4 Make-Up Artists Share Their Tips For Fuller-Looking Lips
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Start With Gentle Exfoliation
“So-called hacks – like using chillies and ice – aren’t useful in my opinion. Instead, try exfoliating and then follow up with either a specific lip mask or thick treatment. By exfoliating and scrubbing the dead skin off the lips, you’ll leave them feeling soft and plump, as well as giving them a naturally fuller and more defined appearance.” – Kenneth Soh
Use Darker Liners
“Always start with lip liner. The key is to use one that’s a shade or two darker than your natural lip. It allows you to manipulate the dimensions and create an illusion of fullness, without it looking too theatrical. Avoid over lining the entire lip in one go and concentrate instead on areas that need more definition, like the cupid’s bow. Just remember to use a light hand as you apply it.” – Joy Adenuga
“Try to leave the inner corners unlined and use your finger to gently blend the product in as this will create a much softer illusion. You could also try using a flesh-coloured pencil just above the upper lip for further definition.” – Kenneth
Examine The Placement
“While liner is a great tool, it’s important not to overdo it and line your entire lip. Instead, focus on the centre of your mouth – in particular the cupid’s bow. That’s where you can afford to go outside of the natural lip line. Keep the outer edges of your lips crisp and sharp for more realistic fullness. You can also create a fuller-looking lip by drawing a semi-circular line with a lip pencil over your cupid’s bow. This will make the shape seem rounder and plumper – it works every time.” – Jennifer Oliver
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ROSE INC
Invest In A Good Brush
“We often forget about lip brushes, but they are so useful for creating the right shape. They also give you more control when it comes to accentuating the fullness of your lips. I recommend the Katie Jane Hughes x Spectrum Lip Brush as the bristles are firm and the shape is thin enough to give real sharpness to the edges of your mouth.” – Levi-Jade Taylor
Don’t Neglect Gloss
“Lip gloss has come a long way in recent years, and it works well to reflect the light and make the lips look more voluminous. They are far better than matte formulas which show uneven texture and expose areas that are more overdrawn. The trick is to apply gloss mainly in the centre of your lips, then feather it outwards towards the lip line for maximum volume.” – Levi
Play With Highlighter
“Once you’ve subtly lined your lips and applied your lipstick, finish by patting on a soft highlighter. Use your fingers and push a small amount into areas of the lips that naturally catch the light – again, like the cupid’s bow. It sounds simple, but your lips will instantly look fuller due to a trick of the light.” – Joy
Skip Dark Lipsticks
“While darker liners are great for the edges of your lips, dark, matte lipsticks can have a shrinking effect – especially when you apply them liberally. Instead, choose lighter tones and balmy, glossy textures that give the appearance of a healthy, full lip.” – Jennifer
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@CATPARNELL
Fake A Temporary Boost
“For a temporary volume boost, try a lip plumper that’s full of ingredients like spearmint and peptides. Buxom’s Pretty Plumping Lip Glosses are what I use on all my clients – they're glossy without being sticky and give visibly fuller lips that last for a good couple of hours.” – Joy
Use Your Fingers
“When it comes to applying actual lipstick, use your ring finger to apply it. Not only does this give you a softer blend, it’s a more flattering and effective way of applying lipstick. It allows you to physically push colour in for a pouty effect that’s very feminine – try smudging it slightly out of your natural lip line, too. If you decide to apply it directly from the bullet, purse the lips together several times to naturally distribute the colour. Then, take your finger and swipe downwards on the cupid’s bow to take away any excess. Use this finger to take away any smudging around the corners, too, where the lipstick may have spread.” – Kenneth
Make The Most Of Powder
“For a sharper, cleaner lip edge, use some powder around the edge of your mouth before applying any lip liner. Not only will this keep your lip make-up in place, it will also enhance definition and shape for the illusion of fullness.” – Jennifer
Finally, Always Tilt Your Head Down
“Tilt your head down into a mirror slightly when applying any lip product. This will ensure your lip shape is symmetrical and fuller looking. It also exposes the top of your cupid’s bow, so you can see which side may need tweaking to create the perfect symmetry. When you look straight on in a mirror at your lips, their natural volume distorts your ability to see the symmetry on the very top of the lip line. It’s a simple application hack, but it works every time.” – Levi
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Follow @KennethSohMakeUp, @JoyAdenuga, @LeviJadeMakeUp & @Jennifer_MakeUp on Instagram.
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