If you prefer to sport a natural look, but want to visibly plump your lips, you may be wondering how to make them plumper without using any kind of cosmetics. Fortunately, there are numerous methods to naturally plump them without makeup. You don't even need to undergo cosmetic surgery or get injections. All you need is a few simple products that you routinely use in the kitchen or bathroom, such as ground cinnamon, olive oil, or a toothbrush.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Exfoliate the Lips
Step 1. Apply lip balm or petroleum jelly
Choose a natural product that has a high moisturizing action.
Step 2. Wait 10 minutes
During this time the balm will be absorbed into the lips and fill in the expression lines and fine lines. This will help you make them appear fuller.
Step 3. Exfoliate your lips with a toothbrush in small circular motions for 1 minute
Exfoliation helps promote circulation in the lip area, making them visibly fuller and more pink. It also allows you to remove dead cells and remedy cracks, making the lips reflect the light more: this also helps to create the illusion of full lips.
To make the exfoliation even more effective, apply a thin layer of lip balm or petroleum jelly to the toothbrush
Step 4. Gently remove lip balm residue
You can do this by using a handkerchief or a damp towel.
Step 5. Proceed to apply your favorite lip balm or lipstick if desired
This step is not mandatory, but it will allow you to color your lips after plumping them and will further highlight them.
Method 2 of 3: Prepare and Use Simple Lip Plumping Products
Step 1. Find a simple solution that is right for you
There are a number of lip plumping products out there and most of them can be found in the spice drawer! Some must be purchased instead (as in the case of essential oils). Choose the plumping product that best suits your needs based on the ingredients you already own or those you intend to buy. It is not necessary to use all the plumping agents recommended in this section.
Step 2. Try cayenne pepper, but don't use it more than 2-3 times a week
In a saucer, mix enough cayenne pepper and water to make a paste (about a pinch of pepper and 1-2 drops of water), then apply it to your lips with your finger. Let it sit for 10 minutes and rinse.
- Cayenne pepper plumps lips and irritates them. This method, therefore, should not be used too often or when the lips are already irritated or dry.
- Alternatively, you can put some lip gloss or conditioner on your finger and sprinkle a pinch of cayenne pepper on it. Use this mixture in place of the pasta.
Step 3. Try cinnamon essential oil
Mix 1 or 2 drops of cinnamon essential oil with about 1 teaspoon of lip balm or petroleum jelly. Apply the mixture on your lips, wait 3 to 5 minutes and remove it. Since cinnamon essential oil is quite intense, don't use this method more than 2 times a week.
- If you prefer a more natural recipe, replace the petroleum jelly with coconut oil, cocoa or shea butter.
- If you have particularly sensitive skin, you may want to use a single drop of cinnamon essential oil or try another method.
- Store leftover conditioner in a jar or empty lip balm container.
Step 4. Try peppermint essential oil if you have sensitive skin or don't like cinnamon
Mix 2 drops of peppermint essential oil with 1 teaspoon of lip balm or petroleum jelly. Apply the mixture to your lips whenever you want to make them a little more plump. Unlike cinnamon, peppermint should not be eliminated, as it is less irritating.
- If you prefer a more natural recipe, try coconut oil, cocoa or shea butter instead of petroleum jelly.
- Store any leftover lip balm in a jar or empty lip balm container. Keep it in the fridge.
Step 5. Use ground cinnamon if you can't find any essential oil
Mix a small amount of lip balm or petroleum jelly with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon. Apply the mixture to your lips, then take it off after 3-5 minutes.
If you want a more natural recipe, try coconut oil, cocoa butter or shea butter
Method 3 of 3: Prepare and Use Lip Scrubs and Balms
Step 1. Choose a scrub or lip balm considering your needs and the ingredients you have available
There are a number of ways to make a homemade lip scrub or balm. Some require only a few ingredients that you probably already have, such as honey and sugar; others include less common ingredients, such as cinnamon essential oil. Choose the recipe that you find most appropriate for you. It is not necessary to do all the scrubs and conditioners recommended in this section.
