BEAUTIFUL LIPS: BIGGER IS NOT BETTER, IT’S ALL ABOUT SHAPE – THE CUPID’S BOW
New York, NY. I have been fortunate to be featured in the media for two of the most expressive features on the face over the past 2 weeks: lips and eyebrows. This week I will discuss what makes lips beautiful and what doesn’t. On May 4th, Hollywood Life revealed Megan Fox’s new lips. Way overdone, as are a number of other celebrities. While some may look good, most, unfortunately, don’t; such as Melanie Griffith, Elizabeth Hurley, Priscilla Presley and a host of others. When it comes to lips, bigger is not necessarily better. I was quoted about classic beauty when natural lips ruled. Clara Bow, Gloria Swanson, and Carol Lombard all demonstrated well formed upper lips with a cupid’s bow, the true power of beauty. Their lower lips were an appropriate 1 ½ to 2 times the size of their upper lips as it still should be for celebs and patients alike.
As we age, a number of things occur to the lips. They deflate; the cupid’s bow of the upper lip flattens and the lip loses the nice bow shape. The border of the lip loses the nice ridge that defines the lips. To properly restore lip shape, only a half cc of hyaluronic acid filler is necessary, either Restylane or Juvederm. I place the filler just like you do your lipstick. First the lip liner: filler is injected along the border of the lips to re-define the rim and restore Cupid ’s bow. Next, the lipstick to fill in the lips: the rest of the filler is placed within the substance of the lips to create fullness to create a soft, subtle pillow. For younger patients seeking bigger lips, I go up to 1 cc. This can be done tastefully with small lips and still look beautiful. The “Cupid’s Bow Lip” technique of mine for lip enhancement was featured in Vogue August 2008.
