How to Make Your Lips Look Plumper Without Makeup

Co-authored by Shun Pittman

Last Updated: September 5, 2022 References

If you prefer a natural look but want your lips to look plumper, you may be wondering what you can do to achieve a fuller appearance without using makeup. Fortunately, there are lots of ways to get plump lips naturally and without makeup. You don't even need surgery or injections. All it takes is a few simple items from your kitchen or bathroom, such as ground cinnamon, olive oil, or a toothbrush.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Exfoliating Your Lips

1
Apply some lip balm or petroleum jelly to your lips. Choose something that is natural and extra moisturizing.
2
Wait 10 minutes. During this time, the lip balm will absorb into your lips, and fill out any fine lines or wrinkles. This will help your lips appear fuller.

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3
Scrub your lips with a toothbrush using small, circular motions for 1 minute. The scrubbing will help boost circulation to your lips, making them appear fuller and pinker.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Expert Interview. 14 April 2021.} It will also get rid of any flakes, and help your lips reflect more light; this will also give the illusion of plumper lips. ^{[2]
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Research source}^{[3]
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Research source}
- To make the exfoliation even more effective, apply some lip balm or petroleum jelly onto the toothbrush.
4
Gently wipe off any lip balm residue. You can do this using a tissue or a damp towel.
5
Follow up with your favorite lip balm or lip stain, if desired. This is not completely necessary, but it will give some more color to your now-plump-lips, and make them stand out even more!

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Making and Using Simple Lip Plumpers

1
Find a simple solution that works for you. There are lots of ways to plump your lips, and most of them will start right in your spice cabinet! Some, however, may require a trip to the store (such as essential oil). Choose a lip plumper that works best for you, based on what you already own or what you are willing to buy. You do not have to use all of the lip plumpers in this section.
2
Try cayenne pepper, but don't use it more than 2 to 3 times a week. In a small dish, mix enough cayenne pepper and water to make a paste (about ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper and a drop or two or water). Apply the paste to your lips with your finger. Leave it on there for 10 minutes, then wash it off.
- Cayenne pepper plumps your lips by irritating them. As such, you do not want to use this too often or when your lips are already irritated or dry.
- Alternatively, you can scoop some lip gloss or lip balm onto your finger, and sprinkle cayenne pepper on top.^{[4]
  X
  Research source} Use this instead of the paste.
3
Try cinnamon essential oil. Mix 1 to 2 drops of cinnamon essential oil with about 1 teaspoon of lip balm or petroleum jelly. Apply it to your lips, wait 3 to 5 minutes, then wipe it off. Because of how intense cinnamon essential oil is, do not use this more than twice a week.
- If you'd prefer something more natural, try coconut oil, cocoa butter, or shea butter instead of petroleum jelly.
- If you have very sensitive skin, you might want to stick with just 1 drop of cinnamon essential oil, or try a different method.
- Store any leftover lip balm in a small jar or empty lip balm container. Keep it in the fridge.
4
Try peppermint essential oil if you have sensitive skin or don't like cinnamon. Mix 2 drops of peppermint oil with 1 teaspoon of lip balm or petroleum jelly. Apply it to your lips whenever you want a little plumping action.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Expert Interview. 14 April 2021.} Unlike the cinnamon version, you do not have to wipe it off, because it is less irritating.
- If you'd like something more natural, try coconut oil, cocoa butter, or shea butter instead of petroleum jelly.
- Store any leftover lip balm in a small jar or empty lip balm container. Keep it in the fridge.
5
Use ground cinnamon if you can't get any essential oil. Mix a pea-sized amount of lip balm or petroleum jelly with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon. Apply it to your lips, then wipe it off after 3 to 5 minutes.^{[6]
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- For something more natural, try coconut oil, cocoa butter, or shea butter.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Making and Using Lip Scrubs and Balms

