These Are the Lipsticks You Should Consider If You Have Dry Lips This Winter

If I had to name my biggest beauty-related insecurity, my lips would come out on top. Forget my thin hair and out-of-control blackhead situation—my lips are the thing I feel most self-conscious about. And no, it's not because of their lack of plumpness or shape—it's because they are insufferably dry. 

And despite the fact I experience some level of discomfort with my lips all year round, come winter, there really is no saving them. Cold temperatures and fierce winds combined with a spike in use of central heating leave my lips chapped, cracked and flaky. Trust me—I know it's gross, and that's what makes having dry lips such a hard thing to deal with.

To minimise the appearance of a bad situation, I slather on lip balm almost every second of the day, and for the most part, it works. However, on days where I might want to wear a little more makeup (hell, even lipstick), I start to panic. Any sort of foundation, powder or lipstick just clings to dry areas.

In fact, come winter, lipstick used to pretty much be a no-go for me. I found it just drew attention to how dry my lips were and actually made them feel even drier by the end of the day. That was until I discovered the power of choosing the right lipstick formula. It turns out that shopping for lipstick is a bit more complicated than just picking your favourite colour—especially when you suffer from dry lips.

Keep scrolling for everything you need to know about applying lipstick when you have dry lips, including the very best products out there.

How Does Lipstick Affect the Condition of Our Lips?

When you have dry lips, doing anything to draw attention to the area seems counter-intuitive, which is what makes applying lipstick onto blemished lips so tough. However, besides the fact that bold lipstick can cause unwanted attention, there are other properties of lipstick that can negatively affect the way they look on our lips. Senior Pro Artist at Bobbi Brown Amy Conway says, "You will find the bolder the pigment, the less nourishing the lipstick can be. Choosing a shade that is the same tone as your lip naturally enhances your smile and complexion without drawing attention to any dryness."

To keep lips looking the smoothest that they can, some measures can be taken to prep your lips ahead of time. "It can be quite easy to forget our lips during our skincare routines. Especially in the dryer months, it's important to scrub the lips weekly and then layer with a lip balm overnight to ensure they are smooth for lip colour the next day," says Conway.

Things to Consider

Nailing your lip-care routine can make all of the difference to how your lipstick applies. Granted, it will take a lot more than just an at-home regimen to totally cure dry lips, but some things can certainly make them appear healthier.

Senior Artist at MAC Debbie Finnegan explains, "Lip maintenance is something that should be practised daily for those with dry lips. If you suffer from flaky lips, then you need to invest in products such as lip scrub to smooth the surface of the lips and a conditioner to infuse moisture and return the lip to a plump state. This will prepare the lip area to accept and wear lipstick and colours more comfortably."

And when it comes to shopping for and applying lipstick, there are some important things to take into consideration, including how you're going about the application. Conway says, "A great way to get a smoother application for extra dry lips is to apply the colour with your finger instead of straight from the bullet. This will ensure you layer a sheer amount, and, like a balm, can really work into the lip for a smoother finish." And as for tailoring the formula you choose, Conway recommends keeping this lightweight: "Stick to balm-like textures and nourishing lip colours that offer a sheerer pigment and more hydration."

Things to Avoid

Most importantly when dealing with dry, winter lips is knowing what products to avoid. When lips are dry, they can be much more sensitive and can flare up from even a hint of irritation, including certain lipsticks. Debbie says, "Anything matte or anything that will cause a drying sensation is your biggest nemesis. Super dry, matte formulas are also more difficult to apply, so perhaps avoid those if you are really suffering."

Beyond the formula, certain shades and pigments can also affect the way that lipstick sits on dry lips. "Possibly avoid a strong lip colour, as they may take a little more maintenance. It is far more difficult to ensure the colour stays true and doesn't wear off in a patchy way," warns Debbie.

Shop the Best Products for Dry Lips

Pre-Lipstick Scrubs

Tinted Balms

Creamy Lipsticks

Matte Lipsticks

Next up, all the pro tips you'll need to create Selena Gomez's '60s-style cat eye.