Heart-Shaped Lips: How to Tell if You Have Them + How to Get The Look

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Pro makeup artists show how to accentuate & enhance heart lips
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Heart-shaped lips are a common lip shape that people can have. They’re characterized by a sharp, V-shaped Cupid’s bow that mimics the shape of a love heart. Whether you think you might have heart-shaped lips or you want to get this romantic look, keep reading. In this article, we’ll explain what heart-shaped lips are, how to tell if you have them , how to accentuate them with makeup , and ways to get the look of heart-shaped lips naturally and with filler—all with the help of professional makeup artists, dermatologists, and plastic surgeons.

What does it mean to have heart-shaped lips?

Heart-shaped lips are a natural lip shape that lots of people are born with. They’re characterized by a V-shaped Cupid’s bow, full center, and tapered corners. Ways to get heart-shaped lips include exfoliating and moisturizing your lips, applying lip liner, and getting dermal fillers.

Section 1 of 7:

What are heart-shaped lips?

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  1. Heart-shaped lips have a defined, V-shaped Cupid’s bow. Heart-shaped lips are defined by a prominent and sharp Cupid’s bow, giving them the appearance of a love heart. This lip shape is generally fuller around the center, with the lips gradually narrowing as you get closer to the corners. This further emphasizes their heart shape and pouty, pursed look. [1]
    • Celebrities with heart-shaped lips : Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Jisoo, Mila Kunis

    Meet the wikiHow Experts

    Yuka Arora is a makeup artist with over 5 years of experience in the industry.

    Frankie Sanderson is a makeup artist and founder of TheStudeo, specializing in hairstyling, makeup, and personal image.

    Shun Pittman is a master cosmetologist with over 25 years of experience in the makeup and hair styling industry.

    Kelly Chu is a professional makeup artist and founder of Soyi Makeup and Hair.

    Daniel Vann is a licensed aesthetician with over 15 years of experience in the industry.

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Section 2 of 7:

How to Tell if You Have Heart-Shaped Lips

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  1. Look in a mirror for a defined and V-shaped Cupid’s bow. The best way to determine your lip shape is to closely inspect your lips in a mirror. Pay special attention to the shape and definition of your Cupid’s bow, the fullness of the center of your lips, and how your lips taper as they get closer to the corners.
    • You likely have heart-shaped lips if :
      • Your Cupid’s bow is prominent and V-shaped.
      • The center of your lips is full and voluminous.
      • The sides of your lips get narrower as they reach the corners.
    • If you don’t have the defining features of heart-shaped lips, you just have a different lip shape! Don’t worry, we’ll go over all the different lip shapes in the sections below to help you determine what kind of lips you have.
Section 3 of 7:

Makeup Tips for Heart-Shaped Lips

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  1. 1
    Outline the shape of your lips with lip liner. Grab a lip liner in a shade slightly darker than your natural lip color or the lipstick you’re going to apply. Then, simply use it to draw over the natural lip line of your Cupid’s bow and lips. If you want fuller, plumper lips , makeup artist Yuka Arora suggests just slightly overlining the Cupid’s bow and center of your bottom lip. [2]
  2. 2
    Apply lipstick and lip gloss. Arora recommends swiping on a lipstick that’s in the same color family as the liner you used, but just a few shades lighter. This emphasizes your lip shape and helps your lips appear fuller. Then, Arora suggests topping the lipstick with a lip gloss for an even more voluminous look. [3]
    • Play around with different lip color combinations that look good on your skin tone . Nude shades are great for an everyday look, while red or bright pink lipstick can emphasize the romantic, heart-shaped look of your lips.
  3. 3
    Add highlighter to emphasize your Cupid’s bow. Your defined and pouty Cupid’s bow is the star of the show, so make it pop even more with a bit of highlighter. Makeup artist Frankie Sanderson suggests dusting a bit of shimmery highlighter over your Cupid’s bow with a highlighter brush. He says this brings out this beautiful feature and helps your lips appear fuller, too. [4]
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Section 4 of 7:

Natural Ways to Get Heart-Shaped Lips

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  1. 1
    Exfoliate your lips with a lip scrub. Dry, flaky lips can appear smaller and duller, hiding the natural shape of your Cupid’s bow. This is why master cosmetologist Shun Pittman recommends exfoliating your lips once or twice per week. She says lip scrubs remove dead skin and stimulate blood circulation, helping your lips appear plumper, rosier, and more defined. [6]
  2. 2
    Apply lip balm or lip oil. To keep your lips healthy and plump-looking, professional makeup artist Kelly Chu recommends regularly wearing lip balm or lip oil . These products hydrate your lips, prevent them from losing moisture, and protect them from the environment so they stay soft, full, and well-defined. [8]
  3. 3
    Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated is another key way to keep your lips looking plump, defined, and healthy, says licensed aesthetician Daniel Vann. If you’re not drying enough water, you might notice your lips looking dry, thin, and dull. [9] So, make sure you’re drinking around 11 to 15 cups of water (2.7-3.7 L) per day. [10]
    • To get enough water , drink a glass as soon as you wake up and at each meal. If you’re on the go, bring a water bottle with you to help remind you to hydrate.
  4. 4
    Protect your lips from the sun and other damaging factors. Collagen is an important protein responsible for keeping your skin (including your lips) plump and firm. And according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Adarsh Mudgil, MD, things like sun exposure, smoking, stress, and sleep deprivation can decrease collagen production, which can result in thinner and less defined lips. So, wear lip balm with SPF , get plenty of sleep , and aim to r educe your stress . [11]
  5. 5
    Define your lips with lip liner. Applying makeup is a quick and easy way to adjust your lip shape and get the appearance of fuller lips. Using a thin lip liner, draw a small V-shape slightly above your natural Cupid’s bow. Then, connect the points of the V to your natural lip line. Simply apply a lipstick in a similar shade to help blend out the liner and give you a more natural look. [12]
    • Opt for a matte lip liner and lipstick, as a shiny finish can draw attention to the lip liner and make your lips look less natural.
  6. 6
    Practice lip strengthening exercises. Lots of people claim that facial exercises can help strengthen the lip area and give the lips a more defined, heart-shaped look. While there’s no evidence that facial exercises are effective, there’s no real harm in trying them to see how they might work for you:
    • Exercise #1 : Purse your lips into a kissing position. Then, lightly press your index fingers into your philtrum above your top lip to make a groove. Simply hold this position for 30 seconds. [13]
    • Exercise #2 : Purse your lips into a kissing position and lift them outwards. Hold this for 1 second, then relax your lips. Repeat this 20 times. [14]
    • Exercise #3 : Open your mouth into an O shape. Then, contract and press your lips inward. Relax your lips again and repeat the movement 20 times. [15]
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Section 5 of 7:

