All About Lips

Lips age differently to the rest of you; the skin is more delicate, and lip plumpness is in part due to collagen, which declines as we age. Fortunately we can make our lips appear smoother and fuller.

Unlike the rest of our skin which has a thick layer of dead skin cells for protection, lips do not so are prone to dryness. Products that contain ingredients like petroleum jelly or shea butter which are known as "occlusive" act as a physical barrier to water loss are recommended for the lips.

Four steps to get great lip hydration are, first exfoliate to remove dry skin flakes. Try brushing with a soft toothbrush or face cloth every couple of days. Next hydrate, (when your dehydrated either in a hot climate, central heating your lips get dry so drink lots of water and avoid licking the lips. Next protect and moisturise using occlusive product but also remember lips get lots of sun exposure so its important you use a product that contains SPF15 or higher. And lastly fullness which unless you have an injectable filler is down to good makeup. Warm nude shades with a bit of warmth in them and don't be afraid of a strong pop of colour to stop you looking washed out. Use a lip liner (for older ladies, use a clear or nude liner to conceal lines around your lips and stop lipstick bleeding in to those areas) Tomato reds and peony pinks great for an anti-ageing pop. And don't forget lip balms aren't just for the day, reapply your lip balm or salve before you go to sleep to help lips heal overnight.

A product I love is Sun Smart Ultra Defence SPF50 and UVA 5 star max strength, also water resistant £4.99 sold at M&S. Then pop your lip colour on top.