Three Ways to Exfoliate Your Lips and Prep for Lipstick

eos lip balm-1 — 4 of these were already mine, but eos sent me some new ones for my very colorful collection.

You all know I love a matte or liquid lipstick, which is probably why one of my most frequent questions is “How do you keep your lips from getting dry and chapped?” When wearing matte lipstick, you’re faced with a few obstacles: if your lips are already dry, it will amplify every imperfection and exacerbate the problem. And if your lips aren’t properly prepped and cared for, it can lead to dryness. That’s why I keep my lips exfoliated and moisturized, and frequently apply balm throughout the day. If you follow me on snapchat, you might remember a month or so ago, I found something like 6 different lip balms in my backpack (4 of them were eos, whom I partnered with for this post). And if you know me in real life, you definitely know that I have a multitude lip balms stashed everywhere: by my bed, on my vanity, in every bag and coat pocket, in drawers…just in case I need it, I like having them nearby. My lips are rarely if ever chapped, because I cannot stand the feeling and do everything to avoid it. Even my longest wearing lipsticks are removed (usually halfway through the day), to do away with that caked-up feeling and give them some moisture before reapplying. BUT! It’s not just about keeping your lips moisturized. You also have to remember to exfoliate your lips. So, without further ado, here are three different ways to exfoliate your lips, so that you can comfortably wear matte lipstick or liquid lipstick:

Coconut and brown sugar scrub: Mix equal parts coconut oil (while in its solid form) and brown sugar and put it in a clean jar, which you can keep in the fridge. I make a very small batch, so I don’t have to worry about spoiling. Once it’s mixed into a thick paste, just dab some on your lips and gently scrub, then wipe away. Bonus: it tastes pretty good, too!

Oil and muslin cloth (or a washcloth): This is my daily go-to, when I do my first cleanse at night. Since I first use a cleansing oil, I apply a little extra at the end and wipe with a muslin cloth. I think of this as the lazy girl’s exfoliant.

eos Lip Balm and toothbrush: Apply a generous amount of lip balm, then gently brush your lips with a toothbrush that’s designated for this task (but I suppose that should go without saying). This works best with softer bristles, so it won’t irritate your lips.

You can choose any of the three ways to exfoliate your lips, but always remember to apply lip balm, after! Let it sink in for a little while, then blot excess with blotting paper. I prefer blotting paper because it quickly soaks up excess oils and doesn’t leave any lint. Despite my literal bowl full of eos lip balms, I always seem to reach for the sweet mint when it’s nearby. It’s definitely my favorite!