Lips & Lip Care
It’s nothing new to realize that appearances are important. A first impression is often the most lasting factor of any relationship, for if the first impression is sufficiently bad, there may not be any chance for further interaction. And of course, the first thing most people notice when meeting someone new is the face, so it’s important to make the most of your features in order to make a positive impression.
Soft healthy pink lips usually draw attention and are the source of many non-verbal communications. The poses of the mouth can change the meaning of words being spoken and can say even more than the words themselves.
Lip care requires a routine and an attitude toward the things that need to be done to get results. But the benefits are worthwhile: attractive lips are key to inspiring intimacy, and beautiful lips can attract attention and help you stand out in a crowd.
Good lip care means taking care of yourself from the inside out. Eat plenty of green veggies and fruits, especially those high in Vitamins E and A. Drink plenty of water to help keep your skin hydrated. Use good lip balms and keep your lips moisturized.
Of course, cosmetics aren’t the only way that the lips are enhanced in our modern age. Today we see everything from minor surgical procedures to facial piercings used in an attempt to enhance and draw focus to the lips. So let’s look at the range of lip-related options in our modern world:
Lip Balms
Lips go through a bad time during cold and dry months. They have a real tough time coping with the worst climatic conditions. Dry chapped lips, which are the result of lack of moisture in the skin, lead to embarrassment and frustration. It is here that lip balms come to rescue. The most effective are creamy, smoothly applied balms rather waxy-type sticks. You may have to reapply more often, but the results will be great.
Lip Gloss
Lip gloss not just lends a moisturizing effect to your lips, but also makes them appear moist and plumped. It can be used to make your lip color last longer and make your lips appear fuller.
Lip Augmentation
Today, many people think of the idea of cosmetic procedures to enhance the appearance with the same nonchalance with which their grandmothers visited the hair salon. A variety of fillers, plumpers and minor surgeries can be used to give a fuller, younger look to the lips.
Cosmetic Lip Tattoo
Many of today’s women are opting to have their lips permanently lined in a tattooing procedure that provides a permanent outlining of the lips which can help define the shape of the mouth and give a younger, cleaner look to the face. Its origin can be traced back to the times of ancient African and Mediterranean cultures. It is a primitive body art that has been more often resorted to by women to give their lips a perfect look and enhance their beauty.
Lip Piercing
While not really fitting in the context of cosmetic enhancements, facial piercings are becoming more and more commonplace, especially among younger, urban demographics. Body piercings, especially lip and tongue piercings, are primarily fashion statements these days. It is a type of body piercing which involves penetrating into the lip or the area surrounding the lip. Lip piercing was initially practiced by the African tribes, who wore ornamental lip plates in their lower lip.
Lipstick
Lipstick is (usually) a wax-based cosmetic tint used to color the lips. This is actually done to simulate the appearance of arousal. (When an individual is aroused sexually, the tender tissues of the lips darken as a result of increased blood flow.) Lipstick can also serve to help protect and soften the skin of the lips, depending on the formulation of the cosmetic product. Lip colors come in many forms, from smooth, glossy liquid and cream formulas, to firm, waxy sticks. Which one is right for you depends on personal preference and the finish you want.
Now that we’ve established the variety of lip enhancements and adornments, let’s list some simple tips for great-looking lips:
Quick Lip Tips:
• When applying lip color you can prepare your lips by using petroleum jelly, moisturizer or your foundation as a basecoat. This will help your lip color go on more smoothly and provide an even tone to the color.
• Lining the lips in a darker color and filling in the main portion with a color a few shades lighter will give the appearance of fuller lips. Top the color with a lip gloss for an ultra-shiny look, or use a petroleum jelly for a satin finish.
• After applying your lip color, you can increase the longevity of the color by blotting the lips and applying a light dusting of translucent powder. This will set the color and help prevent “rub off”.
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Photo: Andrei Stepanov/Shutterstock
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