But what if you don’t want injections? Semi-permanent make-up is one option, with Barely There Lip Blush from Debra Robson-Lawrence, a favourite with beauty insiders and actresses. Debra uses the FAME technique (Facial Aesthetic Micro Enhancement) which requires a small amount of local anaesthetic, to contour and define the lips, before adding a rosy wash of colour. It can be used to create beautiful, natural-looking full lips without the use of injections.
In addition to creating fuller lips, the technique can also be used to correct uneven lips. 'The result is extremely flattering - lips are boosted and subtly fuller, the cupid's bow is naturally defined and the effect is totally natural. You only need a quick slick of Vaseline and the colour lasts for months,' she says. (Barely There Lip Blush costs £895 www.permanent-makeup.com)
Other tricks to plump up the lips include lip plumping products, but do they really work? ‘Home plumping products create temporary swelling,’ explains Dr Susan Mayou. ‘They don’t actually put anything into the lips, so the effects will not be long lasting, but they’re good for applying before going out’.
They usually come in the form of a lip primer or lip gloss, and the secret ingredient in many lip plumping products is capsicum, the active ingredient in peppers and chillies. When applied to the lips, it causes the blood vessels to dilate, creating localised swelling, which is why it often tingles when you apply it.
. Transformulas Lip Volume, £25.50 (www.transformulas.com), is a clear, mint tasting serum gel, which when applied at least three times a day either under or over your lipstick, claims to create a more contoured, defined lip after just 30 days, as well as increasing volume.
. Skin Doctors Perfect Pout, £19.95 (available at Boots or www.skindoctors.eu), contains L’Arginine, an amino acid that works by dilating the blood vessels in the lips, in the same way as capsicum.
. DuWop Lip Venom Flash, £12.25 (available at www.qvcuk.com), tingles as soon as it is applied and has added gold or silver shimmer for an intense shine.
