National Lips Appreciation Day (March 16)

Lips are one of those things you don’t think about… until they’re painfully dry, cracked from winter air, or suddenly the boldest thing on your face thanks to a bright red lipstick.

They help you talk, drink coffee, whistle, smile at someone across the room, and show emotion before you even say a word. And yet somehow they’re the part of our face most likely to be forgotten when we’re rushing through skincare.

National Lips Appreciation Day on March 16 is basically a small reminder to stop ignoring them.

It’s not a huge celebration. There’s no parade. Just a gentle nudge: grab the lip balm, try a new shade, or at least notice how much your lips actually do for you every day.

When is the Holiday?

It falls on March 16 each year.

Honestly, the timing makes sense. Winter dryness is still hanging around, the air is unpredictable, and lips tend to show it first.

Who Invented It?

This is one of the many offbeat observances created by Thomas and Ruth Roy of Wellcat Holidays. If you’ve ever stumbled across a holiday that made you pause and say, “Wait… that’s a thing?”, it might’ve been theirs.

Their ideas usually mix humor with something practical. In this case: take care of your lips.

A Little History Behind Lip Care

People have been caring about their lips for thousands of years.

Ancient Egyptians reportedly used oils and beeswax to soften them. Lip color has gone wildly in and out of fashion depending on the century. At one point in the 1600s, British lawmakers even debated banning lipstick because it was considered deceptive.

The modern twist-up lipstick tube didn’t arrive until the early 1900s, when Maurice Levy patented a sliding metal case. Before that, applying lipstick was a much messier process.

So while the holiday itself is lighthearted, lip care has a surprisingly long history.

A Few Things You Might Not Know About Lips

A Few Things You Might Not Know About Lips

Here’s where it gets interesting:

• Your lip print is unique — some researchers even study them the way fingerprints are studied.
• Lips don’t have oil or sweat glands, which is why they dry out faster than the rest of your skin.
• The skin there is thinner, which makes weather changes feel more intense.
• They’re packed with nerve endings, which explains why temperature and texture feel amplified.
• Their pink or red tone comes from blood vessels close to the surface.

When you think about it, they’re kind of overachievers.

Coloring Page

If you want something light and fun to go with the day, there’s a free Lips Appreciation Day coloring page you can print.

It works well as a quick classroom extra, a teen self-care activity, or just something playful to include in a March theme lineup. Not every observance needs to turn into a full lesson plan.

Activities to Celebrate

This one doesn’t need to be complicated.

Make a quick sugar-and-coconut-oil lip scrub. Switch to a balm with SPF if you’ve been skipping that step. Try a lipstick shade you normally wouldn’t reach for.

If you want something more meaningful, consider donating lip balm to a local shelter. It’s a small item that makes a big difference during cold or dry months.

Or keep it completely low-key and just notice how often your lips are doing the work, talking, laughing, reacting, all day long.

Related Recipes for the Holiday

Homemade lip care is surprisingly easy:

• DIY Beeswax Lip Balm – A simple homemade lip balm using beeswax, coconut oil, and essential oils to keep your lips moisturized all day.
• Lavender Vanilla Lip Scrub – A gentle exfoliating scrub that combines sugar, coconut oil, and a hint of lavender for a relaxing, nourishing experience.
• Homemade Chocolate Mint Lip Balm – This delicious-smelling lip balm combines cocoa butter and peppermint essential oil for a refreshing touch.
• Raspberry Sugar Lip Scrub – A natural, fruity lip scrub that removes dead skin and hydrates for smooth, kissable lips.
• Kiss Me Cake – A fun and festive cake decorated with lip prints, perfect for a National Lips Appreciation Day party.
• DIY Tinted Natural Lip Gloss – A homemade lip gloss that adds a hint of color using beetroot powder or natural food coloring.

**This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and a participant in other affiliate programs, I earn a commission on qualifying purchases.**

Links to Resources

If you’d rather keep things simple and stick with ready-made options, these are reliable picks for everyday lip care or a bit of color:

• Burt’s Bees 100% Natural Moisturizing Lip Balm – A straightforward beeswax balm that’s easy to keep in a bag or pocket, especially during colder months.
• Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask – An overnight treatment designed to soften and restore dry lips while you sleep.
• Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick – A bold, highly pigmented formula that’s known for staying put without constant touch-ups.

Related Holidays

If you enjoy slightly quirky, expression-focused celebrations, these are worth noting too:

• International Kiss a Ginger Day (January 12) – A playful holiday meant to spread positivity (and challenge old stereotypes).
• National Let’s Laugh Day (March 19) – A reminder to loosen up and enjoy something genuinely funny.
• Kiss Me Day (August 27) – A lighthearted celebration centered around affection and connection.

If you’re building out your March content, this one fits nicely into that run of small, fun observances.

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