Here's a big secret: men like natural-looking lips. Surprise (OK, we know this isn't the craziest news you'll hear all week, but it's a good reminder that less is more and that guys actually appreciate that).
And while we often get caught up in wearing fun new lip colors and glosses, sometimes it's nice to push all of that aside and go au naturale -- it's way easier too. So with that in mind, we asked makeup artists, estheticians and a slew of beauty bloggers for their most kissable-worthy lip tips. Read on and get ready to have the softest, most natural-looking lips ever.
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Find the cause
"Always make sure you figure out the cause [of your dry lips] prior to the solution," says Susan Perry, a medical esthetician based in San Francisco. So why do you have dry lips? She shares some possible causes:
Environmental -- if you're outdoors a lot in the elements like wind, dry air, or cold, it can cause dryness.
Allergies/sensitivities -- things like matte or long-lasting lipsticks, mouthwashes, toothpaste, citrus drinks or foods can all cause dry lips if you're allergic to them.
Medications -- Accutane and other medications can cause dry lips.
Medical condition -- like cold sores, dermatitis, eczema can cause or be confused with dry lips.
Recent surgery, anesthesia, injectibles, or dental treatments can all cause dry lips.
Diet -- a lack of Vitamin B can cause dry lips.
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Exfoliate
"Exfoliate your lips with a soft toothbrush or washcloth every few days to keep 'em soft and kissable." -- Delphine, Steeping Beauty
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Scrub, scrub, scrub
"Create your own lip scrub with a tablespoon of brown sugar, a dash of cinnamon and add olive oil until you reach the desired consistency. (Hint: thicker is better.) Rub it over your lips using your fingertips. Any flakes will disappear." -- Christine, 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic
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ChapStick Fresh Effects
"After removing the dead skin cells on my lips [with a scrub], I wipe everything away with a damp warm wash cloth and call it a day. If I need to further moisturize, I apply lip balm. ChapStick Fresh Effects, $2.99 is my favorite." -- Dao, My Makeup Blog
Here's a big secret: men like natural-looking lips. Surprise (OK, we know this isn't the craziest news you'll hear all week, but it's a good reminder that less is more and that guys actually appreciate that).
And while we often get caught up in wearing fun new lip colors and glosses, sometimes it's nice to push all of that aside and go au naturale -- it's way easier too. So with that in mind, we asked makeup artists, estheticians and a slew of beauty bloggers for their most kissable-worthy lip tips. Read on and get ready to have the softest, most natural-looking lips ever.
