5 Makeup tricks that plump your lips

Do you want a perky, plump pout? Thanks to these makeup tricks and other beauty secrets, you can get full, plump, kissable lips in no time.

You have questions. We have answers. Find out how you can get sexy, plump lips.

There are dozens of lip plumping products on the market these days. And thankfully, many of them actually do work without costing a fortune. So, how do they do it? Basically, the ingredients intentionally irritate you lips, causing them to tingle and slightly swell for a plumper look. Don’t worry — it’s not as bad as it sounds.

“Don’t overdo it with the products that contain cinnamon, pepper and methol, especially if you have sensitive skin” says makeup artist Cynthia Kaye. “You want to stimulate the blood flow and give your lips a little boost, not cause major irritation.”

Look for a lip plumper that contains hyaluronic acid — the same ingredient used in lip injections. We like Miracle Skin Transformer Lip Rewind Advanced Peptide Lip Treatment (Sephora, $24). Dior Addict Lip Maximizer (Sephora, $31) also delivers a plump, shiny pout with its blend of marine-based and collagen fillers.

Check out these other top products for fuller lips >>

Do you want a temporary quick fix for your lips? Then a vacuum pump might be the answer. The Luscious Lips lip pump (CynthiaRowland.com, $50) delivers fuller, plumper, younger-looking lips without any sticky products or harsh chemicals.

It might seem like a weird way to get plump lips, but users say it works beautifully. “I couldn’t live without Luscious Lips,” says Maria Franz. “You get pouty, plump lips in just a few seconds without slathering any goopy products on your lips or shelling out the cash for injections.”

After using a lip vacuum, you can enhance your new, plumper lips by wearing a clear gloss or shiny lipstick, rather than a matte formula. Matte lipsticks tend to dry your lips — which is the last thing that you want to do.

Many women take hyaluronic acid supplements in pill form for healthy joints and skin. And for some, a positive side effect is plumper lips!

Though we can’t guarantee it will work, there are definitely some cases where women have noticed smoother skin and fuller lips after taking HA supplements over a period of time.

Whether the supplements work for you or not, the right makeup can plump your pout. Add a dot of clear gloss in the center of both your top and bottom lips to add a little added reflection. This will create the illusion of a poutier lip. Some makeup artists also use the trick of applying beige eye shadow or a little bronzer along the edge of your upper lip with a very thin brush to give the illusion of a fuller lip.

Of course, you can. If you can fake bigger breasts with makeup, you can certainly use makeup tricks to enhance your lips too.

To create the look of plumper lips with makeup, first block out your natural lip color with a flesh-toned primer, says Senna Cosmetics owner and celebrity makeup artist, Eugenia Weston. Highlight above the cupid’s bow with a matte or pearlized pencil.

Next, draw slightly over your natural lip line with a deeper lip lining pencil and blend slightly inward. Dab a light- to medium-toned lipstick on entire lip. Now apply the lightest version of your lipstick shade or gloss directly in the center to create a pout. A light lipstick or gloss always makes lips appear fuller — so never go dark, as it makes lips look smaller.

If you want a sure-fire way to plump your lips, injections is the way to go. However, you have to consider the cost and the pain factor before deciding if you want to go under the needle.

“Remember that lip injections should enhance the natural shape of your lips, making them slightly fuller,” says Kaye. “They shouldn’t blow up your lips into an unnatural shape and size.”

In the past, collagen was the number one filler for lips. These days, it’s hyaluronic acid fillers. The procedure doesn’t take long and you can see the results right away. If you are fearful of going overboard, your doctor can give you a series of injections over a period of time until you achieve the desired results. Side effects are typically mild — just a little irritation and swelling — and the results generally last at least 6 months.

Before you decide to spring for lip injections, however, you should try some of these simple makeup tricks. You’ll be surprised at the results!

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