Listen, I need to have a real conversation with you about lip masks. You know your rich auntie loves her beauty products, and I’ve tried just about everything when it comes to keeping these lips soft, plump, and camera-ready. But here’s what nobody tells you: sometimes the most expensive option isn’t the one you’ll actually reach for at 11 PM when your lips are crying for help.
And trust me, living in Colorado, my lips are always crying for help. If you don’t know about dry skin and parched lips, you don’t live at altitude in a state where the humidity forgot to show up. The struggle is real out here, and I’ve become something of an expert on what actually works when the air is basically sucking the moisture out of your face.
Let me walk you through my lip mask journey, because I have thoughts, feelings, and opinions about all of these products sitting on my nightstand.
Jason Wu Beauty Goodnight Mr. Wu Sleep Mask: The Pretty One That Ghosted Me
First up, let’s talk about the Jason Wu Beauty Goodnight Mr. Wu Sleep Mask. The packaging? Gorgeous. The concept? Brilliant. The price point? Actually pretty reasonable for what you’re getting. I was excited about this one, truly.
It works beautifully when you first start using it. Your lips feel hydrated, soft, and pampered. But here’s my issue: it doesn’t last long enough. For the price, I expected more product or at least for it to go further. I found myself running through it faster than I’d like, and while I enjoyed using it, I kept thinking, “Am I really going to repurchase this when it’s gone?”
The answer? Probably not. And in Colorado’s dry climate, I need something I can use generously and frequently without watching my budget evaporate faster than the moisture in the air. It’s a lovely treat-yourself moment, but it’s not making it into my permanent rotation. Sometimes things are nice without being essential, you know?
Drunk Elephant Lippe Mask: The Luxury Dilemma
Now, the Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial Mask—wait, wrong one. I mean the Plump-C Tripeptide Lippe Mask with Vitamin C. Let me be clear: this product is fantastic. It feels luxurious, it smells subtle and clean, and yes, it does make your lips look plumper and more hydrated. The vitamin C gives you that healthy, rejuvenated look, and the formula is incredibly nourishing.
But—and this is a big but—would I repurchase it based on the price? I’m going to be honest with you: probably not consistently. When you’re battling Colorado’s relentless dry air, you need products you can reapply without guilt. It’s one of those products that I love having, that I enjoy using, but when I look at the price tag and compare it to how often I actually need a lip mask (which is constantly, by the way), the math doesn’t quite math for me.
Is it worth trying if you’re curious or want to treat yourself? Absolutely. Is it a must-have staple? For my lifestyle and budget priorities, not quite. Your rich auntie has standards, but she’s also practical, especially when she’s reapplying lip products multiple times a day.
Mac Cosmetics Lipglass: The Unexpected Hero
Here’s where things get interesting. Mac Lipglass isn’t technically a lip mask, but honey, it works like one. I keep the clear formula on hand because it’s versatile in a way that dedicated lip masks sometimes aren’t.
You can wear it during the day for that gorgeous shine without looking like you’re trying too hard. You can layer it over lipstick. You can slick it on before bed and wake up with hydrated lips. It’s not marketed as overnight intensive care, but the clear formula does the job beautifully, even in Colorado’s brutal conditions.
Plus, it’s Mac. I trust the brand, I know the formula, and the price point is reasonable for what you’re getting. This is one of those products that just makes sense to have in your collection. It’s the reliable friend who shows up when you need them—and in this altitude, you need them often.
Now we need to talk about the elephant in the room—or rather, the little tube that lives in every single one of my bags, on my nightstand, in my car, and probably in at least three jacket pockets.
Yes, the same Aquaphor your mom used on your scraped knees. The same Aquaphor that costs less than your morning coffee. The same Aquaphor that you can find at literally any drugstore, grocery store, or gas station.
This is the one I grab the most. Period.
Here’s why: it works. It’s accessible. It’s affordable. I don’t have to baby it or save it for special occasions. I can slather it on generously without calculating the cost per application. When my lips are dry at 2 AM (and they always are, because Colorado doesn’t believe in humidity), I’m not fumbling for my fancy lip mask—I’m reaching for my trusty Aquaphor.
Living in a dry state has taught me that you need products you can use liberally and frequently. Aquaphor creates that occlusive barrier that locks in moisture—and when you’re dealing with air that’s actively working against you, that barrier is essential. It heals. It protects. It doesn’t have fancy ingredients or beautiful packaging, but it gets the job done better than products that cost ten times as much.
I’m talking multiple applications a day, every day. That’s the reality of life in Colorado, and Aquaphor is the only product in my arsenal that I can use that generously without breaking the bank or running out constantly.
The Real Tea
You want to know what your rich auntie has learned after trying all these products while battling some of the driest air in the country? Price doesn’t always equal performance, and performance doesn’t always equal practicality.
I love having options. I enjoy trying new products and experiencing different formulas. But at the end of the day—literally, at the end of every single day—I’m reaching for Aquaphor. It’s the product that’s actually changing my life, not just sitting pretty on my vanity.
Does that mean you shouldn’t try the fancier options? No! If you want to experience that Drunk Elephant luxury or try the Jason Wu mask, go for it. Beauty should be fun, and trying new things is part of the joy. But don’t sleep on the basics, and don’t assume that expensive means better—especially if you’re dealing with challenging climate conditions like I am.
My Honest Recommendation
If you’re building your lip care routine from scratch, or if you live anywhere with dry air (looking at you, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, and basically anywhere with altitude or low humidity), start with Aquaphor. Get the big tube. Put it everywhere. Use it liberally. That’s your foundation.
Then, if you want to experiment, grab the Mac Lipglass for daytime versatility. It’ll give you that extra polish when you need it while still providing hydration.
Save the expensive lip masks for when you really want to treat yourself or when they’re on sale. They’re lovely to have, but they’re not going to transform your life in ways that the affordable options won’t—and they definitely won’t keep up with the reapplication demands of dry climate living.
Your rich auntie might have champagne taste, but she knows that sometimes the best solution is the simple one. And there’s nothing more luxurious than not having to worry about running out of your favorite product because it’s always available and always affordable. Trust me, I’ve learned this lesson the hard way at 7,000 feet above sea level.
Now go forth and hydrate those lips, loves. Your skin will thank you.
Your Rich Auntie
P.S. Keep an Aquaphor in your purse right now. Trust me on this. If you live in a dry climate like I do, keep three. You’ll thank me later.
