How to fake full, juicy lips — with makeup

Achieve a plump pout with expert tips on how to over-line your lips in a natural-looking way

Credit: Jang Won-young/Instagram
Credit: Jang Won-young/Instagram
Share this article

When overlined lips resurfaced as a popular beauty trend in 2015, the look involved a heavily matte finish that was spotted on celebrities like Kylie Jenner and Hailey Beiber. Today, the trend takes its cue from the '90s, with darker liner and a hyper-glossy effect gaining traction among beauty enthusiasts.

One thing remains a constant: The overall shape of the overlined lip – voluminous and pillowy all around the outline – hasn't changed. Beauty experts, however, caution that one should practice restraint when creating this look. “Personally, overlining lips usually makes one look better and more youthful,” says Clarence Lee. “But if you do it wrongly, it can backfire.”

The makeup artist shares that finding the right balance between overlining your lips and the rest of your face is key, and excessive overlining can make your lips look unnaturally swollen, as if you've been overindulging in spicy food.

“Be sure to over-line both your upper and lower lips unless one is much thinner than the other,” recommends Clarence. The trick, he says, is to draw your lip line right on the edge, and then “spilling” the liner about 1mm over the shape of your lips.

You’d also want to avoid overapplying lip liner on your Cupid’s bow and middle lower lips, adds makeup artist Airin Lee. “It’ll look more elongated but the proportion may be off. Whereas if you apply on the side of your lips, the entire lip area looks fuller.”

When it comes to colour, Clarence suggests trying a shade darker than your natural lip colour to fill your lips with so as to achieve a better definition. Airin agrees: “Cover the lines of your lips using two tones darker than your usual lip tone for a more natural look.”

Made a mistake during the lip overlining process? Don’t panic. Instead, Airin advises using a clean cotton bud to correct the problem. Once you’re satisfied, “spray a layer of setting spray [on your lips] and allow it to dry for 30 seconds”, to help the look hold throughout the night.

Lip Liner, $32, Anastasia Beverly Hills

1/7

Offering full pigment, precision shaping as well as high payoff, this long-lasting lip liner is your key to a fuller-looking pout.

Shop now

Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm, $60, Hourglass

2/7

Not only does it comfort chapped lips, this multi-tasking glossy balm also gives a high shine and an overall fuller looking lips.

Shop now 

Lip It Up Nourishing Lip Oil, $14, Gentle Hour from BEAUBIT

3/7

Wallet-friendly price tag aside, this lip oil is packed with a myriad of nourishing oils including grapeseed, jojoba, castor and more to ensure your lips look plump.

Shop now 

Pout Preserve Peptide Lip Treatment, $32, OLEHENRIKSEN

4/7

Armed with skin-strengthening peptides, botanical oils and butters, this lip treatment targets dry lips and leaves them looking and feeling smooth. The citrusy scent is a bonus!

Shop now 

 

Icon Velvet Liquid Lipstick, $43, Fenty

5/7

Its creamy, whipped formula will put an end to cracked lips while the intense pigment will make heads turn wherever you go.

Shop now 

Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil, $33, Rare Beauty

6/7

Prefer something more lightweight? This unique gel formula turns into a tinted oil as soon as it touches your lips, leaving a non-sticky feeling and natural-looking lips all day.

Shop now 

Beauté Rouge Pur Couture The Slim Lipstick, $59, Yves Saint Laurent

7/7

Made with an ultra-rich shade as well as creamy comfort and transfer-resistant properties, it’s no wonder we’re falling hard with this luxurious lipstick.

Shop now 

Share this article