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Dry lips can sneak up on you quickly. A day out and about without reapplying balm, and bam, dry lips. Or for some it’s a chronic issue with lips. But worry not, we asked three experts how to combat dry lips, and prevent them.
Scrub A Dub
Lip scrubs are so effective because they are specifically created for the delicate skin on your lips, and they buff away flakes and boost circulation.
“Use in the morning before applying any lip color to buff away dry flakes on the lips that color could catch on, or use at night as a reparative step in your skincare routine,” says BITE Beauty Global Makeup Artist Janice Daoud. “The BITE Beauty Agave Lip Scrub ($18) is gentle enough to incorporate into your daily beauty routine and is the perfect prep step before makeup application to ensure a smooth pout. The raw sugar and pineapple enzymes cleanse and gently exfoliate, while the agave syrup moisturizes and conditions lips.”
Other Favorites:
Frank Body Lips Scrub and Balm Duo ($17) is made of sugar and spice and everything nice.
Lush Popcorn Lip Scrub ($11) is made of cornmeal, sugar, and coconut oil, and with its strong popcorn scent is hard not to eat on its own.
Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment Perfecting Wand ($24) in the convenience of a stick, it gently buffs lips to smooth, and brings out their natural flushed color.
ILIA Beauty Balmy Nights ($26) is made of volcanic stone powder and organic moisturizers to gently exfoliate.
Sara Happ Brown Sugar Lip Scrub ($24) is a classic option for immediate softened lips.
Mask It
Lip sheet or patch masks can not only hydrate and plump lips, but a deep conditioning one will act as a smoothing primer for all your favorite lipsticks as well.
“Lip patch/masks are ultra popular in Korea,” says Alicia Yoon, esthetician, and founder and CEO of Peach & Lily (AKA The Korean Beauty Guru). “Like a sheet mask, the patch creates an occlusive seal to help moisturizing ingredients like shea butter and honey penetrate (like this version from Peach Slices). It also contains yuzu which has more vitamin C than a lemon to help nourish lips. It allows lipsticks, especially matte formulas, apply much better for a totally flake free pout.”
Other Favorites:
Tony Moly Kiss Kiss Lovely Lip Patch ($9) has fruity boost with vitamin C, strawberry, blueberry, and blackberry extracts.
Nannette de Gaspe Mouth Masque ($85) intensively firms the skin around the lips and reduces upper lip lines for a plumper lip.
KNC Collagen Infused Lip Mask ($25 for 5) is a favorite for makeup artists, it deeply moisturizes with rose flower oil, cherry extract, and vitamin E.
Sephora Lip Mask ($3) utilizes natural rose extract for a softened pout.
Overnight It
Sometimes applying lip balm just isn’t enough and no matter how much you apply, your lips still stay dry and chapped. Well, an overnight treatment is for you.
“Creamy lip masks are an upgrade from your traditional balm; think of it like a cream vs lotion,” says Yoon. “Sometimes, you need a heavy hitting moisturizer to help hydrate really dry, flaky lips. I love this super smooth version from Laneige ($25), it feels like butter as you apply it. Come morning, lips feel ultra soft and plump.”
“The BITE Beauty Agave Lip Mask ($26) is a leave-on reparative mask made with agave, jojoba oil and vanilla extract to nourish and soften lips,” says Daoud. “Apply it at night before bed and allow it to soak into the skin overnight for a soft, hydrated pout or throughout the day for instant hydration. It can be worn alone for a more natural look or paired with any lip color as the optimal, hydrating base with a subtle tint.”
Other Favorite:
Nooni Water Blending Lip Mask ($15) uses natural AHAs to gently exfoliate chapped, dry lips. Can be used anytime, but is especially effective overnight.
Lippy Tip
“I typically use an exfoliating facial wipe from Simple brand to remove dry skin from the lips and follow with Blistex Daily lip conditioner or La Mer lip balm for a luxury lip treatment,” says Landy Dean, makeup and eyebrows expert at Marie Robinson Salon in New York.
Get more beauty tips:
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