Even before Kylie Jenner showed us how to plump 'em, we swooned over celebrities like Angelina Jolie and their luscious smoochers.
Luckily, there are tons of products available to use — as well as selfie makeup tools — to help us get the lip look we want in photos. Without further ado, a little lip service to keep you looking kissable in your selfies.
Lip Care
The delicate skin of our lips needs extra protection against UV rays and harsh weather. A good solution is a moisturizing lip balm like cult-favorite Burt's Bees Original Beeswax. Or even better, try one with SPF protection, like Fresh Sugar Lip Balm. It has an SPF of 15 and tints while it hydrates.
Speaking of hydration, you should do that on the inside, too. Dehydrated lips mean dried up, shriveled lips. So, drink plenty of O2!
To further combat the puckered prune look, exfoliate your lips. Dead skin cells (grrroosss) don’t reflect light and will leave your pics looking dull. There are tons of gentle scrubs out there, but even the old-school method of using a soft toothbrush would work. Exfoliation will increase circulation, naturally plumping your lips.
Now that you've moisturized and protected your lips, there's just one more step before you get to the fun part. Apply a primer like the MAC Prep + Prime Lip, which will help your lipstick go on more evenly and stay on longer. It will also provide another boost of moisture!
Overline Your Lips
If you want that classic pout, you can start by simply drawing it on, or overlining the lips. First, apply your concealer to blur the lines between your lip and face. Then, begin to line at your cupid's bow, ever so slightly above the lip edge.
We aren't going for a Krusty the Clown look, so avoid applying all the way to the corners of your mouth.
Ombre Your Lipstick
Using multiple shades of lip color gives depth and dimension. This strategy works well with nudes, but any two like shades (a light and a dark) will work.
To begin, coat your lips entirely in the darker shade, then use the lighter one down the middle of your lips for an impressive, bold lip effect.
Another way to get the same effect is to use a highlighter or lip gloss down the center of your lips. For some ultra-shine, try Kylie Cosmetics Daddy's Girl High Gloss.
Lip Plumpers
This leads us to another obvious solution: lip plumpers. There are tons of balms and glosses that will give you more volume without any invasive treatments.
Kylie’s brand was nearly built on the idea, but also consider a product like PCA Skin's Hyaluronic Acid Lip Booster for a sweet pout.
Always Reach for the Matte
Matte lipstick was made for selfies. Mattes have more pigment powder, which helps to fully coat the lips for a bold, plush appearance. Bold color draws the eye toward the screen and will make you stand out in selfies.
Bonus benefits: Matte makes the teeth appear whiter, stays on longer, and creates balance with shiny cheeks or eye makeup. For a matte that won't fade or feel dry, try Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick.
A post shared by Stila Cosmetics (@stilacosmetics)
Of course, if you don't get your makeup just right the first time around, you can always add lipstick to a photo or video after the fact with Facetune.
Strike a Pose
Last but not least, make sure to strike your best kissy face or pose. Yes, duck lips have stuck around for a reason — for better or worse, they kinda work. While the extreme pout may be out, the modern-day fish gape has officially taken its spot.
@natalliabelmanSelfie pose tip for fuller lips. #selfiepose #nowiknow #howtopose♬ Opaul - Freddie Dredd
Try the model pout: Ever so slightly purse the lips, then part them, and make a slight Mona Lisa smile. Works like a charm.
