Few make up looks exude ‘winter’ quite like a rich, berry-hued lip – which means you need your kiss in tip-top nick to make your chosen, statement shade look chic (not lived-in). A high-maintenance look, choose a long-wearing formula, and ensure lips are primed to perfection: that means smooth, supple and plumped so the pigment applies seamlessly (and won’t gather in fine lines or emphasise scales).
We’ve got some gorgeous balms that smell delectable and are packed with nourishing ingredients your lips will love. Take your pick from our edit of favourites…
{Nuxe Rêve de Miel Ultra Nourishing Lip Balm}
This beloved French skin care brand is in pretty much every Parisienne’s bathroom (and for good reason). In fact, one is sold every 28 seconds across the globe, such is its unparaleled conditioning prowess! This is thanks to a conditioning and lip plumping cocktail of plant extracts and shea butter, which also works to soothe dry, flaky skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
{Drunk Elephant Lippe Balm}
From the brand on everybody’s lips right now – figuratively and literally – Drunk Elephant’s super-cute Lippe Balm has a beautiful, buttery formula that ‘feeds’ your fragile skin with an elasticising blend of avocado, cranberry and the brand’s signature marula oils, to keep your pout protected from the dehydrating elements. Phenomenally fortifying, this miracle stick is a boon for parched lips – and is also ideal for your cuticles.
{Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Kiss Cupuaçu Lip Butter}
If you want to add some Brazilian sunshines to mid-winter days then this portable lip butter has the same yummy smell as the rest of the {Sol de Janeiro} range, with handy apply-on-the-go packaging. Its star ingredient is cupuaçu butter, which works like shea butter to moisturise lips to the max and lend a subtle, just-licked finish.
If you haven’t yet sniffed this iconic balm, you’re in for a treat. The pretty rose fragrance is addictive and not only moisturises lips, but is great for parched cuticles, dry patches on elbows and anywhere else needing a hydration hit. It’s got SPF 15 in there too to protect from UV rays (ideal to pack on a ski trip) as well as skin-strengthening ceramides. Plus, it’s pink (in the unlikely even that you still need convincing).
This overnight treatment is the ideal prescription for lips in serious need of T.L.C. Containing jojoba oil, shea butter and vitamins A and C, it’s designed to plump and perfectly prime the lips for liquid colour – and is the perfect partner to their own {Long-Wear Lip Crème Liquid Lipstick}.