This Is How I Make My Lips Look Larger (No Injections Required)
By Hallie Gould
I love the idea of luscious, perfectly plump, big lips. I’ve even considered injections. But my fear of needles, pain, and doctor’s offices in general has kept me far, far away from the syringe. Instead, I’ve spent my time looking for alternatives.
I got into a magical serum that worked in just one minute and other plumping products that transform thin lips. In a moment of weakness, I even had a plastic surgery consultation. There wasn’t anything effective and easy enough to transform my lips daily without any downsides. It was, of course, the inimitable Charlotte Tilbury who changed everything.
“My Lip Cheat Lip Liners ($22) are every woman’s best friend when it comes to fuller, wider lips with a flawless finish,” Tilbury told me after her master class. I was intrigued. Of course, anything Charlotte Tilbury says goes directly into my brain as gospel. I immediately bought a few of her pencils to try at home.
HOW IT WORKS
They have a waterproof, velvety texture that glides over your skin, no matter the texture. The wax and the oil-rich formula work beautifully as a stencil, ensuring that the lip color lasts all day without feathering. Tilbury instructed, “By tracing the natural outline of your lips, you can completely reshape and resize the Cupid’s bow, as well as any asymmetrical unevenness in an instant.” She added, “I’m obsessed with my Lip Cheat Lip Liner in Pillow Talk — it mimics and enhances the natural hue of the lips, so you can cheat a perfect, pillowy pout in seconds.”
Now, I was a bit skeptical at first. I’ve tried over-lining my lips in the past (thanks, Kylie), and I looked insane. But there was something about the color and texture of this particular pencil and, of course, expert tips from Tilbury herself.
LIP TIPS
#1: Find a Pencil With a Smooth Texture
Not all lip liners are created equal — and they definitely don’t all yield such great results. I have less-than-defined lips, which is an issue when it comes to precision, and the pencil took care of all that. It glides on smoothly (but not so smoothly that it’s difficult to control).
#2: Use a Pink-Tinged Liner That Matches Your Natural Lip Color
The color, Pillowtalk, looks so natural. Like my own color… but slightly more enhanced. When I was done applying it, I was in shock. My lips looked instantly bigger, softer, and decidedly pillowy.
#3 Trace Lightly Outside Your Lip Line
I followed Tilbury’s instructions to a T: “To enhance and exaggerate your lips, you need to work to perfectly balance them out for a fuller, wider finish. Trace the liner just outside the natural lip line to create a gorgeous, youthful pout.”
#4 Seal It All In
She continued, “To seal it in, follow with the Penelope Pink lipstick by filling in straight from the bullet — it’s shaped like a lip brush so you can apply easily on the go.” On days when I want to stay pretty natural, I apply an easy balm on top like Glossier Balm Dotcom ($18). When I want to pump it up a bit, I use the lipstick Tilbury recommended. The trick is the shade actually mimics the natural hue of your lips. It’s astounding.
Do you have any lip plumping beauty hacks? Share them in the comments below.
Originally published at www.byrdie.com on November 28, 2016.
