When someone says to me “I don’t like kissing” I immediately think, “hmmm…you are definitely kissing the wrong people.” I understand that it is a matter of personal preference, but kissing is more awesome than bacon and “9 out of 10 people like bacon” and we all know that “last guy is a liar.” No matter the reason you claim to not like kissing, whitening your smile, freshening your breath and softening your lips will ease some of your anxiety and get you on the road to puckering up at the wink of an eye and the flash of a smile.
Whiten Your Smile
Cosmetic Dental Experts of Lowenberg, Lituchy & Kantor suggest the tips below to whiten your smile and keep it white.
- Crest 2-Hour Express 3D Whitestrips are a great option for getting immediate results, because they effectively whiten teeth in a pinch!
- Luster Now! Toothpaste is also effective because it removes the external surface stains on the tooth’s surface and contains Bluverite to help create the optical effect of brighter teeth instantly
- Wear lip shades with a blue undertone to make teeth appear whiter instantly. (We like Lipstick Queen Sinner Red and MAC Ruby Woo.)
- Coat your teeth with a thin layer of Vaseline to protect prior to drinking red wine and teeth-staining foods.
- Chew raw, crunchy vegetables to help mechanically remove surface stains. (Celery is great for this.)
Freshen your Breath
Cosmetic Dental Experts of Lowenberg, Lituchy & Kantor suggest the tips below to freshen your breath and keep it fresh:
- Keep rinsing your mouth with water because most bad breath is caused by bacteria that is clinging to teeth.
- Eat parsley on a regular basis to combat bad breath that may be a result of digestion.
- Rinse twice daily with an ADA-recommended antiseptic mouth rinse. (I like Crest Pro-Health and Scope)
I also suggest a tongue scraper or brushing your tongue to remove food and bacteria buildup and prevent/eliminate odor.
Soften Your Lips
Dry, chapped lips are caused by licking lips, dehydration, allergies, the weather and a myriad of other things. But how do you get lips back in tip top shape after a bit of neglect? The obvious fixes are to take care of the allergies, drink more water and protect lips when venturing into the elements.
Scrub: Fabulips Sugar Lip Scrub is a creamy lip scrub that polishes, nourishes, and conditions lips.
Moisturize and Protect: Kiss My Face Natural Lip Balm with SPF is formulated with natural ingredients and delivers great protection even when winds are high and temperatures are low. Protecting your lips doesn’t mean you have to give up color – Try Fresh Sugar Lip Treatments. They’re available in several shades, and formulated with nourishing oils, waxes, real sugar and are scientifically proven to keep lips moisturized for up to six hours after initial application.
[Want a DIY option? Felicia shares this homemade lip scrub on the Begrdorf Goodman blog]
It is my sincere belief that no one really hates kissing. Therefore, if you follow these tips (and deal with any other issues that prevent you from fully committing to kissing) and you still find yourself on wrong side of the fence when it comes to puckering up, pass these tips along to the person with whom you wish to practice.
