Get Your Lips Cold and Winter Ready

Chapped lips and cold sores are a year-round issue for some, but undoubtedly get worse in the winter or cold weather. Yet sexy lips are key to the winter and rainy season. We don't have winter in the Philippines but our cold and rainy season is still getting its toll on our precious lips. Whether you’re cuffed and want to Netflix and chill, or flaunt your smile at the company holiday party, keeping your lips healthy is essential to a good time. The key to healthy lips all winter and cold weather is to act early and often.

First, you should routinely exfoliate. By removing dead skin cells, lip balm becomes more
effective at locking in the moisture that our lips are deprived of during the cold season. I personally love my go-to Maybelline Baby Lips in Rose Addict. Not only does it moisturize but it also preps my lips for my favorite everyday lip tint (and sometimes lipstick) products.

You can even make your own scrub too. Simply mix equal parts honey and brown sugar, apply to your finger, and gently scrub for 15 to 30 seconds. Rinse off, pat dry, and then apply lip balm. But be careful, if you scrub too hard, you are at risk of damaging the healthy layer of skin underneath. Or if not, you can buy one from the nearest beauty store around you or even online. Got mine from Shopee for only P150 and it has helped me maintain exfoliate and soften my lips. Not only is it cheap but it also smells nice like a bubble gum. My lip scrub is also in mint which gives me that cold mint feeling on my lips. My lips feel really fresh right after!

Once you reveal that healthy layer, it is imperative that you keep it protected from the elements. Cold, dry air not only makes chapped lips worse but can also trigger cold sores. If you do contract cold sores, you should address them immediately.

To remain cold sore-free, lip balm works as a preventative by acting as a protective layer
between your lips and even the harshest of elements. Therefore, picking the right balm to protect your lips is essential. The most important factor in making your choice should be functionality, not look or smell. If you find you’re reapplying numerous times throughout the day, you may want to consider choosing a product that is more long-lasting.

When purchasing a lip balm, it is imperative to read the label and research the ingredients. Certain ingredients have a tendency to dry out lips. It is also imperative to look for a balm that contains SPF. Even in the winter, with shorter days and more clouds, harmful UV rays from the sun do plenty of damage to your lips. Not only will your lips become dry, but sunlight can cause cold sores too.

Nothing is worse than picking the perfect shade of lipstick, only to have chapped lips or a cold sore. No amount of balm or lipstick will properly cover that up. But if you follow these quick and easy steps, you’ll be on your way to beautiful, healthy lips all winter long. Keep in mind that healthy lips start with the proper self-care routine. Once your mouth is well maintained, pick your favorite color of lipstick, go out, and have fun! :)