We’ve all got a gazillion lip balms stocked in almost every bag, purse and cabinet in the house. Is it enough though? We chime in on some lip love.
Dry, chapped lips that look as parched as the Sahara desert… we’ve all been there. Chugging fluids is one quick fix but to get soft, plump lips for days, it’s all about lip care. In fact, your lips are skin too, so it shouldn’t be shunned during your skincare routine. Especially when you’re slathering it with lipstick and gloss, or covering it up with your mask. We present to you four easy steps to a rad lip care routine – cleanse, exfoliate, protect and hydrate. Let’s get to it, shall we?
Lip care tip #1: Cleanse like there’s no tomorrow
Yes, we love our lip colours, but it’s crucial to remove every single bit of product with a makeup remover. Go in with a gentle facial cleanser or cleansing balm – preferably something non-stripping – to eradicate leftover product, saliva and even food particles (we know, gross stuff).
Lip care tip #2: Some exfoliation action won’t hurt anyone
Just like how body scrubs work hard to slough away dead skin cells and encourage new ones to grow, the skin on your lips works the same. But take note that this skin is thin and delicate so gentle exfoliants like sugar scrubs work best. Here are our faves…
MAC Cosmetics Lip Scrubtious
It promises an exfoliating scrub but we were pleasantly surprised with the equally nourishing formula. The soft texture of the sugar scrub gently buffs away flaky skin without leaving your lips dry. We usually go in with a lip balm after but there’s no need for that here. Oh, and A+ for the fruity scents!
MAC Cosmetics Lip Scrubtious, $33, available online via Sephora and Lazada, and at MAC Cosmetics stores
Handmade Heroes Cocolicious Luscious Lip Scrub in Matcha Latte
The local beauty and wellness brand brings us a sexy scrub packed with Japanese green tea. Slather it on your lips and the green tea, sugar, and jojoba, avocado and coconut oil-filled formula will work hard to exfoliate and rehydrate. Don’t worry if the delicious product gets into your mouth. The scrub is 100% naturally derived.
Handmade Heroes Cocolicious Luscious Lip Scrub in Matcha Latte, $9.90, available online
Unpa Cosmetics Bubi Bubi Lip
We love a little theatrics in our routine so when K-Beauty brand Unpa Cosmetics unveiled a scrub that literally bubbles up, you bet it caught our attention. Using a lip-loving concoction of witch hazel, papaya, grapefruit and portulaca oleracea (a tropical plant) extract, the scrub softens dead skin cells. After letting it ‘bubble’ for five minutes, use your finger to scrub away the residue.
Unpa Cosmetics Bubi Bubi Lip, $19.90, available online and at Watsons stores
Kopari Coconut Lip Scrubby
Mmm, coconut and glowing skin go together like two peas in a pod. Don’t believe us? Just try Kopari’s coconut lip scrubby. We love how the product is packed in a sleek tube. No mess, no fuss and no need for clean ups. Fine volcanic ash (hence the deep colour) is mixed with pure coconut oil to say adios to the dry stuff.
Kopari Coconut Lip Scrubby, $25, available online and at Sephora stores
Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub
Yes, Lush does lip scrubs too! This cheeky bubblegum flavoured baby has caster sugar and jojoba oil to buff away the bad stuff, leaving you with a polished pout. Plus points for the bright pink colour and candy floss flavour.
Lush Bubblegum lip scrub, available online and at Lush stores
Franky Body Cherry Bomb Lip Scrub
Take your lip routine to the shower with this luscious lip scrub. Created with coffee, raw sugar and ethically-sourced beeswax, this cherry scented sweetheart will leave your lips in tip-top condition.
Franky Body Cherry Bomb Lip Scrub, $24, available online and at Sephora stores
Lip care tip #3: Protect your smackeroos against nasties
There’s no hiding: Your lips are susceptible to the effects of pollution, UV damage, and free radicals too. So it’s crucial to pick the best lip balm, oil or butter to protect that delicate layer of skin. Are these products going to be on your lips all day or are you simply using them as a layer of protection for your lipstick? Choose your preference.
