How to Get Pouty Lips

Co-authored by Alana Schober

Last Updated: March 5, 2023 References

Pouty lips are oh-so-pretty, and if yours are naturally thin, you might be wondering what you can do to plump them up. You can use makeup to make them appear to be fuller, use a lip plumping product, or even dab on a little cinnamon to make them temporarily swell a little. Prepping your lips by exfoliating them well will also help you create a more kissable look.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Plumping Techniques

1
Use a lip-plumping product. In the cosmetic section of the drugstore you'll find shelves of products designed to have a lip-plumping effect. These glosses and chapsticks usually contain ingredients like cinnamon oil or capsaicin, the substance that makes hot peppers hot. These ingredients slightly irritate the skin, causing it to plump up temporarily.^{[1]
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- Lip-plumpers are usually quite glossy, which creates an even poutier appearance.
- Caffeine is also commonly found in lip plumpers, so check the ingredients if you're sensitive to it.
2
Try brushing with a little cinnamon. Cinnamon is a mild irritant that can safely plump up your lips a little. Try sprinkling a little cinnamon powder on your old toothbrush (the one you are not using) then using it to brush your lips. Gently scrub your lips until they become full and flushed.^{[2]
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- Try making your own cinnamon plumping gloss by mixing a little cinnamon into a teaspoon of coconut oil. Place it in an old chapstick jar and use it whenever your lips need a boost.^{[3]
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- Feeling a little tingly is normal, but if your lips feel painfully irritated after using cinnamon, discontinue use and try another method.
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3
Rub on some peppermint oil. Mint, similarly to cinnamon, has a mildly irritating effect that can cause the lips to swell a little. A great natural way to plump your lips is by rubbing on a few drops of peppermint oil.^{[4]
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- Make your own plumping gloss by mixing 5 drops of peppermint oil with a teaspoon of coconut oil. Store it in an old chapstick jar.
- If your lips feel irritated by the peppermint, use another method.
4
Rub a hot pepper on your lips. This method isn't for the faint of heart, but it works! Take a small piece of jalapeño or another moderately spicy pepper and rub it over your lips. In a moment or two, your lips will start to swell, much like they do when you eat hot salsa or hot sauce.^{[5]
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- Don't try this with habaneros or other very hot peppers, since the experience might get uncomfortable.
- You could also dab a little dried pepper powder, such as cayenne, into your lips for a plumping effect.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Makeup

1
Start by exfoliating. Exfoliating your lips increases circulation, helping blood rush to your lips to make them look fuller.^{[6]
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Research source} Use a toothbrush to scrub away dry, flaky skin, leaving the fresh skin underneath.
- You can moisturize your lips at the same time by using coconut oil. Put a little on your toothbrush and scrub away. Your lips will look shiny and fresh when you're finished.
- You can also make a moisturizing scrub by mixing equal parts olive oil and brown sugar. Use your fingertips to gently massage the scrub over your lips, then wipe it away with a clean, wet washcloth.
- Or try using a baking soda paste to help exfoliate deeper. Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with enough water to make a paste, then apply it to your toothbrush and scrub.
2
Use lip pencil to broaden your lip outline. Choose a lip pencil that's the same color as your lips, a few shades darker than your facial skin tone. Carefully outline your lips just above and below your natural lip line.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Alana Schober
Pout Pro Makeup Artist
Expert Interview. 15 June 2021.} This creates a believable exaggeration. Fill in the gap using the lip pencil. This will create the illusion that your lips are larger than they really are.^{[8]
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- Don't be tempted to make them look too big, or it will be obvious that you're using makeup to create fuller lips.
- To make your lips pop, use a colorful lipstick or gloss over the pencil, covering both your lips and the area you drew in.
3
Contour your lips with deeper colors. You can create a pouty effect by using a darker color on the underside of your bottom lip, and a slightly lighter color elsewhere.^{[9]
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Expert Source

Alana Schober
Pout Pro Makeup Artist
Expert Interview. 15 June 2021.} Choose a deep red and dab it on the outer part of your bottom lip. Sweep it across the topside of your top lip as well. Use a slightly lighter red to fill in the rest of your lips, both the bottom and the top. Use your fingers to blend the colors where they meet.
- Use a bit of highlighter above your new cupid's bow to create the illusion of dimension on your overdrawn lips.
- To create a more defined line, use dark lip liner on the bottom edge of your bottom lip, and a lighter liner on your top lip.
- For a stand-out finish, apply a coat of clear gloss.
4
Wear shiny lipstick. If you don't have time for lining or contouring, wearing glossy lipstick is a quick way to make your lips look more pouty. Choose a shiny pink, red or even clear gloss that will make your lips stand out from the rest of your face. The contrast in texture will make your lips look fuller than normal.^{[10]
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5
Highlight your cupid's bow. This is the ridged area between the bottom of your nose and the top of your upper lip. Highlighting it draws attention to your lips and makes them look fuller and more pouty. Rub highlighter into your cupid's bow, or simply use clear lip gloss there to make it stand out.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Trying Long-Term Methods

1
Look into lip fillers. If temporary methods aren't cutting it for you, you might want to research lip fillers. Due to the popularity of the pouty look, there are dozens of different fillers available.^{[11]
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- During treatments, filler is injected into the lips, causing them to plump. The effect usually lasts for several months.^{[12]
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  Cleveland Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
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- Be sure to conduct plenty of research and choose a technician who is well reviewed and very experienced.
2
Try a "Botox lip flip". Sometimes Botox is confused with lip filler treatments, but it works differently. Botox is injected into the middle of your upper lip, which will cause these muscles to relax and make your upper lip "flip" up.^{[13]
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- Injections should only take 10-15 minutes and no recovery time is necessary, though it may take some time to get used to the feeling.^{[14]
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3
Look into permanent makeup. If you're tired of lining your lips all the time, maybe permanent makeup is the right choice for you. It involves essentially tattooing the area around your lips to make them appear fuller or more colorful.^{[15]
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National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
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- If you've given it a lot of thought and permanently pouty lips are what you want, do plenty of research to find a technician who will help you achieve the right look.
- It's very difficult to remove permanent makeup, so don't go this route unless you're absolutely sure it's what you want.^{[16]
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Expert Q&A

Question

What can I do to help make my lips more attractive?

Alana Schober
Pout Pro Makeup Artist
Alana Schober is a Professional Makeup Artist at Pout by Lipsticknick, an inclusive beauty bar in Los Angeles, California. With over a decade of experience, Alana specializes in hair and makeup. As a Licensed Comselotologist, she has worked for both MAC Cosmetics and Paul Mitchell. Alana's celebrity clientele includes Iggy Azalea, Solange, YG, and ASAP Nast. She has worked on campaigns with Nike, Adidas, Morphe, Jaclyn Hill Cosmetics, and Quay. Alana has also worked on countless music videos and photoshoots and her work has been featured on two billboards in Los Angeles.

Alana Schober

Pout Pro Makeup Artist

Expert Answer

You can try out an ombre look to see if you like it. Use the side of a darker lip liner to outline your lips before filling in with a lighter shade.
Question

What does it mean to have pouty 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

Pouty lips are lips that are full and plump. They are youthful looking and sexy.
Question

What does the shape of your lips mean?

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

The shape of your lips can vary by thickness and outline. For example, some people have soft peaks on their top lip and other people have a sharply defined "M" called a cupid's bow.