A Day in the Life of My Lips: All the Products I Use in 24 Hours
Jas is the former Senior Content Specialist at Adore Beauty. A beauty admirer turned certified addict, she brings a sharp editorial eye and pop-culture pulse to everything she creates. Her words have appeared in The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, and Broadsheet. When she’s not producing viral content or podcasting about skincare, you’ll find her thrifting for vintage treasures or binging Bravo (strictly for research, of course).
As a beauty editor, I feel it’s my duty to keep you gorgeous people informed on the latest beauty trends and who’s who in the industry. Consider me your personal (Adore) beauty correspondent.
So, what’s the word on everyone’s lips this week? Exactly that—our lips.
That’s right, my friends, Adore Beauty’s annual Lips Week is back and might I add, more plumped-up than ever before (see what I did there?).
This year, we’re levelling up our lip routine. If we didn’t already have fifty pout-perfecting products on us at any given moment, we’re adding a few more to the mix for good measure.
Why? Because even though our mouth is basically the main character of our faces, they seldom get the care they truly deserve. All that yapping calls for a little lovin’.
And while I’m sure your four-dollar Woolies lip balm works just fine (no tea, no shade), let’s be real, it’s no berry-flavoured lip mask that smells good enough to eat. Trust me on this one.
As you know, we don’t gate-keep here. So, gather 'round because I’m spilling the tea on how to prep, pamper, and polish your pout until it’s soft, supple, and oh-so-smooth.
In this case, I’m more than happy to kiss and tell.
P.S. In celebration of National Lipstick Day, we're giving away a FREE full-sized M.A.C Lipstick with any M.A.C purchase. One for you, one for your bestie.
Offer available from Thursday 25th of July 2024 to Monday 29th of July 2024, or while stock lasts.
P.S.S. I've included a video of this lip routine below too!
Step 1. Prep With A Lip Mask.
Like any good beauty regimen, the first step is all about the prep.
Just like our skin, our lips perform their best when they’re hydrated and smooth—a perfect blank canvas for whatever you apply next.
You could start with a lip scrub to gently exfoliate, especially if you experience dryness or flaking overnight. This helps in removing dead skin cells and allowing hydrating products to penetrate better.
Alternatively, you might opt to close your routine this way, helping to lift away all the product build-up and dead skin from the day (more on this soon).
After showering and cleansing my face in the morning, I apply a lip mask as the first step of my skincare routine.
One of my new faves at the moment is the Mediheal Pantenolips Sleeping Mask.
Forget what you’ve heard about lip masks being strictly for overnight use—I lather my lips in them like they’re going out of style. I recommend anyone struggling with chapped lips do the same!
The Mediheal mask contains panthenol and hyaluronic acid, both of which are known for their incredible hydrating properties. Panthenol soothes and heals dry lips, while hyaluronic acid retains moisture, making your lips appear plumper.
(There's also a Mediheal Balm and lip tints if you're interested!)
I love that it’s thick but not sticky, hydrating but not glossy. It's the Goldilocks of lip care and the perfect in-between product that keeps lips feeling and looking good, no matter what the day throws at them; products, coffees, 3pm treats…
You could add in a lip primer if you like, for example, if you're planning on sporting a bold lip all day. However, IMO, a lip balm or mask works just as well.
Pro Tip: Look for nourishing ingredients like peptides and hyaluronic acid to help plump up your pout.
Step 2. Colour With Your Favourite Lip Combo.
Lately, I’ve been all about curating the ultimate lip combo—layering liners and lipsticks, balms and oils—all in the name of the picture-perfect pout.
It’s an art, after all.
For a classic, everyday neutral look, I’m currently loving this trio:
- MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Color Pencil in the shade Endless Cacao (IYKYK);
- M.A.C Cosmetics Satin Lipstick in the shade Spirit; and
- our very own AB LAB by Adore Beauty HA Plump Hydrating Lip Oil in the shade Cashmere.
