Exfoliating your lips

I am one of those people that are very fussy when it comes to choosing my lipsticks. I only ever wear matte lipsticks. The only problem with matte lipsticks are that they are very drying on your lips. If you have any cracked or peeling skin on your lips, it will show immediately when you apply a matte lipstick. I have two products that I use on a regular basis for these problems.

The first product I bought was the Extra Firming Lip & Contour Gentle Exfoliator from Clarins. I actually only purchased the Lip Scuff Scrub from The Body Shop several years after that. The Clarins exfoliator contains mineral oil and sugar and it really is gentle on your lips. The sugar works well as an exfoliator. I recently found out that this product has been discontinued but I have found a recipe online that shows you how to make it at home! The Body Shops exfoliator contains crushed fig stone granules as a exfoliator and I find that I have to put more effort into my routine when using it. 

With regards to packaging and usability, the exfoliator from The Body Shop wins hands down. It twists up like a lipstick and you apply it directly to your lips. You then take a cotton swab and gently wipe it off. Its that simple. The Clarins exfoliator you would apply a small drop to your finger and then massage your lips with it. You would then have to wash the exfoliator off. 

Left- The Body Shop Lip Scuff  • Right- Clarins Extra Firming Lip and Contour Gentle Exfoliator 

As you can see in the picture above, the Clarins exfoliator is like a gel. I am not a fan of the consistency. Sometimes when I try to squeeze some of the exfoliator out, all I get is oil. In the end, both exfoliators work really well but the Lip Scuff from The Body Shop is a lot more convenient. The Body Shop's exfoliator has a pepper mint smell while the Clarins exfoliator has a sweet, perfumed smell. I still prefer the results that I get from the Clarins exfoliator though. I guess all products have their pros and cons.

What do you use to exfoliate your lips? Also, would you be interested in my homemade lip scrub recipe?

College Essentials

Bag purchased from Woolworths. View their other cosmetic bags hereBesides having books, a laptop and a pencil bag (with absolutely no pens in it) I also have a very bright pink bag in my college bag. I keep my daily essentials in there so that they do not roll around and get lost. I cannot even explain to you how some of my friends laugh when I whip this bag out. I hear comments like "Bagception" and "Are you sure that bag is bright enough?". That is until they see what is inside and then they all want to use something. So what is in this bright pink bag?

The Body Shop Almond Hand and Nail Cream- perfect if you like having soft and moisturized hands

Clarins Moisture Replenish Lip Balm- my favorite lip balm (review here)

Mac Lipstick in Amorous- the perfect shade of dark pink for my skin tone 

QVS Shine Control Tissues- for those peaky oily spots on your face

Stila Long Wear Lip Colour in Flush- light pink lipstick that is very similar to my lip color. Perfect for those long days at college because it does last quite long

Hand Sanitizer- college doors, computers and desks carry all sorts of germs. You can never be too careful

Elizabeth Arden Pretty (10ml)- miniature version of my favorite perfume

Clarins High Impact Mascara (sample size)- perfect travel size mascara for those days you are in a rush and forget to put on your mascara

What item do you have to have in your college/hand bag?