"Lip Basting" Is the Ultimate Hack To Curing Dry, Chapped Lips

Dehydrated, chapped lips can be the most embarrassing and uncomfortable situation to deal with. Don't get me wrong, biting into your lip to munch off that dead layer of skin can be abnormally satisfying, but it's not healthy in any manner. And for those that think chapped lips are seasonal, you're wrong. Winter definitely has an effect, but cracked lips are unfortunately a year-round occurrence. As a lip balm enthusiast, I'm going to keep it a buck and acknowledge that the lasting effect of nourished lips is fleeting. However, this is where social media's hydrating lip trend comes into play. Meet "lip basting."

Initially coined by NYC-based dermatologist Shereene Idriss, "lip basting" is a technique that quickly exfoliates, moisturizes and revives chapped lips.

How does "Lip Basting" work?

The term "basting" isn't far from the technique of preparing a holiday ham or turkey. To "lip baste," you start with exfoliating, followed by a thick layer of emollient (the baste.) It's a straightforward and simple process that takes little time or effort. In fact, you could use Fenty Skin's "Plush 'Puddin" Lip Mask as your baste. However, the key to acing the method is exfoliation. Dr. Idriss advises using a chemical exfoliator over physical scrubs to finish with a soft, smooth, healthy pucker.

Interested in learning more? Catch more of Dr. Idriss' "lip basting" technique ahead.