5 Tips for Natural Lip Enhancement

Eyes might be the windows to the soul, but lips are important, too! While pretty to look at, a lot of their attraction comes from our primal sides. Full, plump lips show a potential mate that you are in good health, well-hydrated, and can even indicate if you’re fertile. 

 Because of these not-so-romantic facts, it’s important to keep your lips looking fantastic. Besides, having kissable, soft, and plump lips is one of the best ways to draw the eyes to your face. However, not everyone wants to go under the knife or face painful injections just to have more attractive lips. 

 That’s why we’ve put together 5 of our top tips for natural lip enhancement. 

Oils, Butters, & Balms

 Unrefined, virgin, raw – you get the idea – are better than their refined counterparts. Cocoa butter, coconut oil, spicy oils like peppermint and cinnamon, balm, and the like are all great, natural ways to give your lips a fuller, more plump look.

 Many of these will also leave them softer and much more inviting. 

 Finding a blend that works best on your lips is both fun and important. Not only can you essentially make your own lip balm, but you can also alter it to improve the look and feel of your lips as you treat and repair other issues. 

 A fun bonus is that it also gives you something of a slight, custom perfume. 

Lip Exfoliation 

 Exfoliation is a great, fast, natural way to give your lips a little bit of plumping. This works because exfoliation causes an increase in blood flow, which naturally plumps your lips. While this may not be a ‘forever solution’ to your flat or dull lips, it can certainly boost what you’re already working with. 

 This also helps to keep skin flakes at bay and will help even the most chapped lips look and feel better. 

Put ’em on Ice 

 Not only can icing your lips for 2 minutes every day help to exfoliate and hydrate your lips, leaving them smooth and plump, doing this for two weeks can help to keep those results. 

 You’ll see fuller, smoother, more kissable lips quickly enough, and it’s an easy, cheap way to do it. 

Simple & Sweet

 If you want something natural, tasty, and effective, go to your local beehive. Well, maybe going to your local grocery store is just a smidge safer. Mix together some honey and beeswax until it’s a smooth paste, then apply it to your lips and leave it on overnight. 

 This is a very effective treatment because honey is not just a great anti-bacterial and base for many home remedies but a natural conditioner as well. This means that you will wake up with thicker, fuller, softer lips. 

 Plus, it leaves you smelling just a little extra sweet. 

Collagen Peptides

 While not vegetarian- or vegan-friendly, these little peptides will give your lips a good pout while reducing any fine lines around your mouth. Drinking a serving of these in your morning coffee, tea, or bone broth, in addition to applying the peptides directly to your lips, won’t yield immediate results, but they will improve your lips over time. 

 The trick is to take them daily, making them a regular part of your morning routine. 

 Just like with any part of your body, it’s important to keep your lips in good health. Not only does it help with your looks, but it can help to prevent infections and outbreaks on and around your lips. And don’t forget, drinking at least eight glasses – though preferably 1 gallon – of water per day will help with blood flow and increase the size, fullness, and texture of your lips.

Cold vs. Hot: Which Wax is Better When Living in Denver?

 So, you have some unsightly hair that you wish to remove. One way to do it is to shave the hair away with a use of a razor, but this type of fix will only last for a very short period of time. The hairs will have already begun to regrow and will so reappear in full force. Living in a place like Denver, you want to take into account which option is better given the weather patterns. 

 The best means of dealing with these unwanted hairs is to wax them away. By pulling them out by the roots, you can make sure that it will take weeks, not days, to regrow and require the process to be repeated. Here we will discuss the different types of waxing, their benefits, and how to select which kind is the best for your body sculpting needs. 

What is Hot Wax?

 Hot wax, in truth, is not actually meant to be scalding hot. The wax is placed inside of a warmer than then causes the substance to change into a more liquid state and become applicable for people to use. The softened material is then spread across the area of the skin where the hair is and used to remove it. 

 For hot wax, there are two different types that can be used. There is a soft wax, which usually comes in a can form or as a roll-on that becomes even softer once warmed up. Typically, a cloth strip is used to pull the adhesive and remove the hairs. 

 The other type of hot wax used is called hard wax. These come in pellet form or as beads that are equally easy to use and have a firmer texture. This makes them easier to grip onto muslin strips for hair removal.

 Either form you use, the temperature is the biggest thing to consider. The consistency of the wax should be like maple syrup. To cool it down, use the spreader you will be using to apply the wax to swirl it around and release some of the contained heat. If the wax is too cool, it will not grip the hairs and remove them. Too hot, and you run the risk of scalding yourself and causing burns. 

What is Cold Wax?

 Opposite of its counterpart, cold wax has already been placed upon strips of either cloth or wax paper and has been precut into different sizes and shapes. This type of waxing does not require a warmer, as does hot wax. Instead, rub the strip with your palm and use your natural body heat, as well as that caused by friction, to warm it up so that wax can adhere. 

