The Two-Step Lip Ritual I Didn’t Know I Needed (But Now Won’t Skip)
Like any good beauty editor human there’s one product I hoard more than any other; the humble lip balm. Yep, that ‘girl math’ meme about having car/purse/kitchen/bedroom balms scattered all over the place could easily have been created for me.
Because although I don’t have particularly dry lips, it’s difficult to beat the instant gratification that a quick swipe of your bougiest, and yummiest-smelling, balm has to offer.
And while I definitely have a couple of favourites (Summer Fridays’ Lip Butter Balm and Ole Henriken’s Pout Preserve spring to mind), to be perfectly honest they all do the job pretty well the same for me.
Which is why when one of my favourite derms (and a Live That Glow columnist, no less) transformed her viral ‘lip basting’ hack into a product duo, I was intrigued.
Would Dr Idriss’s Barrier Baste Lip Basting Duo be able to magically achieve something my regular balms couldn’t? Or is this just another perfectly good balm in a sea of already very good products?
Read on to find out how I got on.
The product details
As mentioned above, this duo aims to recreate Dr Idriss’s now viral lip basting hack. Invented during the pandemic when we were all mask-desiccated, the hack involves first applying a glycolic acid of between 5% and 10% before adding an oil-heavy emollient over the top.
@shereeneidriss The best hack for dry, chapped lips = LIP BASTING ?? A hack I came up with a few years ago when my lips were dry AF and nothing else worked. Nerds, have you tried my technique? #drylips #lipbasting #glycolicacid #lipcare #lipbalm #lipbalmaddict #dermatologist #shereeneidriss #dridriss @ShereeneIdriss
An instant TikTok winner, this routine spawned tens of thousands of fans- as well as several copycats. Its one downside though? Between a pipette-applied glycolic acid and an unglamorous emollient, it wasn’t the most user friendly. That was until the derm decided to package it all up into one handy duo.
The first step of her kit, ‘Lip Peel’, is a chemical exfoliator made specifically for the delicate lip area. Containing mandelic acid and gluconolactone- both on the gentler spectrum of skincare acids- the peel promises to gently smooth while also hydrating.
Unlike traditional lip scrub, there’s no sugar grains or rough gritty texture here. In fact, Dr Idriss explains, “I was in Jackson, Wyoming, where the air is dry AF in the dead of winter, and my lips were constantly peeling no matter what I did. I had a sugar scrub with me and was about to scrub for the hundredth time when I realised: scrubbing made my lips as flaky as a croissant.
“This common occurrence and the lacklustre results of lip balms led me to start “Lip Basting.”
Image – Courtesy of writer
The second step in her dup, ‘Lip Baste’, contains squalane, shea butter and oat kernel oil to lock in moisture and protect the moisture barrier.
Both come in slightly-smaller-than-normal 10ml tubes, but Lip Baste is housed in baby blue packaging with a cushiony rubber applicator. Meanwhile Lip Peel comes in a darker blue chrome tube- presumably to make it easier to quickly distinguish between the two- and has a handy rollerball applicator.
Image – Courtesy of writer
You can buy each product individually (£24 each from Dr Idriss UK/ $24 each from Sephora US), or both as a duo (£44 from Dr Idriss UK/ $44 from Sephora US) .
How I tested Dr Idriss’s Barrier Baste Duo
According to the brand, Lip Basting Duo is clinically-proven to improve lip texture after one application – and Dr Idriss recommends starting off by using Lip Peel once a week before building up tolerance.
All this means that I tested the duo over two weeks, using the exfoliant twice during that time while applying the balm at least once daily.
And although I don’t normally suffer from a dry pout, the current change of seasons has left me unusually flaky – perfect for testing this kit out.
First impressions
My very first impressions of the kit are of how glossily the brand had managed to package something that is essentially pretty practical.
The tubes- while small- are surprisingly pretty and I happily display them with pride alongside my usual favourites.
Meanwhile the applicators on both products are thoughtfully designed, while a cursory sniff of Lip Baste reveals a pleasingly minty scent (although the peel is scentless) and a subtle nude pink shade.
Image – Courtesy of writer
My results
As instructed, I use the Lip Peel first, rolling the applicator liberally over my lips before leaving the product the recommended 15-30 seconds to absorb.
I was expecting a slight tingling sensation – and wasn’t disappointed. While not hugely noticeable- and definitely not unpleasant- there’s a familiar just-applied-a-skincare-acid feeling when I use this.
The product texture does feel slightly unfamiliar here though; not as water-like as The Ordinary’s PHA 5% Exfoliating Lip Serum, nor thick like a balm. Instead, this gel-like formula feels light and slightly wet on the skin but dries quickly – but without leaving my pout feeling dry or tight afterwards.
Next, I apply Lip Baste. The soft rubber applicator distributes this thick balm formula across my lips like a dream and I instantly feel more hydrated.
Catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror too I notice a subtle shine. And although the pinkish shade I can see in the tube makes no noticeable difference once applied to my lips, the overall effect is still flattering and could definitely substitute my regular gloss on a no makeup-makeup day.
More importantly though, my lips feel cushiony and nourished, yet happily not sticky or slippery. And the slight flakiness I could see before using the kit for the first time has cleared immediately (you can see the effect in my before and after images below).
After two weeks of use, I’m pleased to say that my results have continued, with no flakiness returning. I may be imagining it but my lips look healthier too – slightly fuller-looking thanks to the added hydration.
What other users are saying
Overall, other reviewers who have used both the peel and balm together seem to agree with me that this combination is an effective one. On Reddit, Phillygirllovesbagel said,
“I’ve been using the Dr. Idriss lip duo since the products were introduced and love them. I use both products every evening with my nighttime skincare routine and wake up to soft lips!”
Although I like the minty smell of Lip Baste though, one user on Reddit disagrees however, saying, “It feels very medicated, just a slight mint scent (which smells like hospital…)”
Another user agreed with my impression that the both products are smaller than normal, but said they thought the products would still last a while, “I like both products. They are small but will last. You don’t need much product at all. Only use at bedtime.”
While another compared the balm to Ole Henriksen’s Pout Preserve, but added that Lip Baste was less sticky. “ I love it with the peel! It’s great if you want something like the Ole that is less thick and sticky. It’s almost like a pillowy balmy sensation.”
I totally agree about the pillowy feel here – Lip Baste really does have a lovely cushiony texture that feels great on.
Overall value for money
At £44/$44, clearly this duo is more expensive than simply scrubbing your lips with your toothbrush and applying some Vaseline. It’s also probably more expensive than using your regular glycolic toner and then an emollient.
What this kit is though is effective – and convenient. Instead of fiddling about with pipettes and tubs of cream, this transforms a proven lip care hack into one that’s user friendly too.
Whether you see this as good value then will really come down to a. How much love your lips are in need of, and b. Your tolerance for/aversion to multi-step routines. For me personally, the balm alone is silky enough that I’ll continue repurchasing, while the peel makes me feel like I’m doing something good for the health of my lips.
The takeaway
Overall, I’m a convert. Where before my lip care routine consisted of a quick balm application as and when needed- alongside a once monthly exfoliation with a lip scrub- I’m sold on the intentionality, the feel and the results of this duo.
For those with seriously dry, flaky lips too, I can imagine the benefits would only be even more enticing. Smoother pouts for all here we come!
Get Glowing!
