Lipstick is not just your best ally concerning beauty, but it is also an inevitable conversation topic between girlfriends. That brings us to the big question: when does anyone talk about their pre-lipstick prep? Because it takes more than just a good shade to make your lips stand out.
STEP 1. SCRUB-A-DUB-DUB
Just as it is important to exfoliate dead skin from your body and face, scrubbing dead cells off your lips can make them look much more luscious. Check out this simple homemade recipe to buff your lips into tip-top shape:
2 Tablespoons of Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
1 Tablespoon Sugar
Half of a Lemon
Begin by squeezing the lemon into a bowl and combining the Sugar and Coconut oil. Let it rest until it becomes more solid before using the mixture to scrub your lips with your fingers. Let the scrub soak into your skin for about 30 seconds. This allows the coconut to fully moisturize. After this, simply rinse with water and wipe off the remaining dead skin.
STEP 2. BALMS AWAY
Once your lips are naturally perfectly exfoliated, make sure to keep them hydrated with lipbalm. In the Finding Ferdinand spirit of customization, here's a basic recipe to make your own vanilla lip balm:
1 Tablespoon Grated Beeswax
1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil
1/8 Cup Vanilla Extract
1/8 Cup Vitamin E Oil
In a microwave-safe container, heat the beeswax, coconut oil and vitamin E oil for 1-2 minutes until the wax is completely melted. Next, add the vanilla extract and stir with a wooden spoon. Pour the mixture into a small clean container and let it cool for several hours. This balm will keep your lips moisturize and tasting yummy.
STEP 3. CONCEAL THE DEAL
Once you are ready to begin applying lipstick, apply concealer around your lips and blend to the inside, then take a thin brush or pencil and line the outside of your lip with the lipstick color to create a definite border. This will give the lipstick greater adherence while fighting smudges and smears.
Roberta Woodworth Poncesanchez, Contributing Editor