LIPS, LIPS, LIPS!
- Elle Nicole
- Sep 17, 2014
- 2 min read
Full, luscious lips are every man's, or for that matter every woman's, dream. Women want them, and men want to kiss them (amongst other things). But, what is it about full lips that makes them so visually appealing? Well, there's actually some pretty interesting science behind it.
Research, particularly from the viewpoint of evolutionary science, found that women who have more "feminine" features such as full lips along with small chins, large eyes and high cheekbones, are perceived by men as more attractive. This is found to be true across various cultures, nationalities and ethnicities. But, it isn't just men. One study found that even infants preferred adult women with more feminine features over those with less. The study involved showing pictures of women rated as "attractive" or "less attractive" based on their possession of feminine features.
Why fuller lips?
There are three main reasons for this preference. For one, feminine features are associated with youth. So, yes, the fuller your lips are the more youthful you appear to be regardless of actual age. As if aging itself isn't harsh enough, female faces become less feminized i.e., less youthful, over time. This is due to the declining levels of estrogen along with accumulated exposure to androgens as we age.
The second reason for this preference is something folks in the science world call "reproductive value." Basically, women who possess more youthful, feminine faces are thought to be more fertile. It goes back to cave man days when humans weren't as intellectual and vocal as we are now, and we had to rely on visual cues to determine suitable partners.
Finally, full lips (and other "feminine" facial characteristics) are considered more preferable, because a youthful appearance is associated with health. In fact, research shows that women with more feminized faces tend to also have more body symmetry, and of course, body symmetry has also been associated with increased health. Bottom line: Men want healthy, fertile women.
This all tells us one thing: Lips are it. As the holiday season approaches, consider playing up your lips. Lips are literally at the intersection of sex meets style. So, it only makes sense to work with what you got. And if you don't have naturally full, plump lips. Don't worry! Try these tips.
Lip-Plumping Tricks
Bright colors - Reds, oranges and pinks stand out from your skin tone, and will automatically make your lips appear fuller.
Add shine - Anything shiny always looks bigger. If you don't believe me, stand in the mirror in all black and then stand in the same mirror with an all-sequin, red gown.
Fake it - Line lips just outside your natural lip line using a liner close to your lip shade.
For the ultimate lip experience, try Sephora's Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain in Always Red, Strawberry Kissed and Forever Fuchsia. These lip stains are hands down the best lip stains on planet Earth. They literally last forever regardless of what you put your lips on. Even more, they come in both a matte and shimmer finish. A little foundation and these lip stains, and you're out the door!
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