Lip products are something I have way too many of. I'm a total lip balm hoarder and I actually have trouble using everything I have because I haven't enough storage. Well that is what I tell myself.
However I think it gives me enough knowledge to advise on lip care. So here I have selected my favourite products for autumn - from hydrating but light lip balms to tints and moisturising lipsticks.
Prep with a Lip Scrub
If you suffer from dry lips and want to wear lipstick or a lip tint then preparation is key. There sadly aren't many lip scrubs on the UK market so here are two of the main ones. Of course you can always make your own DIY Lip Scrub - so many recipes online.
Lush Lip Scrubs
£5.50/25g - Lush here
These little glass pots of sugar based lip scrubs come in 3 different flavours - Bubblegarm, Mint Julips and Popcorn. Pow Wow, above, was a limited edition scrub which is no longer available. With very little ingredients (castor sugar mixed with jojoba oil and flavour) these do feel quite homemade but in a nice way. Though I would say they are a little messy as the sugar does fall off the lips as you are rubbing it in. My next one to try is going to be Mint Julips, I wasn't such a fan of the Popcorn one as it does have a salty, slightly bitter taste. If you don't want to spend a lot these are great.
Sara Happy Lip Scrubs
£19.00/30g - Beauty Bay here
A lot more expensive lip scrubs here that would have to be a treat to yourself or a gift (it will last you years mind!). These now come in 7 yummy flavours - Creme Brulee, Red Velvet, Brown Sugar, Lemonade, Vanilla Bean, Peppermint and Lavander. Annoyingly these don't come in glass jars so the feel of the packaging does feel rather cheap without the box but the scrub itself is amazing. Only a little is needed to exfoliate the lips well and the consistency is spot on. It does suggest you don't lick this off but the flavours are so amazing I can't help but lick my lips to remove the remaining scrub. My favourite has to be the Red Velvet scrub... A-mazing! You can find a thorough comparison of both scrubs in a post I wrote here.
Moisturise with a yummy Lip Butter
With the autumn wind you definitely need a least one lip balm in your bag and on your desk. I prefer to save thick lip balms until it gets really cold and opt for light but nourishing ones that come in nice flavours/scents.
The Body Shop Lip Butters
£4.00/10ml - TBS online here & in-store
I've been a lover of these lip butters for the longest time. They come in 7 amazing flavours, from yummy to really fruity and last a long time. The formula of this is what I truly love, just so buttery and light to wear on the lips and sorts out any dryness. Shea Butter is my favourite for colder months as it's a pleasant scent and helps my lips that little be more.
Soap & Glory Smooch Operator Lip Butter Balm
£5.00/4g - Boots
This is a fairly new addition to my vast lip balm collection. On first use I was slightly worried that it would be too sticky for my liking as under the finger in the pot it does have a sticky texture and it does feel sticky on the lips for the first minute. But I discovered this melts into the lips and the stickiness disappear. What I love about this balm is that it stays on the lips for hours though eating and drinking, really impressive. I also enjoy the coconut scent and the slight warming feeling on the lips. A new alternative to Carmex I would say!
Nivea Lip Butters
£2.25/16g - Boots, Superdrug, Tesco
The Nivea Lip Butters have been my go-to balms of 2013. Caramel Cream is wonderfully scented and feels amazing on the lips and Raspberry Rose reminds me of a lovely fruity yogurt. These are light but hydrating on the lips and not at all sticky. You will always find at least one of these in my handbag.
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| L-R: Black Cherry, Peach Kiss, Lovesick, 09 Neon Red, Applelicious Pink |
Easy to Wear Lip Tints
Tinted lip balms and sheer lip crayons are so easy to wear and generally cheap. So my collection is pretty vast. I love lip tints in summer and would be lost without then on holiday but they are also great come colder months when you want colour on your lips but they aren't in the best condition. Lip Tints are comfortable to wear and won't cling to dry skin like a lot of lipsticks will, making them a nice choice for autumn.
For an easy to wear tint I highly recommend the Hurraw Black Cherry Tinted Lip Balm (£3.99 Big Green Smile here), it's the easiest tint to wear I've come across which I'm sure is down to it being raw and organic! The red tint is quite pigmented and it's such a good lip balm. I also really like the new Baby Lips Lip Balm (£2.99 - Boots here), not as nourishing but Peach Kiss, above, is such a nice nude shade. NYC Applelicious Balm (£2.49 - Superdrug) also offer a great range of tinted lips balms that have great pigmentation and a lovely sour apple flavour... and so cheap!
For a more lasting tint I would suggest Revlon Just Bitten Balm Stains (£7.99 - Boots here) that wear off to a stain which is really nice and also come in a ton of shades. For the novelty/cutesy factor I had to include Tony Moly Petite Bunny Gloss Bars (£3.46 - eBay here) which add a light tint to the lips and a glossy sheen, great to diffuse dry lips - and who wouldn't want to pull this out of their handbag!
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| L-R: Notting Hill Nude, Rose, Strawberry Shortcake, Apricot Sugar |
Hydrating Lipsticks
When picked out lipsticks that will help with dry lips or work well with dry lips it can be hit and miss. Sometimes the formula will cling and highlight dry areas of skin or you will find the lipstick just makes your lips feel drier as the day goes on.
Revlon Lip Butters (£7.99 - Boots here) do vary in pigmentation from shade to shade (looking up swatches is a must) but the more pigmented ones really do feel like a hybrid lipstick/lip balm. Strawberry Shortcake for me is a lovely brightening pink hue that stays put and feels more like a balm on the lip. Another alternative to a tinted balm or lipstick is Lanolips Lips Ointment with Colour (£8.16 - Boots here). Above is the shade 'Rose' which is a soft pink that looks very much like a lip gloss, yet doesn't feel like one at all and is super hydrating.
As for actually lipsticks I love the Rimmel Moisture Renew range, very affordable (can be found on eBay and Fragrance Direct for only 99p) and just enough moisture to not slip straight off the lips. I also find the formula defuses the appearence of dry skin. Another range I absolutely love is Clarins Joli Rouge (£14.40 - Escentual here) which are long wearing yet moisturising. These look great on, with a dewy finish and come in some really lovely shades.
I'd love to hear how you deal with general dry lips and what lip products (lipsticks or tints) you use when your lips aren't feeling as hydrated as they should be.
Fee xo.
When picked out lipsticks that will help with dry lips or work well with dry lips it can be hit and miss. Sometimes the formula will cling and highlight dry areas of skin or you will find the lipstick just makes your lips feel drier as the day goes on.
Revlon Lip Butters (£7.99 - Boots here) do vary in pigmentation from shade to shade (looking up swatches is a must) but the more pigmented ones really do feel like a hybrid lipstick/lip balm. Strawberry Shortcake for me is a lovely brightening pink hue that stays put and feels more like a balm on the lip. Another alternative to a tinted balm or lipstick is Lanolips Lips Ointment with Colour (£8.16 - Boots here). Above is the shade 'Rose' which is a soft pink that looks very much like a lip gloss, yet doesn't feel like one at all and is super hydrating.
As for actually lipsticks I love the Rimmel Moisture Renew range, very affordable (can be found on eBay and Fragrance Direct for only 99p) and just enough moisture to not slip straight off the lips. I also find the formula defuses the appearence of dry skin. Another range I absolutely love is Clarins Joli Rouge (£14.40 - Escentual here) which are long wearing yet moisturising. These look great on, with a dewy finish and come in some really lovely shades.
I'd love to hear how you deal with general dry lips and what lip products (lipsticks or tints) you use when your lips aren't feeling as hydrated as they should be.
Fee xo.
