Your lips aren't just another step in your beauty routine—they're where colour binds confidence and self-expression. In the world of beauty, lips have the power to completely transform your look with one swipe. Whether you're rocking a bold red to stand out or a subtle nude that enhances your natural beauty, your lip colour says a lot about your mood and personality. Achieving and maintaining the perfect pout takes more than just choosing a shade—it requires a dedicated care routine to keep your lips soft, supple and flawless. Here, we outline the essential steps to prepare your canvas for flawless lipstick application that lasts all day without drying out.

A Clean Slate

Before scrubbing your lips, it’s crucial to start with a fresh base. The skin on your lips is thinner and lacks the oil glands that keep your face hydrated, making it prone to dryness and chapping. That’s why dedicated lip care products are essential to hydrate and protect them. Begin by gently cleansing your lips with a damp washcloth, cleansing oil, or micellar water. This prepares your lips for the next stages of your routine, ensuring they remain smooth, hydrated, and perfectly primed.

Exfoliate Away

The key to irresistibly smooth lips is all about exfoliation. Forget harsh scrubs meant for your face—your lips deserve a gentler touch. When opting for a lip scrub, a minute of circular massage works wonders, gently buffing away those pesky dry patches. The result? Lips that feel as soft as they look, with an added bonus: smoother application and longer-lasting hydration from your favourite lip balm. Treat your lips right—you’ll be thankful for it later.

Masked Perfection

Ever wished for a spa treatment just for your lips? Enter the lip mask: it's like a plush, velvet robe for your mouth, designed to indulge and hydrate beyond what regular balms can offer. These intensive formulas go the extra mile, drenching your lips in nourishing ingredients to soften, smooth, and plump them up. Ideal for those moments when your lips need some serious TLC, whether it's a wind-whipped day or a cosy night in. Treat yourself to the luxury of a lip mask because your smile deserves a little VIP treatment too.

Hydration Heroes

Just like your face needs its daily dose of moisturiser and your under-eye area craves its own brightening cream, your lips also deserve regular hydration. Incorporating a nourishing lip balm into your daily routine isn't just about preventing dryness—it's about keeping your lips smooth, soft, and moisturised throughout the day. Don't wait for your lips to feel parched before reaching for your balm; make it a habit to apply it regularly. Keep one with your skincare essentials and use it as one of your final steps before heading out.

Sunproof Pout

Did you know your lips are also prone to harmful exposure? Using a lip balm with SPF 30 or higher, as recommended by dermatologists, prevents sunburn, premature ageing, and skin cancer. Choose between mineral sunscreens, with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide for sensitive skin, or chemical sunscreens, with ingredients like avobenzone and octocrylene for a comfortable wear. Whether you prefer the gentle touch of mineral or the ease of chemical sunscreens, incorporating SPF into your lip care routine is essential, making sure your lips are as protected along with the rest of your face.

The Final Swipe

The 90s called to let us know that glossy and blurry lips are back in a big way. Now that you have your lips all prepped for that long-lasting lip colour application, embrace the season’s lip trends that make your lips the highlight of your looks this year. Opt for either a chic, smudged look with cool berry or warm terracotta shades for that effortlessly blurred effect or if you’re in the mood for shine, a tinted lip gloss will give your lips a plump, luminous appeal with a flush of colour.