If there is one thing I know quite a bit about it’s lip products. I have decent sized lips (who knew thumb sucking would pay off) so anytime they’re not in great condition it’s obvious. At any given time I have oodles of glosses, lipsticks, and balms in my purse. (Once I even counted how any lip items were in my purse and it was 12… 12! If only Monte Hall was still given out $100s… And if you got that reference an additional “kudos” to you!)

Now, considering I have a gazillion lip products, I’m narrowing the focus to those key items that I have purchased repeatedly and help to improve the condition of my lips. So let’s get started…

1. BITE BEAUTY – Agave Lip Mask (Sephora – $26)

It receives rave reviews and for good reason. Touted to “smooth, nourish, and moisturize lips with a bio-active blend of organic agave nectar, jojoba oil, vanilla CO2 extract, and triple the amount of antioxidant trans-resveratrol found in red wine” it certainly does without being tacky. It has a touch of vanilla sweetness that smells nice and stays on until morning (which is when I prefer to use it) or for hours during the day. Yes, as many have stated, the packaging can be a bit challenging – the thin metal tube can make it hard to get product out, but then you don’t need very much so it may actually be a plus as you definitely don’t want any to go to waste. The price is a bit high, but using it a couple times a week (in corporation with the next product) will give you the benefits you want and a tube will last 3-4 months or more.

2. C.O. Bigelow Lip Treatment – My Favorite Night Balm (Bath & Body Works – $7.50)

This was a result of a quest to find a more reasonably priced product to incorporate with my Agave Lip Mask (as I didn’t want to give that up but I also couldn’t afford to buy a tube every month or so). Using shea butter, it claims to “moisturize and nourish lips for 8 hours”. It has a bit of a vanilla taste/smell, the consistency is not too thick or thin, and it can be used day or night. At $7.50 a tube it is a great price, and with sales at B&BW (such as Buy 2 Get 1 Free) and additional discounts it’s an even greater deal!

3. Maybelline Baby Lips Moisturizing Lip Balm (Target – $3.49)

Everyone should have a lip balm with SPF for use during the day. Whether on its own or under lipstick this one is definitely a balm consistency, feels nice on the lips, and has SPF 20 ta boot!

4. Dior Addict Lip Maximizer High Volume Lip Plumper – Sheer Pink (Sephora – $33)

While I don’t believe any gloss is going to give you results remotely close to injections, this product seems to enhance with a nice gloss texture and mild tingle. Knowing the results for a topical product are minimal for plumping lips, I find it to be simply massocistic to want to use one of those products out there that mimic a severe allergic reaction on the delicate lip area with ingredients that sting and burn to get a “desired” effect that, well, isn’t that impressive.

And because a topical can only do so much…

5. PMD Personal Microderm Hand and Body Kit (Ulta – $159)

I’m all about maximizing a product and using it in unexpected ways. I’ve seen people taut various products that apply suction to the lips to enhance blood flow, etc. (such a the Fullips Lip Plumping Enhancer). One day while using my PMD (which I love!) I thought “why not use this on my lips to apply suction??”. So with the exfoliating disk removed (that would hurt) and the larger body cap on I pursed my lips and went over them with the PMD. The suction did give a temporary plumping effect and certainly enhanced blood flow. And since the goal for long-term lasting effects is to enhance collagen and collagen production…

6. NuFACE Trinity with ELE Attachment Set (Skinstore – $429.00)

The NuFACE uses microcurrent to tone and stimulate collagen production. The ELE attachment (ELE stands for Effective Lip and Eye) allows for targeted microcurrent treatments. This attachment is great for targeting lines around the mouth and the outer contours of the lips.

7. Lightstim Mini (QVC – $137.42)

The Lightstim Mini is a smaller version of their full size model. Per their information “it penetrates the top epidermal layer of skin with amber, red, and infrared therapeutic light energy, which may help enhance collagen and elastic production.” They are FDA approved with clinical studies to back their claims. This in’t going to provide drastic change… I akin it to growing a tree from a seedling… It takes time and lots of sun (and water, etc.) to grow. When targeting the lip area I let the head partially cover my lips. It provides a nice soothing warming sensation that is easy to use while reading or watching TV.

So, take care of your lips… nurture them, use SPF, try a gadget or two (or three) and be as lippy as you want to be!