How to Create the Perfect Kisser

Valentine’s Day will be here before you know it, so now is the time to protect and restore your pout from chapped, crusty wintery conditions. If you are one of those gals who are addicted to Carmax, we are here to stage an intervention. Trust us, a perfect pout is as easy as:

Step #1: Scrub away dry lips

Step #2: Revitalize cracks and crevices with a soothing conditioner

Step #3: Apply a hydrating lipstick

Step #4: Top with a nourishing lip gloss

Step #5: Smooch your honey-bunny

Need more guidance?  Check out our favorite lovey, dovey lip products that make us weak in the knees

Step #1: Sweeten up and Scrub-a-Dub-Dub

An easy way to exfoliate the Dead Skin is to add some sugar to a concentrated lip balm.  Sink your index finger into the tin of Burt’s Bees’ Beeswax Original Lip Balm ($3) then dab it into raw granulated sugar (feel free to borrow a packet from your neighborhood Starbucks).  Run your concision over your lips for a 100% natural scrub.  The Burt’s Bees’ Balm gives lips a refreshing peppermint tingle for smooth, supple lips that everyone will be buzzing about.

Step #2: Caulk the Cracks

Applying a soothing base keeps skin supple and lip color in place:

The easiest way to stop the chapping is to keep lips hydrated.  Rely on a nourishing balm, like ELF Lip Balm SPF 15 ($3), to combine hydration and a sheer splash of color.  This beautiful balm relieves and soothes lips with an added benefit of SPF 15 to shield lips from harmful sun rays.

Step #3: Lay the Foundation

There are two critical elements in this process: 1. Pick a color that flatters your complexion 2. Eliminate any lip products that will dry out your lips. 

IT Cosmetics Vitality Lip Flush Anti-Aging Lipstick Stain is an easy choice – it glides on (literally, it feels so smooth, we felt like we were kissing silk).  This Lip Flush was developed to give you that long-wear naturally luminous color with a powerful stain that doesn't dry out lips.  As it states on the package: Live, Love, Laugh with Vitality – trust us, we are!

Dramatic mattes create a warmer base that is perfect for blending.  Smashbox Be Legendary Lipstick ($19) creates bold lips that stand out from the crowd.  Plus this beautiful lip color packed with vitamins C and E so lips are simultaneously nourished for an instant and long-term moisturization.

Step #4: Plump Your Pucker

There are few things worse than sticky lips.  These tried-and-true glosses promise to make the magic happen without gluing it to your mouth:

Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker™ Lip Plumping Gloss ($15) contains volume-maxing microspheres and LIPSWELL™ natural plant oil infusion to absorb moisture and increase blood flow. (Plus the name, siiiiiigh, gets us every time!) Lips appear instantly fuller and richer (and taste good too!).

Sue Devitt Lip Enhancing Gloss ($22) instantly creates a visibly fuller look thanks to Marine Filling Spheres that smooth out the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.  These collagen promoting peptides pack a powerful punch for a flattering shine and healthy, hydrated lips.

Step #5: Start the smooching…We’ll let you figure this one out on your own