Using Fillers to Get Heart-Shaped Lips

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  1. 1
    Research experienced injectors in your area. Dermal lip fillers can be a great way to slightly adjust your lip shape, create a more defined Cupid’s bow, and increase fullness. Just make sure you research filler injectors in your area and select one who’s a licensed healthcare provider. Ensure they have experience filling lips and provide photos of creating natural-looking heart-shaped lips. [16]
    • Also, make sure to read customer reviews to see if people are happy with their results or if they experienced any issues.
  2. 2
    Book a consultation with the injector you chose. At your consultation, your lip injector will inspect your lips and go over your goals to let you know what enhancements they can realistically do for you. Some lip shapes might be better candidates for achieving a more heart-shaped look, while others might not be as suitable. [17]
    • For instance, people who already have a Cupid’s bow and want to give it more definition may be a better candidate than someone with flatter lips. Unfortunately, lip fillers can’t create an entirely new lip shape.
  3. 3
    Go over the procedure steps, cost, and risk with your injector. Before your appointment, your lip injector will walk you through the process of getting your lips filled. This usually involves numbing your lips and then injecting the filler around the peaks of your Cupid’s bow and center of your bottom lip to add definition and fullness. [18]
    • Cost : $500-$1,000, depending on what type of filler is used and how much.
    • Side effects : Bruising, redness, and swelling.
    • Recovery time : 1 to 7 days, but you can return to your normal activities immediately.
    • Duration : 12 to 18 months, depending on the type of filler used.
    • Risks : Bleeding, pain, discoloration, and asymmetry. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Asif Pirani says filler can also lead to migration above the lips, giving the upper lip a shadowed or mustache-like appearance. [19]
  4. 4
    Follow your injector’s aftercare advice. To help ensure good results and reduce the risk of infection, take care of your lips after the appointment. Your injector may have specific instructions, but this typically includes avoiding alcohol, smoking, using a straw, wearing makeup, exercising, or touching your lips for 1 to 2 days after your appointment. [20]
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Section 6 of 7:

Are heart-shaped lips attractive?

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  1. Yes, lots of people find heart-shaped lips attractive. Heart-shaped lips have a classic and romantic vibe, which many people find desirable. The prominent Cupid’s bow and full center give them a balanced shape and make them stand out beautifully on someone’s face. Plus, they have a pouty, pursed appearance that’s flirty and sensual.
Section 7 of 7:

What are the different lip shapes?

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  1. There are 9 common lip shapes that people can have. If you’re not sure whether you have heart-shaped lips or not, it’s possible that you might have a different lip shape ! There are 9 general lip shapes that people typically fall into. Check out the other 8 shapes (excluding heart-shaped) and what they look like below!
    • Full lips : Large, wide, and plump
    • Round lips : Plump and O-shaped with a similar width and height
    • Wide lips : Longer width than height
    • Narrow lips : Thin top and bottom lips
    • Fuller upper lip : Top lip is plumper than the bottom lip
    • Fuller bottom lip : Bottom lip is plumper than the top lip
    • Downturned lips : The corners of the lips slant downwards
    • Bow-shaped lips : Soft, U-shaped Cupid’s bow
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.instyle.com/beauty/lips/applying-makeup-for-lip-shape
      2. ↑ Yuka Arora. Makeup Artist. Expert Interview
      3. ↑ Yuka Arora. Makeup Artist. Expert Interview
      4. ↑ Frankie Sanderson. Makeup Artist & Stylist. Expert Interview
      5. ↑ Frankie Sanderson. Makeup Artist & Stylist. Expert Interview
      6. ↑ Shun Pittman. Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author. Expert Interview
      7. ↑ Shun Pittman. Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author. Expert Interview
      8. ↑ Kelly Chu. Professional Makeup Artist. Expert Interview
      9. ↑ Daniel Vann. Licensed Aesthetician. Expert Interview
      1. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256
      2. ↑ Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD. Board Certified Dermatologist & Dermatopathologist. Expert Interview
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/ue3VB27OhB0?si=Zez73SjC5e-Sc478&t=4
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/wslC7jBOHfM?si=jBJVpiRnTjLYNhtN&t=342
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/wslC7jBOHfM?si=tYZCiQUruxQOm58N&t=175
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/wslC7jBOHfM?si=YRzEjogp1oH1C3y7&t=88
      7. ↑ https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/dermal-filler-dos-and-donts-wrinkles-lips-and-more
      8. ↑ https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/dermal-fillers/consultation
      9. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22133-lip-fillers
      10. ↑ Asif Pirani, MD. Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. Expert Interview
      11. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22133-lip-fillers
      12. ↑ Edward S. Kwak, MD. Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. Expert Interview

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