Sydney writes in asking, “Hey guys! I’ve seen posts about what to do if you have dark elbows but I was wondering if you had any tricks up your sleeve for dark lips? I’m not sure if I was just born with darker lips or if they come from my smoker past but I really want nice pink lips! HELP! Thanks!”
Hey Sydney!
I’m glad to hear that smoking is in your past because not only can it lead to cancers, it can also age the skin terribly. It could be a combo of both (were your lips dark before you started smoking?), but having darker or two-toned lips can be pretty common with brown skin.
Your first defense would be to prevent further darkening by making sure you exfoliate your lips (rubbing a wet toothbrush over them or use a gentle scrub) and be sure to use a balm that contains SPF. You can also use a natural lightener like fresh lemons to help brighten the color of your lips over time.
Since you won’t get your lips as pink as I suspect you want them, I say make friends with bold lip color. You can also use concealer (like Black Opal Lip Corrector) or a nude lip pencil to get the base color you want if you wish to rock lighter lip colors.
Besides–darker lips can be your thing. Like how Tyra has her forehead.
October 25, 2011 9:32 am
#DEAD# @ like how Tyra how has her forehead.
October 25, 2011 11:01 am
I use Sweet Lips Lip scrub from Lush and the EOS lips balm in Lemon Drop and, both products together have definitely made a difference!
I was born with two toned lips, so I’m glad I found a remedy!
October 25, 2011 11:01 am
I keeps my Burts and Bees on me at all times. And I dont invest in lip scrubs, I have sugar in my cabinet and that will do the job even better.
October 25, 2011 12:08 pm
a Tb of olive oil + a TB of brown sugar will work wonders in exfoliating.
Good post!
October 25, 2011 12:09 pm
Omg…i’ve been wanting to know the answer to this question since i was a little girl..l was born with dark lips and hate having to explain that when ppl ask if i smoke..ugh most annoying thing ever! I’ll be sure to try the lemon scrub ASAP!
October 25, 2011 12:38 pm
Vaseline on moist lips then exfoliate with a toothbrush. Sugar scrubs might be too abrasive for the lips.
October 25, 2011 12:51 pm
brown sugar and honey is the best for exfoliating and it tastes good! lol
October 25, 2011 1:24 pm
Cant wait to try the Black Opal lip corrector! And I love lemons imma get to work on these lips!
October 25, 2011 1:30 pm
I was born with two toned lips and I love it!!! I have full lips that would look ridiculous if it was all one color. Black folks, every now and then we need to embrace the things that make us unique.
October 25, 2011 1:50 pm
My bottom lip has a delicious pink watermelon tint to it, I embrace it!
October 25, 2011 2:17 pm
@ Diamond!!! You Damn Right!!! Couldn’t have said it better.
October 25, 2011 3:08 pm
@Diamond, best comment!
October 25, 2011 5:46 pm
Baking soda people! Best exfoliate ever. And it’s cheap, gentle and natural as well.
October 25, 2011 5:59 pm
@diamond, you are so right !
But I must admit, sometimes I want to do “nude” lips – and it ends up being totally ridiculous because the lipstick has a different finish on my upper- and underlip. Frustrating.
Thanks for the tips !
October 25, 2011 6:42 pm
You can create a gentle scrub for the lips by using caster sugar or brown sugar (ordinary white sugar can be too harsh) and creating a kind of goo with the sugar and some honey. You can even add some lemon to the mix. Then gently rub this over your lips with your fingers. It’s so cost effective as well.
October 25, 2011 7:42 pm
just use concealor on your lips before applying your lip color. If you were born with 2 tone lips, accept it because no amount of exfoliation, scrubs or lemon will ever make the lips a complete match or a complete pink. Accept what is and work with it!
October 25, 2011 7:47 pm
Lipstains also work well after a good exfoliating. I like Just Bitten by Revlon – it’s a lipstain on one side and balm on the other. I use the pink one and I can put any color over it – nude looks best IMO, though.
October 25, 2011 10:53 pm
I love my two-toned soup coolers! I usually exfoliate with a homemade sugar scrub, too, to keep them soft and supple. But, I’ve wanted to do a nude lip, too. I never thought of a nude lip pencil – but, DUH! That makes so much sense as soon as I read it. Will definitely try that! Thanks for the question and the tip!
October 26, 2011 9:46 am
thank you Diamond!
December 6, 2012 12:16 pm
I have pigmentation around my mouth and my lips are dark. I have brown skin. I want lightened color lips. I keep trying a couple od things for pigmebtation . It reduces when i use them and comes back again. But for now my concern is dark lips. I don’t smoke either. Please help me!!
January 21, 2013 12:30 pm
Laetitia Cream