We all know how we feel about those pesky lip lines. Whether they are around our lips or on the lips themselves, many of us are looking for ways to minimize them. And that includes me. Taking care of my lips is something I wish I had started sooner, but starting later in life, or even now, can still yield great results.
I am sharing with you the products and routines I use to keep my lips in their best shape. I use lots of different products, but I do alternate when I use them. So, don’t think you have to use all of these every night. Just using one or two will even help.
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Minimizing Lip Lines: Lip Scrubs
This is where I usually start. I think that getting rid of dry flaky skin on your lips is the first step in minimizing those lip lines. It’s almost impossible to get lipstick to look good if it has to go on over dry flaky skin.
I usually use my lip scrub at night, followed by a lip mask (that we’ll talk about in a minute). I don’t use a lip scrub every night. It’s something I use it when I feel that my lips are starting to dry out. In general, it’s usually about 2-3 times a week. A little more in the winter when all our skin is a little drier.
Here are the two that I have been using. I really like both of them, I just like to try different products.
Lip Masks
Lip masks can be used alone or after a lip scrub if you like. I do try to use a lip mask every night if I can. I do notice a difference in the morning, every single time. My lips feel soft and definitely look smoother. It does help with the lip lines on my actual lips.
I’ve always been a big fan of the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask (it works great). I received the Tatcha Lip Mask as a gift and that one has been great too. I have used all the Sara Happ products before as well, including the scrub that I include above. Lips are all Sara does, and their products are great. None of these products feel sticky at all. You pretty much forget they are on.
I use them in my evening beauty routine (after I brush my teeth and floss!)
Minimizing Lip Lines: Serum Treatment
I have not gotten to a place where I am looking for a procedure to minimize my lips lines. Never say never, but I don’t see me going down that path. So, for now, I am sticking with some products, like serums to help with keeping my lips look great.
I am a big fan of Strivectin products in general, so I had to try their “Double Fix for Lips Plumping & Vertical Line Treatment” when I heard about it. One side of the tube is for around your lips, addressing those lip line concerns and the other is for plumping your lips. The plumping side can be used alone or with lipstick. I used it alone at night, altering with my lip masks.
Prepping Your Lips for Lipstick
The previous products are all for treating. your “naked” lips. But what about right before you put on your lipstick? I am in LOVE with MAC’s “Prep & Prime” as a lip primer. I try to always use this before putting on my lipstick, especially before an event or a photo shoot.
Think of it the way you would think of a primer for you foundation, it works the same way. It has no color, it just adds a base that smooths and refines those lip lines!
My Favorite Lipsticks
So, for the final step, it’s important to pick the right lipstick for your lips. Everyone’s needs and likes are different, so I will share what I find works best for me.
From an overall perspective, I prefer a “cream” or a “satin” lipstick. I tend to stay away from matte lipsticks because for me, I feel that they don’t do as good a job as hiding imperfections. (On a side note, I actually have a freckle on my lips, so that’s just something else I have to work with!)
I will literally try any lipstick brand that are reasonably priced, although I would splurge for a special occasion. The two brands/lines that I find work the best for me are MAC Lipstick Cream and Maybelline Color Sensational Cream Lipstick. They both have great buildable coverage and don’t dry out my lips.
Lip Liners
Using a lip liner is great for making sure that your lipstick doesn’t “bleed” into those pesky lip lines. I like to outline my lips and then fill them in slightly with the lip liner. That way, I find that you don’t end up with just lip liner if you’ve “eaten” off your lipstick. It gives a nice precise look. Once again, I may not put it on for a grocery store run, but I pretty much always use it when I am going out to dinner, etc.
I do like the MAC lip liners since I can coordinate them with my MAC lipsticks. I also recently tried the Sephora Brand lip liners that Jen and I talked out in our most recent “Beauty At Any Age” post. They are great also.
Minimizing Lip Lines: The Final Touch
One of the last steps that I take, especially for an event is to add a bit of Lip Oil on top on my lipstick. I don’t usually do this when I am running to the grocery store, but if I really want to go “all out” I will make this my last step. I
t’s a little bit oil, a little bit gloss, but it hydrates better than a gloss. It’s a great finishing touch. I’ve been using the e.l.f Glow Reviver Lip Oil in Crystal Clear, but they do have colors that you can wear over your lipstick or by itself.
My Look:
From left to right:
MAC Prep-N-Prime, Sephora Collection Lip Liner in Rum Raisin, MAC Lipstick in Amorous and e.l.f Lip Oil in Crystal Clear
If you liked this post, make sure to check out “How to Pick the Best Lipstick Color For Your Skin Tone”.
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