Imagine sitting at a café on Abovyan Street, sipping a cold drink as the sun shines bright above your face. Everything is perfect. But then, as you take a sip, you feel it—that stiff, dry, slightly chapped feeling on your lips. It’s that exact moment that reminds you why finding the right SPF lip balms in Yerevan is an absolute summer necessity.
In an effort towards the perfect summer glow, we tend to neglect one of the most sensitive areas of our face. Sun, warmth, and dryness from Armenia are too rough for our lips, making them dry, chapped, and even sun-burnt.
So, here is the trick. How can you have soft, bright, and healthy lips?
Welcome to your Armenian summer lip survival kit. Let’s settle the great debate: in the battle of gloss vs. balm vs. lipstick, who is the Armenian summer survivor?
The Great Lip Debate: What Should You Put On?
Choosing the perfect lip product is the key to making it all the difference between fabulous-looking, comfortable lips and a gloopy, parched disaster.
1. The Lip Gloss: Shiny but Hazardous
Lip gloss provides an instant glint of shine and a youthful, playful appearance. It’s perfect for that dewy, fresh look we all want in summer.
The Good: It looks to be moisturizing and plumps the lips. It’s simple to apply while being on-the-go without the use of a mirror.
The Bad: All that beautiful gloss can be like a magnifying glass for the sun’s UV radiation, potentially increasing your risk of sun damage. Most glosses contain zero sun protection. And don’t forget the arch-enemy of lip gloss: the wind. One blast, and your hair is stuck to your lips.
The Summer Verdict: Lip gloss is perfect for evening or in case you’re going to stay indoors. If you’re going to spend the day wandering in Yerevan, it might not be your most convenient or protected choice.
2. The Lipstick: Bold but Perhaps Drying
Lipstick is the classic go-to for a smooth, polished appearance. It delivers bold color that can instantly make you feel like a boss, and this timeless appeal is why so many people are now seeking out high-quality vegan lipsticks in Yerevan to get that same confident feeling.
The Good: The color pay-off is unbeatable. A coral or pink lip color can yell “summer.”
The Bad: So many of the traditional lipsticks, especially the matte ones, are so drying.
If your lips are dry from the heat to begin with, then a parching lip finish will be detrimental to them, with each chip and crevice distinctly visible. Thick, creamy consistencies can be just as detrimental, too, with the heavy texture “melting” or “bleeding” when hot.
Summer Verdict: If lipstick is your thing, then sheer or satin finishes are the way to go, less heavy on the lip.
Save the heavy, matte ones for evening outings or cooler nights. For daily wear, it’s just too much upkeep.
3. The Lip Balm: The Incontestable Champion
And here we are. The hero of our story. The balm is all protection, moisturizing, and comfort. It’s the foundation of healthy lips.
The Good: It’s designed to repair and protect. It creates a protective layer over the elements, trapping moisture in and chapping out. It’s thin and applies easily over the lips.
The Bad: Lip balms were once considered to be strictly functional with no color or pizzazz. That’s no longer the case!
The Summer Verdict: You simply need a lip balm as your summer staple for lips. And not just any lip balm—the hero is actually an SPF balm.
The Secret Weapon: Why You Need SPF Lip Balms in Yerevan
Take away only one thing from this guide: grab a lip balm with SPF.
We take great care to put sunscreen on our face and bodies but all too often forget the lips. Your lip skin is very thin and contains very little melanin, the sun-protecting pigment in the skin, so they are very exposed to the sun, being highly susceptible to sunburn and long-term damage.
Sun damage to the lips can lead to:
- Burning and peeling pain.
- Premature ageing, e.g. lines around the mouth.
- Loss of volume over time.
- Increased risk of skin cancer.
Obtaining good-quality SPF lip balms in Yerevan has never been simpler. So many beauty shops and pharmacies now carry wonderful products. The good news? They’re no longer just waxy and clear. You can find tinted SPF lip balms that give you a lovely, sheer wash of color along with adding in the protection you need. It’s truly the best of all worlds.
Your 5-Step Summer Lip Survival Guide
Ready to achieve your best summer lips ever? Just follow these five simple steps.
Hydrate from the Inside Out. Your lips are often one of the first places to show dehydration. Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water and tahn throughout the day.
Exfoliate Gently. Once or twice a week, gently buff dry skin off. A damp soft cloth, a special lip scrubber, or a home blend of sugar and a teaspoon of olive oil will do.
Protect with SPF. Always. This is not negotiable. Apply an SPF 30 (or higher) lip balm to your lips every morning. Reapply every two hours, especially following the consumption of foods, liquid intake, or swimming.
Choose Color with Care. For daily wear, use your tinted SPF balm. It gives you color and protection. In case you want more emphasis for a night out, you can apply a lipstick over your balm.
Heal Overnight. Apply a rich, hydrating lip mask or balm in a thick layer before you go to bed. This will enable your lips to heal and repair while you sleep, so you wake up with a smooth, soft pout.
With this guide, you’re all set to enjoy the Armenian summer without worrying about your lips. Prioritize protection with an SPF balm, and then have fun with color when the moment is right. Here’s to a season of healthy, hydrated, and beautiful smiles