Photographed by Ane + Jose for Vogue Arabia, July/August 2017
Beauty’s obsession with full, plump lips isn’t going away anytime soon (thanks Sonia and Fyza). As the saying goes, if you can’t beat them, join them. Embraced by the likes of Nancy Ajram and Maya Diab, the appeal of a voluptuous mouth lies in its ability to instantly transform your face and emit youthful charm. Here, five ways to achieve a fuller pout.
#1: Overline Your Natural Lips
Overdrawing your lips is an easy and non-committal way to create the illusion of a more voluptuous mouth. Start by amping up your arsenal. The products you’ll need are a rosy lip liner that is one shade darker than your natural lip tone, a concealer and a lipstick. After you’ve lightly covered your lips with a concealer to create a seamless base, start by tracing your lips from corner to corner— focusing on enhancing your Cupid’s bow and the center of your bottom lip. Next, fill in your lips with the pencil and finish by layering on a creamy lipstick with a hint of shine.
NARS Cosmetics
Radiant Creamy Concealer
AED/SAR 110; US $30
Shop here
Chanel
Le Crayon Lèvres Precision Lip Definer in Beige Innocent
AED/SAR 114; US $31
Shop here
#2: Reach For a Plumping Lip Gloss
For a fuller-looking set of lips that doesn’t require an arsenal of products or countless minutes spent in front of the mirror, try a lip plumping gloss. The new generation of lip plumpers create the effect of a bigger pout by combining natural ingredients such as menthol and cinnamon, which make your lips tingle and pucker. You can use the formula on its own or layer it overtop of your lipstick for maximum impact.
Too Faced
Lip Injection Extreme
AED/SAR 103; US $28
Shop here
Buxom
Full-On Lip Polish
AED/SAR 73; US $20
Shop here
#3: Consider Lip Fillers
For a more permanent solution, consider lip fillers. If it’s your first time, ensure that you visit a certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist. Start with a hyaluronic acid that’s reversible, like Juvederm or Restylane. If you don’t like how it looks, it can be dissolved and removed with a hyaluronidase injection. So there’s no reason to be afraid. Located in Dubai, Dr. Rory McGoldrick is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon from Dubai Cosmetic Surgery who believes “lip filler treatment should offer natural results.” His tips are: do your research and seek out licensed and experienced plastic surgeons, nurse practitioners, and dermatologists, respecting lip anatomy and proportions to avoid overfilled “trout” pouts and to apply a cold press to your mouth directly after fillers to minimize bruising and swelling. Most lip fillers can last up to one year, before completely dissolving.
Dubai Cosmetic Surgery, Villa 927 A, Al Wasl Road, Al Manara Area, AED/SAR 2,750 per ml of Juvederm.
#4: Exfoliate Your Lips Twice a Week
The first step to soft lips is to exfoliate. Scrub off dead skin cells using a gentle lip scrub and toothbrush. Once skin is sloughed, apply a moisturizer packed with ceramides and natural oils to boost hydration. Exfoliation also boosts circulation and blood flow, and as a result, allows your lips to plump up slightly.
Glamglow
Poutmud Fizzy Lip Exfoliating Treatment
AED/SAR 88; US $24
Shop here
Dior
Dior Addict Lip Sugar Scrub
AED/SAR 121; US $33
Shop here
#5: Fake It ‘Til You Make It
We all know that contouring can create the appearance of a slimmer nose and a more sculpted jawline, but did you know that you can also fake a more voluptuous mouth simply by shading and highlighting? First, take a liner two shades darker than your selected lipstick and draw two M shapes— one along the top lip and another in the center of your bottom lip. Add a sideways V on the outer corners of your mouth. Apply your lipstick, then gently tap a cream highlighter on your Cupid’s bow, and a sweep of bronzer underneath your bottom lip. Tada.
benefit Cosmetics
Watt’s Up! Cream Highlighter
AED/SAR 110; US $30
Shop here
Guerlain
Terracotta Poudre Bronzante
AED/SAR 180; US $49
Shop here
