Prepare your winter pout with these soothing lip products
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When the cold weather begins to creep in our skin almost immediately starts to beg for moisture and protection. It’s that special time of year when your basic Chapstick simply won’t cut it any longer.
Sure, it’s reliable when you’re in a pinch, but in order to combat the harsh effects of dry air and bitingly cold winds, it’s advised that you put your best pout forward with a series of products that were made to prevent chapped, dry lips.
Ready to embrace the cold? We’ve put together a list of some of the best lip products available to combat Canadian winter.
Lush Mint Julips Lip Scrub
The first thing to add to your list of winter lip care is a decent lip scrub. Why? Well, likely, you didn’t tend to your lips during the warmer months because they were doing just fine in the blazing sun (so long as you were wearing your SPF lip chap). But as the temperatures take force, our lips begin to dry out and can start leaving dead skin behind, yuck! And while it’s fine to immediately begin applying your preferred lip balm, stick or chap, a good lip scrub is the only product that will work overtime to bring your lips back to their naturally smooth state. There are endless lip scrubs options out there, but the Lush lip scrubs feature scents and flavours to make any lips happy. This tiny glass pot of magic includes castor sugar to buff away dryness and a healthy dose of jojoba oil to soften your pout. Plus, they taste good, too.
SHOP IT: Lush, $13
Burt’s Bees Moisturizing Lip Mask
After all of that scrubbing, your precious lips could be feeling a bit tender, and in that case, a lip mask is an ideal option to soften them up again. But that’s not the only time these little hydration blankets can come to the rescue. If you’re preparing for a night out or want to go that extra mile when applying your makeup, a lip mask is a great option to prime your lips for additional product applications. The Burt’s Bees Moisturizing Lip Mask is a one-time use mask that soothes and hydrates even the driest of lips. What’s better is that Burt's Bees lip mask is dermatologist-tested and formulated without parabens, phthalates or petrolatum. It’s also full of natural ingredients like meadowfoam seed and almond oils. So, whether you’re prepping your lips for the season or having an at-home spa night, a lip mask is a great luxury item to include in your routine.
SHOP IT: Amazon, $5
Laneige Sleeping Mask
Not a fan of peel-off masks? There’s an easy solution for that — the Laneige Sleeping Mask. The popular sleeping mask has been rapidly gaining shout outs from celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Jessica Alba and Halsey. Even our beauty editor agrees that the Laneige Sleeping Mask is the best there is. Why? Because this little tub of vitamin C and antioxidants works hard to restore your lips to their natural suppleness overnight, and you don’t have to mess with it or remove it — just let it do its thing. It comes in various scents, but cult fans tend to stick to the original berry option. The application process is super easy, too. Just add a generous layer on your lips before bed and head to sleep. Among the ingredients, hyaluronic acids and minerals form a protective layer over the lips, locking in moisture and active ingredients. By morning, flakiness is reduced, and your lips are primed and ready for the day ahead. Some people love it so much; they continue to apply a bit throughout the day, making it the perfect addition to your everyday skincare routine.
SHOP IT: Sephora, $26
Vaseline Lip Therapy Balm
When it comes to maintaining the state of your smooth lips, there is nothing more reliable than Vaseline Lip Therapy Balm. This little tin is jam-packed with cocoa butter and is clinically proven to help heal dry lips. It’s made with pure Vaseline Jelly, but the formula has been tweaked to cater to lips specifically and promises to provide long-lasting relief from dry lips. It’s a pretty basic option when it comes to the variety of lip balms on the market, but the simple ingredients and cocoa and vanilla scent are true selling points. It’s also a great option for overnight application when you use it generously and is perfect for priming your lips before lipstick application. It may not be the flashiest winter lip product you own, but it will last you the entire season and tag along with you wherever you go.
SHOP IT: Amazon, $4
Blistex Lip Medex
There is a chance your lips will encounter some more serious damage during the cooler months. Whether you forget to apply a protective coat of balm or lick your lips one too many times while buzzing around a skating rink, it’s possible you could experience sore lips throughout the season. In that case, it’s Blistex Lip Medex to the rescue. This reliable lip care product has been a part of the skincare lovers repertoire for years, thanks to its fast-acting formula that provides immediate cooling relief from the hot, itching sensations that accompany sore lips. The medicated formula comes in a variety of packaging options and provides a special barrier that helps lip cells return to their natural moisture balance, making it an essential item year-round.
SHOP IT: Walmart, $3
Kiehl’s Butterstick Lip Treatment SPF 25
We often only consider SPF when the sun is shining down on us, but SPF is an essential part of protecting our skin all year long. And while many lip care products include SPF, the level is often low and requires a consistent application to continue protecting our lips against the sun’s harsh rays. Aim for a higher SPF level like the Butterstick Lip Treatment SPF 25 balm from Kiehl’s. The hydrating formula made up of coconut oil and lemon butter extracted from the peel of lemon will hydrate your lips from winter dryness in addition to protecting you from the sun. It’s been a Kiehl’s classic since the 1960s, so you know you can trust it.
SHOP IT: Kiehl’s, $26
Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment
Winter lip protection shouldn’t mean compromising the look of your lips. With all of the added products and protection, you may start to feel like your makeup routine is taking the backseat, but it doesn’t have to be that way. That’s where the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment comes in to save the day. It’s an award-winning lip treatment that has evolved over time thanks to its growing popularity. Fans of the brand love it because it’s free of sulphates, parabens and phthalates and includes key ingredients like meadowfoam, black currant seed oil, grapeseed oil and, of course, sugar since it’s a natural humectant known to prevent moisture loss. There are over a dozen tinted shades to choose from, which start subtle but create more buildable colour with multiple applications. So, if you’re looking to give your lips a bit of colour while protecting them in the process, this is the lip treatment you’ve been searching for.
SHOP IT: Sephora, $32
NYX Butter Lipstick
When a tinted balm isn’t enough, it’s time to turn to products with the larger colour pay off that can also deliver the hydration goods. And that's exactly what NYX Butter Lipstick is great at achieving. The smooth formula might not be loaded with the same key ingredients mentioned in the other product we recommend here, but if you want your lips moisturized while looking good, it’s one of the best options out there. The Butter Lipsticks come in 22 shades and are satin-fused with massive colour saturation that builds as you apply. It’s long-wearing and creates a smooth finish, and if you use it after you’ve applied a lip scrub and treatment, it will protect your lips further while allowing your smile to take the lead.
SHOP IT: NYX, $11
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