use the lip liner in the best ways.

Access the Shape of Your Lips

No two individuals will have the same lip shape. Therefore, you need to understand the shape of your lips better to apply and use the lip liner in the best way. You can look at your lips in the mirror and see what you like in them and what you would like to change. Some people may have a more full lip at the bottom and would want to enhance their top lip for a more perfect shape. Others would crave a better fullness all around. Assessing and examining the lips up and close will help you know what changes you would want to make and the tweaks that would make your lips look better. For instance, I would like to add more fullness to the top lips as well as to the bottom lip. I would use a pencil for lining them so that they appear full.

Trace the Lip Shape

Examining the lip will help you know and find out what formula you need for applying the lip liner. The lip liner can be used to trace the subtitle areas of improvement around the lips. These are the areas on which you should be focusing upon. For instance, if you want a fuller top lip, you should be using your pencil lightly while tracing it around the top lip. Realistic looks can be ensured by exaggerating for fullness marginally and slightly.

No matter what color lipstick you use and apply, the nude lipliner will be effective in all cases. It can be used for enhancing the shape of the lips in all circumstances. However, if you do not want to use nude lip liner, you can choose one that can match the color of the lipstick closely. Ensure that there are no obvious marks and lines. The shade-2 lip definer from Victoria Beckham is one of the quality products that can help you have the right shape.

Create a Shallow First

You need to create a small shallow using your lip liner/pencil at the center of your bottom lip first, for lining the lips and making them appear better and fuller. The makeup will give an illusion that the bottom lip of the individual is more full than it is. The trick is often used by the models for enhancing their lip shape during photoshoots. You can also bring in the effect of a shadow by slightly enhancing the color. The effect will also enhance the fullness of the lips.

Tim Quinn (a celebrity makeup artist) provides another trip. She recommends outlining the lips slightly by using a less-toned lip pencil. Subsequently, you need to fill in the inside lip corners with a pencil having an even more deep color. The process needs to be done before applying lipstick. It can add a better shape and contour to the lips.

Apply Your Lipstick

The shape of the lips should be neatly balanced. Therefore, you may be required to tweak the edges and the shape, and balance everything. Once you know how you want the lips to look, you can apply the lipstick. Ensure that the lipstick complements the lip liner or the lip pencil for the color. For my make-up, I have chosen the lipstick from Victoria Beckham. However, there are no restrictions and you can choose lipstick of any color you want.

Clean the Lip Edges

At the start, it may be common that people may overdraw the lines. In such cases, you may have to clean up the lip edges so that they look perfect and better. You can use your fingers for smoothening the lips, and for a cohesive look. You can also apply a concealer around your look lips. A brush can be used later for blending and highlighting. You can also use a thin cotton swab for removing the excess liner application. It will result in a pristine and attractive shape and fullness.

Caring for your lips is an easy process and routine that you can follow throughout your life. However, most people are not aware of the steps or measures available for lip care and continue to overlook the problem. People with dry lips may continue to not apply any balm or liquid lipstick to overcome the condition of dry lips. It is important to know and understand that lip care can be as essential as caring for other skin areas.

I used to have peeling and cracked lips throughout my childhood and teenage years. Chapped and dry lips give a bad look and may sometimes also cause pain. I witnessed bleeding as well due to the dry lip condition and the pain was enough to cause tears in the skin. I had large lips and caring for them required that I followed a perfect and effective routine of lip care.

I started to gain more information on the subject from online and offline sources. In due course of time, I came to know that dry lips can be better combatted through moisture and hydration. The dry lip condition can be best overcome through hydration and by consuming more liquids like water. Moisture in the atmosphere and air may also play an important part. I also found that there are certain skin and lip care products available that can be used for enhancing the moisture and hydration levels in the lips. These measures helped me have hydrated, moist, and healthy lips that did not suffer from problems such as chapping or flacking. I also found that caring for the lips is not a time-consuming process. It may only require a bit of effort and a few minutes every day, and you can get rid of the dry lip condition forever.

Regular Exfoliation

Exfoliation is the process of removing damaged and dead skin cells from the upper skin layers. It is fairly important to remove the dead and dry skin cells first before you start to hydrate the lips. Many people may think that exfoliation is not necessary, but it is not true. After exfoliation, the lips and their upper skin layer can better absorb moisture and hydration. When you want to make the best use of your lip care products, you should prepare your lips first through exfoliation.

