Lip Service: The Secret behind Kylie Jenner’s Lips, Revealed

After what feels like months of speculation and a horrific “challenge” that resulted in hundreds of photos that can only be called a massive hot mess, Kylie Jenner has finally admitted to temporary lip fillers in Sunday night’s episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians. What was previously chalked up to over-lining, usually with a deep nude shade like MAC Lip Liner in Spice, has now been confirmed straight from Kylie’s own pillowy pout, as fillers.

Lasting nearly six months, temporary hyaluronic acid fillers, like Restylane and Juvederm products, Belotero, and Prevelle Silk, are administered by a doctor and under local anesthetics. You’ll get softer, fuller lips immediately following the injfecions and these results will diminish gradually over time. Prices are based on the amount of syringes you’ll need to achieve your optimum results (typically one to two starting at $500 and up). Side effects include swelling and bruising, bleeding at the injection site, and tenderness. Some people experience more serious side effects like lumps, infections, and allergic reactions.

What also causes serious side effects? Trying to achieve the look of filler by way of the “Kylie Jenner Challenge.” This social media “trend” resulted in hundreds upon hundreds of incredibly young girls trying to achieve fuller lips sans filler by using glasses for suction, creating a swelled, larger look – and more often than not, giant red bruises and painful wounds around the circumference of their mouths. While suction tools are actually a thing that people use to get a temporarily fuller pout – types of tools include Cynthia Rowland Luscious Lips, Candy Lipz, or Fullips – they too can create that circular “hickey” around the mouth when used improperly.

Want Kylie Jenner’s pout? Reach out to a medical spa near you to set up a consultation for injections or stick to the lip liner and a little plumping gloss. My go-to for years has been the Booty Parlor Kissaholic Aphrodisiac Plumping Lip Gloss ($16) which uses ginger root oil and chili fruit extract to boost circulation and give you a subtle plump. I always dust a little nude powder over the gloss to give a more matte finish and then use whatever lipstick I’m feeling for the day. Best of all? Zero side-effects!