From using lip-liners, signing up for surgical procedures and employing natural remedies, here’s a roundup on the best ways to plump up your lips for that perfect pucker.

Many of us have sighed enviously at Angelina Jolie’s pout. Not to mention how Priyanka Chopra’s lips were made for lipstick. In a stark contrast, many of us lesser mortals are reduced to faking that pout so that we may stand out in that group selfie. (Also, considerable time is spent practising it in the mirror). Fuller lips top many girl’s wish list (and every man’s). Blame it on the selfie obsession, or garnering those 1000 likes on social media, but lips are the new eyes. While we agree that a few lucky ladies are blessed with that perfect Cupid’s bow, help is at hand for those who are not.Ranging from simple DIY options, to more long lasting cosmetic ones, there are plenty of ways to owning that luscious pair of lips.

DRAW THE LINE

An easy way to enhance one’s lips is to trace within, outside or along the natural lip line. For instance, to create the illusion of a larger upper lip, draw a line slightly above the top lip and exaggerate the Cupid’s bow. The key, however, is do this in a way that your mouth looks natural.Makeup veteran Cherag Bambboat, founder, Magic Makeovers, suggests creating a 3D or ombre lip effect to make lips look plumper. “Start by gently scrubbing the lips with a toothbrush to get rid of dead cells and dryness.Powder the area around the lips to create an even canvas and prevent bleeding. Pick a lip pencil in a shade or two darker than the natural lip colour for the corners and soften the centre with a lighter hue. Blend the colour outwards from the centre using a lip brush.The gradual saturation of colour from light to dark will create an illusion of fullness,” he says.

GIVE ME THE GLOSS

A hint of shimmery gloss at the centre of your upper and lower lips will plump your pout in an instant.But even better than glosses are lip plumpers that would make even Megan Fox turn green with envy. Infused with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, cinnamon and peppermint, these magic wands boost the lip’s natural production of collagen, stimulate blood circulation and give the lips an instant plumping effect.

Note: Most lip plumpers come with a sensation that can go from warm, burning to cool, tingling, so choose your product wisely. Just for the monsoons, it’s always better to play safe and stick to a gooey lip shine that’s long-lasting and is smudge proof.

CONTOUR IT!

“Contouring isn’t just for the face.

With this technique, you can create a faux shadow to make your pout look fuller,” says bridal makeup artist and beauty blogger Akriti Sachdev, founder, Mesmereyes Makeup.

“Ombre lips the rage this season. Once you’ve created them, dab some contour powder on the Cupid’s bow for that wow-worthy pout,” she advises.Kanishka Ramchandani, beauty blogger, recommends doing a perfectly accentuated and petite `Clara Bow’ by contouring the lips with nude pencil or concealer pen.”Blend it out for an ombre effect, overdraw the lips with a lip liner to create a heart-shaped pout and fill it in; top with a nude shiny lip balm or clear gloss to add dimension. If you’re in a mood to make a bold statement, dab some gold-toned eye shadow or shimmery powder on the top of your lip colour to draw light to the centre of the lips and blend well,” she says.

FILL ‘EM UP!

While makeup is a good way to enhance the pout, not all women like to spend hours before the mirror every morning. In such cases, lip fillers are a good idea. “The most commonly used product in lip fillers is hyaluronic acid (HA), a substance that is naturally found in the skin. When injected into the desired area with precision, it gives the lips a fuller appearance. The entire process takes about half an hour and its effects last between nine months to a year, after which your lips return to their original shape. The good thing is, these fillers are non-permanent and can also be removed within a few minutes if you’re not happy with your new look,” says Dr Ashutosh Misra, plastic surgeon. While dermal fillers are temporary, fat grafting is a more permanent surgical method that involves extracting fat from one area of the body and injecting or surgically placing it into the lips. The damage for both procedures could range between Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000 depending on the measure of lip augmentation. Lasers, lip lifts and lip plants are other ways to flaunt a luscious pout.

COLOUR CODE

The lighter the colour of your lips, the bigger they’ll look. It’s as simple as that. “Always go light. A light natural shade like a nude rose or a warm peach will reflect light and create the illusion of a highlighted lip,” insists Sachdev. Before applying lip colour, create a base by filling the pout with a nude lip liner or a foundation. “While baby pink goes well for a fair skin tone, corals do wonders for a wheatish complexion. Women with a dusky skin tone can take a pick from maroon, aubergine or even bright orange,” says Bammboat.

GO NATURAL

Want to make a DIY lip plumper at home? Get your hands on essential oils like cinnamon and pepper mint. Both cinnamon and peppermint are known to stimulate lip capillaries and make them swell slightly. Add a drop of cinnamon or peppermint essential oil to your regular lip balm or petroleum jelly and apply the blend for a fuller pout. The flavours might cause a temporary tingling or burning sensation but it won’t last very long.Exercises like whistling, puckering and grinning not only help to tone up facial muscles, but they also tone the pout in a natural manner. Keep smiling.