My aunt taught me this 1 hack that makes thin lips look plump in just 2 mins with 0 work. Here’s how it works

Growing up, I always admired my aunt’s beauty tricks. She seemed to have a solution for every little beauty woe, and her methods were always simple yet effective. One afternoon, as we sat in her cozy living room, she noticed my frustration with my thin lips. With a knowing smile, she shared a hack that would change the way I approached lip makeup forever.In just two minutes, using only two products, my aunt showed me how to make my lips look naturally fuller without the need for expensive lip plumping serums or invasive fillers. The best part? It required no complex techniques or special skills, just a little bit of clever application. Here’s how this ingenious trick works.1. The Surprisingly Simple Lip Hack My Aunt Swears ByThe secret to plump-looking lips lies in the art of illusion. My aunt’s method involves creating a subtle shadow and highlight effect that tricks the eye into seeing more volume. By using a slightly darker lip liner and a highlighter, you can mimic the natural contours and fullness of plumper lips.Begin by selecting a lip liner that is just one to two shades darker than your natural lip color. This will be used to create a soft shadow around the edges of your lips, enhancing their shape. Next, choose a highlighter that complements your skin tone. This will be applied to the center of your lips to catch the light, giving the illusion of more volume.2. Why Thin Lips Look Even Thinner With Most Lip ProductsMany traditional lip products, like matte lipsticks or dark shades, can actually make thin lips appear even smaller. This is because they often lack the dimension needed to enhance lip shape. Matte formulas absorb light, which can make lips look flat, while darker shades can create a harsh outline.Glossy or shimmery lip products, on the other hand, reflect light and can help lips appear fuller. However, without the right technique, even these can look overdone or unnatural. That’s why my aunt’s method of using shadows and highlights is so effective; it adds dimension without relying on heavy or overly shiny products.3. The Only Two Items You Need For This 2-Minute TrickAll you need for this simple hack is a lip liner and a highlighter. When choosing a lip liner, opt for one that is a shade or two darker than your natural lip color to create a subtle shadow effect. A creamy texture makes blending easier and ensures a soft finish.For the highlighter, look for a product that has a soft shimmer rather than a glittery finish. A subtle sheen is key to creating a natural-looking highlight. Stick or liquid highlighters work well for this purpose as they can be easily applied and blended into the lips.4. Step 1: Create a Soft Shadow That Fakes Natural FullnessStart by gently outlining your lips with the darker lip liner, staying just outside your natural lip line. This creates a shadow and defines the shape of your lips. Be careful not to overline too much, as this can look unnatural.Once the outline is complete, lightly fill in the corners of your lips with the liner. This adds depth and enhances the shadow effect. Blend the liner slightly with a lip brush or your fingertip to soften the edges and ensure there are no harsh lines.5. Step 2: Add Strategic Light to the Center of Your LipsNext, apply the highlighter to the center of your top and bottom lips. This should be done sparingly, as too much highlighter can overpower the look. Dab the highlighter gently and blend it with your fingertip or a small brush.By placing the highlighter in the center, you’re drawing attention to the fullest part of your lips, which enhances the plumping effect. The key is to create a subtle contrast between the highlighted center and the softly shaded edges.6. The 2-Minute Routine: Exact Order, Motions, And TimingTo achieve the best results, begin by applying the lip liner to create the shadow. This should take no more than a minute, as you’re simply outlining and blending the edges. Follow immediately with the highlighter application, which should take another minute.Use gentle dabbing and blending motions to ensure that both products are seamlessly integrated into your natural lip color. This quick routine can easily be incorporated into your daily makeup routine, taking just two minutes to complete.7. The Color Rule That Instantly Makes Lips Look PlumperWhen selecting lip colors to enhance fullness, choose hues that are close to your natural lip color but with a hint of warmth or brightness. Warm pinks, soft corals, and rose shades are excellent choices as they add a touch of vibrancy without overpowering the natural look.Avoid overly dark or bold colors, as they can make lips look smaller by creating a stark contrast. Instead, stick to shades that complement your natural lip tone, enhancing the overall plumping effect of the hack.8. Common Mistakes That Make Thin Lips Look SmallerOne common mistake is overlining the lips too much. While a slight overline can enhance fullness, going too far can look unnatural and draw unwanted attention to the lips.Another mistake is using too much product. Heavy application of both liner and highlighter can lead to a cakey appearance. Stick to a light hand and blend well to maintain a natural look. Lastly, neglecting to blend the edges of the liner can result in harsh lines that make lips look drawn on rather than naturally full.9. How to Make the Plump Effect Last All Day With Zero EffortTo ensure your plumped lips last all day, start with a lip primer or a dab of foundation on your lips before applying the liner and highlighter. This provides a smooth base and helps the products adhere longer.Additionally, setting your lips with a translucent powder can lock in the color and prevent smudging. Simply dust a small amount of powder over your lips with a fluffy brush, and you’re good to go for hours.10. Quick Tweaks for Different Lip Shapes and Skin TonesFor those with naturally smaller top lips, focus more on creating a shadow along the upper lip line to balance the proportions. If you have fuller lips but want to enhance the shape, concentrate the highlighter more on the cupid’s bow and center of the bottom lip.Adjust the shade of the lip liner and highlighter based on your skin tone. For fair skin, soft pinks and peaches work well, while medium to deep skin tones can opt for richer nudes and bronzed highlighters for a more natural effect.11. What This Hack Can—and Can’t—Do Compared to FillersWhile this hack is excellent for creating the illusion of fuller lips, it’s important to note that it can’t physically increase lip volume like fillers can. This method is non-invasive and perfect for those looking for a temporary, makeup-based solution.Unlike fillers, which require a professional and can be costly, this hack is accessible, quick, and reversible. It offers a no-commitment way to enhance your lips daily, giving you the flexibility to switch up your look without long-term effects.