Step 2. Try a simple honey-based scrub
In a saucer, mix 2 teaspoons of honey with 1 teaspoon of sugar. Massage the scrub into your lips making small circular movements for 1 minute. Leave it on for 3 minutes and rinse. Apply a lip balm to hydrate them even more.
Honey helps moisturize lips and fill fine lines, while sugar exfoliates dead skin cells and remedies cracking
Step 3. Try a simple olive oil scrub
In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of olive oil with 1 tablespoon of brown sugar. Mix in 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Massage the scrub into your lips, then wait 5 to 10 minutes and rinse.
If you can't find olive oil or prefer a more moisturizing product, try coconut oil
Step 4. Try a honey and oil scrub
In a saucer, mix 2 teaspoons of sugar with 1 teaspoon of honey. Add 1 teaspoon of sweet almond oil and a pinch of ground cinnamon. Mix well and massage the exfoliant on your lips for 1 minute. Leave it on for 3 minutes and rinse.
- Honey and oil are effective for moisturizing lips, while cinnamon helps plump them up. Sugar helps remove dead skin cells.
- It is not necessary to apply a conditioner after this scrub, but if you prefer it is possible to do so.
- If you can't find sweet almond oil, try coconut oil, which is just as moisturizing.
Step 5. Treat yourself to a luxurious scrub
In a saucer, mix 1 tablespoon of brown sugar with 1 teaspoon of honey and 1 teaspoon of coconut or olive oil. Incorporate ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon and pour everything into a jar. Massage a small amount into your lips, let it sit for 3-5 minutes and rinse.
- Add ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract to improve the flavor.
- Keep the jar in a cool place and use the exfoliant within a week.
Step 6. Make a plumping lip balm
In a saucer, mix ½ tablespoon of melted cocoa butter, 1 tablespoon of coconut oil and 20 drops of sweet almond oil. Add 2 drops of cayenne pepper essential oil and pour the mixture into an empty jar or lip balm container. Let it set and apply it to your lips.
- Peppermint or cinnamon essential oil would also work well. Both have plumping properties.
- If you can't find cocoa butter, try shea butter instead.
- Melt the cocoa butter in the microwave at intervals of 15-30 seconds.
Step 7. Apply the balm to the center of the lower lip and to the cupid's bow
Whichever type of conditioner you decide to prepare, applying it can create a light polishing effect on the lips. If you focus the application on the center of the lower lip and on the Cupid's bow it is possible to create a rounded effect, making the lips a little more plump.
Advice
- Don't have much time? Simply massaging your lips with a toothbrush for 30 seconds can make them plumper.
- Vaseline and lip balm are quick and easy to use plumping fillers. They aren't very effective on their own, but you should still notice a little difference after applying them.
- Drink 8 8-ounce glasses of water a day to keep your lips hydrated. Dry lips are often visibly chapped and thin.
- If a particular scrub, conditioner, or lip plumper doesn't work, don't start using another one right away. Let your lips rest and try another product the next day.
- Use a natural lip balm made from peppermint, spearmint, or peppermint. Mint helps promote circulation in the lip area, making them appear plumper. Cinnamon-based conditioners might work too.
- Since every person is different, every single method doesn't necessarily give you results.
- Essential oils can be found in herbalist's shops, online and in some art supplies stores. Do not buy essences: besides not being natural, they are different from essential oils.
- Do not replace essential oils with candle essences or soaps. These are different products that should not be applied to the lips.
- Some people find that even massaging their lips for 20-30 seconds helps make them visibly fuller.
- Do not replace essential oils with extracts. In addition to being a different product, an extract may not offer the same plumping effect.
- Some methods may take a few tries before giving first results.
- Be realistic. Some homemade natural and plumping remedies do not give the same results as a surgery or a purchased plumping product. They also don't offer a permanent result.