 Using cold wax has some benefits that you can’t get with warm wax. There is no risk of burns as the temperature will never exceed a level similar to the natural body temperature. This is also the most user-friendly and costs less than what it would take for a salon worker to do it. 

Which is Best to Use

 For coarse hair, such as under your arm or in your pubic region, hot wax is the best to use. The texture of the wax will adhere to shorter hairs better. Consider also using it on larger areas, like the legs and back. 

 Cold wax (https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/cold-waxing), however, is better used for finer hairs, such as the face. It doesn’t grasp as well, but it is able to be sculpted into shapes by precutting the strips before application. This is also best for people who are wanting to wax but do not have to pay salon prices. 

Risks for Both

 Waxing, whether hot or cold, come with their own risks. Similarly, they can cause extreme irritation, red bumps, or grazed skin on those who are sensitive. They should not be used if you have had a chemical peel. People with varicose veins are not to undergo waxing as their blood vessels are too sensitive, and it can cause them to expand and become damaged. 

Which Should I Use?

 Ultimately, the decision must come down to the individual and what their needs are. Judging where the hair is located that you want to remove, what kind of skin you have, and what kind of reaction you will help determine whether to use cold or hot wax. If you have never waxed before, go to see a salon specialist learn what it is you need to know before doing it at home.

All You Need To Know About Skin Tightening Procedures

Although it can be a little depressing to deal with sagging skin because of stress and aging, science has developed many ways to lift sagging skin.

 Many people assume that the only way to lift sagging skin is to undergo expensive surgery, but these procedures are unnecessary to tighten your skin. Many non-invasive skin tightening methods are now available.

 Here are a dozen ways to consider for tightening your skin.

 1. Exfoliation. For those with excess skin, exfoliation can be done in the office of a skincare specialist, or you can create your own exfoliation skincare routine. This helps to reduce the appearance of cellulite and tighten the skin. It is also vital in a dryer climate like Denver’s.

 2. Radiofrequency treatment. It’s like getting a facelift. Radiofrequency treatment can reduce sagging and tighten wrinkles and fine lines. It breaks down loose, dying tissue under the skin’s surface. This stimulates collagen production and the growth of new blood vessels to re-plump the skin. These are available in salons, but you can also buy home devices, which can range from $69.99 to $597.00.

 3. Anti-Aging Facial. An anti-aging facial is one where the results are noticeable right away and last for many months. You may get more dramatic results. This type of facial stimulates the collagen in the skin and targets areas of the skin to create the most noticeable benefits.

 4. Plasma fibroblast. Laser treatment is the real deal. With plasma pens, the deeper you go with lasers, the more targeted your results will be. You will, however, need to apply moisturizers more often. You’ll also have to use sunscreen when you go outdoors to prevent sunburn.

 5. Natural home remedies. Many homemade skincare products can be made in your own kitchen to tighten skin, using ingredients such as yogurt, lemon juice, salt, and honey. Ingredients such as these are great for skin and stretch marks.

 6. Supplemental protein shakes. Protein supplements with ingredients such as milk protein, whey protein, fish oil, coconut oil, collagen, and guar gum have properties that assist with lifting and tightening the skin. You can either make your own nutritional protein shake or buy supplements that have some of these ingredients. Two shakes per day are optimum.

 7. Homemade energy drinks. You can also lift, tighten, and firm skin by making your own energy drinks. Some ingredients to consider are water, apple juice, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, and honey.

 8. Natural skin care oils. Many oils, such as coconut oil and olive oil, offer some skin tightening benefits. You can consult with a Denver esthetician to discover which one is best suited for you. 

 9. Retinol-based products. Retinol, the active ingredient in Retin-A, which is sold in skincare products, can stimulate skin cell turnover and is great for tightening the skin. Apply it twice a day.

 10. Ultherapy. This is an ultrasound treatment that tightens skin in several areas of the body, including facial skin, arms, legs, and stomach. Ultherapy was developed by Dr. Norman Rowe, a professor at McMaster University in Ontario. It’s non-invasive, but it must be done by a doctor and covered by most insurance companies. It costs $600 per treatment.

 11. Copper infusions. These are usually done in a dermatologist’s office. They increase blood circulation to your face. While it has some pretty big results, they’re also expensive.

 12. Moisturizers. Moisturizing your face and skin with vaseline can give it a slight, buffed-up look if your skin is parched. Applying vaseline will smooth out all dry and rough skin patches. This only needs to be done occasionally if your skin is dry and cracked after a long, hot day in the sun. Otherwise, it’s better to stick with regular moisturizing products.

 In conclusion, if you are looking for a non-surgical solution, many methods are available for skin tightening. Try one or more of the ideas in this list to find out what works best for you. While experimenting with many of the home remedies (https://www.webmd.com/balance/ss/slideshow-home-remedies) recommended here are inexpensive and harmless, it’s advisable to consult your local Denver dermatologist if you want to try a more expensive treatment. The truth set you back a few hundred dollars.