How to Get Great Lips

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Soft, full lips make your face look healthy and beautiful. But how do you get your lips to look amazing? Start by regularly exfoliating and conditioning your lips to help them look their best. Next, add color and shine to make your lips appear pretty and bright. Finally, keep your lips looking great by staying hydrated, using sunscreen and having healthy long-term habits.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Conditioning Your Lips

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  1. [1] The skin on your lips is delicate, and it easily dries and begins to flake. If you have dry, cracked lips, you need to condition your lips instead of trying to cover them up. A light lip scrub can do the trick in a matter of minutes. There's no need to buy a special scrub, just mix one up at home. Here's what to do:
    • Mix a teaspoon of sugar and a teaspoon of honey.
    • Wet your lips with warm water.
    • Rub the scrub over your lips in a circular motion.
    • Rinse your lips, and repeat if necessary.
  2. If your lips are too dry to be corrected with a scrub, try using a toothbrush to do the job. Wet your lips and rub a clean toothbrush over them using a gentle circular motion. Rinse your lips and repeat if you still see skin flakes there.
    • Make sure you use a soft-bristled brush, and not one with stiff bristles. You don't want to cut or scrape the skin on your lips, since irritating them will just make the problem worse.
    • If your lips are cracked, you may need to repeat the process over the course of several days. After exfoliating your lips, moisturize them and wait until the next day to exfoliate again. Repeat until your lips are in tip-top condition.
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  3. A lip serum is similar to a face mask, but for your lips. It's a rich, nourishing mixture that deeply moisturizes and brightens your lips, with results lasting several days. After exfoliating your lips, apply a serum to bring out the best in your skin.
    • Mix 1 teaspoon honey or aloe with 1 teaspoon olive or coconut oil.
    • Rub the mixture into your lips.
    • Let the serum sit and absorb into your lips for ten minutes.
    • Rinse away the excess serum with warm water.
  4. If you long for bigger lips, there are ways to help your lips look their plumpest without using injections or expensive products. [2] The key is to increase circulation in your lips by apply a substance that draws blood to the area. Mix up a natural lip plumper and apply it to your lips any time you want to give them a boost. Here are a few household supplies you can use:
    • A mixture of 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper and 1/2 teaspoon olive or coconut oil
    • A mixture of 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon olive or coconut oil
    • A mixture of 5 drops peppermint extract and 1/2 teaspoon olive or coconut oil
    • Or use this quick solution: rub a piece of freshly cut ginger or a cut jalapeno pepper over your lips
  5. Your lips are exposed to all kinds of substances that can dry them out on a daily basis. Hot and cold temperatures, food and beverages you consume, wind, sun, and air pollution all have an effect on the state of your lips. Protect them every day by using a good moisturizing lip balm to provide a thin barrier between your lips and the rest of the world.
    • Look for a balm made with natural substances. Key ingredients that moisturize your lips include coconut oil or butter, shea butter, and vitamin E oil.
    • To make your own healthy balm, simply melt together 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) coconut oil and 1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) beeswax. You can scent the mixture with five drops of your favorite essential oil. Pour it into a clean lip balm jar and allow it to cool before using.
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Part 2
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Adding Color and Shine

