Makeup tricks for fuller lips

Kylie Jenner’s plump pout has certainly caused a stir on social media as of late. Has she had lip injections? Is she the world’s best pouter? Does she just know her way around a filter? After doing some research (read: stalking her Instagram for longer than I would care to admit), I think I’ve discovered her secret – make-up! Don’t worry, I’m not about to tell you to colour in the skin halfway between your top lip and nose, which I’m pretty sure is what Kylie does. But you can fake your way to fuller lips, thanks to the power of make-up. Here goes…

#1 Line your lips

The first step to getting fuller-looking lips is to line them. Apply a lip liner that is one shade lighter or darker than your colour of choice, or one that’s as close to your natural lip shade as possible. We like Nude by Nature Natural Lipliner, as it’s available in three neutral shades that suit most complexions. Apply the liner along the border of your lips, where the skin is slightly lighter than the rest of your face. This will create the illusion of a fuller pout, without looking like you’ve drawn on your face with crayon.

#2 Fill in your lips

Use the same lip liner to roughly fill in your lips. This creates a long-lasting base and helps your lip colour to look more solid. Work from the outside in using light, short strokes.

#3 Apply colour

Apply your desired lip colour with a lip brush. Using a brush – such as the Artiste Lip Brush #45 – allows for the precise and controlled application of colour. For best results, apply the lip colour to the edge of where you applied your liner.

#4 Blend

Wipe the lip brush clean and use small, circular motions to blend the lip liner base and fresh colour. This will create an even, one-tone look. If you’re going for a matte lip colour – which can often be a little dry and hard to work with – apply a small amount of sheer lip balm to help with the blending.

#5 Highlight and Contour

The Kardashians have nailed contouring, and the lips are no exception. Apply an illuminator above the Cupid’s bow, and blend downwards. We recommend Yves Saint Laurent Touch Éclat as it comes with its own brush, and can be applied directly to the skin. Then use a small brush – like the Eco Tools Bamboo Concealer Brush – to apply a small amount of bronzer (or powder a shade or two darker than your foundation)  to the skin below the bottom lip. By highlighting and contouring the lips, this will trick the eye into thinking your lips are naturally full.  

Have you ever tried any of the above tips? Do you have any other tricks to make your lips look fuller?

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