Buzz
Are you looking to enhance your lips to appear thicker and more alluring? While there’s no permanent way to increase lip size, there are numerous short-term and long-term methods to make your lips look fuller in both shape and size. Explore the options below by reading the article.
Steps
Use Lip Plumping Products
Invest in a lip plumping product. Lip plumpers come in various forms, including glosses, balms, sticks, gels, and waxes in jars. Applying these products can make your lips appear fuller by causing mild irritation.
- The plumping effect typically lasts a few hours, but you can reapply to maintain the look.
- Note that these products won’t deliver dramatic results like cosmetic surgery.
Know which ingredients help plump your lips. Ingredients like cinnamon, ginger, mint, wintergreen, and capsicum enhance blood flow to the lips, making them appear redder, fuller, and more voluminous.
Use lip plumpers as a base. If you want to combine lip plumpers with colored lipstick or gloss, apply them first to maximize the plumping effect before adding color.
Avoid overusing lip plumpers. Dermatologists advise against excessive use of lip-plumping products, as they can lead to dryness and peeling. Reserve these products for special occasions.
Try collagen-boosting lip treatments. For a safer approach to fuller lips, consider using lip-enhancing treatments. Manufacturers claim these products stimulate collagen and elastin production, providing long-term plumping effects.
- These treatments are available online or in cosmetic stores and may be pricier than standard lip plumpers.
- Common ingredients include peptides, marine collagen, and growth factors.
Use makeup to create the illusion of fuller lips
Gather your tools. To create the illusion of fuller lips, you’ll need a lip liner or lip pencil; a lipstick or pencil one shade lighter than your liner; lip gloss; highlighter wax or powder; and a lip exfoliator (a toothbrush works too).
- For a natural look, opt for nude lip liners and lipsticks; for a bolder appearance, choose red or pink shades.
- Bright lip colors can make your lips appear fuller and more prominent.
- Some brands offer dual-ended lip products with matching shades in different tones, which are excellent options.
- Matte lipsticks and pencils are easier to use, especially for achieving a natural plump look.
Exfoliate your lips. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently scrub away dead skin for about 20 seconds. This will slightly swell and dry your lips.
- You can also exfoliate with a damp cloth or sugar.
- Dermatologists advise against frequent lip exfoliation, as it can lead to dryness and cracking over time.
- Occasional exfoliation is fine if your lips are flaky and you need to wear lipstick (e.g., for a formal event), but avoid unnecessary exfoliation!
Apply lip balm. Any lip balm will do, but avoid waxy or overly thick products that don’t moisturize and can clog your lips.
- Ensure your lips are moisturized with balm and let it sit for a few minutes before lining your lips.
Line your lips with a darker shade. Lip lining is a great way to make your lips appear fuller. For a natural look, stay close to your natural lip line or slightly outside it.
- Avoid going too far outside your natural lip line, or you might end up looking like a clown!
Fill in your lips with lipstick. Line your lips with a darker pencil, and use a lipstick or pencil one shade lighter to fill in the rest.
- Some suggest using the lip liner to fill in the rest of your lips for an even base. Experiment to find what works best for you!
Blend the light and dark shades seamlessly. Use your finger, a cotton swab, or a lip brush to blend the colors for a more natural look.
Apply lip gloss over the entire lip. You can use a clear gloss or one that matches the color of your lipstick.
Use highlighter to contour your upper and lower lips. Dab a small amount of highlighter cream, wax, or powder onto your fingertips and gently tap it onto your upper and lower lips.
- You can substitute with shimmery eyeshadow.
- After applying, lightly blend the highlighter with your finger for an even finish.
Now, enjoy your glossy, plump, and irresistible lips!
Lip Care
Stay hydrated. Dry and cracked lips tend to look thinner. Keeping your lips healthy and plump starts with proper care, and the first step is drinking enough water.
- A common method to calculate daily water intake is to divide your weight in pounds by two, which gives the number of ounces you should drink each day.
You’ll need to drink more water if you live in a hot climate or exercise regularly—essentially, if you sweat more, you should hydrate more.
- A 150-pound (68kg) woman should aim to drink about 75 ounces (approximately 2.2 liters) of water daily.
Avoid licking your lips. When you lick your lips, saliva containing acids is transferred to them, stripping away natural oils and causing irritation.
Don’t smoke. Smoking irritates and darkens the lips while also causing wrinkles around the mouth. If you smoke and aren’t ready to quit, consider switching to e-cigarettes, which are less damaging to your lips than traditional cigarettes.
- You can reduce lip discoloration caused by smoking by massaging your lips daily with almond or coconut oil.
Moisturize your lips. If your lips are dry or cracked, apply lip balm daily. Even if your lips aren’t chapped, use a balm with SPF to protect them from sun damage.
- If your lips are sensitive, it may take some trial and error to find the right balm. Many prefer natural ingredients like coconut oil and honey, while others find medicated balms with peppermint oil most effective.
- Avoid beeswax-based balms unless your lips are already well-moisturized. Beeswax is too thick to penetrate deeply and only locks in existing moisture.
Apply sunscreen to your lips. Your lips need SPF protection. Sun exposure can cause lips to crack and dry out, making them appear thinner than they are.
- Glossy products like lip gloss can amplify sunlight, causing more damage than leaving your lips bare.
- Dermatologists warn that using lip gloss without SPF can harm your lips and even increase the risk of skin cancer.
Avoid over-exfoliating your lips. While exfoliation can make lips soft temporarily, frequent use can damage them. Instead, focus on keeping your lips well-moisturized.
- Unlike regular skin, your lips are made of a sensitive mucous membrane. Keeping this layer healthy ensures natural softness.
