The holiday season is the time to pucker up and stay kissable. You need to get those lips ready for the mistletoe. Beautiful lippies are super popular this time around and I know you want to be picture-perfect for those holiday photos. Lips are one of the first things people look at when they look at you so you want to keep it up to pair. Winter, unfortunately, does a number on the skin of your lips so keep that lip balm handy when you are traveling or heading out. This article is going to discuss what causes dry lips and what best ways to keep your lips kissable! It's time to upgrade your lip care routine.

What causes dry lips?

Many factors cause dry, chapped lips. Dry cold weather is one of them, so you need to keep your lips protected from the elements. Even dry air from your heater at home can dry out your lips during bedtime. The most common cause—that people don't realize is lip licking. Licking your lips too often during the day can cause dry skin because you are licking away your chapstick. Your tongue zaps away all the moisture and work you put in to keep them moisturized. Please do your best not to lick your lips as much as possible during the day.

Exposure to harsh cold winds can do a huge number on your lips and cause cracking. Before heading out in those harsh conditions be sure to prep your lips for it.

It is also self-care from the inside out as well. Some vitamin deficiencies such as lacking; vitamin B, folic acid, and iron can contribute. Remember skincare is more than skin deep as well. Too much sun exposure has a lot to do with it. You'd think you wouldn't have to worry about that in the colder months but the sun will prove you wrong. Sometimes allergies to certain products like toothpaste or ingredients in your chapstick have some to do with it. Double-check the ingredients to make sure your allergens are not in them. Also, check the ingredients in your toothpaste before you brush your teeth to make sure nothing is giving you an allergic reaction.

Dry lips can be a sign of dehydration as well. Make sure you are drinking enough water throughout your day in between drinking coffee and hot teas. Hot teas can rob your lips of moisture as well. Always keep your favorite chapstick handy after drinking your favorite tea. Lip care starts from the inside out as well. Lip care is part of your skin, inner work is super important.

Lip Care Routine 

Exfoliate First

Exfoliation is the first big step to healing chapped lips and prepping them for the harsh winter weather. Skin renews itself daily and chapped lips want to start anew. The best way to do it is to buffer away all that dead peeling skin after brushing your teeth. Lip scrubs should be in your skincare routine if it isn't already. The scrubs will help you stimulate blood flow and get your new skin ready to be kissed. Lip scrubs will leave your skin soft and supple. However, be mindful of how often you are doing this. You only need to do it twice a week or sometimes just once. Lips scrubs should be gentle and only require a few ingredients; brown sugar and any two oils of your choice. This is the first step to lip care.

Oils

Oils should be your first or second line of defense. Oils will be your initial layer of moisture to keep your lips soft while you get ready for your day or ready for bed. The best oils for your lips; coconut, grape seed, jojoba oil, or vitamin E oil. It only needs a few drops to make it effective. 

Lip Balm

Lip Balm or chapstick will be your second line of defense to combat dryness. It is best to apply this on your lips before using lipgloss/lipstick. Lip balm will give your lips most of the protection it needs from the elements and drinking anything hot. Even if you want to bucker up, it will help prevent too much friction. Lips don't have oil glands which is the reason why lip balm or chapstick is super important. Make sure to apply them early in the day and throughout the day.

You don't have to limit yourself to lip balms or chapstick, you can use ointments as well. It's all based on your preference or skincare needs. The key is to protect your lips from the elements, just like you would protect your hands with gloves and your head with a hat to beat the cold weather. Lip Balm is the bare minimum for lip care, especially if you are a simple chick. Here are some of our favorite Lip Balms.

Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Moisturizing Stick - this lip balm protects the lips from the elements. It helps treat dry skin and repair it with the power of Honey!

PCA Skin Lip Peptide Therapy - it prevents the appearance of lip lines while keeping your lips supple.

Avene Cicalfate LIPS - Silky lip balm seals in moisture for soothing, cooling relief while facilitating the recovery process.

Bioderma Atoderm Lip Balm - restores dry, chapped labial mucosa. It's highly nourishing active ingredients such as avocado oil and shea butter biologically repair and regenerate weakened lips. 

Avene Cold Cream Lip Butter - Ultra-nourishing lip butter provides immediate relief and protection for dry and damaged lips.

Moisturizing Lipsticks

Some lipsticks can be drying to the skin and it will defeat the purpose of all the work you just put into your lips. Sometimes matte lipsticks will dry up your lips during the time your outside so you need to avoid certain ingredients. Each lipstick has these key ingredients: wax, pigment, and oil. Sometimes the lipstick has so much pigment that it overpowers the oil and pulls the moisture from your lips. This can make your lips look dry and sometimes crack. The ingredients to look for in lipsticks are; shea butter, vitamin E oil, peptides, and antioxidants. These ingredients will keep your lips looking fabulous while wearing your favorite pop of color. Here are some lippie favs!

theBalm Meet Matte Hughes Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick - This is a beautiful liquid lipstick that has a matte finish. However, it will leave your lips moisturized.

RMS Beauty Tinted Daily Lip Balm - This is a moisturizing lip balm that gives your lips a bit of color! It will leave you beautiful and kissable.

Colorescience Lip Shine SPF 35 - A rich and classy gloss that will leave your lips super plump.

Like any part of your skin, your lips will need some attention too. Remember it's one of the first few things a person will look at when they see your pretty face. The key to lip care is to keep them protected from the harsh cold weather and the sun. Make lip balm your friend and gently exfoliate during the week when you can. Keep your lip balm everywhere you go!