Cheat’s guide to plumper lips

How do you make lips look plumper naturally?

Apply lip crayon as a base, then top the centres with light-reflecting gloss. Crayon a shade lighter than the gloss gives a full 3D effect.

Think gloss, not matt

Whereas flat matt lipsticks shrink and harden your look, a light-reflecting sheen softens and bulks. To make your gloss stay on longer, apply a firm lip salve first.

Go lighter, not darker

Mid-to-pale shades soften and ‘open out' lips. Is there one shade that flatters all? ‘It's the bitten-lip colour,' says Bourjois make-up artist Daniel Sandler. ‘Imagine crossing sheer blackcurrant with raspberry - you get the perfect deep rose colour that lips go after sex or exercise.' To fake it, try Bourjois Effet 3D lipgloss in Framboise Eccentric.

Stop colour creep

Nothing kills a look like feather lines. Use a highlighter all around the lip contours to form a creep-proof barrier and makes lips look fuller, too, then fills in with a long-lasting gloss.

Don't let lips get dry

‘Lips have fewer moisture-sealing oil glands than surrounding skin but more moisture-holding proteins, called GAGs,' explains Tony Vargas, director of skincare research and development at Elizabeth Arden. Creams that deliver moisture that GAGs can absorb, plus protective barrier oils, help lips stay softer and look fuller. Try Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Plump Perfect Lip Moisture Cream SPF30, £19.