What are M-shaped lips?
M-shaped lips have a defined Cupid’s bow and narrow sides. M-shaped lips are a common lip shape characterized by a top lip that resembles the letter “M.” The center of the lip (called the central tubercle) is fuller and more prominent than the sides of the lip (called the lateral tubercles), which are narrow and taper off into the corners of the mouth. M-shaped lips also have a defined Cupid’s bow with 2 distinct points. Celebrity examples: Anya Taylor-Joy, Lola Tung, Rami (Babymonster), Jada Pinkett Smith, Karlie Kloss Meet the wikiHow Experts Shun Pittman is a master cosmetologist with over 25 years of experience in the makeup and hair styling industry. Daniel Vann is a makeup artist and licensed aesthetician with over 15 years of experience in the industry. Yuka Arora is a makeup artist with over 5 years of experience in the industry. Charina Redugerio is a makeup artist with over 13 years of experience in the industry. Frankie Sanderson is a makeup artist and founder of TheStudeo, specializing in hairstyling, makeup, and personal image.
Makeup Tips for Fuller Lips
Exfoliate and moisturize your lips. According to master cosmetologist, global salon educator, and author Shun Pittman, exfoliating your lips with a lip scrub removes dead skin and stimulates blood circulation, both of which help to make your lips look plumper, healthier, and rosier. Licensed aesthetician Daniel Vann also recommends having a lip balm or lip oil on hand to keep your lips hydrated and plump-looking. Use a store-bought lip scrub, or make your own. Pittman says she likes to make her own lip scrub out of 2 parts sugar, 1 part salt, a little olive oil, and 1 to 2 drops of lemon juice. Gently massage it into your lips for 30 seconds and then wash it off with warm water. Aim to exfoliate your lips 1 to 2 times per week. Vann says drinking enough water also helps to keep your lips healthy and full-looking. So, make sure to get 11 to 15 cups (2.6-3.5 L) of water per day.
Slightly overline your lips with lip liner. Grab a lip liner that’s a few shades darker than the lipstick you plan on wearing. Then, makeup artist Yuka Arora says to slightly overline your Cupid’s bow and center of your bottom lip, taking the lip liner slightly past your natural lip border. Simply follow your natural lip line along the sides and outer corners of your lips. As an alternative method, Vann suggests using the lip liner to fill in your Cupid’s bow—he says this also helps your lips look fuller. Just draw a straight line between the peaks and fill in the area. For even fuller lips, makeup artist Charina Redugerio suggests applying a plumping lip balm before you line your lips. These products contain ingredients that stimulate blood flow, which can cause a temporary plumping effect.
Apply a light lipstick and a shiny lip gloss. Redugerio recommends applying a slightly lighter lipstick than the lip liner you used over the middle of your lips, as this helps make them appear larger. Then, Arora says to top the look off with shiny lip gloss. She says the gloss highlights your lips, helping them look more voluminous and plump.
Highlight your Cupid’s bow. According to makeup artist and stylist Frankie Sanderson, anything you highlight with a lighter product brings it forward in space, making that feature look bigger. So, if you want your lips to look fuller, he suggests dusting a bit of shimmery highlight across your Cupid’s bow. If you don’t want to use a shimmery product, Sanderson says to apply a bit of light concealer across your Cupid’s bow.
How to Get Fuller Lips with Filler
Research experienced filler injectors in your area. Choose an injector who has experience filling M-shaped lips and provides their patients with natural-looking results. Look through the injector’s before and after photos and check out reviews to see if patients are happy with their lips. Also, ensure that the injector is qualified to administer filler (i.e., a licensed physician or nurse), operates out of a reputable doctor’s office or med-spa, and uses FDA-approved fillers (e.g., Juvederm, Restylane). M-shaped lips can be difficult to fill, which is why it’s important to choose an experienced and knowledgeable filler. We’ll discuss why M-shaped lips are challenging to fill in the sections below.
Schedule a consultation with your filler injector. Because M-shaped lips can be difficult to fill, your injector will want to inspect your lip anatomy and go over your goals to see how best to fill them. They’ll work with you to determine which filler is best to use and how much filler they’ll inject to give you the results you want. What’s the best filler for M-shaped lips? Most injectors recommend using a hyaluronic acid filler, which includes brand names like Juvederm and Restylane. Hyaluronic acid naturally occurs in the body and adds structure to the lips, making it a great option for natural-looking results. How much filler is added to M-shaped lips? Many injectors recommend adding a small amount of filler at first, around 0.5 mL (½ syringe, or 0.5 cc), and gradually injecting more at additional appointments if you want fuller lips. This adds structure and volume while reducing the risk of overfilling and migration. Know that these are just general recommendations. Everyone’s lips are different, so your injector may suggest using a different type of filler or amount to get you the results you want.
