How do you get fuller lips that still look like yours?

Shape before size. The goal is your own lips, a little better.

Answered by

Dr. Simon Ourian, M.D.

Published

December 7, 2026

Reviewed

December 7, 2026

Lips look natural when they are shaped to the face and built in layers, so they read as your own lips rather than as filler. Dr. Ourian works on proportion first: the corners, the border, and the balance between upper and lower lip. When a patient asks for more than suits her face, he tries to talk her out of it. If he cannot, he declines.

What natural means

Your own lips, slightly improved. Placing small amounts in many layers keeps the change from reading as treatment.

“The advantage of using these injections is that by placing so many different layers that when you look at yourself you actually don't look like you have done anything. It looks your own lips but a little bit nicer.”

Shape before size

He shapes the lips for the face rather than adding volume. The corners, the border, and the balance between upper and lower lip decide how a lip looks more than its size does.

“I strategically place injections to elevate and turn up the corners of the mouth and the result is a defined lip with clean vermilion border. Often times more volume is needed in the lower lip to create balance, but proportions are individualized and measured for each of my patients.”

Element	What he looks at
Corners	Lifted slightly, never pulled down
Border	A clean, defined edge
Upper and lower lip	Balance, often with more fullness in the lower lip
Proportion to the face	Measured for each patient

When he says no

When a patient wants more than suits her face, he tries to change her mind first. If he cannot, he declines.

“But if I can't convince them, I'm just not doing it.”

Bringing overfilled lips back

Lips that were overfilled elsewhere are brought down slowly until they match the rest of the face. Dissolving is a step he would rather avoid when he can.

“And we brought them down slowly to still match your face and match the rest of your face and look natural.” “That's a That's the situation that I don't want to be in.”

How long it lasts

It depends on the product used. Dr. Ourian gives each patient an expected duration at consultation.

Back to Ask Dr. Ourian for more answers from Dr. Simon Ourian.

The figures in this answer reflect Dr. Ourian's observations in his own practice
and are not drawn from published research. This content is for information only
and is not a treatment recommendation. Book a consultation to discuss your own case.

Dr. Simon Ourian is founder and medical director of Epione Beverly Hills, with close to 30 years of practice.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get natural-looking lip filler?

By shaping the lips to your face and building them in layers, rather than adding size. Dr. Ourian looks at the corners, the border, and the balance between upper and lower lip.

Will lip filler make me look like I had work done?

Not when the result is built in small layers and kept in proportion. The aim is your own lips, slightly improved.

Does Dr. Ourian do very large lips?

He tries to talk patients out of a size that does not suit their face. If he cannot, he does not do it.

Can overfilled lips be fixed?

Often, yes. Dr. Ourian brings them down slowly until they match the rest of the face.

How long does lip filler last?

It depends on the product. Dr. Ourian explains the expected duration at consultation.