1
Choose a scrub or lip balm best suited to your needs and what you already own. There are lots of ways to make a lip scrub or lip balm at home. Some require only a few ingredients that you likely already have at home, such as honey and sugar. Others require more specialized ingredients, such as cinnamon essential oil. Choose a scrub or balm that is most convenient for you; you do not have to make all of the scrubs and balms in this section.
2
Try a simple honey-based scrub. In a small dish, combine 2 teaspoons of honey with 1 teaspoon of sugar. Massage the scrub into your lips using small, circular motions for 1 minute. Let the scrub sit on your lips for 3 minutes, then wash it off. For extra moisture, apply some lip balm.
- The honey will help moisturize your lips and fill out any creases, while the sugar will scrub away any dead skin cells and flakes.
3
Try a simple olive oil scrub. In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of olive oil with 1 tablespoon of brown sugar.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Expert Interview. 14 April 2021.} Stir in 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Massage the scrub onto your lips, then wait 5 to 10 minutes. Wash the scrub off afterwards.
- If you can't find olive oil, or if you'd like something more moisturizing, try coconut oil instead.^{[8]
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4
Try a honey and oil scrub. In a small dish, combine 2 teaspoons of sugar with 1 teaspoon of honey. Add 1 teaspoon of almond oil and a dash of ground cinnamon.^{[9]
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Research source} Stir well, then massage the scrub onto your lips for 1 minute. Wait 3 minutes, then wash the scrub off.
- The honey and oil will help moisturize your lips, while the cinnamon will help plump them. The sugar will help scrub away any flakes.
- You don't need to use lip balm after this scrub, but you can if you want to.
- If you can't find almond oil, try coconut oil; it is also very moisturizing.
5
Treat yourself with a deluxe scrub. In a small dish, combine 1 tablespoon of brown sugar with 1 teaspoon of honey and 1 teaspoon of coconut oil or olive oil. Stir in ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, then transfer it to a jar. To use the scrub: massage a small amount onto your lips, and let it sit for 3 to 5 minutes, then wash it off.
- For extra flavor, add ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract.
- Store the jar in a cool place, and use the scrub within one week.
6
Make a lip-plumping lip balm. In a small dish, combine ½ tablespoon of melted cocoa butter with 1 tablespoon of coconut oil and 20 drops of almond oil. Add 2 drops of cayenne pepper essential oil, then pour the mixture into a small jar or empty lip balm container. Let the mixture set, then apply it to your lips.
- Peppermint essential oil or cinnamon essential oil may also work. Both have lip-plumping abilities.
- If you can't find cocoa butter, try shea butter instead.
- Melt the cocoa butter in the microwave at 15 to 30-second intervals.
7
Apply your balm to the center of your bottom lip and your cupid’s bow. No matter which type of balm you decide to make, applying it can give your lips a subtle shine. When this shine is emphasized at the center of your lower lip and at your cupid’s bow, it can create a rounded effect, making your lips look a little plumper.

Community Q&A

Question

How can I plump my lips overnight?

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Shun Pittman is a Master Cosmetologist, Author, Owner, and Founder of Corps d’Elite Salon and Corps d’Elite Beauty. With over 25 years of international experience, she is dedicated to and specializes in providing luxury salon services to all hair types and textures and every skin tone and shade. Her services include hair conditioning treatments, cutting, coloring, styling, extensions, and makeup application. Shun has experience working with, coaching, training, and mentoring beauty professionals from multiple companies including L'Oréal, Wella, Matrix, Paul Mitchell, Redken, Big Sexy Hair, and Toni & Guy. She is also a host for national and local media outlets and her work has been featured in The Washingtonian, The Cheddar Network, and WJLA Good Morning Washington's Beauty and Fashion Police segments. Shun is the author of “50 Things Your Hairdresser Wants YOU to Know (and a few things we don’t...)".

Shun Pittman

Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author

Expert Answer

Try exfoliating your lips with a scrub made from sugar, salt, and olive oil to help them look bigger.
Question

After a while, will the plumping effect become permanent?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Unfortunately, these practices will not make your lips permanently plump. Since these techniques mainly work by irritating your lips slightly, the effect will go away as the irritation fades.
Question

How long do I have to exfoliate my lips for in order to see a difference?

Community Answer

Not long, but be careful not to over-exfoliate in a desire to hurry the process up -- you may irritate your lips.