There are many ways through which you can exfoliate the upper delicate skin layers on the lips. However, I choose a method that required very less time and no products at all. When you do not want an elaborate and expensive maintenance routine for exfoliation, you can follow my method. The best time for exfoliating the lips is after you take the shower. You can be in the shower for approximately 10 minutes. By this time the lips get sufficiently soft due to the steam and the running water. Now you can gently rub a washcloth on the lips so that the dead and dry skin cells start to loosen themselves. Being in a shower, the water can soften the lips for some time. It will ensure that exfoliation is easy and quick. However, you should not be rubbing the washcloth too hard on your lips, as it may cause skin tears. You only need to apply a light amount of pressure and massage your lips gently by using the washcloth. Later you can wipe the excess dry and dead skin cells.

There are many other DIY (do it yourself) lip exfoliating procedures and recipes available as well. For instance, you can combine brown sugar and honey in a small utensil/jar. Now you can massage the lips with this mixture. Sugar has a grainy texture and will act as a natural exfoliation mixture. Honey can provide more moisturization to the skin layers. This mixture has a good taste as well and can be prepared in only a few minutes at home.

Use the Overnight Mask

Once you have completed the exfoliation part, you need to ensure that the lips are smooth. For that, you need to provide the lips with more amount of hydration. You can use the overnight lip mask and apply it immediately before you go to sleep. These masks are similar to the feet and face masks. The mask can provide ample hydration to the lip's skin layers and ensure that your lips remain moisturized throughout the day.

Overnight masks are especially useful as they can also provide healing and repair to the body. The body repairs itself when you go to sleep, and is in a restorative mode during the period. The mask will improve the prospects of the natural healing process of the body and will be more effective when it is applied overnight. While you can apply the mask anytime, you should only apply it at the night (before you go to sleep) for the best results.

You can buy many different kinds of lip masks online as well as offline. My recommendation is the Aquaphor mask. It is a highly affordable product that is free from any kinds of parabens or fragrances. One jar of Aquaphor can last for the whole year. It is often used for babies but can also be used by adults who want to overcome the dry skin condition. You can apply a thick layer of the product and the moisturizer after exfoliation and before you go to bed. You can leave the ointment applied overnight to get the best results.

Tips for Routine Care

When you wake up in the morning, you will find that you have luscious and moisturized lips, and all the dead and dry skin cells are gone. You can leave it at that if you don't want extra maintenance. However, you can also take the lip care process to the next level by using some other products and following certain tips.

You always have to choose your glosses and lipsticks with utmost care. You should ensure that these products contain certain moisturizing ingredients including coconut oil or shea butter. This way your lips will receive moisturization and hydration during the makeup and are not spoil by the chemical ingredients. Some products that may cause drying of the lips should be avoided. You should never compromise the health of your lips even when the product has a beautiful color and you are attracted to it. Always go through the ingredient list of the products that you use on your lips to find out whether they contain hydration and moisturizing agents/ingredients. Being selective will ensure that your lips have good health and moisturization and are not dry.

The measures and tips given above are sufficient for the summer months. However, you may be required to do something extra during the winter months, when the air is very dry. I heavy lip-balm can be used during the months of winter. You should also ensure that you are drinking the right amount of water every day so that your skin cells and lips are hydrated and moisturized naturally. Noticing and listening to your body will alone help you find out many of the solutions to skin issues.

Today's society has taught us that beauty is defined as having smooth, pinkish clear skin. With all the photos uploaded on social media, edited, and improved, many people are tricked into believing that that should be normal. But the, reality has different plans. Wrinkles, marks, and lines are part of the human's biological process in the body, and they will appear. But there is nothing wrong with that. A person's body changes because it could be due to the nature of the human body or exposure to the environment. These changes are not wrong, and it's a beautiful matter because it is part of who we are. We cannot edit ourselves and make any part of us look like the photos we upload on Instagram. But there are ways we can improve ourselves and help us make look younger and healthier.

