While lip trends come and go, the heart shape remains a classic symbol of femininity and youth. But achieving it isn’t always straightforward, especially with so many makeup hacks and filler options out there.
That’s where this guide comes in. Whether you’re curious about makeup tricks, exploring filler options, or just want to avoid common mistakes, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know on how to get heart shaped lips.
What Are Heart-Shaped Lips?
Heart-shaped lips are defined by a pronounced cupid’s bow on the top lip and a full, rounded center on the bottom lip that tapers at the corners. This symmetrical lip shape may enhance facial aesthetics by creating a soft, heart-like contour that draws natural attention.
At its core, heart shaped lips have a very distinct appearance:
● A defined cupid’s bow at the center of the top lip that arches gently upward
● A full, rounded center on the lower lip, with the fullness tapering as it moves toward the corners
● Slightly narrower outer edges that help emphasize the center, giving the illusion of a heart
Interestingly, not everyone is born with this shape. And while there are different kinds of lips, from very thin lips to more rounded or flat types, some people come quite close to this look naturally. Others may need a little enhancement through makeup, skincare, or cosmetic procedures.
How to Get Heart Shaped Lips Naturally
If you're wondering how to get heart shaped lips naturally, the good news is that small, consistent habits can help enhance your lips’ appearance over time.
1. Exfoliate Regularly
Dry, flaky lips can dull your lip line and make any natural shape harder to see. Regular exfoliation removes that dead skin, boosts circulation, and brings out the natural contours of your lips, including your cupid’s bow.
Exfoliating increases blood flow, giving your lips a rosier tone and a slight plumping effect. Over time, this process can make your lip borders appear sharper, giving more attention to areas like the upper arch or center fullness that are key to the heart shape.
DIY Scrubs vs. Store-Bought
You don’t need to splurge. In fact, many natural lip scrubs work just as well as the fancy ones on store shelves.
● DIY option: Mix 1 tsp of sugar with ½ tsp of honey or coconut oil. Gently rub on lips for 30 seconds, then rinse.
● Store-bought option: Look for lip scrubs with fine particles (like jojoba beads or sugar), and nourishing ingredients like shea butter, vitamin E, or beeswax.
Exfoliate only 2-3 times a week. Overdoing it can irritate your lips and cause dryness.
2. Stay Hydrated (Inside & Out)
Hydration is non-negotiable when it comes to full, healthy-looking lips. Without it, your lips may crack, lose their natural shape, and appear deflated.
Drinking Water
Your lips don’t have oil glands, so they dry out easily. Drinking plenty of water helps keep them naturally plump. Go for at least 8 glasses a day.
Using Hydrating Balms
Look for lip balms that contain:
● Hyaluronic acid or glycerin (to attract moisture)
● Shea butter or beeswax (to lock it in)
● SPF (to protect from sun damage; more on that shortly)
Avoid balms with menthol or camphor, which can dry out lips over time.
3. Use Natural Oils
Natural oils are gentle, effective, and a great way to nourish your lips without synthetic additives.
Some of the best oils for lip health include:
● Coconut oil - deeply moisturizing and anti-inflammatory
● Jojoba oil - similar to your skin’s natural oils and easily absorbed
● Castor oil - helps lock in hydration and can give lips a soft shine
Massage a small amount into your lips at night. Over time, this helps keep your lips soft, supple, and naturally plump, making the center fullness (key to a heart shape) more noticeable.
4. Avoid Smoking and Sun Damage
If you're working toward more defined, balanced lips, smoking and sun exposure are your biggest natural enemies.
Protecting Collagen and Symmetry
According to studies published in the National Library of Medicine, Smoking can speed up collagen breakdown, leading to fine lines around the mouth and flattening the natural cupid’s bow.
It also causes uneven lip tone and elasticity loss; two things that make shaping lips naturally much harder.
Sun damage is just as sneaky. Additional studies published on Science Direct show that UV rays break down collagen, too, and can dry out lips. Use a lip balm with SPF 15 or higher, especially if you're outdoors regularly.
