Beauty: Lip-top condition for Valentine's Day

With Valentine's Day here next week, Stephanie Smith uncovers tips for the kiss-factor. Plus celeb Get the Look and best lip looks.

Dry, cracked and flaking lips are an everyday reality at this time of year. Fortunately, there is still a week to go before Valentine’s Day arrives, so plenty of time to get them ready for action.

Thanks to the wind and icy chills, coupled with the drying effects of central heating, air conditioning and the all-too-frequently forgotten heating system in our cars, lips are usually on the frontline when it comes to suffering the effects of winter.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Experts at online hair and beauty retailer Hairtrade.com have come up with the following advice for super-conditioning and making the most of your lips in time for the most romantic occasion of the year.

No7 Match Made Moisture Drench Lipstick: 
Available as part of Boots Match Made Service, when a counter consultant will pick out your personal best shades, this No7 Moisture Drench Lipstick (in Pillarbox) is an ultra-moisturising lipstick, hypo-allergenic, fragrance free and colour intense with a satin finish. It's £10, currently on buy one, get one half price at Boots.No7 Match Made Moisture Drench Lipstick: 
Available as part of Boots Match Made Service, when a counter consultant will pick out your personal best shades, this No7 Moisture Drench Lipstick (in Pillarbox) is an ultra-moisturising lipstick, hypo-allergenic, fragrance free and colour intense with a satin finish. It's £10, currently on buy one, get one half price at Boots.
No7 Match Made Moisture Drench Lipstick: Available as part of Boots Match Made Service, when a counter consultant will pick out your personal best shades, this No7 Moisture Drench Lipstick (in Pillarbox) is an ultra-moisturising lipstick, hypo-allergenic, fragrance free and colour intense with a satin finish. It's £10, currently on buy one, get one half price at Boots.

Invest in a nourishing lipstick: Although matte lipsticks are all the rage at the minute, nothing can be worse for accentuating chapped lips as these formulas will cling to every crack and dry spot. Instead, invest in a moisturising, balmy lipstick that provides nourishment and care as well as a dash of striking colour.

Keep hydrated: Quite often your dry, flaky lips are simply a result of dehydration. Increase your fluid intake with water, coconut water or herbal teas to give your lips a boost all year round.

Exfoliate your lips: Invest in a quality lip scrub and use it once or twice a week to remove dry, dead or chapped skin cells from your lips. Otherwise, simply mix honey and brown sugar for a tasty, natural exfoliator.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Apply lip balm before you go to bed: A generous coat of lip balm or a nourishing oil (olive oil, almond oil, coconut oil) before you go to sleep is a great way to moisturise and protect your lips.

Laura Mercier Velour Extreme Lipstick: 
Mattifying powders and silky conditioners combine to ensure that this gives lips the softness and comfort of a velour-like texture. Easy to use with a slimline pen style of design that allows make-up artist precision and slips easily into your make-up bag, in a collection of 24 vivid shades with a striking matte finish. Its £22 at John Lewis.Laura Mercier Velour Extreme Lipstick: 
Mattifying powders and silky conditioners combine to ensure that this gives lips the softness and comfort of a velour-like texture. Easy to use with a slimline pen style of design that allows make-up artist precision and slips easily into your make-up bag, in a collection of 24 vivid shades with a striking matte finish. Its £22 at John Lewis.
Laura Mercier Velour Extreme Lipstick: Mattifying powders and silky conditioners combine to ensure that this gives lips the softness and comfort of a velour-like texture. Easy to use with a slimline pen style of design that allows make-up artist precision and slips easily into your make-up bag, in a collection of 24 vivid shades with a striking matte finish. Its £22 at John Lewis.

Treat cracked lips right away: Don’t think you can simply leave them to get better on their own, as they will usually get worse and cracked lips can possibly get infected or lead to an unsightly cold sore. There are some great creams and balms on the high street that will soothe cracked lips and help to heal raw, broken skin.

Related topics: