My Beauty Fix: Flaky Lips

Hi guys,

So for the next problem for My Beauty Fix, I wanted to tackle flaky lips. Now I'm sure we've all had this at some time or another, but if you are anything like me then as soon as the weather changes and it gets cold, your lips just act like a snake and want to shed, shed, shed! Gross I know but it's just natural and means that you have to take care of your lips more.

Did you know, your lips contain very few oil glands and no sweat glands which means they don't produce the natural oils the rest of your skin does. Your lips lose moisture 3 times faster than the skin on your cheeks. This is why it is very important to take care of your lips.

Fix 1: To tackle dry, flaky lips you can use products like Mary Kay's Satin Lips set (which is an exfoliating mask and balm set) or Lush's Lip Scrubs which contain exfoliating beads that gently buff away the dead skin cells leaving you with smooth, soft lips.  These can be used daily, weekly, or monthly depending on how flaky your lips get, just make sure you don't over exfoliate!

Fix 2: if you don't like the idea of using these sort of products on your lips, then that's ok you can try using a clean toothbrush to gently rub along the lips (try to use upward, circular motions) and this will help buff away the dead skin cells. Just be sure to clean the brush afterwards and keep it separate from your normal toothbrushes so they don't get mixed up.

Fix 3: (or perhaps this should be 1.2) if you don't want to buy new products to exfoliate your lips, then you can try these homemade options I found on Pinterest,

Homemade Lip Scrub Recipes
DIY Lip Scrub
DIY: Grapefruit sugar lip scrub

Once you have chosen your fix and you now have silky smooth lips, just remember to keep your lips moisturised and protected from the cold. For an everyday lip balm, I really recommend Blistex's Daily Lip Conditioner, Carmex Lip Balm or The Burts Bee's range. For really chapped and suffering lips, try Elizabeth Arden's 8 hour cream (the original one, which I keep by my bed as its great for so many things) or they do a specific 8 Hour Cream Lip Protectant.  

If you would like to see more on Mary Kay's Satin Lips set, take a peek at my how-to video,

Thank you for stopping by for My Beauty Fix, if you are having any problems with your beauty regime that you think I may be able to help with then please leave me a comment with your problem or email me at dani@daniduffymakeup.co.uk quoting 'Beauty Fix' in the subject and I will do everything I can to find you a solution!

MUA Lip Boom in OK.COM

Hello my beautiful readers,

On my mission to be extremely well planned for my holiday I was on the search for some make-up products that will help me reduce the amount of products I need to take with me and I came across this item from MUA: Make-up Academy.

The Lip Boom is a double ended product with a full-sized lipstick on one end and a substantially-sized lipgloss on the other end. These come in many different shades, but for me I found the best choice was the OK.Com shade which combines a strong nude lipstick with a peachy, glittery lipgloss.

What I love about this item is that for £3 you have one product that covers your lip and glossy needs. It really will reduce the amount of things I have to pack as everything takes up so much more room when you have a limit you have to stick to!

The swatches I tried on myself came out really well, but I haven't had a chance to fully try it out yet, so I will fill you in as soon as I can give it a good test run!

Do you have any great items that reduce your packing size?

My Beauty Fix: Fading Lipstick

Hi guys,

Welcome to the start of the 'My Beauty Fix' series, I realised the are lots of little beauty problems that should be easy to fix if you know what to try. I want to share with you some of my little tips and tricks that I use on a regular basis in the hopes that I can help anyone that suffers with the same frustrating problems I do.

If any of you have any little annoying beauty problems that you would like fixed then please leave me a comment or email me and I will do my best to find you a solution!

To get started, I thought I would pick a big problem that I know effects lots if people to get the ball rolling.

Ok, so we all look great when were sat in front of our mirror getting ready at home; prepped, primed and looking gorgeous. But if you're anything like me as soon as you get in the car and check yourself in the rear view mirror you notice your lipstick has worn off already and all that time you spent getting that perfectly shaped pout was all a waste as now your back to au naturelle.

If this is you, then here are my quick tips to making sure your lipstick lasts longer than you do on a night out!

Before we start, make sure you have exfoliated all the dead skin off your lips and have moisturised them well. Starting with well prepared lips can make a big difference.

Step One:  Line your lips! Line your lips and fill them in using the lip liner, this will create a sturdy base for your lip colour to cling to.  Whether it is a matching lip liner to the lip colour you are about to apply or a clear liner (great products that are out in the market now). 

Step Two: Apply your lipstick! This is pretty straight forward, but I like to use a brush to do this as it gives me more control of the product and helps it glide on in the right places.

Step Three: Blot! Using a clean tissue, rest it between your lips and press down.

Step Four: Repeat steps two and three! That's right apply and blot once more, even twice if you want to.

Your lips will now be piled high with beautiful lip colour that will stay on for hours! But for extra staying power try my Super Step five!

Super Step Five: Now that your lips are applied and looking luscious, take a tissue and separate so that you are only using 1-ply rather than 2 or 3 (this will mean it is pretty much see through, but it is what we need!) hold this 1-ply of tissue against your painted lips and brush translucent powder onto your lips through the tissue. This will set the colour without getting lipstick on your brushes or loose bristles stuck to your lips but will leave your with a smudge proof pout!

Go on try it! You'll be amazed and it will shock you to have no lipstick marks left on your glasses (or boys!)

Happy kissing everyone!

Thank you for stopping by for My Beauty Fix, if you are having any problems with your beauty regime that you think I may be able to help with then please leave me a comment with your problem or email me at dani@daniduffymakeup.co.uk quoting 'Beauty Fix' in the subject and I will do everything I can to find you a solution!

Quick Rave: Balmi Lip Balm

Hello all you lovelies!

I just wanted to do a quick rave about a new product I bought at the weekend!  Balmi Lip balm in Coconut, I saw this lip balm on the Boots website and just had to have it!

I suffer from dry, chapped lips from time to time and so I tend to carry a lip balm or lip conditioner around with me at all times (usually its my trusty Blistex Daily Lip Conditioner) but as that comes in a pot, its always tricky to apply without ending up with the leftovers on your fingers.  Which is why I was so excited to see this Balmi lip balm that is shaped like a golf ball (but a bit smaller).  I have to give a shout out to the genius that came up with this simple design, whoop whoop!  Because the balm is shaped like a ball, you can apply it to your lips without touching the balm itself, which makes it mess free and more hygenic!

This balm is available in 4 flavours: Coconut (which is the one I got), Mint, Strawberry and Raspberry all for £4.99 each at Boots. 

The packaging also has a small connector, like a phone charm kind of thing, I wouldn't say I would attach it to my phone or keys, but it does make it handy to grab in your bag, plus you can remove it if you want.

The balm itself is very moisturising, and lasts for quite a while between applications. The only thing I will warn you is that if it is hot out, try not to keep it in your pocket and then apply it!  I did this at the weekend and didnt think about the heat and made a bit of dent in the shape as it had got a bit too hot and melted slightly! Whoops!  But then I put it in the fridge and its back to its normal consistency again!!

I am currently loving this lip balm, its so cute and comes in lots of different flavours which makes it nice and refreshing for the summer!

Mary Kay Cosmetics Satin Lips Review & Video

I decided to write a review on the Mary Kay Cosmetic's Satin Lips Set, because I just love, love, love it!


I am prone to dry, chapped lips, so this exfoliating set has become a staple of my beauty regime during the past summer months.


This 2 part set costs £19, which seems quite steep for two little tubes, but you only need a tiny amount each time that it will last for ages.


This product is only available in a fragrance free formula, so it is great for everyone, even those with sensitive skin.


This heavenly set comes in two parts, step one is the exfoliating mask and step two is the nourishing lip balm.

The mask contains miniature buffing beads that gently exfoliate the dead surface skin cells that are present on your lips.  These cells cause your lips to appear dull and lifeless, buffing these away helps reveal the newer, fresher skin.

The two step process is quick and simple and can be done as often as required. Step one is to apply the mask to your lips using a finger and rub in circular motions.  This action helps stimulate the skin and remove the excess dead cells. Once you have sufficiently rubbed the mask into the skin, remove using a damp cotton pad, tissue or facial wipe. Then movce on to step two which is applying the lip balm.  The lip balm tube has a slanted nozzle which helps for quick application and that’s it you are ready to go! 

It is as simple as 1, 2, 3, GO! Your lips will look and feel softer and smoother after just one application and you will wonder where this product has been all your life!!  Well, I did anyway! 

Check out my video on how to use this product!

 

As it is a Mary Kay Cosmetic’s product, you do need to purchase this item through a Mary Kay Consultant but that doesn’t have to be as scary as it sounds.  A Mary Kay Consultant is a cosmetic enthusiast. One that has the lovely job of helping her customers to find the right skin care routine to suit their needs and lifestyle.  If you would like to contact a Beauty Consultant, click here and you can use the postcode finder to see where your local consultant is based.  Or if you would like to contact me for more information, check out my Mary Kay webpage here 

Make Up Tip No.6 - How to make sure your lipstick stays put

To help your lipstick last for as long as possible, follow my quick steps:

1. Use a lip liner to line your lips. Choose one that matches the skin colour of your lips.
2. Fill your lips in using the lip liner.
3. Apply lipstick to your lips
4. Blot your lips with a tissue and reapply the lipstick.
5. Repeat this blotting and re-applying action twice more.

Following these steps will help your lips stay full of colour for longer!

Quick Make-up Tips: Lips

Your lips contain very few oil glands & no sweat glands which means they don't produce the natural oils the rest of your skin does.

Your lips lose moisture 3 times faster than the skin on your cheeks. This is why it is very important to take care of your lips.

If your lips are feeling dry and cracked, try applying a layer of lip balm underneath your favourite colour. 

Quick Make-up Tips: Lips

Try giving your lipstick shades a boost by combining lipstick with lip gloss!

This will add extra oomph to your pout for a great night out look.

Quick Make-up Tips: Lips

To add some extra volume to your lips, try using a high shimmer shade of lipgloss all over the lips. This will add dimension to the lips as the light bounces of the shimmer particles