This article was co-authored by Alana Schober. 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.
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Giving your lips a natural-looking red hue can be done using a variety of different stains. First prep your lips for color, then use fruit juice, beets, and other bright red items to get the color you want. Finish by keeping your lips moisturized and protected from the elements so they look the way you want them to.
Steps
Prepping Your Lips
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1Use a natural lip scrub. The first step to getting red lips is getting rid of dry, flaky skin that builds up and hides their natural color. Sloughing away the dead skin brightens your lips, brings out their inner red color and prepares them to take on a stain. Here's how to make and use your own scrub:
- Mix 1 teaspoon honey and 1 teaspoon brown sugar.
- Scrub the mixture into your lips in a circular motion.
- Rinse the mixture away with warm water.
- Repeat as necessary.
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2Try a toothbrush. Sometimes a basic lip scrub isn't enough to get rid of the dead skin. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush will do the trick. Choose a clean toothbrush, wet it with warm water, and gently scrub your lips in a circular motion. Rinse your lips. They should be left bright, plump and renewed.Advertisement
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3Use a natural lip-plumper. Increasing circulation to your lips makes them look plumper and redder. You can naturally make your lips a little plumper by using cinnamon or another spicy household item on your lips. Just rub a little on, wait a few minutes, then rinse your lips. You can use any of the following as a natural lip plumper:
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper mixed with a few drops of water
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon mixed with a few drops of water
- 5 drops of peppermint essential oil or peppermint extract
- A piece of fresh ginger rubbed over your lips
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4Moisten them with a homemade serum. Now that your lips have been exfoliated and plumped, it's time to make them soft and supple. This will help them keep their color longer and prevent them from drying out. Use any of the following ingredients as a lip serum; just rub it on your lips and wait a few minutes for it to absorb:
- 1/2 teaspoon coconut oil
- 1/2 teaspoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon almond oil
Adding Bright Red Color
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1Apply lip stain with a cotton swab. Dip the cotton swab in your stain of choice. Start in the center of your lips and work your way outwards.[1] Afterwards, lightly trace the outline of your lips. Try to keep the stain off the skin around your lips.
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2Use fruit juice on your your lips. Choose any kind of bright red fruit, nick it with a knife, and apply it to your lips. After the first coat dries, you can add more layers to deepen the red color. Keep going until you like the way your lips look, then add a layer of clear lip balm to seal it in for a few hours.
- Cherries and pomegranates will provide the most color. Strawberries and raspberries may give you a more subtle color.
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3Try beet root powder. This natural powder is made from dried beets, which have beautiful deep red hue. Mix beet root powder with enough water to make a thick paste. Spread it on your lips and let it sit for three minutes, then rinse away the excess paste with warm water. Repeat until your lips are as red as you'd like.
Keeping Your Lips Healthy
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1Protect them from the sun. Your lips are prone to getting dark spots from the sun, just like the rest of your skin. Protect them by using lip gloss with SPF of 15 or higher. That way your lips won't get sunburned and dark when you enjoy a day outside.
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2Keep them from getting chapped. Chapped lips tend to look dull and washed out. If you want bright, pretty red lips, take steps to prevent them from getting dry and flaky. Drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated. Use coconut oil, almond oil, or a good healing lip balm to keep your lips moist throughout the day.
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3Take extra precautions during winter. Dry winter air can chap your lips much more quickly than normal, so you'll probably want to carry lip balm with you wherever you go to keep your lips healthy. You may also want to sleep with a humidifier to keep the air in your house from getting too dry. Your skin will thank you.[2]
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4Avoid smoking. Smoking can cause lip discoloration and wrinkling, which is the opposite of what you want if you're going for red lips. Avoid smoking cigarettes or other tobacco products.[3]
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5Finished.
Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow can I get pink lips at home?
Laura MartinLaura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.
Licensed CosmetologistExfoliating lips is a great way to bring out their natural pinkness. Mix a small amount of brown sugar and olive oil, rub the mixture over the entire surface of your lips in gentle circular motions, then rinse your lips.
Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.
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QuestionHow do you get rid of black lips?Laura MartinLaura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.
Licensed CosmetologistA mixture of lemon juice and honey will lighten your lips naturally. Apply it a few times a week; you'll begin to notice a lightening effect after 2-3 applications.Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.
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QuestionCan you use coconut oil for dry lips?Laura MartinLaura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.
Licensed CosmetologistCoconut oil is great for lips because it forms a protective barrier over them instead of getting completely absorbed by the skin. This helps lock in their natural moisture and means that you don't need to reapply constantly.Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.
References
- ↑ Alana Schober. Pout Pro Makeup Artist. Expert Interview. 15 June 2021.
- ↑ http://www.dailymakeover.com/trends/skin/chapped-lips-cure/
- ↑ http://guardianlv.com/2014/05/cigarettes-may-darken-lips-for-smokers-natural-remedies-to-combat-effect/
- Videos provided by AndreasChoice
About This Article
To make your lips redder, remove dead skin with a natural scrub made out of honey and brown sugar or brush them with a soft bristled toothbrush. Then, increase blood circulation by applying a natural lip plumper like cinnamon. To keep your lips moist and help them retain their color, spread 1/2 a teaspoon of coconut oil on them. Finally, coat your lips with a lip stain or use red fruit juice from cherries or pomegranates instead. For tips on how to keep your lips healthy, including why it's important to protect them from the sun, keep reading!
