Tips for Using Lipstick for Thin Lips
Time to make your lips appear fuller and luscious by using some genius lipstick for small lips hacks! Every woman dreams of having plump, lush lips. Unfortunately, not everyone is blessed with naturally plump lips. And applying lipstick can be difficult if your lips are thin because there is less space to work with.
If that’s the case for you, you may be wondering how to apply lip color so that it looks plumper and fuller. Thankfully, making the illusion of fuller lips is easy with the right makeup products and techniques. Here's a detailed guide on how to apply lipstick for small lips, so you can make your lips look as lush as possible.
How to Make Lips Look Fuller with Lipstick
Prep Your Lips Before Applying Lipstick for a Fuller Look
A little preparation can make a dramatic difference in the appearance of your lips. As with the face, exfoliating the lips helps shed dead skin cells, making your lipstick more effective. Moreover, it will increase circulation in the lip area, thus creating a natural flush and adding a little bit of volume.
While you can buy lip scrubs at your local beauty supply store, you can also make your own by mixing some brown sugar and coconut oil.
Lip Balm First: Why Soft Lips Make Thin Lips Look Plumper
Regardless of whether your lips are thin or full, you should always apply a lip balm before applying lipstick—you don't want lipstick to dry out your lips. Dry lips tend to look thinner.
Apply your lip balm of choice to keep your lips feeling hydrated and looking plump.
How to Use Lip Liner for Thin Lips to Create a Fuller Shape
Lip liner for thin lips is by far the quickest and easiest way to temporarily increase the size of your lips. Select a shade that matches your chosen lipstick and slightly outline your natural lip line.
Avoid using a dark liner on the lips as this will make them appear thinner than they actually are. Start by applying the product on a small area, and gradually build the shape up until you have reached the look you are going for.
Overlining is the single most effective trick for making thin lips or a thin upper lip look naturally fuller — but the key is subtlety. Go too far outside your natural lip line and it'll look obvious, especially in photos. Here's how to overline like a pro without anyone noticing:
Start at the cupid's bow. Use a sharpened lip liner in a shade that matches your lipstick. Draw a soft "X" at your cupid's bow, placing it just barely (~1mm) above your natural lip line.
Trace outward, then taper back. From the cupid's bow, gently trace along the top lip staying ~1mm outside your natural line. As you reach the outer corners of your mouth, gradually taper back down to meet your actual lip line. This is what keeps it looking natural.
Don't forget the lower lip. Overline the centre of your bottom lip very slightly — just a hair below your natural line — but leave the corners untouched.
Blend, blend, blend. Use a lip brush or your fingertip to softly blend the liner so there's no harsh visible edge. Then fill in your entire lips with the liner before applying lipstick on top.
Pro tip for thin upper lip: If your upper lip is noticeably thinner than your lower, focus your overlining only on the top lip and cupid's bow. Keep the bottom lip natural — this creates balance without looking overdone.
Best Lipstick Shades and Colours for Small Lips
In order to make your lips appear fuller, consider the color and finish of the lip products you use on a regular basis.
The best lipstick shades, according to experts, are nude colors, reds, and pinks. By not drawing too much attention to the area, they make the lips look fuller and also add color. If you have thin lips, choose these colors over bold, bright ones—such as deep purple, brown, or rainbow lipsticks—which can highlight your thin lips.
Choosing the right finish is equally important. Metallic or shimmery textures won't create the appearance of fullness. Matte lipsticks or satin textures are ideal.
Concealer Hack to Make Your Thin Upper Lip Look Fuller
After your lips are lined, you can fill them in with your favorite lipstick or liner. Lastly, add a bit of concealer on top of the lip liner to make the center appear a bit more pronounced.
Make use of a small flat brush and dab concealer in the center of your lips. Lips appear lighter as a result, which creates the illusion that they are fuller.
Highlighter & Bronzer Trick for Thin Lip Makeup
Highlight and contour are hot topics among makeup enthusiasts for a reason. Using this technique, you can mask any flaws or imperfections, enhance certain features, and add balance to your face.
