How I Prep My Lips For Lipstick

I just wanted to create a quick blog describing how I prep my lips for lipstick application using two of my favourite products. It's so important to prepare your lips before lipstick in order to get smooth and beautiful looking lips. This maybe a controversial topic as many people have differing tastes when it comes to lip products. Interestingly, every time I have spoken about lip balms I have heard many different preferences. I just thought I'd share what products I use as this could be a possible regime you would want to add to your skincare routine.

I always start off with Lush's Lip Scrub. I have only ever owned two of these but they have lasted a whole year. I use them nearly everyday especially on days where I know I will be wearing lipstick. I am currently using the Sugar Plum Fairy Lip Scrub.

How to use Lush's Lip Scrub

With a clean finger, dip your finger in the sugar jar and pick up a few of the sugar granules. Use your finger to rub this against your lips as you scrub the dead skin cells away.

Pros:

• The lip scrub smells absolutely divine! I can't say the same for all of them but the one I owned prior to this was the Bubble Gum edition and that smelt so good! Even if you simply placed your nose on the top of the jar you can smell the contents inside.

• The lip scrub contains oils such as jojoba and plum oil to add moisture to the lips and leave them feeling soft. Once you have scrubbed your lips and they have dried if you glide your finger across your lips you can really feel the softness.

• The scrub is edible however I choose to wash the scrub off rather than lick it because then I'm eating my dead skin cells (some people don't mind.) I must admit it is tasty though (the sugar not the dead skin cells lol.)

• Not to mention, the scrubs are super pretty to look at and are definitely Instagramable.

• Lush is known for being vegan so you can enjoy this product knowing no animals were hurt.

• It's affordable at only £6.50.

• It does not over exfoliate or cut your lips.

Cons:

• None! This product is perfect and I think everyone should own one!

Kritique Rating: 5/5

I then use Vaseline Petroleum Jelly and not the lip balm version. I use the Petroleum Jelly version because it locks in moisture and our lips are the only place on our face that does not produce natural oils so, we need to always make sure we moisturise our lips. From my experience of buying countless number of lip balm brands, this lip balm has always stuck with me. It's thick enough to relieve dryness but also keeps my lips moisturised all day. I refuse to use Carmex as even though it does instantly relieve dryness but is not effective long term. Carmex includes many irritating ingredients for example beeswax, lanolin, salicylic acid and benzocaine. These ingredients irritate your lips thus, you keep applying Carmex which makes you addicted to the product also whilst making you believe it works. If Carmex is your holy grail, try not using it for a whole day and see how your lips react. I just wanted to make a little note- I know how I always talk about how great salicylic acid is as it is a drying agent which makes it great for acne and spots however, you wouldn't want this in a lip balm as over time it can dry out your lips. I have also tried Burt's Bees lip balm in the original version which my lips hated. I think my lips does not agree with beeswax as I find that it tends to dry my lips out and doesn't provide the moisture like Vaseline Petroleum Jelly does. I find that the consistency is rather thick and just sits on top of the lips. I have also tried Blistex Med plus which is probably the best one out of Carmex and Burt's Bees as the consistency is thin and it does moisturise the lips. It works really well on winter chapped lips and has good healing properties.

How to use Vaseline Petroleum Jelly

After using Lush Lip Scrub, apply a small amount of Vaseline. If you use too much you risk the lipstick coming off and not looking opaque enough. This is why sometimes I like to apply Vaseline way before I do my makeup as I know it's had time to absorb into my lips.

Vaseline is great as it is a versatile product that can be carried around in your little bag but is so multifunctional. Anyone got a cut? Use Vaseline. Anyone burnt themselves on the straightener? Use Vaseline. Anyone got crusty feet? Use Vaseline. Anyone accidentally chopped a limb off? Use Vaseline. (Ok you might have to go Hospital for that one but you get the point.)

Kritique Rating: 5/5