WAYS TO MAKE YOUR OWN DIY LIP MASK

Most people think of masks as something you use to cover up, but sometimes the focus is on the big reveal. With lip masks, it’s what’s underneath that matters. Sometimes our lips need a little extra lovin’ and that’s when a lip mask or scrub comes in. There are several nourishing fruits, oils, and exfoliants which can combine to counteract the effects of cold weather or just chronically dry lips.

1. A SIMPLY SWEET SCRUB WITH SUGAR AND HONEY

Sugar and honey are not only terms of endearment, but important ingredients for a lip mask that gets the job done. We all want to slough off the dead skin and moisturize that layer underneath, and a scrub with these two items that most of us have at home can do the trick. The sugar acts as a natural exfoliant, and clears the way for the honey to work its magic.

Honey has natural anti-bacterial properties that help soothe and heal distressed lips. Most of that comes from the hydrogen peroxide in the honey, but there are other components as well. You may have heard of manuka honey, which comes from Australia and New Zealand where bees pollinate the manuka bush. It has particularly heightened healing properties, due to methyglyoxal (MG), which is found in a much higher concentration in manuka honey. The more MG, the greater the antibiotic effect. So whenever you can, opt for some raw, organic manuka honey. But if you’re doing what you can with what you got, any honey will still help smooth the skin. Leave the mix on for up to ten minutes, and then wipe it away with warm water. And if you take a taste of your luscious lip mask while you’re waiting, we promise we won’t tell.

2)SOOTHE AWAY WORRIES WITH ALOE VERA

Plants help us out in more ways than one. They have provided us with fiber, fuel, food and shelter. Well, now we can add smoothing lips to that list. If your lips could use a little plant-based love, try adding Aloe Vera gel in the mix. Aloe contains a starch with molecules that help bind moisture to the skin and has hormones that stimulate cell production.

To get the gel from the plant, simply slice away the prickly edges and the top, and then remove one last leaf. This will leave the gel exposed all along one side. Then all you need to do is scrape it off into your container or onto the surface where you are blending your ingredients. Next, add a sprinkling of sugar and some vaseline. Once those are mixed together, smooth right onto your lips and leave for 15 minutes. Remove with warm water and a clean washcloth, and give a shout out to Mother Earth for helping you moisturize those lips naturally.

3)A VERY BERRY LUSCIOUS LIP MIX

We love them in smoothies, shortcake, and pie, but did you know that strawberries are sweet for your skin as well? The ellagic acid protects your skin from the effects of the sun’s UV rays. They are also plentiful in Vitamin C, and have collagen-producing properties, helping your skin look supple and younger. You can substitute kiwi for strawberry if you don’t have any of the latter on hand. Kiwis also contain vitamins C and E and acids that are good for the skin and cell regeneration.

After you mash the strawberry or kiwi, add a little vitamin E oil to make the mixture a more silky consistency, and then put in some coffee grounds to act as an exfoliant. Muddle them all together and apply to your lips. Leave this mask on while you remember all the other ways you can finish the rest of that fruit. Maybe a strawberry margarita will pair well with this wonderfully refreshing lip treatment.

 4.A MARVELOUSLY MOISTURIZING LIP MASK

The recipe comes in three simple steps and separates out ingredients so your lips have a moment to soak in all the goodness. Gather the following together: sugar, oil (either coconut or olive), honey, and plain yogurt. You’ll need about a teaspoon of each, and a little bit less than a teaspoon of the honey. Then make sure you have your favorite lip balm handy for the final step.

First, mix the sugar and oil together to form a sweet scrub. You’ll want it to be thick enough not to drip off your lips. Gently scrub off the dead skin, being careful not to rub too vigorously. Save that energy for later, when you’re parading around with that perfect pout and blowing kisses to all your adoring fans.

 The scrub portion should take less than a minute, and then you can wipe away whatever is left with water and a clean cloth. Next, you’ll smooth a mixture of honey and plain yogurt over your lips. If some of it meanders on into your mouth, well that’s okay too. Leave it on for five to 10 minutes, and then wash it off. The last step is to simply grab your best balm and smooth it on.

5. THE ABSOLUTE BEST COLOR TINT AND ANTIOXIDANT LIP MASK

Did you know that the juice from one pomegranate has over 40 percent of the recommended daily dose of Vitamin C? And the chemicals that give the seeds their beautiful hue are called polyphenols, which are antioxidants. If you thought red wine was full of antioxidants, get this – pomegranate juice contains three times more! Don’t worry, no one is saying you can’t sip your share of both. But for this lip mask, we’ll go with pomegranate juice, and preferably some that doesn’t contain any added sugars. The only other ingredient you’ll need for this recipe is raw honey.

Mix the amount of honey and pomegranate juice that you’ll need to cover your lips in a drippy dip of nourishing color. You might want to tilt your head back a bit, or make sure you are not wearing your favorite white jumpsuit. In other words, remember those powerful polyphenols and how you just want to tint your lips, not your new bedspread. When you wipe it off you will notice a smoother surface with a sheer tint. Feel free to finish off the juice, or at least take a swig and let it linger a moment on your lips. Enjoy the benefits inside and out.

The choice is yours when it comes to taking care of your lips. You can buy or DIY. Either way, a once a week ritual to gently exfoliate dead skin and replenish moisture is what every mouth wants. With a lip mask, or a combination of scrubs, balms, and sticks, your lips will be all set!