7 Tips for Lovely Lips ...

Lips can get dry, flaky and chapped, I'm not gonna sugarcoat it - but you are, with your own DIY sugar scrub! No need to shell out mucho deniro for a store bought, possibly unnatural scrub. Just mix a teaspoon of sugar with half a teaspoon of raw honey, and enough oil to make a paste, (I like virgin coconut oil or olive oil). Use your fingers to scrub your lips in a circular motion for a minute or two and then wipe it off. The sugar and oil work to exfoliate any dead skin cells, and honey is a humectant and antibacterial which means it adds moisture and heals. If you like, you can add in a pinch of cinnamon powder as well. Cinnamon creates a natural warming sensation which makes lips appear fuller. You can also feed two birds with one scone, (no stone throwing here!), by gently brushing your lips for two minutes after you brush your teeth. Try to exfoliate your lips twice a week. Both scrubbing and brush massaging promote blood flow resulting in smoother, plumper lips. That's what I call stimulating!

After you exfoliate be sure to drop the balm on your lips. Lip balm, that is. Your lips are like a sponge. When they are moisturized, they plump up. When they are dehydrated, they shrink. Shrinkage is never good in any circumstance. Am I right, ladies? Unfortunately, because lips are always exposed, they become dehydrated from the cold and wind, and they can't moisturize themselves because they have no oil glands. They are also prone to sun damage because lips don't have melanin - the pigment that helps shield skin from the sun. They're quite the troublemakers, aren't they! But there's no need to tell them to kiss off - just KISS! (Keep It Simple Sweetie) Get yourself a good lip balm, (preferably natural), and apply. Use one with added SPF during the day. (P.S. Don't smoke. Please and thank you. Unless you want more lines than just your lip liner around your mouth.)

Water is the Holy Grail for your body, so it shouldn't be of any surprise that is does wonders for your lips. Considering that the human body is made up of more than 60% water, you're practically a walking and talking bottle of H2O. Healthy is hydrated. Aim to drink 3 litres of water a day, and eat fruits and veggies that are high in water content, such as cucumber, celery and watermelon. Start now. Get glowing!

Sexy as it may seem, constant licking and biting of your lips is detrimental to their health. Not to mention you may be drawing a crowd of unwanted suitors with all that lip smackin'! Saliva contains digestive enzymes which can break down the protective barrier on your lips causing them to dry out and darken. I'd say it's time to lick that licking habit!

Whether you've been blessed with a smaller pout, or just feel like further enhancing your Angelina Jolie-like self, you can use this simple method of trickery ... Muahaha! Okay! Grab a lip liner in the shade you wish to use that will match your lipstick or gloss. Try to use a natural make-up product if you can as any product you put on you, goes in you - especially if you're ingesting it. I know you were taught in kindergarten not to colour outside the lines but you're a big girl now, it's time to think outside the lips. That's right, my dear, you're going to overline them. *Gasp!* The key though is to do it focusing on the centre of your lips. Only overline at the Cupid's bow and below the middle of your bottom lip. The line going down toward the corners of your mouth should match your natural lip line. This keeps things from looking 1990's scary. Then fill in with your lipstick. You can also take a little bit of concealer and dab it on the middle of your bottom lip. This reflects the light making your lips look larger. Now you look extra kissable - as if that was even possible! Pucker up, Beautiful!

Enough of the duck face already ... instead think mice - I mean cheese! Smiling automatically makes you look pretty, younger and confident. Plus, not only can it can boost your mood, it can boost someone else's mood too. Now that's something to smile about! There's such thing as a bad hair day, but there's no such thing as a bad smile day - just don't forget to floss! As Rose Nylund from the Golden Girl's said, "Say "cheese" ... Now smile!"

Luscious lips are easy to achieve, but lovely lips take more thought - positive, happy thoughts. The fabulous Audrey Hepburn once said, "for attractive lips, speak words of kindness." How right she was. Personality can often make or break the real beauty of a person. A beautiful heart does wonders for one's appearance. Speak sweet.

Our mouths go through a lot day to day. Face it. We use them. It's no wonder they get lippy. They're highly sensitive and they need extra attention. Follow my tips and show some love to your lips. Do you have any other lip care tips you'd like to share? Oh, if yes, please tell me!