Oasis:Skin Vanilla Lip Butter
We go all “heart eyes” when a brand talks passionately about its ingredients. Case in point: Local organic skincare maven Oasis:Skin. Madagascan vanilla pods are infused with organic sesame oil, which is sourced from a fair trade cooperative in Mali. Other nourishing ingredients include organic cocoa butter (rich in vitamin E and fatty acids), shea butter (contains natural sunscreen) and soy wax (sourced from non-GMO crops). Pat on the sweet-smelling balm when you’re feeling dry. Feel free to use it on other dry areas on your body too.
Oasis:Skin Vanilla Lip Butter, $10, available online and multiple locations including The Green Collective Funan and The Social Space
SebaMed Lip Defense SPF 30
This contains SPF 30 for UVA and UVB protection, soothes inflammation with vitamin E and camomile extract, and treats dry, sensitive lips with jojoba and rice bran extract. It’s tough to dismiss this all-rounder. It’s also pocket-friendly!
SebaMed Lip Defense SPF 30, $5.90, available online and at Watsons stores
Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment Sunscreen SPF 15
This bestseller is highly raved about for a reason. It’s got SPF, comes in various shades (there’s even an untinted option) and is spiked with nourishing oils, antioxidants and vitamins. Say hello to hydrated, supple and smooth smackers.
Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment Sunscreen SPF 15, $36, available online and at Sephora stores
Marc Jacobs Beauty Re(cover) Hydrating Coconut Lip Oil
For a lip-smackingly good pout, this holy grail multi-tasker should be in your makeup pouch. Firstly, the non-sticky formula. It’s got goodies like coconut, aloe vera and vitamin E for full-on hydration. Secondly, its functions – use the oil by itself for a kissable sheen, to prep before lipstick or on top of your lip colour for a glossy finish.
Marc Jacobs Beauty Re(cover) Hydrating Coconut Lip Oil, $44, available online and at Sephora stores
Mentholatum Therapy Medicated Lip Balm SPF 15
This lip balm is a godsend on cranky weather days or in cold countries but it works fine in sunny Singapore too. The medicated lip balm has SPF 15, soothing plant extracts and also leaves you with a cool menthol sensation. Quite calming if you ask us!
Mentholatum Therapy Medicated Lip Balm SPF 15, $5.70, available online and at Watsons stores
Lip care tip #4: Don’t hesitate, just hydrate
We all know our skin goes into repair mode as we clock in our ZZZs. All-night hydrating and moisturising treatments with antioxidants and vitamin E make great accompaniments to healthy lips. Best you don’t sleep on it.
Kew Organics Drenched in Moisture Age-Defying Lip Mask
Notice fine lines on your lips? Don’t fret, as Kew Organics’ all-in-one balm, serum and leave-on mask has a star ingredient. We’re talking about Pequi fruit, which speeds up the process of healing cracked lips and prevents signs of premature ageing. As its name suggests, the product practically drenches your lips with moisture-boosting contenders like avocado and jojoba oil, cacao butter and sea buckthorn berries.
Kew Organics Drenched in Moisture Age-Defying Lip Mask, $21.50, available online and at Kew Organics outlets
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
The amount of times this lip sleeping mask has come to our rescue? Countless! We’ve worked through a few tubs and still can’t get enough. The sticky formula may be off-putting for some but it actually contains Laneige’s patented ingredients. There’s the Vitamin C Rich Berry Mix Complex (with antioxidants to ward off nasties) and Moisture Wrap technology (a nourishing film of active ingredients like hydro ion mineral water and evening primrose root extract). We’ll pick the berry flavour any day!
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, available online and at Laneige outlets
Sephora Collection Shea Lip Mask
This lip mask is great for a quick pick-me-up. We love how the bio-cellulose material just hugs your lip shape. Let the hydrating properties of the shea butter work its magic and you’ll have plump, moisturised lips in a jiffy.
Sephora Collection Shea Lip Mask, $4, available online and at Sephora stores
The Skin Pharmacy Natural Lip Repair Serum
Dull, dry or cracked lips ruining your makeup? Turn to this lip repair serum which uses 100% natural and preservative-free ingredients. Cholesterol and vitamin E are used to add life to dull lips and soothe dry and cracked skin. We know it’s hard but do not pick on flaky skin! We learnt the hard way and we’re left with scars.
The Skin Pharmacy Natural Lip Repair Serum, $49.90, available online
Now that you’re all up to speed on lip care, you can expect moisturised, smooth and supply lips for days. No need for lip fillers.
