beauty
Plus, some shopping recommendations
By Jenny Jin
•
Published Oct 9, 2023
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Maybe she’s born with it. Maybe she’s not. And by “it,” we mean Angelina Jolie’s luscious lips. Whether you have always been thin-lipped or are suddenly experiencing a loss of volume (a common side effect of aging), here are a few makeup and skin-care tips to keep in mind for maximizing what you've got.
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1. Skip Dark Red Lipsticks
We love a moody lip color as much as the next girl, but deeper shades tend to recede your pout, making it appear smaller. Instead, nudes and soft pink tones are your best bet. Using a flesh-toned pencil, trace just slightly outside your natural lip line. Then fill in your lips completely with the pencil before topping them off with a lipstick in a similar shade to enjoy the magic of optical illusion.
Shop Neutral Lip Products
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2. Be Strategic About Shine
More specifically, use lip gloss but don’t use it all over. Apply just a touch to the center of your upper and bottom lips. This will reflect light and give them more of a 3-D effect. Finish with a dab of highlighter (or champagne-colored eye shadow) on your Cupid’s bow (the peak of your top lip) to add even more depth.
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3. Bring Focus To Your Eyes
Whether it's bold brows, fluttery lashes or statement eyeshadow: Don’t be afraid to go big on the eyes to counteract your petite pout. And since you’re going neutral on the lips, a heavier eye won’t look too overdone.
Shop Statement Eye Products
4. Boost Circulation
Before you even put on any lipstick, take a toothbrush, washcloth or lip scrub and gently rub it over your lips in a circular motion. Not only does this help nix flakes (dry lips reflect less light, making them look smaller), but it also promotes circulation (which can temporarily plump them up a bit).
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5. Add Moisture
Whether you prefer a convenient stick or a thickersalve,keeping your lips hydrated is key to making them look fuller. Slather on your balm of choice after exfoliating and whenever your lips feel dry.
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6. Protect Your Lips From The Sun
Surprise, surprise, UV rays can age your lips. More specifically, they break down collagen, which leads to thinning over time. Prevent future deflation by wearing a lipstick or balm with a minimum of SPF 15 whenever you’re outside.
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7. Treat Your Lips At Night
Skincare shouldn’t stop with your eye cream. Consider a nighttime lip treatment that has peptides and hyaluronic acid in it to help plump lips and soften lines while you sleep. This way you’ll be in an even better place to master all the tricks above.
Shop Lip Treatments
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Jenny Jin
Beauty Director
- Oversees all beauty content at PureWow
- Has over a decade of experience in writing and editing, both in print and digital media
- Produces 'Youngish' newsletter, a guide to beauty in your 30s and beyond
read full bio
Why You Should Trust Us
PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.
