First things first, stop biting your lips and trying to get rid of chapped and dry skin. Now, don’t reach out for that lip balm because no matter how hydrating it is, it’ll only last you a couple of hours. Wanna try something better and more effective? How about lip basting? This intensive but oh-so-satisfying hack will have you enter your main character era in no time. Think plump, glossy, and juicy lips that never look dull, dry, or chapped. So, what are you waiting for? Give your pout a glow-up with this step-by-step lip basting trend.

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What is lip basting?

If you Google the word “basting”, the definition that will come up says, “Pour fat or juices over (meat) during cooking in order to keep it moist.” Yes, ‘basting’ is a term associated with marinating a particular protein to keep it moist and hydrated throughout the cooking process. Similar to that, lip basting involves exfoliating your lips and then applying a thick emollient on them, like an overnight mask or a thick balm. This is similar to marinating your lips for that juicy, plump, and hydrated pout. People who have chapped and dry lips often use physical and harsh scrubs to get rid of the dead skin layer. But in basting, it’s always better to use a chemical exfoliant like glycolic or lactic acid. You can use a lower concentration to begin with and apply it evenly all over the lips. Here’s a quick step-by-step routine to follow the lip basting trend.

1. Exfoliate with a chemical exfoliant

Skip the harsh physical scrubs and start with a low concentration glycolic or lactic acid toner (5-10%). Take a small amount on a cotton ball and apply it evenly all over your lips. Do a small patch test to be sure your skin isn’t getting irritated. But if you have deep cuts or any injuries on your lips, skip exfoliating and just dab a copious amount of lip mask, balm, or even petroleum jelly.

2. Let it sit for a couple of minutes

Once you’ve exfoliated your lips, you’ll need to wait a couple of minutes before washing the chemical exfoliant off. This will gently remove all the dead skin from your lips and prepare them for the next step of lip basting. Avoid anything with fragrance and go for your classic AHA and BHA toners/serums. After about 10 minutes, take lukewarm water and wash your lips till the toner/serum is completely gone.

3. Layer a rich emollient on top

The next step in this lip-basting trend is to layer your lips with a thick emollient in order to marinate your lips for that supple and glossy pout. Opt for a dense overnight lip mask, petroleum jelly, or even some good old ghee. It will give your lips intense hydration and will keep you from licking your lips, which is also a major cause of dry and chapped lips. You can also layer your favourite lip balms to create a thick layer and let it sit.

4. Keep reapplying a thick lip balm throughout the day

Now, find your go-to lip balm or lip oil and keep reapplying it throughout the day for continuous hydration. It’s best to avoid anything that has too much fragrance in it as that can irritate the soft and gentle skin of your lips.

5. Repeat three times a week for best results

Once you try this hack, there is no going back. So, try and do this about twice or thrice a week to get the best results. You can decide the frequency based on how dry, chapped, and sensitive your lips are. And this is a great way to get rid of your lip-picking habit, as it will leave you with softer, smoother, and plumper lips. Now, go apply that lipstick and watch it glide across effortlessly.

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