Smooth, Plump and Healthy Lips - Products & Tips

Chapped or Flakey lips are such a huge turnoff and a real pain when it comes to applying any lip makeup. Following a few simple steps before applying lipstick can really make your lip liner and lipstick glide on smoother, last longer and look prettier. 

I like to lightly exfoliate my lips each time, before starting my makeup. My favorite is the Body Shop Vitamin E Cream Exfoliator which gently does the job without drying the lips.
Just a pea-sized amount on the index finger and gently work it all over the lip to get rid of any dead skin and hydrate them at the same time.
This is a great substitute to wearing a greasy lip balm underneath your lipstick. Too much of a greasy texture underneath your lipstick can make the color bleed and stray away from where it is supposed to be. 

The cream exfoliator method however, does not work with lips that are totally parched. In such a case, I like to turn to a magic ointment that my gorgeous sister found in Australia. Lucas' Papaw Ointment heals anything in no time. I believe it is made with fermented papaya and smells quite fruity. This has saved me a lot of trouble with models and clients who have very dry lips. Just saturate the lips with papaw and let it sit for a few minutes. By the time, you are done with the rest of your makeup, the lips will be ready to let go off the dead skin. I lightly swirl around a baby toothbrush on the lips which peels off the flakiness. 

This method also helps increase blood circulation and plumps them up naturally.

Alternatively, you could concoct your own lip scrub by mixing whatever suits your skin the best. Namely, Sugar, Almond/ Olive oil, Petroleum Jelly, Vaseline etc. 

When all else fails, generously swipe a shiny light reflecting gloss. This should help take away the attention from the skin of the lip and would surely hide it in pictures.
Anything with a lot of color and shine should help. My current favorite is Revlon Colorburst in Sunbaked. 

If dry lips are a constant trouble, you might wanna keep yourself really hydrated and ensure that there is no digestive stress. 

Good luck for many a kissable lip days !

xoxo.

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Lip Plumper !

Apart from the many many tricks, one simple product can help you get those luscious looking lips. These products typically work by irritating the thin, delicate skin of the lips with ingredients like menthol or camphor. This makes the lips swell slightly, which may also diminish the appearance of fine lines in that area. You know its working when you feel a tingling sensation on your lips. 

A quick home remedy for plumping lips is cinnamon oil. Apply a single drop not more than twice a week. Frequent use of cinnamon oil can be rather damaging for the lips.

Its best to apply lip plumper and let it sit for a few moments before you start applying other lip products. It may even be wise to wipe it off after you get the desired results as some of the lip plumpers are not a very good base for lipsticks and could make your lips chap.

Where to buy: Now, a lip plumper is not a very common concept here in India. I am aware that not many cosmetic counters carry a lip plumper. I still managed to find a website that has one or two good ones. 

Click on:

http://www.urbantouch.com/makeup/lips/lip-plumper.html

I suggest the NYX or Sally Hansen if you're looking to try this out.

Good luck ! :)

For the love of FULLER lips.

If you aren't already blessed with a pair of naturally plump lips, these are a few tips that may help you achieve the fuller look you've always wanted to see on yourself. The results are almost as good as those of surgery.. temporary nonetheless. ;)

As we grow older, our lips tend to lose volume and start looking shriveled. And a common mistake made by older Indian women is the use of darker shades of lip colors. 
While fuller lips make you look younger, brighter lip colors end up making them look smaller and more like a thin, contour less bright line across the face. No matter what age  you are, If you feel your lips are on the thinner side, bright pinks and reds are not the best option for you.

A lip liner closest to the color of your natural lip is always a great investment. And so is a matte lipstick in the ditto same shade. 

To begin with, camouflage the natural shape of your lips with the help of a concealer. lightly tap a concealer that matches the rest of your face onto your lips. Be sure to have your lips nicely hydrated and scrubbed (if need be) before doing this otherwise the concealer pigments get caught onto the dry flaky skin.

lined along the 'V' of the cupid's bow.

Start by using a flesh toned lip liner. Amp up cupid's bow (V of the upper lip) and whiskers very slightly. Go a little over the natural line and blend inwards. Concentrate on the outer corners more as this is what makes your lips look thinner. At the same time, try not to make it look unnatural by going all the way out. If you look ghastly, you'll know you've overdone it. Be very careful while at the outer corners unless you're dressing up for halloween ! :P
Use your lip color the way you normally would. Try blending in with your liner as far as possible for a more natural and smooth look. To counterbalance asymmetrical looking lips, use a lighter a lip color and darker lip liner.

Finish with gloss. Gloss catches light and add adds depth to the look. Dab on some gloss at the centre of the lower lip and smack. Add another swipe if necessary.

The above tips and tricks create an illusion of fuller lips than what they actually are. However, to actually plump up your natural lip, you could use a lip plumper ---> Read here to find out all about it !

Here's hoping that boosting up the shape of your lip just a little bit, will help boost up your confidence immensely.

Thank you for reading ! :)