4 Tricks to Perfect Your Pout
Easy ways get luscious lips whether your mouth is opened wide or puckered up for a kiss.
By Tracy Perez
Four easy ways to get luscious lips whether your mouth is opened wide in delight or puckered up for a kiss, one thing's for sure: It's a powerful mode of expression. But lips that are dry, chapped, or showing signs of aging are sending the wrong message--mainly that they're in need of some TLC. What you really want is a pout that shouts "healthy" and "sexy" to the world. Luckily, getting one is easier than ever these days thanks to the latest options in lip care. From mega-moisturizing balms to scrubbing treatments at the spa, there are super-effective new solutions for every lip concern. And since no pucker is complete without some color, we'll give you the secret for finding the perfect lipstick shade. Now, how's that for lip service?
THE PROBLEM
Your lips are rough and parched
Keeping lips hydrated--especially in the winter--isn't easy. "Unlike the skin on the rest of your face, lips lack a protective outer layer and oil glands, both of which help protect against the moisture loss stemming from low temperatures and humidity levels," explains Charles Zugerman, M.D., associate professor of clinical dermatology at Northwestern University. And while we're quick to shield the rest of our bodies from the harsh elements, including ultraviolet rays, with gloves, scarves, and hats, our lips are usually left out in the cold. Adding insult to injury: Many of us habitually lick dehydrated lips, a practice that dries them out more because saliva contains enzymes that break down moisture. Besides causing discomfort, "the resulting dryness makes lips look thinner, which may add years to your look," says Mary Lupo, M.D., clinical professor of dermatology at Tulane University Medical School.
THE SOLUTION Flower-wax-infused balms
Flowers that grow in rough climates stay soft with the help of a vegetable-based wax that forms a protective barrier over their petals. Now, more beauty companies are adding this all-natural alternative in lieu of petrolatum, an occlusive silicone-like substance typically used for locking in moisture. Part of the reason for the switch is that the wax contains essential oils with powerful antioxidant properties. These antioxidants can shield your lips from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays in the same way that they protect the flowers. Flower-wax products also go on smoother than petrolatum-based balms, according to experts. "It conforms better to the shape of the lips, so it feels more natural and cosmetically elegant, and it may even help prevent you from licking your lips," says Doris J. Day, M.D., assistant professor of dermatology at New York University Medical Center.
Products to try Lipsticks formulated with flower wax include Origins Flower Fusion ($15; origins.com), which comes in 24 shades; and Ecco Bella FlowerColor lipstick ($13.95;), offering 16 wearable hues.
