The desire for full lips is not anything new. From classic bombshells like Brigette Bardot and Sophia Loren to today’s starlets such as Margot Robbie, Angelina Jolie and Rihanna luscious, kissable lips is a trend that never goes out of style. Kylie Jenner has made lip augmentation a hot topic with countless selfie pouts and millions of Instagram followers. Social media is always buzzing with debates over models with fuller lips. How full is too full? When does it start looking fake?

Why such an obsession with a perfect pout? We spoke to Dr. John Zannis board certified plastic surgeon in New Bern North Carolina, to get to the bottom of why now, more than ever the lips are a facial focal point and what women can do to achieve the look.

People see Kylie Jenner’s Instagram and think they’ll just get lip injections too.

“The more that celebrities admit to having lip injections and the more attention this particular procedure gets in the media, the more accessible it becomes. The danger is that the procedure is complicated. Not just anyone can do a lip augmentation,” explains Dr. Zannis.

There are ways to work with what you got. Dr. Zannis explains that the key is to strive for facial symmetry. “If you use lip liners, glosses, and other cosmetics to create a fuller look consider your other features and natural lip shape.”

4 Tips for Luscious Lips

1. Use matte liquid lipstick.

Liquid lipstick is popular because it’s easy! It goes on like a lipgloss but dries matte on your lips like a lipstick and is nearly impossible to smear or take off without makeup remover. Liquid lipstick ideal for creating a bombshell look for a night out or special occasion where you want the lipstick to stay put for a long time.

You can use it to make your lips appear fuller, shapely and defined, depending on what your “perfect look” entails. Try one of the best-reviewed brands like LA Splash Cosmetics or Kat Von D.

2. Go for lip fillers.

Dr. John Zannis who works with fillers explains that lip fillers are a great option if you want to alter the shape and volume of your lips semi-permanently.

“They mostly contain hyaluronic acid, which can be injected safely in multiple sessions. The amount is easy to control by a skilled cosmetic surgeon or licensed professional, which allows you to achieve your goal gradually. The effects last around six months, at which point you may do another round of injections.”

He goes on to say that achieving a natural look is the goal and that over-filled cartoon mouths look distorted.

3. Try some cool contouring techniques.

Contouring is another awesome makeup trick to achieve a fuller look. It involves using lighter and darker shades of makeup to play up your features and give you a more defined, chiseled look. The great part is you probably have all you need in your makeup bag already (Tutorial coming soon).

4. Use a lip plumper.

Lip plumpers are great in that they are easy to use, are non-invasive, work fast and are affordable. They’re typically infused with lip-tingling ingredients like cinnamon, pepper, and peppermint which leads to an instant yet slight swelling.

Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme is a popular choice amongst make-up artists and beauty industry pros. When used both morning and night the difference is noticeable fast!

Clearly, there are many options to achieve your “perfect” pout. Experiment!