Go over the procedure and filling technique with your injector. At your consultation or appointment, your injector will walk you through the process of filling your lips. This typically starts with applying a numbing agent. Then, the injector inserts the needle just under your skin and injects the filler around the sides of your upper lip, Cupid’s bow, and center of your bottom lip. Common injection techniques for M-shaped lips: Lateral fencing: The filler is injected in vertical lines along the sides of the upper lip. This helps add height and volume to your lips without affecting the borders of the lips or resulting in an overfilled look. It can also prevent paradoxical indentation. Lollipop technique: The filler is concentrated in one spot, like the head of a lollipop. As the injector removes the needle, they inject a bit of filler in a straight line. This is typically done above the lip border to add more definition. Cupid’s bow definition: The filler is injected vertically into the peaks of the Cupid’s bow to add definition without adding volume to the center of the lips. Border definition: The filler is injected at an angle along the borders of the lips to create more definition. There are many different types of lip filler techniques, so your injector might use a different one to give you the results you’re looking for.
Talk to your injector about the recovery process and potential risks. During your consultation or appointment, your injector will talk to you about any side effects to expect as you recover. They’ll also go over any potential side effects from receiving fillers. Side effects: Bruising, swelling, and redness. Recovery time: 1 to 7 days, but you can return to normal activities immediately. It can take several weeks to see your final results. Potential risks: Bleeding, pain, discoloration, infection, and asymmetry. M-shaped lips can also be prone to paradoxical indentation, which is when the lips turn inward instead of outward. Migration can also be an issue, says board-certified plastic surgeon Asif Pirani, MD, which is when filler travels above the upper lip and creates a shadowed or mustache-like appearance. Note: Fillers made from hyaluronic acid are dissolvable. So, if you don’t like your results or you experience any issues, your injector can reverse the injections.
Follow your injector’s aftercare advice. For the most part, aftercare simply involves applying an ice pack on your lips to help reduce swelling and bruising. Most injectors also advise against drinking alcohol, using a straw, smoking, wearing makeup, touching your lips, or exercising for 1 to 2 days after your appointment. Monitor your lips for signs of infection. Board-certified plastic surgeon Edward S. Kwak, MD, says common signs include excessive redness, swelling, pain, and warmth. How long do lip fillers last? Lip fillers are temporary and typically last for 6 to 18 months.
Why are M-shaped lips hard to fill?
The risk of paradoxical indentation can make M-shaped lips hard to fill. Paradoxical indentation is when the lips turn inwards instead of outwards at the injection site, which can make the lips look thinner. This can be more common in M-shaped lips due to the narrower sides of the upper lip compared to the full center, as well as the tendency for the lips to curl slightly inwards. Paradoxical indentation is often the result of injecting the filler too deeply into the lips and hitting the muscles. Again, this is why it’s important to go to a skilled lip injector with experience filling M-shaped lips.
Other Cosmetic Procedures for Fuller Lips
Lip flip A lip flip is a nonsurgical procedure that uses Botox (or another neurotoxin injection) to help your lips look fuller. A licensed physician or registered nurse injects the Botox into the edges and corners of your lips. This relaxes your lip muscles, which causes your lips to flip outward and appear more voluminous and plump. Duration: A lip flip is temporary and typically lasts for 2 to 5 months. Side effects: Swelling, numbness, and pain. Recovery time: 1 to 2 days, though it may take 1 week to see your full results. Risks: Fever, headache, discoloration, and tenderness. In some cases, your lip muscles may relax too much, which can lead to drooling and difficulty speaking or drinking.
Lip lift A lip lift is a surgical procedure that can help your lips appear fuller. A plastic surgeon puts you under local anesthesia and makes an incision along the base of your nose. They remove excess skin to make your philtrum shorter and lift up your lips. Then, they stitch up the incision. Duration: A lip lift is permanent. Side effects: Swelling, bruising, pain, and soreness. Recovery time: 6 to 8 weeks, though it can take up to 4 months to see your final results. Risks: Infection, nerve damage, and asymmetry. The surgery also usually leaves a faint scar.
Are M-shaped lips attractive?
Yes, many people find M-shaped lips attractive. M-shaped lips are often associated with youthfulness, fullness, and aesthetic appeal. Some people naturally have this lip shape, while others opt for lip filler or other procedures to achieve their desired look.
Final Takeaways
Don’t feel like you have to get filler or change how your lips look. If you’re happy with your lips, regardless of their shape, you don’t have to change them to fit current beauty trends. There are plenty of natural ways you can enhance your lips’ shape, like with makeup.
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