Winter Woes: Solutions for Chapped Lips

Even though the holiday season is over and the New Year has started, it doesn’t mean the wrath of winter has completely subsided (at least, not for us lucky folk on the East Coast). The first of my annual winter woes are always chapped lips. Here’s how I’ve been managing a smooth pucker against this year’s cruel polar vortex:

1.) EXFOLIATE- LUSH Mint Julips Lip Scrub ($9,95): If my sister hadn’t bought me this yummy, mint-tasting lip scrub from LUSH for my birthday last year, I probably would’ve tried (keyword there) to make a homemade lip scrub. However, being the lazy girl that I am, this scrub has been my go-to for getting rid of perpetual dry skin on my lips. At least twice a day, before applying makeup or eating, I exfoliate my lips with this lip scrub and follow up with a lip balm. I will say it’s a tad drying to my lips but it does the job. Containing jojoba and vegan sugar, it’s a perfect way to scrub away dry skin and maintain soft, smooth lips for the day.
Interested in trying these next:
Bargain: Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques, Organic Lip Scrub, $5.50
Luxe: ILIA Beauty, Balmy Nights lip exfoliator stick, $26

2.) MOISTURIZE- S.W. Basics Lip Balm ($4): This balm is seriously the bomb! (Corny enough for you yet?) I haven’t found anything as moisturizing for my lips and doesn’t require constant reapplication. The flavors are delicious and if you’re not so keen on beeswax, they’re also offered in Vegan form. You can bet this sucker is always in my bag and on my lips everyday. I like that S.W. Basics products always have a simple ingredient lineup and this lip balm is no different. I recommend staying away from lip products with petroleum, camphor, menthol and salicylic acid which can contribute to dry and irritated lips and making you constantly apply lip balm.
Interested in trying these next:
Bargain: Badger Organic, Lip Balm Ginger and Lemon, $2.69
Luxe: Tata Harper, Lip Treatment Be True, $28

3.) PROTECT- After treating my lips, I like to lock in the moisture and protect my pucker from further outside damage. I love a great, hydrating tinted balm to act as my base lip product for the day and to provide a hint of color whether or not I decide to wear more lip products. I’m really loving Gressa Skin’s Lip Boost BARE ($21)* for this step in my lip routine. Bare is a perfect muted pink for an everyday, natural, “your lips but better” look. It’s very moisturizing and has great staying power whether used alone or as a base with other lip products layered on top. Another tinted lip balm which has the same super moisturizing and pigmented characteristics are the ILIA Beauty Tinted Lip Conditioners. I use Arabian Knights ($26) daily as a moisturizing balm and for a flush of red on the lips.
Interested in trying these next:
Bargain: Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Red Dahlia, $6.99
Luxe: RMS Lip Shine in Bloom, $25

4.) SEAL- This final step is sometimes optional for me, depending on the weather or how I’m feeling. I like to seal everything in on my lips with a hydrating, non-sticky gloss whether pigmented or clear. I absolutely hate walking around when it’s windy out and my hair sticking to my lips but on all other occasions, I think lip gloss is the best way to really set or finish the lips. I’m really loving the Red Apple Lipstick’s Mint to Be Lip Gloss in Honey Badger ($18.50)*.  (See swatches and my review on the lip gloss here.) It’s a perfect nude, pink that can be worn alone or on top of other lip colors. It’s not sticky or irritating and has a great lasting power plus, it’s deliciously minty-tasting! Another favorite is my Juice Beauty Reflecting Lip Gloss in Guava ($15)* which is very moisturizing and long-lasting with a subtle hint of shine and color.
Interested in trying these next:
Bargain: Honeybee Gardens Luscious Lipgloss in Innocence Watermelon Peachy Pink, $8.65
Luxe: Intelligent Nutrients, Lip Delivery Antioxidant Lip Gloss, $24

So, that’s it for this first installment of Winter Woes! Do you have any specific tips on keeping dry, chapped lips at bay? Let me know in the comments!

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*Indicated products were sent to me for review purposes. This post is not sponsored and I am never paid for my honest opinion. This post contains some affiliate links that do not cost anything to click or purchase through but purchasing through these links do help support this site.