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  1. If your lips are in good condition, it doesn't take much makeup to make them look beautiful and healthy. If you're not the type who likes to wear layers of color on your lips, try a simple tinted lip balm to add a hint of luster. Tinted lip balm comes in any color you want, or you can make your own in exactly the color you want. Here's how to do it:
    • Make a simple balm by melting together 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) coconut oil and 1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) beeswax.
    • Cut off a small piece of your favorite lipstick and stir it in while the mixture is still hot. Add as much or as little as you want to tint your lip balm.
    • Pour the balm into a clean lip balm jar and allow it to cool before using.
  2. If you have no qualms about using bold color to make your lips look great, it's important to know how to choose the right shades to match your complexion. Every skin tone can be classified as warm, cool, or neutral. Learn more about your skin "temperature" to choose the right lipstick. [3]
    • If your coloring looks best in earth tones, warm yellows and reds, and gold jewelry, your skin is warm. Choose lipstick with warm undertones, like browns, orange-reds, coral pinks, and creamy neutrals.
    • If you tend to look best in jewel tones, navy blue, and silver jewelry, your skin is cool. Choose lipstick with cool undertones, like plums, cherry reds, lavender pinks, and pearly neutrals.
  3. Make sure your lips are conditioned before you apply lipstick; otherwise it will flake off, leaving your lips looking mottled. Apply lipstick to your bottom lip, making sure you don't go outside your natural lip line. Rub your lips together to apply lipstick to your top lip. Dot more lipstick on your top and bottom lips to fill in any gaps. [4]
    • Blotting your lips on a tissue will help set your lipstick and prevent it from getting on your teeth and cups you might drink from throughout the day.
    • If you want your lipstick to last all day without wearing off, use a lip primer on your lips before applying color.
  4. Liner isn't mandatory for everyday use, but for days when you want your lips to really turn heads, it's indispensable. Choose liner in a color that matches the lip color you want to use. Use it to carefully outline the shape of your lips before you apply lipstick. The liner will define the shape of your mouth and keep your lip color from "bleeding."
    • You can also use liner to change the shape of your lips. Trace the liner slightly above or below your natural lip line to make your lips look larger. When you fill in your lips with color, no one will be able to tell the difference.
    • You can create a slight ombre effect by using liner a shade darker or lighter than the lip shade you're using.
  5. After applying color, you might want to add a layer of clear gloss to make your lips stand out even more. Gloss adds plenty of shine and also helps keep your lipstick in place. Choose a clear gloss or one with a little shimmer depending on the look you're going for and apply it to the center of your lips. [5]
    • Gloss is completely optional, especially if you prefer your lips to look matte instead of shiny.
    • Coconut oil works well as a cheap homemade lip gloss.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Keeping Your Lips Healthy

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  1. Lips, like the rest of your skin, need protection from the sun's rays in order to stay healthy. Sun exposure can lead to darker lips as well as causing them to dry out. Choose a daily lip balm with an SPF of 15 or higher to keep your lips in good shape, especially during the summer.
    • If you make your own lip balm, you can add sun protection by stirring in zinc oxide powder. Coconut oil also provides a bit of protection on its own.
    • If you don't like wearing balm, wear a wide-brimmed hat to shade your face on the sunniest days.
  2. Depending on where you live, air humidity might be lowest in either the summer or the winter. Even before you notice your lips are starting to feel dry and flaky, take extra care to keep them moisturized. Wear lip balm when you go outside to protect your skin from the elements.
    • You may want to apply lip balm before you go to sleep to keep your lips from chapping overnight, especially if you sleep with your mouth open.
    • Try using a humidifier in your bedroom to keep your lips and skin moisturized.
  3. Drinking plenty of water is key to having great-looking lips. When your body is dehydrated, your lips are often the first place where it shows. Drink water throughout the day so your lips never get the chance to dry out.
    • Try replacing coffee and alcohol with water whenever possible, since water is better for your lips.
    • Salty foods dry out your lips, so when you eat salt, make up for it by drinking extra water.
  4. Smoking can cause lips to dark, thin and wrinkle. Using tobacco products is definitely counter productive when it comes to having great lips. If you want your lips to look beautiful (in addition to many other health benefits) do your best to quit smoking as soon as possible. [6]
  5. Many lip products use alcohol, fragrances, and dyes to create long-lasting color. Some lipsticks even contain lead, which can lead to health problems if ingested in large quantities. You don't have to throw out your lipstick collection, but it pays to be aware of what you're putting on your lips, and to go natural as often as possible.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How can I make my lips look beautiful?
    Kelly Chu
    Professional Makeup Artist
    Kelly is the lead makeup artist and educator of the Soyi Makeup and Hair team that is based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Soyi Makeup and Hair specializes in wedding and event makeup and hair. Over the past 5 years, the team has created bridal looks for over 800 brides in America, Asia, and Europe.
    Kelly Chu
    Professional Makeup Artist
    Expert Answer
    Dry lips may look small and dull, so exfoliate them every day to help remove any flaky skin.
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    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 4
  • Question
    How can I make my lips look naturally bigger?
    Kelly Chu
    Professional Makeup Artist
    Kelly is the lead makeup artist and educator of the Soyi Makeup and Hair team that is based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Soyi Makeup and Hair specializes in wedding and event makeup and hair. Over the past 5 years, the team has created bridal looks for over 800 brides in America, Asia, and Europe.
    Kelly Chu
    Professional Makeup Artist
    Expert Answer
    Try applying a lip gloss in the center of your lips to make them shine and stand out.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 3
  • Question
    How often should I use petroleum jelly on my lips?
    I like sushi
    Top Answerer
    Use it as needed. It is safe to use on a daily basis.
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    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      Tips

