5 Best Ways to Upgrade your Lips —Not Just by Wearing Lipstick
Many people first notice the mouth and lips when looking for a potential partner. Taking care of these areas is necessary if you want a glowing smile and kissable lips.
Fortunately, these days it's easy to use your lips as a statement, whether it's a dash of colour or a healthy-looking mouth.
Here are the 5 best ways to upgrade your lips, not just by wearing lipstick.
1. Hydrate
Drinking plenty of water helps keep your body and lips hydrated, which is essential for maintaining smooth and healthy-looking lips. In addition to water, you can drink other beverages such as herbal teas, coconut water, or fruit-infused water to keep your lips plump.
Avoid drinking alcohol and caffeine to prevent dryness and cracking of the lips.
2. Lip Fillers
Lip fillers are one option to plump up your lips and add definition. They are an injectable treatment that can add volume to the lips and create a more defined lip shape.
Many lip fillers now use hyaluronic acid, a naturally-occurring sugar found in the body, as the main ingredient. This makes the treatment more natural-looking and less noticeable than the older fillers.
It's important to mention that lip fillers are a medical procedure and should only be performed by a qualified and experienced professional.
- Exfoliate
Exfoliating removes dead skin cells and keeps your lips smooth and soft. There are different techniques to exfoliate your lips, including using a lip scrub or a toothbrush.
A lip scrub is a product specifically designed for exfoliating the lips. It can be made with natural ingredients such as sugar, honey, and coconut oil. Apply a small amount of scrub on your lips and gently massage with your finger or a toothbrush, then rinse it with water.
You can also use a toothbrush to remove dead skin cells from your lips. Wet your toothbrush and gently brush your lips in a circular motion. Be sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid any irritation or damage to the skin.
Exfoliating should be done gently and not too frequently, ideally once or twice a week. Excessive exfoliation can lead to irritation, dryness, and even lip cracking.
We recommend using a lip balm or oil after exfoliating to keep your lips moisturised. Excellent options are A'PIEU Honey & Milk Lip Oil and Lip Balm.
These K-beauty formulas contain honey and milk protein to strengthen the lip's moisture barrier. You can use them alone or over lip tint to add shine.
It's also recommended to avoid exfoliating if your lips are already irritated or damaged; wait until they heal before doing it. You can use DHC Lip Cream to restore your lips quickly. This J-beauty lip cream keeps your lips soft, nourished, and dewy; plus, you can use it as a primer.
- Experiment with Different Textures
Experimenting with different textures of lipsticks can be a fun way to add depth and dimension to your lips.
Matte lipsticks, such as 3CE Mood Recipe 2 Matte Lip Color, have a flat, non-shiny finish and can create a bold, dramatic look. They can also be drying, ensuring your lips are well-moisturised before applying matte lipstick.
On the other hand, water lipsticks like ETUDE HOUSE Dear Darling Water Tint have a shiny, glossy finish and can be a great way to add a little glitter to your lips. They can be a fun option for special occasions or a night out.
Another texture is satin. It's an in-between finish, not as glossy as water and not as flat as matte. Satin lipsticks such as ROMAND Blur Fudge Tint provide a soft shine, moisturising, and long-wearing option for daily use.
To add depth and dimension to your lips, you can also try experimenting with different finishes, such as frost, cream, and pearl.
Mix and match different textures and finishes, such as water lip gloss over matte lipstick, to create a unique, custom look.
- Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Practicing good oral hygiene is an essential part of maintaining flawless lips. It keeps your lips healthy by reducing the risk of infection, dryness, and cracking. When your teeth and gums are healthy, your lips are less likely to be affected by issues such as chapped lips, cold sores, and other forms of irritation.