Avoid products that may cause allergic reactions. If your lips remain chapped despite careful care, you might be reacting to products used near your lips:
- Acidic or salty foods can irritate your lips.
- Some toothpastes may cause lip irritation. If you suspect your toothpaste is the culprit, switch to one without sodium laureth sulfate or alcohol.
- Be cautious with strongly scented facial products, as residue can linger on your lips and cause irritation.
Lip Exercises
Commit to daily lip exercises. It may take up to 4 weeks to see noticeable results, so be patient. Take a photo of your lips before starting to track progress and stay motivated.
- Aim for 1-2 sessions daily, lasting a few minutes each. Choose from the exercises below or search online for more options.
- Many video tutorials guide you through lip-plumping exercises if you prefer following along.
- While many claim to see results, there’s no scientific evidence yet to prove the effectiveness of lip exercises.
Ensure your lips are well-hydrated. Exercising dry, cracked lips can lead to tearing and bleeding.
- If your lips are chapped, drink plenty of water and apply lip balm, then wait a few days for them to heal before starting exercises.
Blow kisses. Hold your hand close to your face, then press your lips against it as if kissing someone. Hold this position for a few seconds. Repeat 5-10 times.
Smile and pucker 5 times. Sit upright with your lips closed, then smile as wide as possible. Hold for 15 seconds, then relax. Next, pucker your lips as far out as possible in an exaggerated kiss. Repeat this motion 10 times.
- After smiling and puckering, hold the pucker for 30 seconds, then relax and press your lips inward, letting your teeth gently touch them. Hold for 10 seconds.
- Repeat the entire process 5 times.
Smile with your lips tucked. Tuck your lips between your teeth and lift the corners into a smile. Hold for at least 10 seconds. Repeat 10 times.
Press your lips together 10 times. Press your lips into a straight line. You can add resistance by imagining something preventing your lips from pressing together. Hold for 5 seconds. Repeat 10 times.
Perform a mouth-rinsing motion. Close your mouth and gently purse your lips. Softly puff your cheeks and move your lips from left to right. If done correctly, it will look like you’re rinsing your mouth. Repeat 10 times.
- Try moving your lips in a figure-eight pattern, in both directions.
Do the duck face exercise. Press your lips together and lift them toward your nose. Hold for 5 seconds. Repeat 10 times.
Exhale slowly. Take a deep breath, puff your cheeks, and form an “O” shape with your lips as you prepare to exhale. Slowly release the air in 2-3 breaths to empty your lungs completely.
Blow out imaginary candles. Exaggerate this motion by puckering your lips as far out as possible. Rest your lips, then repeat 5 times.
Take breaks. If your mouth, face, or lips start to feel tired, take a rest. Like any other muscles, your facial muscles can fatigue; overworking them when tired can lead to strain or injury.
Consider Cosmetic Surgery
Think carefully. If you’re determined to achieve fuller lips and no other methods have delivered the desired results, you might consider lip fillers.
- Before opting for fillers, explore alternative methods, read reviews and personal experiences, and consult multiple doctors.
- Lip fillers are quick and minimally invasive, which can lead to hasty decisions. However, like any cosmetic procedure, it requires careful consideration due to potential long-term impacts on health and appearance.
Understand lip fillers. Lip fillers involve injecting a substance into the lips and surrounding areas.
- The most commonly used fillers contain hyaluronic acid, a substance naturally found in the body.
- Collagen was once popular but has been surpassed by safer and longer-lasting options.
- Fat transfer involves moving fat from one part of the body to the lips through liposuction. This method is more invasive and requires a longer recovery.
Understand the procedure. Lip fillers are relatively quick and can be done in a clinic with little to no downtime:
- Your lips will be numbed before the injection.
- The doctor will mark the areas to be injected.
- After the injection, ice will be applied to reduce discomfort and swelling.
- Avoid applying any products to your lips post-procedure. Ask your doctor about suitable products and when to use them.
- An exception: fat transfer takes longer as it involves liposuction before injection.
Be aware of the risks. Hyaluronic acid fillers are unlikely to cause allergies as they resemble natural body substances, but irritation is still possible.
- Common side effects include bleeding, redness, swelling, and bruising at the injection site.
- More severe side effects include prolonged swelling or bruising, uneven lips, lumps, infections, ulcers, and scarring.
- Some fillers contain lidocaine, which can cause allergic reactions in rare cases.
Discuss potential allergies with your doctor. If you suspect an allergy to any filler ingredients, consult your doctor before proceeding with the procedure.
Tips
- Use light and dark eyeshadows to create the illusion of fuller lips. Apply highlighter or light eyeshadow to the cupid’s bow, the curved 'm' shape at the top of your lips. Then, dab matte brown eyeshadow just below your lower lip to contrast with the highlighted area.
- Opt for bright lip colors. Dark shades can make lips appear thinner, while bright pinks, peaches, and nudes are more flattering!
- If you prefer to avoid surgery, lip plumpers, or lip exercises, use a contour powder slightly darker than your skin tone (similar to what you’d use for eyeshadow or contouring) and apply it below your lips, blending it into the area where your lips meet your face. This creates a shadow effect, making your lips appear fuller and more pronounced.
Warnings
- Discontinue lip plumping products if you experience burning, discomfort, redness, or swelling.
- Lip fillers may cause side effects such as pain, bruising, bleeding, redness, discomfort, infections, lumps, or other irregularities. Avoid fillers unless you’re prepared for these potential risks.
- If you’ve had lip fillers, contact your doctor immediately if you notice unusual swelling or develop a fever.
