How to Get Pale Lips

Co-authored by Tymia Yvette

Last Updated: November 17, 2021 References

Keeping your lips hydrated and experimenting with different shades of "nude," pale pink, or pale peach lipstick might be enough, depending on what you're going for. If you want to have more control over the final effect, the process involves quite a few more products, and can take a bit of practice. If you like to avoid cosmetics, there are several home recipes to try, although a fine level of control is difficult to achieve with those methods.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Hydrating and Exfoliating Your Lips

1
Exfoliate your lips. For a more intense removal of dead or flaking skin, make a homemade exfoliation treatment for lips.^{[1]
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Research source} Mix together equal amounts of sugar and honey (or olive oil), then rub onto your lips in a circular motion with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Let this sit for a few minutes.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Tymia Yvette
Makeup & Lash Artist
Expert Interview. 23 April 2020.}
- Never exfoliate with an abrasive scrub.^{[3]
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  Expert Source
  
  Tymia Yvette
  Makeup & Lash Artist
  Expert Interview. 23 April 2020.}
- You can exfoliate your lips as often as once every other day.^{[4]
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  Expert Source
  
  Tymia Yvette
  Makeup & Lash Artist
  Expert Interview. 23 April 2020.}
2
Learn how to wipe your lips safely. Soak a soft cloth in lukewarm water for a minute, then gently wipe your lips. This prevents tiny tears in your lips, which can make them turn pink or sore. Follow this method whenever you are removing old lip products, or when your lips feel covered in dead skin or food.

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3
Use lip balm or petroleum jelly. Use Chapstick, Vaseline, or a similar product to keep your lips moisturized. Apply and leave in until there are no major cracks or flaking areas visible on your lips.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Tymia Yvette
Makeup & Lash Artist
Expert Interview. 23 April 2020.}
- If you plan to apply makeup, use the lip balm 1–2 hours in advance if possible, then continue on to that section.
- Drinking enough water will minimize cracks and chapping.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Creating Pale Lips with Makeup

1
Use this method sparingly. This full makeup treatment can create the most natural and customizable pale lips, but it involves putting concealer and foundation on your lips. While a base of lip balm helps keep this safer and less dehydrating, it can still cause chapping if used too often. If you want pale lips in day-to-day life, just use a "nude" or pale lipstick instead of the full bevy of products, or try a home recipe.
- To check whether a makeup product is safe for use on lips, use the EWG cosmetic ingredient database.
2
Blend concealer into your lips. For the most natural results, pick a concealer very slightly darker than your skin tone. After applying lip balm, dab the concealer in tiny amounts onto your lip, and continue to dab with your finger until it blends evenly across your lips.^{[6]
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Research source}
- Avoid rubbing the concealer on, which can make it look caked on and strange.
3
Dot on liquid foundation. Select a pale liquid foundation, or use the one you typically use for your face. Dab a raisin-sized amount onto the skin next to your lip, and blend it in. Blend a very small amount onto your lips themselves, and the rest around them.
- BB cream is more moisturizing and transparent, making it a good choice for this purpose.
4
Apply foundation to the rest of your face. Blend in the foundation by applying a pea-sized dab to each cheek, your forehead, and your chin. Brush this with your fingertips toward the sides of your face, until it is blended in and your skin is an even tone.^{[7]
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Research source}
5
Apply lipstick or lip gloss (optional). Take a look in the mirror under white light, and decide whether you want a more striking, paler look. If you're satisfied with the current look, skip ahead to the powder step. Otherwise, put on a "nude," pale pink, or pale peach lipstick (or lip gloss for a glossier look) over the other products.
- You can use bright white lipstick instead, but be aware that this will look unnatural.
6
Powder your lips through a tissue. Cover your lips with a tissue, then brush on a powder makeup through the tissue. This sets the makeup beneath, making it stay on longer, and adds a matte appearance.^{[8]
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Research source}
- If you prefer a glossy look, apply an additional tiny dab of lip gloss on over the powder.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Using Home Recipes