One of the common skin problems humanity faces today is the occurrence of Lip Lines. Whether you're a man or a woman, young or old, smoker or non, it exists to all of us. These lines happen because the lip's muscle is continuously used for eating, drinking, and speaking. In short, our lip's muscle is so overused that muscle hardens, which causes the appearance of lines. It is a common phenomenon; experts worldwide researched ways to improve our lips and lessen these lines. With all the research, here are the top ten ways how to minimize the lines on your lips:

1. Make use of Moisturizer

Aquaphor Immediate Relief Lip Repair Balm $3.99

We all know how helpful moisturizer is. Other than making sure that your skin is hydrated, it also acts as a shield protecting your skin from the damaging effects of weather. Furthermore, Jayne Bird, MD, a dermatologist, attests to the usefulness and effectiveness of Aquaphor. It treats lip dryness, nourishes it, and smoothens it by ensuring that moistures remain on your lips. Just as he says, "Keep those lips moisturized."

2. Lip-Specific Retinol for Minimizing Lip Lines

Verso Lip Serum $65.00

Our skin's aging process is relatively different from one another. Some progress late, and some appear early. If you are one of those whose skin quickly ages, Verso Lip Serum is the hero you need. This product helps fight the early signs of skin aging. Other than this, they also help your skin to look younger, softer, and plumper. This also helps avoid skin darkening.

But experts like Nicole Caroline, an aesthetician, have warmed. You must know your products very well. "The wrong use of it can cause more harm than good. Make sure that when you apply any product for lip line minimizing, avoid putting it directly into your mouth. Use a small section to test your skin for any signs of irritation. The products are carefully made for skins on the lips. The effect will not happen overnight, but you must be patient as it will help with your lip lines". This is why she is a fan of Verso Lip Serum. Not only was it made to solve the lip line problem, but it was also specifically designed to have a rejuvenating process that aids the skin in producing more collagen to look more naturally youthful.

3. Lips Protection Against the harmful rays of the Sun

Lip Protector with sun power protection 30 for $24

Just as UV rays affect the skin on our face and body, it also does the same with our lips. When people use sunblock to protect their skin, they often forget their lips. With direct exposure to the Sun, as it has no protection, it is easily damaged, causing some dark spots, wrinkles, and lines.

This is why Azadeh Shirazi, MD, emphasizes the importance of SPF. For him, protecting our skin from the Sun is very important. It has ultraviolet rays, and this type of rays destroys the natural collagen that our skin produces, which purpose is to help our skin become healthier. With SPF, our skin is protected and healthier.

4. Use a Lip Plumper

AZIMD Skincare Platinum Lip Plump SPF 30 $31.00

One of the recognized trends in the beauty industry is for you to have a plumper lip. This is mainly achieved by botox and surgeries. Other than being costly and dangerous, there are other ways to achieve this look. One of which is the use of a lip plumper. For Shirazi, using lip plumper is a game-changer. You can achieve the fuller look you want, which helps lessen lip lines and offers a more natural-looking pout.

What's more impressive is that this lip plumper is added with SPF. A 2n1 beauty purpose will help you achieve the perfect look by being relatively healthy.

5. Remove dead skins by Exfoliation

iS Clinical Lip Duo $86.00

Most estheticians, including Candace Marino, are avid supporters of the importance of exfoliating.

According to him, the iS Clinical Lip Duo is one of the best products for exfoliating. Other than it helps in removing the dead skin cell on your lips, the product is also mixed with serum. A serum that contains ingredients that slow down the aging process helps lips to have a natural plump and remain hydrated. The hydration keeps the lips from having lines that affect the mouth.

By exfoliating every day, the lips remain youthful and healthy.

6. The magic of Hands

Other than exfoliating, Marino also suggested another way to remove all the lines on your lips. It's simple and cheap. This is by using your hands.

He said that if you want to get rid of the lines on your lips and make them plump, the best way to do this is by massaging them daily. Specifically, he stated that the best way to do this is to pinch your lips. You can also use your index finger and thumb and roll them back and forth. Other ways include tapping the lips as it will help with color, blood circulation, and volume." It is an easy routine that can be done every day.

7. Cream for Eyes and Lips against wrinkles

Biologique Recherche Crème Contour Yeux Et Lèvres Biofixine $120.00

Are you stressed and distressed because of the wrinkles appearing on your face? Worry no more. With the help of this cream that fights against wrinkles, you are saved. Oh! No! What if wrinkles not only appear in the eyes but also on the lips? We got you covered with the help of this product.

As recommended by Natalie Aguilar, a professional aesthetician, using Crème Contour Yeux product is best for your problem.

