For beautiful lips

 In the age of selfies, every woman wants to have the perfect pout to look picture perfect. Difficult as it may sound, it is actually a simple task, if you pay a little more attention to nurturing your lips, reveals Bharti Modi.

Remember when Kesha sang the Red Lipstick song, how she talked about her enticing red lipstick that people couldn’t take their eyes off. Well, it is true, isn’t it? We all want full, luscious and rosy lips, which can make us appear more attractive. We do everything we can to make our lips look beautiful. 

However, this may often come at a price, especially if you are resorting to cosmetics for that extra glamorous look. Constant application of makeup may not bode very well with your skin, for lips are one of the most sensitive parts of the face, due to the thin epidermal layer they are made of. Thus, harsh weather affects them quicker and worse than it affects the rest of the body. 

Although lips appear to be the smallest part of our body, they are responsible for accomplishing some of the major tasks our body performs. They help us speak, voice opinions, smile and above all, contribute significantly in magnifying our beauty and looks. Like all other features, lips are also an inevitable and alluring part of our body, that can add volumes to our femininity and sensuality. Hence, this small, yet special feature of our body deserves extra care and nurturing.

To maintain the overall beauty of the lips, different tips have to be followed in different seasons.

When it rains

n Do not to forget to exfoliate your lips on alternate days.

n Unlike our skin, lips don’t have oil and sweat glands. So they are more susceptible to dryness and chapping. Hence you must apply some moisturising ingredients like ayurvedic balms, glycerine, natural oils and petroleum jelly to keep them moist and supple.

n You can also take a concoction of honey and sugar granules and massage it over your lips to remove dead cells.

n If your lips are cracked or chapped, then apply a little bit of ghee on your navel. n Try to apply SPF-containing lip gels and balms over your lips to prevent lips from harsh sun rays. Don’t forget to put a thick layer of balm on lips.

n Apply a thin coat of lipstick and lip gloss on your lips. Go for neutral tones and matte-finish colours instead of glossy ones.

n Use a mixture of crushed papaya on your lips. You can also apply a blend of lemon and honey to avoid discolouration. n Just like the rest of your skin, your lips need protection from sunburn and premature aging. In fact, they can be prone to precancerous changes and skin cancer. Avoid the sun when you can, in addition to using sunblock everyday, regardless of the weather.

n Last, but not the least, always remember to add nutritious food in your diet. A healthy diet is the organic way of offering your body the right amount of vital nutrients and antioxidants. They play a major role in creating a protective shield for the lips. When it’s cold

n Using purified butter is one of the most effective natural remedies to treat extra dry and cracked lips.

n Apply a mixture of glycerin and honey to get rid of cracks on lips.

n Prepare a blend of beeswax and virgin olive oil to retain the moisture of lips.

n Aloe vera gel contains several beauty benefits. It is packed with skin moisturising and exfoliating elements. Take a bit of aloe vera paste and apply it on your lips for a few minutes. Rinse it off and feel the difference.

n For pink lips, apply a paste of rose petals on them. Take a few rose petals and soak them in milk overnight. The next morning, grind the rose petals to make a fine paste and apply it on your lips.

When it’s hot

n Don’t forget to carry a lip balm in your summer skincare bag as it helps in protecting lips from harmful UV rays and moisturises them as well, thereby preventing dehydration and chapping.

n Remember to exfoliate your lips with the help of a brush everyday in the morning. This helps in eliminating the residue from the surface of the lips and leaves them feeling smooth. After exfoliation, be sure to apply lip balm.

n In addition to daily application of lip balm, apply a moisturising cream at night so that the lips can absorb moisture while you sleep.

n Lip chapping occurs due to dehydration; so stay hydrated to have healthy lips.

n Healthy skin comes from inside. So stick to a healthy diet that includes omega 3, vitamin C, vitamin E and fatty acids, for that glowing skin and envy-worthy lips.(The author is technical director and beauty expert, Inveda)