Exfoliating
Taking proper care of the lips is imperative. Making sure that your lips are free of dry skin is important because dry, parched, chapped lips take away from a polished look. The best way to prevent this from happening is to exfoliate the lips. Exfoliation is the removal of dry or dead skin cells from the body. There are several over-the-counter products that are specifically made for lip exfoliation. However, there is a less expensive, easy and simple home method that can get your lips to look and feel their best. For best results, take a soft bristle toothbrush and wet it with tepid water. Once wet, take the tooth brush and gently brush your lips using circular motions. You should do this for about 15 seconds or until you feel that all the dry skin has been removed. It is important to be gentle when doing this process because the lips are made of delicate tissue. If too much pressure is being applied while brushing your lips, the thin delicate skin of the lips could tear and become cracked and bleed. After your lips have been exfoliated, apply your favorite lip balm or moisturizer. This can be done once or twice a week depending on how dry your lips are. Exfoliating the lips provides a smooth canvas for your favorite lip liner, lipstick, lip stain or lip gloss.
Moisturizing
Moisturizing the lips is an obvious yet overlooked step. Use a good quality moisturizer and apply several times throughout the day, especially during the winter months. In winter the lips are prone to become dry and cracked due to harsh temperatures and wind. I advise both women and men to also apply a good lip moisturizer at night before bed. This will help to replenish any moisture that was lost during the day. Lip balms not only keep the lips moisturized, but they help to make the lips look and feel soft and smooth.
Lip Liner/Lipsticks
Lip liner is used to define and enhance the lips and can also make your lipstick color pop. Lip liners should be the same shade, a shade lighter, or darker than the actual lipstick that will be applied. Applying lip liner around the natural shape of your lips will prevent your lipstick from bleeding or transferring to the area outside of your lips. For a better lipstick color pay off, it is best that you apply the lip liner directly on your lips. Lip liner can help your lipstick last longer, and the color will appear more vibrant.
–Iman Hamilton is a native of New Orleans, a university student, model and makeup artist. She is a self-taught entrepreneur with innate talent and a bright future. Photo credit: Beverli Alford