As an esthetician working with celebrities, they face this common problem. With the use of this 2n1 product, it contains peptides, amino acids, and antioxidants, which are both natural substance good for the body and acts as a warrior destroying wrinkles on your skin. Specifically, she stated, "I genuinely love this. It fills in the wrinkles on my eyes and the fine lines on my lips." No matter where it appears, this product can take care of it. This will save you from buying unnecessary products and help you save time.

8. The power of Collagen

Rejuvenating Collagen for $195.00

According to Shawna Jones, a nurse practitioner in the aesthetic industry, one of the most common problems they encounter from their costumer is the occurrence of lip lines.

With this, they also recommend to use this product that has become very successful in dealing with this problem. They recommend using this twice daily after you wake up and sleep. Apply it to the lips and the surrounding areas.

The product is an effect of research and the aid of new technology to destroy the old collagen in our skin, including elastin, and helps rejuvenate the new ones for a fresh and youthful look. Other than that, it also has antioxidants that will help your skin battle the external particles brought by the harmful surrounding.

Besides this, she strongly recommends not using straws and SPF products to avoid getting wrinkles frequently.

9. Age-Delay Products to slower Aging Process

Laneige Lip Treatment Balm $25.00

According to Michelle Shieh, a manager in Amorepacific US, Laneige Lip Treatment Balm is designed to treat lip wrinkles with peptides and adenosine. This substance is best when you are fighting against aging. If your goal is to have a skincare product that will help you with your skin lines and skin wrinkles on the face and lips, this product is best to use.

10. Use technology with Lip Filler

If you can tolerate injections and can afford products like Botulinum Toxin, Xeomin, Juvederm Vobella & Ultra, Dysport, Restylane Injection, and Belotero, this one is for you.

For birds, using botulinum toxin helps your lip muscle relax, lessening lip lines.

FAQ

Why do lines appear on lips?

• Lip Lines are caused by overuse of lip muscle and external factors. Because we use our lips too much, this causes our muscles to contract, which then leads to the appearance of lines. Furthermore, environmental causes like sunlight, dryness, wind, and many more breaks down the collagen on our lips which causes it to dry and becomes hard.

How can we avoid lip lines?

• Despite the fact that there are numerous reasons for why lip lines, there are ways to avoid getting them. The most common things are: do not use cigarettes, including electronic ones, do not use a straw, hydrate, always use Moisturizer, and apply sun protection factors for protection.

Is there a way to remove lip lines permanently?

• Lip lines will always be there, especially since we constantly use our mouths. But we can lessen it by using appropriate products on our skin and avoiding activities that may contribute to its fast occurrence.

Have you ever seen Emily Ratajkowski and wondered how she always has perfect skin in every photo that she takes? No, it's not just because of her natural skin tone and the fact that she is superhuman. Of course, those qualities help but there was always something more to it. I had to know, so when Ms.Ratajkowski began an Instagram live in order to show us her makeup secrets, I joined and wrote down everything that I could. In the process, I had finally found the secret to her heavenly glow.

Ratajkowski sat in front of her bathroom counter, as the viewers poured in, she began, "I have an online interview this morning and I've got to look halfway decent.". With some nice classics playing in the background, she assured her worried viewers that she always kept her hands immaculate. This is due to her last stream revealing that she didn't use a brush or blender to apply her makeup.

The Basics

The Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection Concealer ($32) by Pat McGrath was gently applied by Ratajkowski using her fingers. Her nose, mouth, and areas surrounding her eyes were all targeted. All in an effort to awaken her skin. Up next was Charlotte Tilbury's Filmstar Bronze & Glow Contour

Duo ($68). Due to its frequent use, I purchased it immediately. This product was applied a couple of times throughout the stream to the outer edges of her face, eyelid creases, nose, and cheekbones.

The Secret Lipstick Technique

The benefits of using lipstick as a blush are no secret and yet, Ratajkowski managed to surprise me. Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick ($38) was delicately applied to her cheekbones and her nose bridge. Using her fingers, lipstick was mixed into her face, primarily on the areas most hit by the sun. Ratajkowski repeated the process with her bronze and lipstick once more, stating, "The key is to layer.". A simple yet dominant cat-eye topped off the look.

My Thoughts

Ms.Ratajkowski secret lipstick techniques are now a part of my daily makeup routine. Although, I have chosen to go with a lighter shade, specifically Charlotte Tilbury's Hot Lip Lipstick in Super Cindy ($34). Ratajkowski's words guided me as I applied a conservative amount to my cheekbones and nose bridge but only after having applied the bronzer. Pay close attention to the fact that Ratajkowski and myself are both applying all of our products in a specific order and in small doses.

This is because the key is to layer but we don't want our layers to be thick. This will only result in a caked-on makeup look that no one is going to enjoy. What we are aiming for is paper-thin layers that neatly stack on top of one another like in a notebook. When done right you will be rewarded with subtle yet astonishing results. In this case, the results were my own sun-kissed skin.

Even though I applied the same shade of lipstick on my cheek and lips, don't shy away from trying out different shades. It is through experimentation that new looks are developed. Who knows, maybe you will discover the next big trend in the world of makeup. That attention-stealing look that will have you desired and wanted no matter where you go. Keep in mind, that I was only after an evened-out finish and this is why it may seem as if I didn't go "all in" when it came to this look.

The Final Results

I'm shocked to say that it worked and it's multi-use, not just for makeup styles that are barely there but also for a more traditional full-face look. This is because of the natural essence that the look adds to existing styles. It is the perfect compliment for any look. not to be used as your primary style but definitely what is needed to finish it off.

To be honest, more lipstick was added to my cheeks and nose for the purposes of the photo. But it is only because I had to showcase the look at its peak. Keep in mind, that when applied with care and precision, you will have perfectly sun-kissed skin. The key will forever be, layering.

Do you love wearing a touch of dark lipstick and, for the most part, are content with your lipstick application? If so, here are some good news for you: it's time to step up your game. Learn how to wear dark lipstick without it going everywhere here!

Choose Your Shade:

The first thing you want to do when learning how to wear dark lipstick is choosing your shade. Many people opt for a deeper red or plum since these shades aren't exactly known for their subtlety, but it's also fun to go for a true black. If you pick a bright hue, we actually recommend going with a more neutral lip liner, such as a beige.

Exfoliate and Moisturize:

The second thing you want to do is make sure your lips are hydrated, which will help your lipstick stay put. Use a lip scrub to get rid of any flakiness and follow up with a balm or some sort of hydrating treatment. You can also choose to use a lip primer, but this step isn't necessary when learning how to wear dark lipstick.

Prep the Lips:

It's important to prep your lips before you apply lipstick. You can do this by exfoliating, doing a face mask, or using a lip scrub. You can also fill your lips with some lip balm or Vaseline depending on the weather, time of year, and conditions. Fluff up your hair, avoid touching your lips until they're ready to go, and recheck that they're lip-smooth!

Perfect the Lip Line:

You want to make sure your lip liner is of a similar depth to your lipstick. Try to get as close to the natural shape of your lips as possible. You can either do this with a brush or by filling in your lips with the liner directly from the stick. Some people also like to use a lip liner pencil.

Fill in the Rest of Your Lips:

After your lip pencil is done, take your lipstick and fill in the rest of your lips. You can either smear a bit of lipstick on the back of your hand and use a lipstick brush to apply it or you can use the applicator directly from the stick. Remember, this isn't brain surgery! You want to build up color gradually until you reach your desired shade.

Apply the Lipstick:

Try and build your color up to at least a third of the full-face shape. You can emphasize these lines with a lip liner pencil if you want to, but remember it's more about building on top of them than hiding them. Start in the center, then move towards your hairline. Once you've reached this point, take the lipstick off with a tissue and lightly clean off any lipstick from the edges of your mouth.

Mop Up Your lipstick:

Try and move cautiously when applying the lipstick. Once your lipstick is on, it's best to keep it in place with a tissue. If your lips are a little more slippery than you prefer, lightly pat on some lip balm to help lock everything in place.

Try a Mini-Lip Liner:

Take it from someone who's applied lipstick: a dab of your lip liner goes a long way when it comes to applying darker shades. When you've got the right liner (the kind that doesn't bleed), using the same products that you'd normally use for your normal lip color makes a huge difference in the application process:

Start first by applying the lipstick with your fingertips, and then press lightly until it's fully covered (but don't rub).

Don't Forget to Reapply:

After you've applied your lipstick, remember its not a one-time thing. You'll need to reapply your lipstick throughout the day and during every meal. You can wear a less intense shade underneath, or use a lip balm that contains SPF so that you don't over-dry your lips. If it's not feasible to reapply lipstick every time, consider using a lip stain or moisturizing lipstick that lasts longer.

