Lipsticks and glosses definitely have merit, but lip stains are all the rage this season, thanks in large part to their long-lasting invulnerability to food, beverages and long-term wear. Get the lips you lust for this fall with the following tips and easy DIY tricks for making the most autumn-appropriate lip stains at home.
Before we slip you the stain info, here are some quick tips to achieve and maintain soft, kissable lips long after the season ends:
- Use an organic lip scrub that contains fruit-based acids to slough away dead skin cells once a week.
- If you don’t consume enough water—especially during fall and winter when temps drop and the wind kicks up—your lips will appear parched, too. To keep your kisser looking perfectly plump and moisturized, drink at least 64 ounces of H2O daily.
- Stop smacking. Enzymes found in saliva can damage your lips’ protective barrier, depleting them of essential moisture. So try to kick your lip-licking habit, post haste!
- If you live in a dry climate, especially during fall and winter, it’s probably time to plug in the humidifier. Adding moisture to indoor air is a great way to keep your lips looking and feeling fabulous.
- Your lips lack melanin, making them prone to sunburn—even during non-summer months. Apply sun protection such as Hurraw! Sun Balm SPF 15 to your smile anytime you head outdoors.
DIY lip stain recipes
Following are some simple methods for whipping up lovely lip stains in the comfort of your own home:
1. Beet It
Ingredients
1 tbsp. grated beeswax
2 tbsp. sunflower oil
1 tsp. beet powder
Directions
In saucepan, melt oil and beeswax. Allow mixture to cool and congeal. Mix in 1/8 tsp. beet powder, adding more until desired share is achieved.
2. Berry Good
Ingredients
Juice collected from fresh strawberries, cherries or raspberries
beeswax or petroleum jelly
Directions
Mix juice with a dab of beeswax or petroleum jelly. Or simply apply berry juice directly onto lips.
3. Seed Stain
Ingredients
1 oz. pomegranate juice or a few pomegranate seeds
coconut oil
Directions
Grind up pomegranate seeds and extract juice. Mix juice with a few drops liquefied coconut oil and apply to lips.
4. You’re Blushing!
Ingredients
1 tsp. petroleum jelly
all-natural blush palette (in your favorite shade, of course!)
Directions
Crush blush into powder and mix small amount with petroleum jelly.
5. Crazy Crayon
Ingredients
1 crayon in desired shade
2 tbsp. coconut oil
double-boiler
Directions
Peel paper off crayon and chop into small pieces. Add crayon and coconut oil to double-boiler and melt over medium-high heat. And don’t worry—crayons are non-toxic, mainly composed of food-grade pigments and paraffin (which is used in most lipsticks and balms).
6. Kool It
Ingredients
1 packet red or violet powdered drink mix
beeswax or petroleum jelly
water
Directions
In a bowl, slowly add water to colored powder, mixing until paste forms. Use a lip brush or cotton swab to apply mixture to lips and leave on until absorbed (approximately three to five minutes). Use a wet tissue to remove the excess and apply dab of beeswax or petroleum jelly to add shine.