How to Get Pink Lips

Co-authored by Alana Schober

Last Updated: March 16, 2022 References Approved

Thanks to lipstick, lip stains and natural solutions, anyone can have pink, pretty lips. Start by prepping your lips for color by exfoliating and moisturizing them, then add color with your favorite pink stain, balm or lipstick. Finally, to keep your lips looking bright and pretty, stay hydrated and use sunscreen.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Prepping Your Lips

1
Use a lip brightening scrub. Dull, colorless lips are usually the result of dead skin buildup. Many people regularly exfoliate their face, but forget their lips. Scrubbing your lips not only removes the dead skin to reveal new skin beneath, it increases circulation to bring more color to your lips. Try a homemade brightening scrub using the following ingredients:^{[1]
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- 1 teaspoon (5 g) sugar
- 1 teaspoon (5 mL) honey
- 1 teaspoon (5 mL) lemon juice
- A few drops of rose water
2
Try an exfoliating brush. If you don't feel like making a scrub, use an exfoliating face brush or loofah on your lips. Simply wet them first and massage your top and bottom lips until all the dead skin has been sloughed off. When you're finished, your lips should feel fresh and invigorated.^{[2]
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Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}
- Or if you don't have a special brush, just use a toothbrush! Take a clean toothbrush with soft bristles, wet it with water, and massage your lips using a circular motion. Rinse your lips and you're done.
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3
Try a lip serum to lighten your lips. Certain ingredients produce mild irritation in your lips to make them look healthy and bright. Rub a little on your lips and let it sit for about 5 minutes before rinsing it away. Try the following combinations to make your lips look vibrant:
- 1 teaspoon honey (5 mL) and 1/4 (1 g) teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon honey (5 mL) and 1/8 teaspoon (0.5 g) cayenne powder
- 1 teaspoon honey (5 mL) and 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 mL) peppermint extract
- 1 teaspoon honey (5 mL) and 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of lemon juice
4
Use a moisturizing balm. Finish your routine with a good lip balm that will trap moisture inside to keep your looks looking shiny and healthy. Steer clear of balms with chemicals that can dry out your lips; instead, look for balms that contain all-natural ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil and beeswax.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Adding Pigment

1
Use beetroot. Bright red beets have a lot of color, and it's easy to transfer it to your lips to make them appear pinker. Simply make a paste of beetroot powder and water. Apply this to your lips and let sit for at least 5 minutes before wiping it off with a paper towel. Be sure to moisturize after you use the paste.^{[3]
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- You could also cut a beet into an inch-long piece and rub it over your lips. Do this for about 5 minutes to get a good stain that sets into your lips. Then moisturize with a layer of clear lip balm.
- Wear gloves when you do this or your fingers will get stained as well.
2
Do a fruity lip stain. Strawberries, raspberries, cherries, pomegranates: there are so many choices when it comes to fruity lip stains! Take your favorite fruit and rub it on your lips for a few minutes. Alternatively, dip a cotton ball in red-colored fruit juice and rub it on your lips. Don't forget to seal in the color with a clear lip balm.^{[4]
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- Strawberries and raspberries will produce a lighter color than cherries and pomegranates.
- If you loved popsicles as a kid, you probably already know that berry-flavored frozen treats can also do the trick! Take your time eating a red popsicle and let the dye give your lips a deep pink stain.
3
Try pink lip balm. If you want a subtle, natural look, pink lip balm is the way to go. Look for a tinted lip balm that adds a thin layer of color with each application. As a bonus, tinted balms nourish your lips every time you use them, keeping them moist and plump as well as colorful.
- Tinted balms look darker with each application. If you want a brighter pink look, apply more than one layer.
- Tinted lip gloss is another good choice if you want a slight pop of color, but nothing too extreme.
4
Choose pink lip stain. This is another natural-looking choice that lasts a bit longer than balm. Lip stain actually dyes the top layer of skin and blends with your natural skin tone to make it look a bit pinker. Look for a lip stain in the hue you want, then experiment applying just enough to achieve the perfect color.
- The more layers you apply, the darker the color will be.
- To keep lip stain from washing away, seal it in with a layer of clear lip balm.
5
Consider pink lipstick. This is the perfect solution for days when you're in the mood for lips that look strikingly pink. No subtlety here! Choose your favorite lipstick color and apply it to your top and bottom lip. Blot your lips on a tissue to remove excess color and lock it in place.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Alana Schober
Pout Pro Makeup Artist
Expert Interview. 15 June 2021.}

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Keeping Your Lips Bright and Pink

1
Protect them from the sun. Lip skin is like the skin on the rest of your body, in that it's prone to sun damage. The sun will darken your lips and could cause moles and sunspots to form, so don't forget to protect them when you go out in the sun. Use a lip balm with SPF 15 or higher to keep your lips looking pink.^{[6]
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Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}
2
Stop smoking. Smoking darkens the lips over time, in addition to causing them to get wrinkled and thin. If you're after full, pink lips, it's time to kick the habit for good.^{[7]
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3
Stay hydrated. Lips that are cracked and chapped look unhealthy and feel painful. To avoid this problem, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. When you're dehydrated, your lips are often the first place it shows.^{[8]
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- Switch out your coffee and tea drinks for water whenever possible.
- Avoid overdoing it with alcohol, which can cause dehydration and dry lips.
4
Sleep with a humidifier. In the winter months, when the air is very dry, staying hydrated by drinking water doesn't always cut it. If you have dry skin that easily chaps and flakes, consider sleeping with a humidifier in the room. This is a machine designed to add moisture to the air and keep your skin soft and supple.^{[9]
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5
Apply a mixture of lemon juice and honey to your lips. Mix together 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of honey and 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of lemon juice. Apply the mixture to your lips and leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing it off. These ingredients can help to make your lips look lighter and brighter.^{[10]
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Expert Q&A
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Question

How do I make my lips soft and kissable?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

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Honestly, the best thing to do for lips is to drink plenty of water. Use balm only if they feel dry—if you use it every day, your lips will become dependent on the product and produce less natural moisture.
Question

How do I shape my lips?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

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You can't alter the natural shape of your lips without surgery. However, you can use a lip liner pencil to tweak the outline.
Question

What if using a toothbrush to exfoliate my lips does not help?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Exfoliating with a toothbrush or scrub will remove any dead skin from the surface of your lips but it doesn’t change the color. If your lips are naturally dark this method won’t make much of a difference.