Get Perfectly Kissable Lips This Valentine's Day

There's no need to go out and buy product after product to exfoliate your lips. If you want to make them smoother, you can easily exfoliate at home using two ingredients you probably already have: sugar and olive oil.

• Grab a small container and mix together sugar and olive oil until the mixture reaches a pasty texture. It's not a perfect science, so play around with the ratios. 

• Apply the mixture to your lips and use a washcloth to gently exfoliate. (Note: the mixture is completely unharmful, so getting some in your mouth is no big deal, although it may taste a bit odd!)

• After you've exfoliated, rinse away the remaining scrub and moisturize your lips using whichever lip balm you prefer.

STEP TWO: Pick a shade.

I love a bold lip, but the shade of lipstick you choose will depend a lot on your skin tone, the colour of your eyeshadow (if you choose to wear it) as well as the colour of your outfit. I've picked three of my favourite red shades that would look perfect for a night out with your sweetheart on Valentine's Day.

• Mac Viva Glam I is hands down my favourite lipstick from the plentiful collection on my vanity. It's unmistakably bold and I find it doesn't dry out my lips. Bonus: 100% of profits from sales of Mac Viva Glam lipsticks goes to charities supporting people with HIV/AIDS. You get to donate to charity, and look amazing while doing it!

• I was lucky to receive the Nars lip pencil in Cruella (a gorgeous scarlet red) for my Sephora birthday gift last year. I had never used one of these lip pencils before, but after my experience with it, I am a changed woman! It's so lush, hydrating, and long lasting.

•  When I'm feeling a little more vampy, I go for Kat Von D's Studded Kiss lipstick in Vampira. I find that this lipstick dries out my lips a little bit more than the two I mentioned above, but it's such an eye catcher, and it too is long lasting.

STEP THREE: Lock it in.

If you have trouble with lipstick transferring easily, the internet is full of tips and tricks regarding how to seal in your lip colour. My preferred method for super long lasting lipstick involves a couple of extra accessories: tissues and translucent powder.

• After applying a coat of lipstick, gently blot your lips with a tissue and apply another coat.  

• Now comes your translucent powder. I use Sonia Kashuk's Brightening Powder (partly because it was on sale at Target, but also because it's a great highlighter). Dab a bit of powder on your lips (use your discretion, just don't cake it on) and voila! Your lipstick isn't going anywhere.