Lip Balm

Lip Care

While so many of us spend hours at the gym or in front of the mirror primping, cleansing and enhancing our appearance, lip care tends to be completely forgotten. As lips have the thinnest skin found on the entire body, they require protection from the effects of wind, heat and sun exposure. Lip balm helps to combat these drying effects as the lips do not have natural sweat or oil glands. Licking our lips only aggravates this dehydrating process as the salvia evaporates quickly, leaving the lips even more parched then before. Regular application of balm is truly the best solution for maintaining the health of your sensuous lip zone. The texture and ingredients within lip balm protects the lip surface and seals in natural moisture.

Carry a tube of balm or gloss with you for anytime shine and protection. An absolute necessity in your makeup kit, purse, backpack and your car. Load up on a variety of flavors and styles depending on your tastes and needs. Stick versions are easy to apply, but the tubs keep the mixture from melting and leaking.

Lip Balm

Types

Some of the main types of lip balm are derived from petroleum products, like Vaseline or mineral oil. These versions are common and inexpensive. They provide protection and shine, but require frequent application.

Some women, who want to avoid the less organic petroleum products, prefer options that are wax based. Beeswax and carnauba are the most common ingredients found in the more natural lip products. If you are concerned about the elements hidden inside your lip products, always check the list of ingredients because the packaging does not always tell the whole story.

Some types of lip balm also contain sunscreen. This is an ideal way to protect from lip cancer. Look for a SPF of at least 15 and apply frequently when out in the sunshine.

Uses

Lip balm is not simply a lotion for your lips, but also a beauty enhancement. Consider the following tricks to best utilize your tub of miracle gloss:

• Smear a little on top of your lipstick for a sexy glossy pout.
• Draw out of the lines with your balm to ensure the skin around your lips has extra moisture to protect from the fine lines that inevitably appear there.
• Add some cherry Jell-O powder to your favorite lip balm to turn it into a glossy lip tint.
• Use a lip pencil and balm to create your own long lasting lip color combination.
• Mix eye shadow and lip balm to create a specially designed matte lipstick – but avoid colors that are too grey.

Homemade Balm

Whether you enjoy cooking and chemistry or want to avoid commercial products, lip balm is easy to make at home. Homemade recipes for the lips tend to last longer and have no artificial ingredients.

Basic Lip Balm Recipe

Start with the following ingredients:

• 1/4 cup light oil – either sesame or corn are the best types.
• 1/4 cup grated beeswax
• 1/2 teaspoon honey
• Few drops of essential oils (optional)

Place oil, wax and honey into a double boiler. Gradually heat until the wax is melted. Remove from heat and stir until thickened. Add the essential oils while stirring, if using. Pour into a sterile container and let cool completely before placing on your lips.

Beeswax can be purchased at many health food stores, or find it online at Liberty Natural. If you have a tendency toward allergies, be careful with beeswax, as some people are sensitive to it.