Lip filler is great and all, but makeup artists everywhere agree that you can get a similar result from getting creative with the products inside of your makeup bag. GRAZIA tapped five beauty experts to explain how to make lips look plumper with makeup. Their tips, below.
Tip 1: Always PREP YOUR POUT
Celebrity makeup artist, Kate Synnott, swears by prepping her lips before adding pigment. “Lips look smaller when they’re dehydrated, so I use a really good lip treatment that the lips can absorb and won’t leave behind a greasy layer,” the Los-Angeles based pro tells GRAZIA. “My favorite is Kiehl’s Butterstick Lip Treatment. Bonus: You can even use it to help exfoliate. “Use a clean disposable mascara wand lightly over the lips with the Kiehl’s Butterstick on to help remove dead skin.” Be sure to blot off before applying lip liner or lipstick.
Tip 2: get technical with lip liner
Catrice celebrity makeup artist, Robert Sesnek, uses a neutral lip pencil to make lips look plumper. “I start with a lip pencil that is 1-2 shades deeper than the natural lip color,” the expert tells us. “Sometimes I’ll use another deeper lip liner in the corners of the lips to add more depth. Starting at the corners gives a more realistic illusion of a fuller pout. I like to feather and fade the lip liner into the center of the mouth, keeping the center less filled. This will give a 3-dimensional appearance to the lips, making them appear fuller.”
Tip 3: LOCK IN YOUR LIP GLOSS
Nick Lujan, Global Director of Artistry & Education at Kevyn Aucoin, recommends the following lip gloss hack to make your pout stand out. “Set your lipstick with loose powder to mattify the lip and lock it in for longer wear before applying lip gloss,” he tells us over email. “Lip gloss is a fantastic product creating a smoother and multi-dimensional looking lip.”
Tip 4: contour your cupid’s bow
Contouring isn’t reserved for your cheekbones. NYC-based makeup artist Kasey Adam Spickard says, “Overline the cupid’s bow and the center bottom middle of your lip with a deep brown/ash brown pencil to mimic a natural shadow of a full lip.” For a step-by-step look at this method, Spickard directed us to a genius tutorial he loves by Maybelline MUA Erin Parsons using MAC Powder Blush in Taupe.
TIP 5: INVEST IN LIP PLUMPER
If you’ve tried a lip-plumping product before, you’re well aware that a majority of them produce a stinging sensation caused by mild irritants that temporarily inflame your pout. Whether you love them or hate them, they get the job done, which is why Spickard recommends them to make lips look plumper. “Put on a plumping gloss first while you do the rest of your makeup,” he advises. “The ingredients will plump up your lips! I love the Maybelline Lifter Gloss, which has hyaluronic acid as well as TooFaced Lip Injection Extreme. Then you can throw on some lipstick and top off again with a plumping gloss, and they’ll be extra juicy.”
TIP 6: get creative with complexion products
After perfecting your lip liner, you can use other products in your makeup bag to draw attention to the center of your lips. “Use a lighter shade of lipstick or even a bit of your foundation or concealer in the center to create a voluminous look,” says Lujan. “Be sure that you blend edges, so they melt seamlessly into the liner.”