1
Make your own pale lip treatment. There are quite a few home recipes people use to give themselves pale lips. These are generally safer and less dehydrating than cosmetic products, although they may not last as long or allow fine control. Try applying one of the following to your lips, rinsing off after 20 minutes, or leaving them on for a less subtle effect:^{[9]
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Research source}
- Rice flour mixed with just enough water to make a thick paste
- One part all-purpose flour mixed with two parts water
- Crushed rose petals in milk
2
Create tinted lip balm. Mix white flour with Vaseline to create your own tinted lip balm. This will keep your lips hydrated and make them appear paler at the same time.
3
Brush on lemon juice. Use a cotton swab to wipe a couple drops of lemon juice across your lips, removing dark, dead skin and perhaps making your lips slightly paler.^{[10]
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Research source} Wash this off and moisturize after a few minutes, as the lemon juice can cause chapping if left on too long.
- If you have chapped lips, dilute the lemon juice with lukewarm water to avoid hurting yourself.
4
Use a cold spoon. For short-term solutions, stick a spoon in the refrigerator until it feels cold to the touch. Take it out and press it against your lips until it warms up. For a short time, your lips will look paler due to the reduced blood flow. This may only last a few minutes in warm weather.

Expert Q&A

Question

How often can I exfoliate my lips?

Tymia Yvette
Makeup & Lash Artist
Tymia Yvette is a Makeup and Lash Artist and the founder of Tymia Yvette Beauty LLC, a makeup artistry and lash extension company focused on customized beauty services based in Baltimore, Maryland. Trained by MAC Cosmetics, Tymia's work has been featured in the Bravo A-List Awards 2008, the BET Honors Award Show in 2011, 2012, and 2013, the Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week 2011, 2012, and 2013, and the White House Correspondent's Dinner in 2014. She has also provided makeup and lash services for the Betsy Royal Casting Agency and the Baltimore Raven's cheerleading squad from 2010 to 2012. Her clients include Terrence Howard, Torrey Smith, Lester Holt, Adrienne Lofton, and Natasha Hastings. She has been awarded WeddingWire's Couple's Choice Award in 2017, 2018, and 2019.

Tymia Yvette

Makeup & Lash Artist

Expert Answer

I wouldn't recommend exfoliating your lips more than once every other day. Also, make sure that you don't use any abrasive scrubs!
Question

Why is it so hard to make my lips pale?

Tymia Yvette
Makeup & Lash Artist
Tymia Yvette is a Makeup and Lash Artist and the founder of Tymia Yvette Beauty LLC, a makeup artistry and lash extension company focused on customized beauty services based in Baltimore, Maryland. Trained by MAC Cosmetics, Tymia's work has been featured in the Bravo A-List Awards 2008, the BET Honors Award Show in 2011, 2012, and 2013, the Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week 2011, 2012, and 2013, and the White House Correspondent's Dinner in 2014. She has also provided makeup and lash services for the Betsy Royal Casting Agency and the Baltimore Raven's cheerleading squad from 2010 to 2012. Her clients include Terrence Howard, Torrey Smith, Lester Holt, Adrienne Lofton, and Natasha Hastings. She has been awarded WeddingWire's Couple's Choice Award in 2017, 2018, and 2019.

Tymia Yvette

Makeup & Lash Artist

Expert Answer

You may be doing a good job at making them pale and it's just the contrast between your skin and the lips. It can be really hard to accurately identify your complexion, and that's the most essential component when it comes to choosing makeup for your lips. There should be a "skin-tone" shade of lipstick that matches your complexion; once you find that, use it as the base and build the color up from there.
Question

I have black lips and want to get it white, but don't want to use products that damage my lips. What should I do?

Angel OnFire

Community Answer

Use a light concealer to get them light and apply a nude lipstick.

Things You'll Need

lip balm
sugar
honey or olive oil
cloth
lukewarm water

Makeup method:

concealer
liquid foundation
lipstick or lip gloss (optional)
makeup powder

Home recipes:

rice flour or all-purpose flour
water
rose petals & milk (optional)
lemon juice
a spoon
a refrigerator

Warnings

Certain foods and cosmetics will darken your lips and require you to exfoliate them again, even if you are not currently wearing pale lips. These include dark lipstick, coffee, red wine, and beets. You can drink staining drinks through a straw to avoid this effect.

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Spicy food can make your lips red.

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