What this is about: How I spent two years trying different lip care products to find what actually works for my lips in Mumbai's weather. This is my honest story about what worked, what didn't, and how I finally figured out a routine that keeps my lips happy and healthy.
When I Realized My Lips Needed Better Care
So here's something I never thought I'd admit: I, Priya Sharma, who writes about self-care, spent way too long ignoring my lips.
The moment I realized this was in July 2024 during a work presentation at our Bandra office. Mid-sentence, my lips felt super dry and uncomfortable. I had to excuse myself to apply balm, and honestly, it was a bit awkward. That evening, I looked at my reflection and thought – okay, this needs attention.
I sat down and counted the lip products I'd bought over the past year: 12 different ones. Some were expensive imported brands, some were recommendations from friends, and some I'd just picked up randomly. None of them seemed to really solve the problem.
The real issue: I was buying products without understanding what my lips actually needed. Living in Mumbai, going from AC offices to the heat outside, my lips were dealing with a lot.
My Trial and Error Phase
Let me walk you through what I tried, because maybe you've tried some of these too.
August 2023: The Expensive Phase
I started with luxury brands. Bought a fancy French lip balm for ₹950. It felt nice, smelled amazing, and made me feel bougie. But here's the thing – it would wear off within an hour. My lips felt the same by lunchtime.
Cost: ₹2800 on three different luxury balms. Result: Temporary comfort, no real improvement.
October 2023: The Natural/DIY Route
My mom suggested I try coconut oil. So simple, so natural, she'd been using it for years. I tried it for three weeks. My lips felt okay at home, but the moment I stepped into my AC office, they'd feel dry again. Plus, coconut oil on lips in Mumbai heat? It just melted everywhere.
Also tried: honey (sticky mess), ghee (didn't feel right), and a turmeric-based recipe from the internet (let's not talk about that).
January 2024: The Everything Phase
I started reading about ingredients. Bought products with shea butter, vitamin E, beeswax, cocoa butter. Some worked okay, some didn't. I was confused about what actually made a difference versus what was just marketing.
The problem: I was treating my lips the same way all year round. Mumbai's January weather is different from its June weather, but I was using the same products.
March 2024: The Breaking Point
My lips started peeling. Not badly, but enough that I noticed. I was using a minty balm that felt cooling and nice, but I later realized the menthol was actually making things worse. It gave that fresh feeling but was drying them out more.
I spent a weekend reading blogs, watching videos, and honestly just feeling frustrated. Why was something so simple so complicated?
What I Finally Understood
Around May 2024, I had coffee with my friend Kavya (she runs a wellness practice in Kerala). She asked me about my lip care routine, and I realized – I didn't have one. I just applied balm randomly whenever I remembered or when my lips felt uncomfortable.
Things That Actually Mattered:
- Consistency over products: Using something regularly was more important than using something expensive occasionally.
- Understanding ingredients: Some ingredients heal, some just give temporary relief. I needed to know the difference.
- Mumbai weather considerations: My AC office needs were different from my weekend-at-home needs.
- Night care matters: My lips do their repair work at night. I was ignoring this completely.
- Hydration from inside: I wasn't drinking enough water. Sounds basic, but it's true.
Kavya also pointed out that I was probably over-exfoliating. I'd scrub my lips with a sugar scrub almost daily thinking it would help. It was actually making them more sensitive.
Building My Actual Routine (That Works)
By June 2024, I decided to start fresh. Simple, consistent, practical.
Morning Routine
After brushing my teeth, I apply a light layer of balm. Something that absorbs well and doesn't feel heavy. I keep one in my bag, one on my desk, and one in my bedroom. This way, I never forget to reapply.
Reapply: Before leaving home, once at office (around 11 AM), and after lunch.
Evening Care
When I get home, I gently wipe my lips with a damp cotton pad. Not scrubbing, just cleaning. Then I apply a thicker layer of something more nourishing. I let this sit while I make dinner or watch TV.
Night Treatment
This was the game-changer. Before bed, I apply a generous layer of something really healing. I started doing this in July 2024, and within two weeks, I noticed a real difference. My lips felt softer when I woke up.
I use something with honey and natural ingredients that can work overnight.
Weekly Care
Once a week (I do it on Sundays), I gently exfoliate. Very gently. I use a soft, natural scrub, massage for maybe 30 seconds, and rinse. Then I apply a thick layer of balm.
The key: gentle and infrequent, not harsh and daily.
What I Look for in Products Now
After all this trial and error, I've become pretty specific about what I need in lip care products.
My Non-Negotiables:
For Daily Use:
- Natural ingredients: I prefer things that are actually nourishing, not just coating my lips temporarily.
- No harsh menthol: That cooling feeling is nice, but it was drying me out.
- Non-sticky: I need to talk all day for work. Sticky products are annoying.
- Doesn't taste weird: If it accidentally gets in my mouth (which happens), I don't want chemical flavors.
For Night Care:
- Actually healing: Ingredients like honey, shea butter, natural oils that repair.
- Thick enough to last: Something that won't disappear in an hour.
- No fragrance overload: I'm sleeping with this on my face.
For Treatment:
- Gentle exfoliation: Natural sugar or something similarly soft.
- Moisturizing base: Not just scrubbing particles, but something that conditions too.
- Easy to use: I'm not making complicated DIY mixes anymore.