Avoiding these two factors goes a long way in preserving your lip shape and maintaining youthful definition.
5. Practice Lip Exercises
Studies published by the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research show that lip exercises can boost blood flow, giving lips a more natural color, while gently toning the muscles around the mouth for subtle, lasting improvements.
Targeted Stretches to Lift the Cupid’s Bow
Here are two simple exercises to try:
1. Whistle Hold - Purse your lips like you’re about to whistle. Hold for 10-15 seconds, relax, and repeat 5-10 times.
2. Smile Resistance - Press your lips together tightly, then smile without opening your mouth. Hold for 10 seconds, rest, and repeat.
These moves help strengthen muscles around the lips, especially the area just above the cupid’s bow, which can create a slightly lifted appearance.
Aim to do these exercises 4-5 days a week.
How to Get Heart Shaped Lips with Makeup
Not ready for injections? Makeup can help you fake natural heart shaped lips in minutes. With the right prep and a few tricks, you can reshape your lips with no needles.
So, here’s how to get heart shaped lips with makeup:
1. Start with a Smooth Base
A clean canvas helps lipstick stay on and look better.
● Gently exfoliate (a scrub or warm washcloth works).
● Apply lip balm, let it sit, then blot.
● Dab on a little concealer or foundation; this acts like a primer and lets you subtly overdraw later.
2. Define the Cupid’s Bow
Want to know what are cupid lips? They’re all about that soft “M” shape on your top lip.
● Use a sharp lip liner one shade darker than your lipstick.
● Draw two soft peaks on the top lip of your cupid’s bow.
● Slightly round out the center of the bottom lip for balance. (Helpful if your top lip bigger than bottom lip.)
● Taper the corners for that heart-like outline.
3. Pick the Right Lipstick
Your formula affects the final look:
● Matte lipsticks give crisp, clean edges; great for sculpting.
● Satin or cream finishes look more like natural lip injections and are easier to blend.
4. Apply with Care
Using the liner as a guide:
● Fill in the cupid’s bow first.
● Add more color to the bottom lip’s center, it makes it appear fuller.
● Blend outward with a brush if needed. Stay close to your natural lip line for realism.
5. Highlight and Contour for Shape
This step adds real depth:
● Highlight the cupid’s bow and the center of your bottom lip with shimmer or gloss.
● Contour just below the bottom lip using a bit of concealer or powder to boost that pout.
● Clean up edges with a flat brush and more concealer.
6. Add Gloss for a Finishing Touch
A touch of gloss brings the look to life:
● Dab it on the center of both lips.
● Avoid the corners to keep the heart illusion sharp and focused.
Want to know what type of lips do I have or how your lip shapes compare? Whether you’ve got very thin lips or a naturally fuller pout, makeup helps customize the look.
For longer-lasting results, explore good lip injections, but if you want a temporary glow-up, this technique is your go-to.
How to Get Heart Shaped Lips Using Lip Fillers
While makeup offers a temporary way to sculpt the illusion of heart-shaped lips, lip fillers provide a longer-lasting and more defined result. Depending on your natural lip types, some shapes may be easier to adjust than others.
If your natural lip shape is far from the classic heart silhouette, or you simply want a more pronounced look, dermal fillers can help you achieve your desired shape with precision.
Let’s break down exactly how to get heart shaped lips using lip fillers.
How Lip Fillers Can Reshape Your Lips
Here’s how to get heart shaped lips with lip fillers:
● Highlighting the Cupid’s Bow: A little filler added near the peaks of your upper lip can make that natural “M” shape stand out more, but in a subtle way. It adds definition without making your lips look too sharp or overdone.
● Plumping the Bottom Center: A tiny bit of filler in the middle of your lower lip adds volume right where it counts. This gives the bottom part of the heart its full, rounded shape.
● Keeping the Edges Slim: One trick to getting the heart shape just right is not adding too much filler to the sides. Filling out the edges too much can make your lips look wide and take away from that cute center-focused shape.
