This Two-Step Routine Cured Me Of My Chapped Lips, Once And For All

As soon as cold weather hits, the moisture levels in my skin take a plunge. My hands are the first to sound the alarm, my hair starts to look dull and dehydrated and then - like clockwork - my lips fall victim, too. The moment the mercury drops, my lips feel tight and every smile turns into a crack hazard. Lip oils and balmsare a year-round must for me but, at certain points in the year, most of them just don't cut it and only serve to spotlight the dry, chapped skin. I'll go to apply my favourite only to be confronted with a whole new set of unsightly flakes. Seconds later, I’m wiping the whole lot off in frustration. And where flakes are concerned, I'm a picker. Guilty. All the beauty intel in the world can't stop me from indulging this particular compulsion.

I had assumed my winter lip situation was a lost cause, until I discovered theRefy Lip Buff set.

What does the Refy Lip Buff set do?

Funnily enough, this product unlocked a childhood memory for me. After brushing my teeth, my mum used to sit me on her lap and gently scrub the dead skin off my lips with a toothbrush. Did I appreciate it at the time? Absolutely not. But the results? Smoother, brighter lips. And Refy’s Lip Buff is my modern day upgrade.

The first thing I noticed was how flexible the bristles on the lip buffer are - far gentler than the toothbrushes of my childhood, making the process feel more like a treatment than a chore. The product does build up so you’ll need to clean the bristles after every use.

Texture wise, I was expecting a thicker consistency but it’s very light. Think of this as more skincare than make-up. An added bonus is that the formula isn't fragranced, which is great if you’re going to layer on a lip gloss that is.

How to use it:

1. Squeeze a small amount of product onto the applicator.

2. Buff it into your lips using gentle, circular motions.

3. Let it absorb before applying the rest of your make-up or skincare.

Final verdict:

This is now a go-to part of my beauty routine and it has made such a different to the condition of my lips. The serum itself is packed with amino acids, aloe vera, and a plant-based plumping agent - but unlike traditional lip plumpers, there’s no uncomfortable burning sensation. My one gripe is that it can feel a bit sticky if you’re layering it on thick – less is more.

(before and after)

No flakes. No picking. Just soft, hydrated lips ready for whatever lip combo I’m feeling that day.

Shop: The Refy Lip Buff

Renee Washington, Grazia's digital fashion and beauty assistant, lives online. With a penchant for wispy lashes and streetwear, she writes about the worlds of fashion and beauty from the viewpoint of the modern fashion girlie..