      • When you brush your teeth, brush your lips for 2 minutes then apply lip balm.
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
      • Lip plumpers come in every shape and form now, from balms to high-quality lip glosses. This can make your lips look fuller, as well as give you a little color, without any stickiness.
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
      • After you're done applying lipstick or lipgloss, make your lips into an O shape then stick your finger in your mouth and pull it out. This will get rid of lipstick on your teeth!
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      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • Try the Vaseline Lip Therapy line. Put it on overnight, and you'll wake up with the softest lips.
      • Rubbing your lips with the juice of a lemon may help you get softer lips.
      • Using dark red lipsticks can help make your teeth look whiter.
      • Apply glycerin at night.
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      Warnings

      • As hot as store-bought lip plumpers can make your lips, beware! Many people have shown allergic reactions, or have taken to the chemicals used badly. Make sure to test out your gloss a little before hand so you don't look like a nest of bees stung your lips when you go on a date.
        Thanks
        Helpful 9 Not Helpful 1
      • Some people suggest petroleum-based moisturizers like Vaseline, but they can make your lips chap more if they aren't used for a period of time. Instead, try a chapstick that contains Vitamin E.
        Thanks
        Helpful 8 Not Helpful 2
      • If you plan on making out with someone soon, go for more subtle lip glosses. As sexy as red lipstick is, you and your partner will just look like clowns when you're done.
        Thanks
        Helpful 6 Not Helpful 1
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      References

      1. ↑ Kelly Chu. Professional Makeup Artist. Expert Interview. 9 May 2019.
      2. ↑ Kelly Chu. Professional Makeup Artist. Expert Interview. 9 May 2019.
      3. ↑ http://www.bustle.com/articles/17962-how-to-choose-the-best-lipstick-for-your-skin-tone
      4. ↑ http://www.seventeen.com/beauty/makeup-tips/perfect-red-lips#slide-1
      5. ↑ Kelly Chu. Professional Makeup Artist. Expert Interview. 9 May 2019.
      6. ↑ https://guardianlv.com/2014/05/cigarettes-may-darken-lips-for-smokers-natural-remedies-to-combat-effect/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To get great lips, use a lip scrub made with sugar and honey to exfoliate your lips. If your lips are too dry for a scrub to help, then try gently massaging them with a clean, soft-bristled toothbrush. Additionally, you can make a serum with honey and coconut oil to rub onto your lips. Then, after 10 minutes, gently rinse off any remaining serum with warm water. For daily moisturizing, use a good moisturizing lip balm made with coconut oil or butter, shea butter, and vitamin E oil. Alternatively, make your own balm with coconut oil and beeswax. To learn how to plump your lips with household items like cayenne pepper and coconut oil, keep reading!

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