One of my readers, who appears to be a professional beauty/skincare expert in her own right recently asked me what my favourite lip products are.
This question is like my dream exam question. It’s a pity its unrelated to the bar exam I sat, two decades ago.
To be clear, I am borderline obsessed with lip products for two reasons. Dry lips result in cold sores for me and its my pet physical hate. (That and flabby arms). While I live in the UK, I tried everything you could possibly think of. Recently, I have tried a few South Korean masks and I’ve been underwhelmed.
Which products cannot I NOT live without?
Hands-down these work for me. Some of them have been reviewed on my blog, but not all of them.
NIOD Bio Lipid Concentrate (US$ 70 for 15ml)
I agree. This is a stupidly expensive product and hence its always in my bathroom cabinet. Here me out: I don’t need to use any other lip care product AND it makes my lips lighter. If you are Indian and (like me) have dark as hell lips because of all that cheap, pigmented lipstick you used when you were younger, then is your product.
This product is extortionately expensive, but it lasts a good 3 months. It helped make my lips lighter and I didn’t need to use any other hydrating balm or lip product in addition to this.
Jo Malone Vitamin E lip conditioner
If you read my blog regularly, you’ll know I am so upset with this brand because of the country-pricing arbitrage it engages in. But like NIOD’s product, I don’t need a lot of this product AND it just blends in like butter (but without the sheen) and leaving your lips supple. And yes, it is a US$36 lip balm (Sorry).
Clarins lip oil
It is a pity that Clarins is finding itself in financial difficulties, because the brand should keep going just because of the lip oils, which are so good. Clarins have introduced a plethora of colours, but honestly, I just like the original.
And yes, it is cheap(ish) at GBP 19 or US$ 26
Finally, the game changer to my routine
I also find that exfoliating my lips once or twice a week helps keep them hydrated and supple. I use the Forest Essentials’ one b/c its cheap (INR 595 for 10g) and does the job, rather than any other reason.
If you do use this, your lips will flake the first few times before they normalise
Pat McGrath liquilust legendary matter lipstick
I don’t like liquid lipsticks, especially matte versions because they are so drying. Not Pat McGrath. There is nothing I don’t love about this product from the applicator brush to the colour. Note that once this lipstick dries out, the colour intensifies. A little goes a long way.
I am sure I will be writing more about lip products in the future. Drop me a line if you have any questions about lip products! email@happyskindays.com
1 thought on “Which are my favourite lip products?”
Hello! I love the certified geek content you write here. This is not just another blog. I love it. I have a question. I am also south asian, dark lip, over weight woman in 40s … I have been looking for a lip product which helps clean up the pigmentation and keeps my lips hydrated and soft (too much to ask) anyways, I am not a make up person and I do not like wearing lipsticks. I want my lips to look naturally hydrated and un-pigmented. Do you have any product suggestions please?