KISSMEQUICK!

Preparethat pout for aromanticrendezvouswith the

best lip protectors.AspenWeatherburnpuckersup

Greatromancesequalmemorable

kisses.Andwhatbettertimeofyearto get yoursmackersin tip top

conditionthan right now.Valentine'sDayison itswayandallyourlipsneedaresomethingto keepthem softandsupple,andsomebodyworth kissing.

Lipsareverydelicate,protectedby onlya thin layerof skin.Smoking,environment,weatherandupper-liphairremovalallcontributeto dry lips.And when the air isdryandcold.oil secretionsarelowered,while

centralheatingincreasesmoistureloss.Habitssuchaslickingand bitingcanmakethisworse,to the pointof flakingandcracking.

Smokingisespeciallydetrimentalas,notonly arethe lipspursed,but oxygenandcollagenlevelsareloweredby the smokeandvitaminC isdrawnfrom the skin.

An activelifeandvarioussportscantakeaparticulartoll on your lips;a hot workoutcan

leavethem dehydrated,while swimminginchlorinatedwatercan leavethem feelingsore.

Lipmoisturiserscomeindifferentguises.Balmshavea high contentof waxandoilandarebestfor daytimeprotection,whileconditioningcreamsshouldbe appliedat night whenskinrepairismostactive.

Protectlipswith a goodvitamin-E-enrichedlipbalm,suchasPout'sSmotherMe (£6,02073790379for mailorder).Or try MAC'sLipConditioner (£7,02075349222),which

leaves lips soft and smelling gorgeous.

Cheaper alternatives to keep smackers sweetinclude Blistex Herbal Balm (£2.25),with

aloe,avocado and shea butter. Nivea has a

Dermalogica \MultivitaminPower

, ,Firm, £26; 0800 591818

'The smell of this is trulY

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divine, and it leaves the

lips feeling very soft.

However, I didn't find it

very moisturising, but it's I I~ ',. .

great for the delicate eye ...

area:3/5

Green PeopleSoft lipsSPF8'No Scent;£2.99;01444 401444

'I liked the fact this was

scent- and taste-free.

Although it left a slightly

tingly sensation on my lips,

it cleared up my chapped

skin within a couple of

days: 4/5

beautymatters

large selection of affordable balms; my all-

time favourite is Essential (£ 1.39),suitable for

everyday use and great to carry in your

sports kit. A fantastic, lOOper cent naturalproduct is Decleor Aromessence Lip Balm

(£14,02074029474). Made from pure

essential oils, it provides long-lasting care.

Sweet sensationIf your lips have become sore, try to avoidbalms that smell like sweets or have an

appealing taste, or you'll probably lick your

lips even more. Nivea Lip Care Repair

(£ 1.99) uses special ingredients to reduce skin

inflammation. It is also dermatologically

approved, so is suitable for all skin types.

If you are using an eye cream to combat

wrinkles, you can double it up as a lip balm.

Or try Clinique's All About Lips (£15); this

lightWeight lotion is great to wear beneath

lipstick, but also immediately gives the

lips a smoother, less lined appearance.

A few balms on the market boast lip-

boosting properties, promising a pumped-up

pout.Try all-natural Lip Venom by DuWop

--.....CaudalieSoindesLevres

lip conditioner,£4;020 CAUDALIE73047038 "

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'Smellingdivinelyof vanilla,

. .thisluxuriouslipsalve "'"Dsmoothedonnicelyto leave -=mylipssoft,suppleandwell ~protectedagainstthe elements.~~.;;:;.ifITheeffectsarelong lasting.Agreatoutdoorchoice:5/5

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(£14.50) available at Pout (020 7379 0379 for

mail order), which contains jojoba and

avocado oils and essencesof ginger, vanilla

and menthol. It will put a tingly feeling

through your lips and plump them up.

To prepare your lips for passionate kisses,

new lip-enhancing Maxi Kiss (£15.95,0871-

871 8192) claims that in a recent clinical trial,

subjects had a 40 per cent increase in the

volume of their lips,with no needles in sight.

Lastly,follow the tips from make-up artists,

prime lips by gently rubbing them with a soft

toothbrush to slough away dead skin.The

Body Shop Lip Scuff (£5) is also a big

favourite for leaving lips perfectly primed.

After applying your lipstick,use a bit of gloss

as a finishing touch for that Victoria Beckham

shine.Pout's Wet My Lips (£9) will do the

trick, leaving your lips looking glossy and

ready to be kissed.

H&Fstar productOrganic Jing Jang cream (£ 15), available

exclusively from Pout, contains soothing

beeswax and is great for hydrating thirsty lips.

LIP CONDITIONERSTisserandaromatherapy organic lavender

and raspberry lip balm, £3.99; 01273325666'This has a fantastic smell, but tastes

a little too like munching onlavender.The texture is

grainy and doesn't slide

on the lips well. It alsoneeds constant

reapplication: 1/5

Heallh&rrlness43