Create a Look:

Now that you know how to wear dark lipstick, you can add on any finishing touches that you want. You can get your eyes done with a smoky eye, wear a sexy pair of heels, or dress up your outfit with some jewelry. When it comes to makeup, it's all about playing around until you come up with something awesome!

Conclusion:

Every woman should learn how to wear her makeup. So, whether you're a beginner or an experienced technique aficionado, check out to learn more tips. We also want to know what you think of this information and help you get your desired look.

With the drying and flaking effects of the winter on the lips, investing in lip scrubs to moisturize and get rid of the dry skin that's flaking on the surface is one of most people's choices. A lip balm follows after using the lip scrubs to induce moisture and shine beyond the cold and drying effects of the winter. Lip scrub first appeared like an inconvenience. They can be dirty, and dipping your finger inside a pot if they are packed that way is far from sanitary. However, lip scrubs in stick form have been developed for less mess and germs, and they are said to treat lip damage with an excellent scientific solution. However, a subsequent press statement from Dr. Dennis Gross invalidated the entirety of this procedure.

According to Dr. Gross, "the skin on your lips is highly unlike the skin on your face and is more like the skin inside of your mouth. One-third of the thickness of the skin on your face, the skin on your lips has a unique top layer that doesn't gather dead skin cells and is relatively thin. You need to replace that barrier, not strip it off, in order to treat dry, chapped lips. By eliminating the lips' outer layer of protection with a scrape, you put them at even greater risk."

It is always a good idea to revisit your past lip-scrubbing regimens after reading this. It is obvious that scraping the dry, flaky lips off would not be beneficial for the lips. Josh Zeichner, a dermatologist in New York City, provided some views relating to these beliefs to support Dr. Gross's logic. According to Dr. Zeichner, "Whenever I advise people to exfoliate dry skin, whether it is on their bodies or lips, I take caution." "For dry, flaky skin, I advise moisturizing as a first step. You can exfoliate or use a scrub after moisturizing," he adds. Scrubbing dry skin can cause irritation and breaks in the skin's surface layer, which ultimately makes the dryness worse.

Here are simple but important key tips for replacing the routine of lip scrubbing:

• Instead of using scrubs on your lips, use deep-moisturizing serums and balms. Additionally, exfoliate the body carefully and only after hydrating the skin.
• Consider replenishing your lip care supply with some of our favorite moisturizing lip products now that your collection could benefit from a little cleaning out.

Dr. Dennis Gross formulated this new Hyaluronic Marine Collagen Lip Cushion which increases the formation of chondroitin sulfate, a sister substance of hyaluronic acid that is more common in the lips, on a natural basis in your lips.

Try these lip care balms below with the approval of the world's best dermatologists:

1. Dr. Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Marine Collagen Lip Cushion, $30.00

2. Verso Lip Serum, $65.00

3. Philosophy Ultimate Miracle Worker Fix Lip Serum Stick, $23.00

4. Algenist Genius Liquid Collagen Lip, $35.00

5. Farmacy Honey Butter Beeswax Lip Balm, $10.00

6. Glamglow Poutmud Wet Lip Balm Treatment, $16.00

7. Bite Beauty Agave Intensive Lip Mask, $26.00

8. Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm, $8.00

9 See this blog to know which lip balm receives rave reviews for our editor.

Many women find that they have chapped lips,the lips are dry and have cracks, especially during winter in areas with cold weather. Eating or even speaking with chapped lips can be painful. So these women are interested in finding the best way to treat the chapped lips so that they heal quickly. They would prefer to use a home remedy with easily available ingredients since it is convenient and inexpensive. One of the most effective home remedies for chapped lips is applying a lip mask to the lips. The lip mask should remain on the lips for sometime to replenish the dry lips and revive them by moisturizing them

The main ingredients of the lip mask are Greek yogurt or any other type of yogurt which will remove the dead skin from the lips while adding protein and moisture to the lips. Clay used in the mask will help in getting rid of the dry skin flakes or residues from the skin. If clay is not available, baking soda may be used. If a floral hydrosol like rose or lavender is readily available at home, spray the lip mask with the hydro-sol, for additional hydration of the lips. When the lip mask has been applied for some time, and lips rinsed to clean them, the dryness of the lips should have disappeared. Step wise instructions are provided below

