Throughout my recent Talonted Lips and Tips challenge, the second most common question (after ‘how did you do that?!’) was ‘how on earth are your nails and lips surviving?’ Applying and removing layers of very matte lipstick can really dry out the lips, and the constant removal of nail varnish can leave your hands feeling stripped and parched… and this replicates a lot of the effects that cold and blustery weather has on the body. So here is a post all about how to winter-proof your lips and nails!
This post will cover all of the lip and nail care products I used throughout the challenge: some I used multiple times a day, others once a week, but all played their part.
I wrote a blog post a few years ago where I listed my favourite products and techniques for looking after your nails. There are a few myths debunked in there, so it’s an interesting read if you have issues with your nails, whether that’s growth, bending, splitting, cracking, or breaking. You can read it HERE. I also wrote about my favourite nail products and how I keep my manicures looking tip top HERE.
But here are the ways that you can winter-proof your lips and nails, using the tips and tricks I used to keep mine in great condition even after a month of constantly removing and applying matte liquid lipsticks, nail varnishes, and sticking various things to myself!
NAILS
I think OPI Nail Envy and Seche Vite topcoat are – by far – the two most frequently recommended products on my blog and social media. Nail Envy is pricey but it’s my favourite base coat of all time: it’s incredibly strengthening, provides a great base for nail varnish, and prevents staining. Seche Vite is the best topcoat I’ve ever used: it dries manicures in minutes (not hyperbole!), smoothes out lumps and bumps, and gives your nails the most beautiful shine. As you can see, I buy the industrial-sized bottles and refill my regular-sized bottle as and when I need to – it works out cheaper as I go through so much of it!
Between finishing each manicure and taking the photo for my challenge, I applied a nail oil. If you use a nail strengthener (like Nail Envy) it’s a good idea to also use an oil to ensure your nails don’t become brittle as they grow stronger. I find that if products make these sort of tasks easier and quicker, I am more likely to do them, so the Nails Inc Vitamin E Oil Pen is the perfect solution: you turn and click the base and then simply brush on the oil onto your cuticles.
Hand cream is a must-have for me, especially at the moment: not only because I change my nail varnish a lot but also because of the cold weather. I tend to have hand creams dotted around the house to ensure I’m always within reaching distance of one. I have one in each handbag, one next to my laptop, another next to the bed, and this one on the living room coffee table: the Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream Concentrated*. This also gets the seal of approval from my husband, who hates anything too cloying, sticky, or greasy.
Once a week I use the Beauty Kitchen 60 Second Manicure* to keep my skin hydrated and remove any dry skin. It’s a lovely scrub that contains essential oils and smells divine as well as keeping my hands happy.
LIPS
The LUSH Popcorn lip scrub has appeared many times on the blog, but it’s such a good exfoliator. There are lots of different flavours, if you’re not a fan of popcorn. You apply to dry lips, rub until your lips feel smoother and then remove (and try to resist the urge to eat it!). If you prefer a more DIY approach, an old toothbrush is a great way to exfoliate your lips – just apply a thick lip balm and brush across the lips in a circular motion.
Another perennial favourite, the Nuxe Rêve De Miel lip balm is thick and incredibly hydrating and has lived by the side of my bed for years. It’s the lip product that I come back to over and over again.
I hope my tips on how to winter-proof your lips and nails were helpful. What are the products you rely on to keep yours in peak condition? I’d love to hear them (and maybe discover a new favourite!)
Lex
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