Thin lips are chic, elegant and very much a thing, but makeup is supposed to be fun, and sometimes it's nice to play around with shape and definition. So, if you're feeling experimental – or the mood calls for a slightly fuller, pillowy-looking pout – there's a quick and clever trick that can deliver in about a minute.
Enter: lip contouring. No fuss, no needles, just clever makeup placement.
The technique is often credited to celebrity makeup artist Nina Park, who has worked on famous faces including Zoë Kravitz, Brie Larson, and Sadie Sink. And she knows exactly how to use subtle shadow to sculpt the lips. Much like cheek contouring, the principle is simple: create depth in strategic places, and the centre of the lips will appear naturally fuller.
The key tool is a cool-toned lip liner, ideally one or two shades deeper than your natural lip colour. Cool tones mimic the way natural shadows fall on the face, which is what makes the effect look believable rather than obviously drawn on.
A number of makeup artists and content creators have recreated the technique. See some of our favourite tutorials below:
Start at the cupid's bow and outline just slightly outside your natural lip line. Focus particularly on the centre of the top and bottom lip, where fullness naturally sits. But remember: The trick is to keep it minimal! We're aiming for a soft, blurred finish that mimics natural shadows. Go too heavy, and things can quickly veer into full circus-lip territory.
Next, add a little shading to the outer corners of the lips with the same liner. This creates depth at the edges, which makes the middle of the lips appear rounder and more plump by comparison. Gently blend the liner inward with a fingertip or lip brush so the edges look diffused.
Finally, tap a lighter lipstick or gloss into the centre of the lips. The contrast between the deeper contour and the lighter middle is what creates that softly plumped, cushiony effect.
The result is a subtle yet polished illusion that takes roughly the same amount of time as making your morning coffee – proof that sometimes the smallest makeup tricks have the biggest payoff!
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Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK, with over four years of experience reporting across the brand's print, social, video and digital platforms. Lia covers everything from emerging trend analysis to viral celebrity hair and makeup moments, making her an expert at spotting the season’s next big beauty look (before it takes over social media feeds).
In 2025, she was named The Rising Media Star at the Love Perfume Awards with The Perfume Shop, recognised for her outstanding digital fragrance content and for building genuine authority within the space. She is passionate about challenging outdated beauty stereotypes, championing inclusive representation in beauty, and educating readers on the trends, products and conversations shaping the industry today. Follow her on Instagram or find her on LinkedIn.
