Smack That

So I know I promised another tutorial eye makeup post but I had an urgent request from 3 beaute 101 readers and I figured if they were all asking the same question perhaps you were too (just not out loud!). Yes fall has officially arrived! I started "winterizing" my closet and taking out the scarves to make my daily commute a bit warmer and perhaps more interesting (didn't you see the movie Shopaholic? That green scarf made her!). And while it's fun to rediscover your sweaters, this seasonal swap is not unique to just your clothes...you have to adjust your beauty regimen (and I mean the full shibang). We will cover this category by category, product by product in a lot of upcoming posts but probably one of the first areas you are noticing needing a bit more tlc is your lips.

The skin around the lip area is one of the most delicate and thin, making it susceptible to any external aggressors like sun, colder temperatures and the wind. The dry almost arctic (at times) weather we will experience from now till, well let's see umm April/May if we are lucky, strips your porcelain-like lips of any moisture. With each windy gust the lips moisture barrier (think of it as a wall keeping the water in) gets disrupted and over time your lips lose any ability to stay conditioned. That tight, almost needle-prick feeling your lips feel when the eastern winds are blowing so hard you feel it in your bones (ugh I'm really not excited about the winter!) is their way of saying HELP! Of course any old chapstick won't do for us beaute lovers. We need more perhaps a little color so we don't feel completely bare maybe a little UV protection...you know we want it all. So I have been test driving some lip balms and I have finally found one that may just be winter-proof.

MAC Tinted Lip Conditioners are just like a little pot of gold. The first time I applied it my lips just went "ahhh!" Formulated with the best hydrating ingredients earthly possible including shea butter, avocado, sweet almond and wheat germ oil, this emollient balm coats the lip with essential moisture helping restore the humectants needed to make lips supple and soft again. What's amazing is hours after you've applied it and numerous cups of tea later, you can still feel it like a protective glove keeping your lips safe. Now as I told you before I'm not a huge daytime lipstick wearer so I need my lip balm to also give a touch of color. Available in six versatile colors from pink to coral to bronze beige, MAC has got you covered so that your lips don't look drab in the gray weather. As if that's not enough they even go a step beyond. The lip conditioner also gives your lips a nice juicy sheen you typically only experience in their lip glosses (but no stickiness). So let's see so far you have hydration, color and shine? Oh wait, I forgot to mention the SPF 15 to protect lips from long-term damage. Well folks your lips should be safe this winter, so just go ahead and find a worthy kissing partner!

Usage tip: MAC also has Suntints but I didn't find it to be nourishing enough for weather-battered lips, it's a product more suitable to warmer conditions. For optimal results apply every 2 hours or as needed. Don't lick your lips! It only depletes the moisture from lips. The lip conditioners come in pots so if you're germaphobic like I've become with all the flu warnings invest in a travel lip brush. Added bonus? A more professional, controlled application.

The result: Color-infused, moisture enriched succulent lips!