Tips & Tricks

How To: Correct Your Lip Shape With Makeup

March 2, 2006

As you guys can probably tell by now, I am more of an eye person (*love* doing eye makeup!) but since a reader requested a post on how to correct the shape of your lips, here are my two cents.


Thin Lips
To make thin lips appear fuller, avoid using dark, dull or matte colors. Instead, opt for light or bright colors. Use concealer to cover your natural lipline, powder slightly then line your lips just a little outside of your natural lipline. Make sure they are no spaces between the new line and your natural lipline. Fill in with lipstick. Apply a high shine clear gloss over the lipstick.

Full Lips
To minimize the appearance of thick lips, go with matte or muted lip colors – they will make lips appear less full. Stay away from bright, glossy or light colors. Use concealer to cover your natural lip line, powder slightly then draw a line that is just inside your natural lipline. Soften the line with a brush, then apply lip color.

Asymmetrical Lips: Just combine the above.

Extra Beauty Tips
• Use a natural lip liner to subtly recreate your natural lipline. Do not try to alter the shape of your lips completely as it can look unnatural.

• A full rounded mouth shape can make you look younger while flat, thin lips appear harsh and strict.

• Never wear a lipliner that is a lot darker than your lip color. Having a ring around your lips is the last thing you would ever want!

• To make lip color stay on longer, apply lip balm then color your lips with a liner. Apply a layer of lipstick, blot then apply a second layer.

• Exfoliate your lips regularly to get rid of dead skin. Apply a layer of Vaseline over your lips every night before you hit the bed.

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6 Comments

  • Reply Anonymous July 3, 2007 at 10:48 pm

    OMG – love ur site. Just wondering if you’ve heard of Napoleon cosmetics? If you ‘ve tried them, what did you think? Not sure if they are an Aussie brand only, or if they export o/s. Bek

  • Reply Anonymous August 21, 2007 at 9:58 am

    yes u do have a wonderful site but u can include some pictures to be more informative.

  • Reply Destiny November 13, 2007 at 1:19 am

    Thanks Phyllis I lurrrve your website! Can you tell us more about how you care for your lips? I have lips with a darker outer ring since young and I find difficulties in applying an even colour of gloss or lipstick on it =c Do you have any methods or solutions?? thanks!!!

  • Reply Phyllis November 14, 2007 at 9:24 am

    hey Destiny, I don’t do much for my lips except exfoliate them once in a while and apply Aquaphor to keep them moisturized.

    If you have a darker outer ring around yours, try applying a thin layer of concealer before lipliner and lipstick/lipgloss. I know it sounds tedious but it does help with uneven pigmentation.

  • Reply Anonymous April 12, 2008 at 5:52 am

    NICE !

  • Reply Suga so fly July 17, 2008 at 12:27 pm

    love ur site phyllis, have been a fan for many months!
    as a lil lip exfoliator i use a tiny amount of St ives Scrub and gently rub, which removes the dry skin n then add sum vaseline to soften them :)!
    u should get into lip colours more, ur a pretty girl im sure u can get away with any colour u like! 🙂
    i agree that more photos would be more helpful, or perhaps even some video tutorials?
    tc x

  • Leave a Reply to Anonymous Cancel Reply