The Results After 5 Months
It's now November 2024, and I can honestly say my lips are in better shape than they've been in years.
What Changed
My lips feel comfortable throughout the day. They don't feel tight or uncomfortable in the AC anymore. I'm not constantly reaching for balm every hour.
What I Learned
More expensive doesn't mean better. Consistency beats everything. And actually understanding what my lips needed (not just buying what Instagram told me to buy) made all the difference.
Unexpected Benefits
My lips look healthier. The color is more even. I feel more confident without lipstick. And I'm saving money because I'm not randomly buying products anymore.
Best Investment
Honestly? The night care routine. It costs basically nothing in terms of time (literally just applying balm before bed), but the results are amazing. My lips repair overnight instead of starting each day already dry.
Tips for Mumbai Weather Specifically
Because our weather is its own special challenge:
Seasonal Adjustments:
Monsoon (June-September):
- Less is more: The humidity actually helps. I use lighter products during this time.
- Reapply after rain: Getting wet washes everything off. Keep a balm in your bag.
- Watch for fungal issues: If products feel off or smell weird, replace them. Monsoon humidity affects everything.
Winter (November-January):
- Layer up: This is when I use thicker, more nourishing products.
- Night care is crucial: The drier air means more repair work needed.
- Humidifier helps: If you can, run one in your bedroom. Your lips (and skin) will thank you.
Summer (March-May):
- Sun protection matters: Lips get sun damage too. Look for products with natural protective ingredients.
- Lighter textures: Heavy balms feel gross in the heat. Switch to something that absorbs quickly.
- Hydrate internally: Drink so much water. This is when dehydration shows up fastest on lips.
Common Mistakes I Made (So You Don't Have To)
Licking my lips constantly
This was making everything worse. Saliva actually dries out your lips more. I had to consciously stop this habit. Took about two weeks to break it, but it made a noticeable difference.
Using random lip products as "treatment"
Not everything that's marketed for lips is actually good for them. Some products gave temporary relief but weren't helping long-term. I learned to read ingredients, not just packaging claims.
Skipping care on "good days"
When my lips felt fine, I'd skip my routine. Then they'd get dry again, and I'd restart. Consistency is everything. Even when they feel good, I maintain the routine.
Over-exfoliating
I thought more exfoliation = better lips. Wrong. I was damaging the delicate skin. Once a week is plenty. Sometimes even less during sensitive periods.
Ignoring the rest of my routine
My lips don't exist in isolation. When I wasn't drinking enough water, sleeping properly, or managing stress, my lips showed it. Self-care is connected.
Expecting instant results
I'd try something for three days and give up if it didn't "work." Real improvement took weeks of consistent care. Patience was key.
Questions People Always Ask Me
How long did it take to see real improvement?
Honestly? About 3-4 weeks of consistent routine before I noticed a significant difference. Small improvements came within a week, but real change took time and consistency.
Can I wear lipstick with this routine?
Yes! Actually, my lipstick looks better now because my lips are smoother. I just make sure to prep with balm first and remove makeup properly at night.
What if I forget to apply balm during the day?
It happens. Don't stress. Just reapply when you remember. The night routine is the most important part anyway. That's when the real healing happens.
Do expensive products work better?
Not necessarily. I wasted money on fancy products that didn't work as well as simpler, honest formulations. Price doesn't equal effectiveness. Ingredients and consistency matter more.
How do I know if a product is working?
Give it 2-3 weeks of consistent use. If your lips feel more comfortable, look healthier, and you're not constantly reapplying, it's working. If nothing changes or they get worse, try something else.
Can men follow this routine too?
Absolutely! My brother started taking lip care seriously after seeing my results. Everyone's lips need care, regardless of gender. The routine works for anyone.
What This Journey Taught Me
Beyond just lip care, this whole experience taught me some valuable lessons.
The bigger picture:
- Self-care doesn't have to be complicated or expensive to be effective
- Consistency beats perfection every single time
- Understanding what you actually need is more valuable than following trends
- Sometimes the solution is simpler than we think
- Taking care of small things (like lips) builds confidence in bigger ways
- Your body tells you what it needs if you pay attention
Start Your Own Journey
If you're dealing with dry, uncomfortable lips, here's my advice:
Start Simple:
- Pick one good product for day use
- Pick one nourishing product for night use
- Use them consistently for three weeks
- Actually drink water (I know, I know, but seriously)
- Be patient with the process
- Pay attention to what works for YOUR lips
- Don't compare your journey to others
You don't need 17 products like I had. You need the right routine, consistency, and a bit of patience. Your lips will thank you.
Five Months Later: Living With Comfortable Lips
It's November 24th, 2024 now, and taking care of my lips has become as natural as brushing my teeth. I don't think about it much – it just happens.
The best part? I'm not self-conscious anymore. I don't worry about presentations or long meetings. I don't avoid photos because of how my lips look. It's such a small thing, but it changed how confident I feel every day.
Looking forward: This routine is now just part of my life. Simple, effective, and sustainable. No more product hopping or trying random things. Just consistent care that actually works.
If you're where I was two years ago – frustrated, confused, trying everything – I hope this helps. It's not about finding a miracle product. It's about understanding what you need and being consistent with it.
Your lips deserve care that actually works, not just products that promise everything. ❤️