Not to toot my own horn, but I think this might be my favourite lip combo yet.
The Artist Color Pencil provides a defined shape, preventing lipstick from feathering and adding depth to the colour.
M.A.C's Spirit offers a satin finish that balances moisture and a polished look.
The AB LAB Lip Oil seals in hydration while adding a subtle shine, perfecting the overall look.
Pro Tip: When applying lipstick, use a lip brush for precise application and blend the liner and lipstick seamlessly for a more natural look.
Step 3. Touch-Up With A Tinted Lip Gloss or Balm.
Now, I’m a little pastry-obsessed, so there’s a strong chance that by mid-morning, my lips are practically non-existent... besides the odd croissant crumb, of course.
Depending on my plans for the rest of the day and how “together” I need to look, I’ll either top up my lips with an all-in-one like the Huda Beauty Faux Filler Gloss.
This product combines the benefits of a balm, tint and gloss, providing hydration and a pop of colour, perfect for on-the-go touch-ups.
Or, if I’m desk-bound for the afternoon, I go with a swipe of a tinted balm like my holy grail Ole Henriksen Pout Preserve Peptide Lip Treatment Cocoa Creme
This is the ultimate “lazy-girl” makeup product—it softens, smooths, and adds a subtle hit of pigment for a your-lips-but-better look.
Pro Tip: For a more natural look, dab a bit of gloss at the centre of your lips and blend outward for a subtle gradient effect.
Step 4. Exfoliate With A Lip Scrub.
As the day draws to a close, I start counting down the seconds until I can get home and take my makeup off.
Even though I love applying and wearing it, there’s no greater feeling than that first wipe of a warm cloth sweeping all the products off my face.
Depending on the state of my lips, I’ll either remove my lip products in the shower with my cleansing balm.
But if I’ve been layering on lip products all day, I go back in with the NYX Professional Makeup #ThisIsEverything Lip Scrub.
This sweetly scented lip scrub is made with gentle sugar particles that exfoliate without being harsh.
A disclaimer, however: while it does taste good enough to eat and I may or may not have eaten a little myself (strictly for research purposes, of course), the jury’s still out on whether or not it’s safe to do so. And by jury, I mean Google…
Pro Tip: Pair the NYX scrub with a cleansing tool like the Benefit Pore Care Cleansing Wand.
This enhances the exfoliating process, ensuring even the most stubborn makeup residues are gone, like a bright red lip that's settled into the cracks over the course of the day.
Step 5. Hydrate With An Overnight Mask.
You didn’t really think this would be a complete lip routine without at least a mention of the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask 20g, did you?
It’s a cult classic for a reason, and there’s always at least one pot by my bedside.
I find it works best if you apply the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask right before bed, allowing it to sink in slowly instead of rubbing your lips together as you normally would.
This rich, buttery mask envelops the lips in intense hydration, enriched with berry extracts and vitamin C that replenish and repair your lips as you sleep.
From there, it’s time to sign off for the day and let this clever little lip mask do its magic overnight, working overtime as you sleep to give you soft, smooth, and supple lips by morning.
Pro Tip: Use a thin layer for daily hydration or a thicker layer when your lips need extra care.
Additional Tips That Don’t Cost A Thing.
My lips have a lot to say when it comes to caring for them, so here are a few more tips to keep your pout in tip-top shape:
- An obvious one, but ensure you’re drinking plenty of water throughout the day to keep your body and lips hydrated.
- Incorporate foods rich in vitamins like C and E, which support healthy skin and lips.
- Use a lip balm with SPF (like this one by Ultra Violette) to protect your lips from harmful rays.
- Opt for lip products free from fragrance and chemicals if you have sensitive skin.
Final Thoughts.
With these steps and tips, your lips will not only look good but feel good, ready to face whatever the day (or night) throws at them.
Repeat these steps regularly, and you'll have the perfect pout, all day, every day.
As promised, I've captured my lip routine in a video for you.
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