I’m just come out and say it…winter lips are a bitch. Maybe that’s not to most eloquent or politically correct way to express my feelings but it’s how I feel and I’m sticking to it. The thing is, we all want to wear cute makeup and look trendy even if it’s cold outside and you sorta wish you could just hibernate until April, but on the flip side of that when I wear my favorite liquid or matte lipsticks out in the weather too many days in a row I end up with 300 year old lady lips.

I did a post similar to this last year when I started to shrivel up in the winds of winter, but I wanted to do an updated version to include the oh-so-trendy super defined, mauve-nude lips that everyone is loving right now. It’s very simple, and super effective and you’ll only need a few things.

1. A Creamy Lip Pencil
2. A Super Thick Shiny Lip Balm
3. Your Favorite Highlighter

You want the lip pencil to be creamy because that’s what will help keep them plump looking and avoid drying the living hell out of them after the fact. If you use something dry like a MAC pencil or a NYX Pencil it will still look great but it may end up still drying you out a bit at the end of the day. Personally I like to go with the Urban Decay 24/7 Lip Liner Pencils because they are smooth and creamy and the color Naked is the perfect mauve nude. Another good formula to get the job done is the Rimmel Exaggerate Liner, it’s a very similar formula and they have several really nice rosy nude shades, and neither of those pencils are drying on me.

Start with clean lips and fill in the entire lip with the pencil…

Next add your highlighter to the cupids bow and top lip line. You could use any type you like but in this instance I used Becca Champagne Pop. This just gives the lips more dimension and helps them look more full.

Now just dab your nice, thick, nourishing balm over the top of the whole thing and you’re all set. I used the bite beauty agave lip mask because it really hydrates my lips, it stays on a long time and it’s a little shiny without looking like a full on gloss.

I find that this wears very well, keeps your lips protected and hydrated, and looks really chic all at the same time. You could do this with any color lip pencil you want honestly, but a good rosy nude really does go with everything so that’s been my go-to winter lip of choice.

Hope this helps you stay cute while you stay warm!