How to Get Smooth, Kissable Lips

Have you ever experienced dry, cracked lips? This is a common concern for many clients. It's simple to achieve smooth, hydrated lips at home with a basic "do it yourself" lip balm recipe.
 
First things first, the dry dead skin that has collected on the lips needs to be exfoliated in order for this amazing lip balm to penetrate. Start by taking a washcloth with warm water and gently buff away the dead skin. You can also make a paste of sugar and honey to create a soothing lip scrub.

Now that the lips are exfoliated, its time to mix up a batch of the best lip balm ever. One benefit to making your own lip balm at home is that you control all the ingredients that go into it. Many manufacturers put mineral oil or petrolatum into their lip balms. These ingredients work great as a barrier for the lips because they do not absorb. But for truly dehydrated lips, ingredients like shea butter and sweet almond oil are a better choice as they are able to penetrate the lips, providing optimal hydration.

This lip balm recipe is surprisingly easy, and the results beat many store-bought lip balms. Add peppermint and eucalyptus oils to heal chapped lips, or opt for a soothing vanilla- and rose-scented version. Either way, you'll have lip-softening relief right in your pocket.
 
Lip Balm How-To
Makes 4 tins, 1/2 ounce each
1 tablespoon beeswax pearls (also called pellets or pastilles)
1 tablespoon pure shea butter
2 tablespoons sweet almond oil
10-15 drops essential oils
Melt beeswax, shea butter, and almond oil together in the top of a double boiler or in a heat-safe bowl set over a pot of simmering water; stir continuously with a whisk. Once the ingredients are liquefied, remove them from heat. Whisk in essential oils. Working quickly, transfer the liquid to a measuring cup or a container with a pour spout and then divide it among four 1/2-ounce lip balm tins. Let balms cool completely until solid, about 20 minutes. Store in a cool, dry place.

Variation: Peppermint-Eucalyptus Lip Balm
Use 6 drops of peppermint essential oil and 4 drops of eucalyptus essential oil.
Variation: Vanilla-Rose Lip Balm
Use 10 drops of rose oil, also called rose otto, and 5 drops of vanilla oil, also known as vanilla absolute.