Pucker up, buttercup. Contrary to popular belief, it seems that your man has taken the term ‘read my lips’ to heart. No. No, sillies. It’s not that he’s actually listening to the words that tumble from your pretty pout – the poor dear is simply mesmerized by each and every curl and curve of your lips.

The results of a recent study out of the U.K.’s University of Manchester seem to point to your man’s powerlessness against staring at something further north than your bosom companions. Sex expert (How exactly does one earn this title, pray tell?) and author of the tactfully titled tome , Ian Kerner, PhD">She Comes First, Ian Kerner, PhD explains. “Men can be totally oblivious to what shoes you’re wearing or a new haircut,” (Preach on, Kerner. Preach on.) “but they always notice your lips – they send subliminal, sexual messages.”

Yep. It seems your lips – whether you know it or not – are giving him subtle cues into your femininity, fertility and just how into him you really are. Don’t blame the men. They can’t help it – it’s simple biology. Women typically have a greater color contrast between their lips and the surrounding skin than men do. Lipsticks, stains and glosses heighten this and those of the manlier species magically perceive you as being more feminine.

Taking it one step further, anthropologists believe that our puffy, outward-facing lips (we’re the only primates that have a pouty-pucker) evolved as a way to inform potential mates that we’re in our sexual prime. Since a pout reaches it’s puffiest point after puberty and continues to stay that way while we are fertile, it sort of makes sense that this would be perceived as a biological sign of baby making-ability.



And while the third cue is less biology and more body language, the actual way you move your lips is also sending him tiny, unspoken messages about just how into him you really are. For example, parting your lips can be perceived as meaning “she’s open to talking to me.” While licking your lips, which brings down heart rate and anxiety, could cue him into thinking he makes you nervous – in a good way. (Huh. And I thought it meant I needed more chapstick.) Regardless, it all sort of makes sense since body language plays a huge part in communication and your lips are undeniably a part of your body.

It seems that whether you’re just ordering a sandwich or actually flirting, there is little you can do about your sexiness, (True. True.) – so it’s best to prep your pucker for the inevitable attention.

New Jersey’s Bliss Spa aesthetician, Marlena Ramoy suggests a few tips to ensure that your pout is as pretty au natural as it is made-up, and they’re surprisingly similar to the care-taking steps you use for the rest of your mug. Since makeup and oils tend to build up on your face, even on your lips, Ramoy warns against neglecting them with your face wash. Suds up your pucker for at least 20 seconds to lift away any hard-clinging lipsticks or stains which can cause unnecessary dryness. And speaking of… if any of you have ever felt panic at the thought of an empty tube of chapstick, you’ll know the importance of exfoliating. Dry lips tend to look… well… yucky… add color to that and the effect is ghastly. An at-home DIY solution can exfoliate your kisser and avoid any cakey-color. Simply grab a clean, soft toothbrush and gently rub over your mouth in a circular motion and your lips will be smooth and supple in no time at all. And back to the aforementioned wonder product – chapstick (a.k.a. lip balm). Swipe a tube over your lips during the day (and night) to hydrate and seal in any pout-enhancing peptide serums (should you use them). Voila - picture perfect pucker! Might as well… He won’t be listening to your lips, but he’ll be paying vast amounts of attention to them.