It’s probably a combination of all the mask wearing and the sudden and dramatic change of season that’s playing havoc with my lips. They’re incredibly dry and I am slathering on the lip balm like it’s going out of fashion, so this week I thought I’d share a few of my favourites, the ones that really work and / or smell and taste amazing!

This is perhaps slightly controversial, but worth mentioning – I don’t let Vaseline anywhere near my lips. I find petroleum jelly based balms just sit on my skin and evaporate, making them even drier. Another tip you’ve probably heard before, but really works for me is to lightly buff and exfoliate them with a clean toothbrush before applying a balm. Lips need scrubbing too!

In at number one is my all-time favourite and cheap as chips. Good old Carmex just really works for me. It’s not in any way fancy, but it moisturises and gets rid of dry, flaky skin effectively and quickly. An absolute winter must have.

Next is another favourite which I rebuy regularly, the Glossier dotcom balm. This comes in loads of different flavours, coconut is my personal preference, but there are lots to choose from and some tinted ones. It’s a generous sized tube and lasts a long time, you can also use it on elbows and knees and any other area you need some TLC.

This one is expensive, but oh so chic. One of my besties Jules bought it for my birthday last year and it’s amazing. It works incredibly well, very buttery in texture and intensely hydrating, but really, look at the packaging, who doesn’t want to pull a little Chanel out of their bag?

Another one also bought for me by Jules for this year’s birthday and the newest I’ve tried, is the Fresh lip balm which I have in watermelon and is very slightly tinted, so it has a pretty sheen. It comes in array of flavours like blood orange, mint and caramel. It’s not as intensely hydrating as the others but is lovely to add a little bit of colour and give your lips a boost, it tastes amazing so I am probably ingesting too much of it though!

In lockdown I didn’t really wear any lipstick and since we’ve come out of it I haven’t felt the need as much either. Again, with the mask it’s not that practical as it goes all over it so I tend to be ‘bare and balmed’ when travelling and then I apply one of these two for a little colour. The Alex Steinherr Overnight lip mask is a treatment but has a pink tint to it and is very glossy, so perfect for the day. (Only available in Primark stores, not online). The Nar Afterglow lip balm I discovered via Lorna Luxe in lockdown, I bought it in Orgasm and love it. A gorgeous natural pink that is hydrating, but you can apply without a mirror, easy and effortless.

I really want to try the Kiehls Butter Mask for Lips next; it just sounds incredible, any other recommendations, let me know below. I hope this helps your lips to be braced for the wind and rain now Autumn is here to stay!

Hannah x