How to Fake the Appearance of Full Lips With Makeup

Full, voluptuous lips have long been a desired feature, but over the past few years, it’s been blown up to the next level — no pun intended — and that is all thanks to social media. The good news is that if you don’t have naturally full lips, you can use makeup to your advantage and with the right techniques, you can fake the appearance of a fuller pout that will have everyone around you convinced. When you see your favorite social media influencers with extra plump pouts, there’s a good chance that they’re using these tips we’re sharing below. So, grab your makeup bag and a mirror, and prepare to become an expert at how to get full lips, or at least the appearance of them, using your favorite makeup products. 

6 Ways to Get Full Lips With Makeup

There’s no need to spend tons of money to look like you have plumper lips. Here are six makeup tricks to make your lips look bigger with the help of makeup. 

1. Overline Your Lips

When it comes to faking full lips with makeup, overlining your lips with lip liner is going to be one of the greatest hacks you can use. Reach for a lip liner with the same finish as your lipstick. If you like matte lipstick, opt for the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Matte Lip Liner, if you prefer satin lipstick, then use the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Lip Liner.

Start by drawing an “X” over your cupid’s bow with your lip liner and carefully trace your lip line. The key to keeping it from looking like you don’t know how to apply lipstick is to go slightly outside your natural lip line. While it may not seem like this would make much of a difference, if done correctly you’ll be left with a fuller-looking pout. Depending on your natural lip shape, you can also use lip liner to even the shape of your pout. If you have heart-shaped lips, use the lip liner to overline the sides. If your top lip or bottom lip is fuller, use lip liner to overline the smaller section to create a symmetrical shape.

Top your lips off with your lip color of choice, we recommend choosing one that’s two shades lighter than your lip liner, as it helps to create the illusion of a fuller pout.

2. Use Lip Plumper

A plumping gloss is one of the most commonly known hacks to fake a plumper pout because the entire aim of lip plumper is to make your lips look bigger. Lip plumper typically gives your lips a tingling sensation that causes your lips to look bigger and swollen, leading to a temporary fuller appearance. If you’re on the hunt for a good lip plumper, try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro Gloss Plump. The formula provides a long-lasting plumping effect and is infused with hyaluronic acid for a hydrating slip that feels comfortable on the lips all day long.

3. Sport an Ombré Gradient

Ombré lips are more than just a makeup trend, this lip look also happens to be the ultimate hack for faux full lips. This lip contouring technique uses highlights and shadows to fake a pillowy pout. Start by choosing two shades of lipstick or lip liner in the same color family, one light and one that is three to four shades darker. If you need a recommendation, try the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Matte Lipstick in Matte-Sterpiece and the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Intense Volume Matte Lipstick in Le Rose Activist.

With a clean lip brush or lip liner, line your lips with the darker shade, following your natural lip shape. Then, take the same brush and feather the lines you just created, bringing the color toward the center of your lip. With a clean lip brush, take the lighter shade and apply it to the center of your lips. Use the brush to blend the two different colors together to create a seamless gradient effect.

4. Reach for a Shimmery Lip Gloss

Pairing your lip liner with a shimmery lip gloss is another great option for those who want to use makeup to give themselves a full lip look. The shine and sparkle of your gloss will reflect light and draw attention to your overlined lips, effectively making them appear bigger than they actually are. If you’re on the hunt for a good sparkly gloss, take your pick from the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 8 Hour Pro Lip Gloss, Hydrating Finish line, which comes in 26 shades ranging from nude to red to baby pink. The hydrating formula will keep your lips soft, smooth, colorful and glossy for hours with a non-sticky feel and comfortable wear. 

5. Contour Your Lower Lip

You may know that contouring can do wonders for your face, but it can also help your lips appear fuller. A little contour powder or cream placed strategically under your bottom lip can make your lower lip look extra full. Take a slightly darker concealer, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Full Wear Concealer up to 24H Full Coverage, and apply the smallest dot under your lower lip and use your makeup sponge to blend it out.

Once you apply your lipstick you should see the slightest shadow that creates the appearance of a voluminous pout. If you have a bigger top lip and a smaller bottom lip, this tip is very helpful at making your bottom lip look bigger.

6. Highlight Your Cupid’s Bow

Highlighting your cupid’s bow is flirty and trendy, but it can actually make your lips appear extra pouty. After applying your face makeup and before you apply your lipstick, take your highlighter of choice, like the L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer, and lightly blend it in just above your cupid’s bow. Then, reach for your lip liner and lipstick of choice, and fill in your lips. If your lipstick covers up your highlighter, take a small lip brush and use it to apply more highlighter on your lip line at your cupid’s bow. The highlighter should be placed on the skin above your upper lip, not on your lipstick.

If you don’t have a prominent cupid’s bow, just highlight your upper lip line in the center of your lip. Just a little bit of shimmer will help to reflect the light, making your lips appear bigger. 

Next: The Do’s and Don’ts of Matte Lipstick

Photographer: Chaunte Vaughn, Art Director: Hannah Packer, Associate Creative Producer: Becca Solovay, Digital Tech: Katy Andrascik, Photo Assistant: Sam Kang, Makeup Artist: Jonet Williamson, Hair Stylist: Akihisa Yamaguchi, Wardrobe Stylist: Melina Kemph, Wardrobe Assistant: Kayla Martinez, Model: Juli Deng