Ingredients required for making the lip mask

• Quarter teaspoon yogurt
• Quarter teaspoon baking soda or clay
• Optional ingredient- rose, lavender or other floral hydrosol

Making and applying the lip mask

• Mix the clay (or baking soda) and yogurt to form a paste. A small amount of aloe or spray of floral hydrosol should be also added to the lip mask paste if possible.
• Applying a thick layer of the paste to the dry lips.
• If possible after applying the lip mask, the top layer should be sprayed with the lavender/rose hydrosol. This will help in proper absorption of the moisture and nutrients in the lips, and ensure that the lips do not get dehydrated.
• The lip mask should remain in place for at least ten to fifteen minutes.
• Rinse the lips to clean them and remove the lip mask.
• Usually the lips are sensitive after the lip mask is removed, so they should be sprayed with a hydrosol for moisturizing and healing. Additionally the preferred lip balm should also be applied to the lips for healing.

In the appearance-competitive world of Instagram, we might say these lip Botox or Lip Flips and Lip fillers seem to be more prolific than they were before. That's the effect of selfies - ordinary people, celebrities, and social media influencers have become consciously hyper-aware of their outward appearance and how they look and reflect on the world of social media. Eyelash extensions, botox, and microblading are those treatments that almost every lady does to just become "on-of-them". But, lip fillers are now on the rise instantaneously. And its results are undeniably long-lasting.

I completely understand how it feels to have that desire to at least do a little tweak on your appearance. I admit I am someone who wished to have that more "pillowy" looking lips. I have had a nose job done as well as botox myself, so I am not that opposing to these beauty injectables. However, we know a lot of people are afraid to get one, and there's no judgment on that. I admit I have had the fear and I don't feel like I need them yet.

Britta Plug is a Gua Sha Expert and the founder of Wildling a natural skincare company said that there are people who have thin decreased lip volume. The New York City's holistic facialist expert says people lose their juiciness! Even younger women seem like wanting to get that natural plumpness back and that is why others prefer to go for cosmetic injections.

Good thing, Plug has shared her knowledge about the natural alternative for lip fillers. Plump Lips sans injectables are very possible though it is not as long-lasting and it produces a different result. According to Plug, plumping lip glosses don't really last long. Plug was talking about the tingly lip glosses in the 2000s. Ideally, it stimulates circulation on a regular or daily basis. It somehow helps preserve the youthfulness of the lips. This plumping lip gloss technique has helped her clients to prevent the loss of volume in the lips. It also helps minimize the "smoker's lines" appearance which usually appears and shows up on the lips as a woman ages.

1. Prepare the Tool

First off, we will need a Gua Sha Board with a "comb edge" like this one from the Wildling. This board comb edge stimulates lip circulation.

2. Prepare your skin.

Prepare your skin. Make sure to have a hydrosol or toner and natural face oils on hand before doing the Gua Sha technique. Then, Spritz the hydrosol onto your entire face and next to that is to apply some ample amount of oil. All you have to do is to put on a few drops on your hand, then rub your palms together, and lightly press on the oil into your face and neck gently and evenly.

3. Hold Your Lips Stretched

Hold your stretched lips using your non-dominant hand. It will help you get the precision and it will keep the Gua Sha board from bumping into your nose or teeth. And then, do this small exercise on your face in six sections: First, upper left lip, upper right-left, then lower left lip, then top middle lip, and lastly the bottom middle lip.

4. Side-to-Side Combing Along the Lips

Move the comb edge fast with just enough friction right along the lip's outer edge. This will bring the color and plumpness of the lips too. Counterintuitive it may be, but just be very gentle on the lips itself. Just go over your lip's skin very lightly. It is sensitive and thin skin, and it should not receive the same pressure as you do to other parts of your face.

Gua Sha Lip Plumping Tips

There are times that techniques work for all just like any routine that we know. If you have fillers or botox around your lips, you have to wait for days before you attempt to do this technique. Applying pressure and bringing the circulation to this area of your face can cause breaking down unevenly of the fillers. Only do this technique once a day. Gua Sha works effectively on the tissues of your face. Overstimulation will lead to breakouts and redness. Just do this at least every other day or once a day.

