With the mandatory mask-wearing season coming to an end it seems we're all going to have a choice to make, and if you're feeling comfortable enough to go mask-free in the coming weeks, your lips will need to be prepared for being back in the spotlight.
Seeing as we're all going to be all about the lips without our masks, here at McElhinneys we want to help you prep your skin to ensure you always have the perfect-looking pout.
We've put together some helpful hints on how to prep your lips with help from our in-store expert, from scrub treatments that really work to stopping your lips from drying out in the colder months.
1. Preparation Is Key
As with most things, preparation is key when it comes to lip care. If you put in the effort to occasionally treat your lips before applying lipstick, gloss and liner, you'll instantly notice two things - your products will apply smoother and last longer. Another added bonus is your skin will stop drying out so much, which of course, has been a big side effect of wearing masks for months on end.
Creating the perfect pout starts with prepping your base and a great way to do that is by using a lip scrub to ensure your skin is squeaky clean and free of lingering dead skin cells or dirt.
The Clinique 7-Day Scrub Cream is a real winner when it comes to prepping the skin all around the face and is suitable for all skin types. Our McElhinneys in-store beauty expert Noeleen is a big fan, as she says: "I myself have been using this product for 40 years and from the first moment I tried it, it has been a must-have key product. You can use it on the face and on the lips."
This skin polisher contains rounded granules that don't scratch the skin which means it's very gentle to use. You simply take a small amount, massage it all around the face and once it is liquified, you can rinse off and continue with your routine as normal with skin that looks fresh and clean.
2. Keep Your Lips Protected
If you're out and about in this freezing weather your skin - and particularly your lips - can take the brunt of the damage, even if we don't immediately notice the impact on the surface.
Noeleen recommends Elizabeth Arden's 8-Hour Cream Lip Protectant to stop the colder weather from causing damage and dryness. She says: "It's a skin protectant. If you're out and about a lot for walks, it's especially good at protecting your lips."
A lip version of Elizabeth Arden's iconic 8-Hour Cream, this product does exactly the same as the original - acts as a barrier between the skin and potential environmental irritants such as the weather or pollutants in the air, making it a must-have in wintery conditions.
3. Maintain A Routine
We all tend to be strict with ourselves when it comes to maintaining a proper skincare routine and that shouldn't end when it comes to lips. Even when the weather improves, we still need to keep up a routine to ensure all areas of the face are properly taken care of.
In keeping with maintaining a routine, swapping out your classic lip shades for a lip balm can really help the surface of your lips to retain moisture and also help the products you use regularly to last all day.
In particular, the L'Occitane Lip Balm works wonders in keeping your lips looking and feeling their best. The product contains shea butter which can help to soothe the skin, reduce any redness and retain moisture.
4. Embrace Lip-Loving Products
A great way to keep your lips looking pout-perfect is to embrace some new lip products that will keep them healthy. In particular, lip oils are ideal for maintaining moisture and thanks to its recent Tik-Tok trend fame, many people have now discovered the benefits of adding lip oils to your lip care routine.
A firm-favourite for many on social media and beyond is the Clarins Lip Comfort Oil and Comfort Oil Intense which come in a wide range of shades, making it ideal for replicating your favourite lip colours. The lip oil is great for giving your lips the look and feel of a regular lipgloss with a coloured tint, plus it has the added bonus of intense nourishment provided by the organic oils they contain.
Lip care can be very simply added into your regular skincare routine, and with the wide range of products available at McElhinneys online and at our in-store Beauty Hall - where our beauty experts are ready to lend a hand - you'll always have plenty of options to choose from.
Until next time,
Hannah x