You can even enhance the appearance of thin lips using contour. Use a highlighter on the cupid's bow (just above the lips) to make it look more prominent. Alternatively, you can apply bronzer lightly to the lower lip to create a shadow. This thin lips makeup tip causes that area to recede, giving the bottom lip an even wider appearance.
Lip Gloss Finish: The Final Step for a Plumper Pout
Another point to keep in mind? Wearing lip gloss is always a good idea. You should use a clear or neutral gloss for the best results.
Put a dab of lip gloss directly in the center of your lips— rather than spreading it all over—to make your lips appear fuller naturally. By keeping the light focused in the middle of the mouth, glossy products can make even the thinnest lips appear larger.
Easy Home Remedies for Fuller Lips
Cayenne Pepper + Olive Oil
In case makeup doesn't work, you can use this natural and tingly lip plumper that only takes a few ingredients from your kitchen.
Stir about a tablespoon of olive oil with a few sprinkles of cayenne pepper in a bowl. After covering your lips with the mixture for a few minutes, wipe off completely before moisturizing them with your favorite lip balm. Although these results won't last for long, this is a great way to take a quick selfie or to go out on the town.
Ice Treatment
Looking for a plumper pout, even though you're running late for your party? The trick is to rub an ice cube on your lips for a couple of minutes.
The cold compresses the blood vessels, making them appear fuller, smoother, and pinker instantly. After doing this every day for a week or two, the results can be permanent without requiring any surgical procedures.
Brushing & Flaking Technique
You can always brush your lips with a dry toothbrush if you can't think of anything else. Brushing removes dead cells and makes them soft and smooth. In addition, it increases blood flow to your lips, making them plump and fresh.
If you wish to get faster and better results, you may also apply vaseline or honey to your brush before scrubbing your lips. It works like a charm.
The Bottom Line
Not everyone is blessed with plump, juicy lips. However, it's still possible to enhance your natural features by applying lipstick for thin lips.
Follow the tips on lip makeup for small lips and flaunt a plush pout whenever you want to!
Have any more suggestions or questions about thin lips makeup? Don’t hesitate to drop them in the comment section below!
FAQs
Q1. Is matte or glossy lipstick better for small lips?
Both can work, but they do very different things! Glossy finishes reflect light, which creates the illusion of fuller, plumper lips — making gloss a great everyday pick for small lips. Matte lipsticks give a more defined, editorial look, but very drying mattes can actually make thin lips look even thinner. If you love matte, go for a creamy matte or satin finish instead, and always dab a tiny bit of clear gloss on the centre of your lips for added dimension.
Q2. How do I overline my lips without it looking obvious?
The golden rule? Never go more than 1mm outside your natural lip line — that's it! Start by drawing a soft "X" at your cupid's bow just above the lip edge, then trace outward and taper back to your natural line at the corners. Always blend the liner with a brush or fingertip so there's no harsh edge, and fill in your entire lip with liner before adding lipstick on top. The colour-on-colour layering is what makes the overline disappear.
Q3. Can lip liner alone make small lips look bigger?
Oh, absolutely! A good lip liner for thin lips is honestly the most underrated tool in your makeup bag. Line slightly outside your natural lip line, fill in entirely with the same liner, and you'll instantly see a difference — even without lipstick on top. Pair it with a dab of clear gloss in the centre for extra dimension. The key is picking a shade that's close to your natural lip colour for the most natural fuller look.
Q4. Is there a way to make thin lips look plumper naturally?
Yes, darling! A few simple habits can make your lips look naturally plumper over time. Exfoliate gently once or twice a week with a sugar scrub — this boosts circulation and makes lips look pinker and fuller. Keep them consistently hydrated with a good lip balm so they never look dry or flat. And here's a quick trick: massaging your lips in small circular motions for a minute or two each day increases blood flow and gives a temporary plumping effect — no products needed!
