Call it whatever you will — the Kylie Jenner effect, the filler phenomenon — but there's no denying the popularity of a full, juicy lip.
In 2016 alone, over 28,000 people [1] threw down cash in the name of an enhanced pout via fillers and, since the year 2000, the plastic surgery industry has seen a nearly 50-percent increase in lip augmentation procedures.
So nope, you're not imagining it! It seems as if everyone is rocking bigger lips these days.
While filler is certainly one way to enhance your lip line, you don't have to reach for the needle to achieve a plump pout. We reached out to a handful of makeup artists and got them to dish on their best techniques and favourite products for creating a fuller looking lip without a visit to the plastic surgeon's office.
Over-Line With a Lip Pencil That Matches Your Own
"I like to use a lip pencil that is as close to your natural lip color as possible to outline outside of your natural lip line," said Stoj [2], an editorial makeup artist for Streeters. "Don't go crazy. Just go a little outside of your natural lip line. Then fill in the rest of your lips with the same liner and add a little concealer in the center of your lips."
She explained that this technique creates the illusion of bigger lips. Just make sure you blend the colors together well.
Kelsey Deenihan [3], celebrity makeup artist for Avon, said you can also dab a bit of concealer around your natural lip line before lining. "This will allow you to over-line more naturally," she explained.
Try Avon True Color Ideal Nude Cream Concealer [4] ($8) and Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil [5] ($20).
Try a Lip Plumper
"Peppermint oil or camphor balm will automatically work with the body heat and make the lips swollen. Apply just enough to appreciate it and to get a sexy smile," advised Steeter's makeup artist Maud Laceppe [6].
Savrani recommended running an ice cube over your lips, as well. "I find this to work the best for me. The ice encourages the blood to flow, bringing color up to the lips and plumps them temporarily, making lip liner application a piece of cake," she said.
There are also some lip plumping products you can buy. Savrani's favorite is Glamglow Plumprageous Gloss Lip Treatment [7] ($24).
Contour Your Lips With Dark and Light Lipstick
"The classic trick is to use a lighter color in the center of the lip to create dimension," said Sara Wren, a Milk Makeup studio artist. "My favorite way to fake an everyday full lip is using Milk Makeup Wifey Lip Color [8] ($22) all over with Milk Makeup Mars Holographic Lip Gloss [9] ($24) only in the center of the lips." For even more drama, she said to use a holographic powder on top of the lip gloss.
Stick to Lighter Lipsticks
We're not saying to throw out all your dark lipsticks! It's just that, as a rule, lighter lipsticks tend to make your lips look bigger while darker shades can make them look smaller. If you do want to use a darker lipstick and want to create a fuller pout, use the contouring trick we mentioned! Try Lawless Beauty Soft Matte Liquid Lipstick in Parkee [10] ($25).
Draw on a Shadow
Did you know that Marilyn Monroe's famously heavy lashes were part illusion? Sure, her makeup artist, Whitey, layered on the mascara, but he also drew a faint grey line at the corners of her eyes to make it appear as if her lashes had their own shadow! Though it might take some practice, you can do the same thing with your lips.
Wren said to use an ash-tone brow pencil around your lips to create the shadow of a fuller lip. It should fall just under the heaviest part of your bottom lip, and around the indentations of your cupid's bow.
Another option? A touch of bronzer! "Contour slightly with a bronzer beneath the center of your bottom lip using a small brush," advised Kyriaki Savrani, [11] celebrity and editorial makeup artist. We like NYX's Matte Bronzer [12] ($9) for its affordability and easy-to-use formulation.
Add a Little Highlight
A really easy way to draw attention to your lips and enhance them ever-so-slightly is to apply a bit of highlighter.
"What I prefer to do is highlight the upper lip with a shimmer that matches your skin tone —just at the cupids bow and extending slightly outwards," said Mary Irwin [13], celebrity and editorial makeup artist. "This gives you a visual lift without it being too obvious and it looks gorgeous in photos."
A great option is ColourPop's Luster Dust Loose Highlighter [14], which comes in a bunch of shades and only costs $7. If you prefer pressed powder, they've got that, too!
Go for the Gloss
"An ultra-glossy lip reflects light and automatically makes lips look bigger," noted Irwin. We're pretty big fans of the Beauty by PopSugar Be Cosmic Crystal Liquid Lip [15] ($24). "Keeping the gloss slightly — or a lot! — lighter than the color you're using underneath helps to visually trick the appearance of being larger."
Keep Hydrated, Babe
"Like all skin, lips look worse when you're dehydrated," said Irwin. "Proper treatment and remembering to drink water will always improve your skin." Try Lano Lips 101 Ointment [16] ($14), which is great for topical hydration since it sinks deeply into the lips instead of just sitting on top of the skin like a lot of balms do.