When done by someone who knows what they’re doing, these small changes can completely shift your lip shape, keeping it natural, balanced, and softly sculpted.
Are Fillers Right for You?
While lip fillers can produce beautiful results, they’re not for everyone. Here’s what to consider before booking that appointment:
You’re an ideal candidate if you:
● Have a relatively symmetrical lip structure.
● Want subtle to moderate volume enhancement.
● Have a defined cupid’s bow that just needs more emphasis.
● Are okay with maintenance (fillers aren't permanent).
Note that:
● Fillers can enhance, but they can’t completely recreate lips from scratch.
● Everyone’s anatomy is different, and some lips may not take on the classic heart shape perfectly, even with expert work.
That’s why a realistic discussion with your provider is so important.
Working with a Qualified Injector
This step cannot be stressed enough: the results you get depend heavily on who performs the procedure.
Tips for choosing the right provider:
● Look for a board-certified medical professional with experience in lip augmentation.
● Ask to see before-and-after photos specifically for heart-shaped lips.
During your consultation:
● Bring reference photos.
● Ask what type of filler they recommend (most use hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvederm or Restylane).
● Discuss possible side effects.
Cost
● Lip filler prices vary by region and provider, but expect to pay $400 to $800 per syringe, with most people needing one syringe or slightly less.
● Maintenance treatments (every 6-12 months) will add to your long-term investment.
Aftercare tips
● Avoid alcohol, strenuous or high intensity workouts, and salty foods for 24-48 hours.
● Ice the lips lightly if needed.
● Don’t massage or press on the lips unless your injector tells you to.
● Stay hydrated
Healing is quick for most, but results settle fully after 1-2 weeks.
Temporary vs Long-Term Results
Lip fillers are not permanent, but that can be a good thing because It gives you the option to adjust or enhance your lip shape over time.
How long do results last?
● Most hyaluronic acid fillers last 6 to 12 months, depending on how fast your body metabolizes them.
● Maintenance appointments are usually needed once or twice a year.
Pro tip: Combine with makeup.
● Even with filler, you can enhance your results further using the makeup techniques we covered earlier.
● The filler provides the volume and structure; makeup fine-tunes the definition and polish.
Using both injectables and cosmetics, can help you maintain a consistently soft, romantic, heart-shaped look.
When to Schedule Touch‑Ups
Fillers naturally diminish over time, so knowing what to expect makes it easier to plan when a touch-up might be required.
● Watch for subtle changes like a softer cupid’s bow, reduced fullness in the center, or lips that no longer match your original photos. These signs may indicate it’s time to book another session.
● For natural-looking results, touch-ups every 9-12 months are common.
● To maintain a more noticeable heart look, consider touch-ups every 6–9 months.
● Fine-tuning vs. full redo: Your injector may only need a small “top-up” instead of a full syringe to restore shape, depending on what your lips look like as they fade.
Start Your Journey to Getting Heart-Shaped Lip
Getting heart-shaped lips doesn’t have to be a big deal. Whether you’re going for a soft makeup vibe or thinking about fillers, there are simple ways to shape your lips just the way you like.
Start by getting to know your natural lip shape, then try some easy makeup tricks like defining your cupid’s bow and adding a bit of gloss in the center.
If you want longer-lasting results, fillers can help bring out that heart shape but the key is smart placement and a balanced look.
Don’t forget, how you care for your lips matters just as much as the treatment itself. At the end of the day, it’s not about perfection, it’s about finding a look that makes you feel confident and beautiful.
Want Heart-Shaped Lips? Start with the Right Tools
Now that you know how to get heart shaped lips, from DIY makeup hacks to expert-level filler strategies, you’re just one decision away from enhancing your look with confidence. If you're exploring natural lip injections, a skilled provider will tell you that the right cannula makes all the difference.
The Diaminy 27G Micro Cannula is built for precision, comfort, and safety. Its blunt tip design reduces bruising, while the injection mark and scale make filler placement more exact. Want better results, assess whether your select practitioner is using quality equipment