Let us start with upper lip waxing at home. Some said that it is easy while some said it is absolutely painless but, in my experience that was nothing like this at all. If you do not have a proper guidance or set of instructions, upper lip waxing at home can lead to adverse side effects or unintended results.

Personal upper lip waxing experience

In my personal experience, it is something I did for the first time. I generally use tweezers to pluck out the stray hairs now and then but this time I thought of doing something different for my peach fuzz. I generally do not have a dense hair growth on my body and face but it was gradually being difficult for me to pluck out the extremely small stray hair including peach fuzz with the help of tweezers. I was confused for a while as I have blonde hair and the blonde peach fuzz was becoming quite visible. Thus, it was high time that I did something other than tweezing facial hair off and I opted to go for a waxing kit for my facial hair.

What does a waxing kit contains and how was the waxing experience?

The wax kit includes multiple ready-to-use wax strips along with some cleansing cloths dipped in oil. I started by ripping open a single strip from the bunch. Next, I had to peel the plastic cover backwards so that the sticky wax side of the strip can be applied on to my upper lip.

Note: It is advisable to rub the strips between your palms to heat the strip a tad bit. This will allow the strip to separate from the plastic smoothly and also to have an easy application.

After waiting for a few seconds, as instructed, I tried to peel or rip the strip off but to my dismay, the strip did not dislodge from its position and remained stuck. Just imagine the pain I went through at this very moment. Truly speaking I panicked a bit but didn't lose hope. I tried to tug it in and due to that it came off along with some hair with it. I won't say it didn't work, because it did despite of the pain and emotional distress I had to go through. I must say high endurance is required, then you will feel good about it because it does the work.

Lastly, I completed the process by using the oil wipes to clean off any residual wax sticking on my skin followed by a good rinse. Voila! I am on my peach fuzz free period.

I was unaware of the side effects that might come with the waxing experience. But, unexpected things happens the most so next morning I woke up with rashes and redness all over my upper lip. I was constantly thinking that I did something wrong in the process so I googled it up to search for remedies for breakouts post upper lip waxing. As expected, thousands of results popped up and majority of them said to be aware of the oil cloth post waxing.

Note: Oil can clog the pores even more resulting in breakouts and rashes. Phew! Wish I knew.

Some Oils are good for health

It is a myth that every oil is bad for skin while applying after waxing. However, this point can be proven wrong by giving some prior and beneficial usage of oils. Oils can be good for use after waxing especially without the application of any non-mineral-based oil. Even the goodness of oils also depends on person to person if they are not allergic to any materials of waxing as well. Side by side it is also proved that oils can protect and nourish the new skin of the person after removing the dead skins on it through waxing. Oils are also good at keeping the skin hydrating as well. Based on that discussion it is to be stated that the myth of being bad for every oil for waxing can be contradicted.

Cautions of using Oils

There are many side effects of using oils that are also exited after waxing. Though oils are good for skin, they can capture the bacteria under the skin pores while massaging soon after the waxing process. To avoid that risk, aloe vera gel or any other moisturizing lotions can be applied after the waxing to close the opened skin pores. Thus, the problem can be resolved, and oils are saved to be accused of being bad for waxing sessions.

Best results

There are many obstacles and slight side effects have been noticed when using oil after waxing. To avoid all these issues and provide the best result, application of antiseptic creams can play a new supporting role in that context. For example, aloe vera gel and mild antiseptics can be used to provide the best results, especially if the person has sensitive skin. Side-by-side antiseptic can reduce any allergic reactions to waxing as well.

Though there are also few oils that do not block any skin pores and trap any bacteria as they are light by nature. Oils like olive oil, tea tree oil, essential oils with antiseptic goods, and so on can prevent any kind of breakout in the skin as well. Even these oils are very effective and beneficial to use in massaging soon after the waxing.

There are also two kinds of reactions in the skin noticed after waxing, such as hives and breakouts. Both are different by nature as breakouts take time to be shown up, while hives take shape all of a sudden and go away in that way.

Application of the high-quality products

High-quality products and their application can impact the results of any kind of thing, and so does the skin and waxing as well. The application of low-quality products to wax can damage the skin with huge effects. On the other hand, high-quality wax products provide the best and most skin-friendly ingredients in them, so that skin cannot be affected negatively. Even using high-quality products of wax from reputed and famous brands can provide fewer chances to have side effects in the sensitive areas of the face and skin as well.