I got the €175 lip flip – here's exactly what I thought

As the desire for filler wanes, yet plump lips remain desirable, lip flips have found themselves at the centre of the zeitgeist. Here’s what that means

A before-and-after of the author's 'lip-flip' treatment.

With celebrities like Kylie Jenner and Molly Mae-Hague removing their filler, not to mention the horror stories one hears about obtaining injectables from less-than-reputable institutions, the desire for a plump pout sans filler has never been higher. 

But, how can that be achieved? Is a lip flip the answer?

Everything you need to know

So what is a lip flip? 

The treatment involves four injections of Botox (aka botulinum toxin type A) or similar med-grade alternatives administered into the top lip. 

This allows muscles to relax and give the effect of a fuller pout. In essence, a lip flip is a procedure that shortens the space between the mouth and the top of the nose, making your top lip appear fuller.

It concerns the muscles around the mouth and is created by injecting the toxin at four points at the vermillion border at the Cupid’s bow. 

This relaxes the orbicularis oris, a circular muscle that surrounds the mouth, and prevents the top lip from curling inward when you smile.

I got mine done in SISU’s South Anne Street clinic, where Dr Sofia warned me of the downsides: drinking through a straw may be difficult for the first few days (I didn’t find this), and if done improperly, it can interfere with a patient’s smile and even speech (this didn’t happen, either).

But, even if those did happen, because of the small dose, it wears off pretty quickly; usually between four to six weeks.

The procedure, for me, took two minutes — with no downtime — and kicked in after about five days.

The first few days I noticed nothing, and then I woke up one day to a subtly juicier and more defined top lip. Though you might not notice anything at first glance, I did see a real difference when smiling and wearing lip liner or gloss.

I went to my review two weeks later and Dr Oisín was happy with my result, noticing a much fuller top lip when I smiled.

• Price: A lip flip at SISU is €175.

Would I do it again?

Definitely.

Can you achieve the look without needles?

For those looking to forgo needles who still want to create the illusion of a more voluminous surface, there are a couple of options.

Massage is a great initial, zero-money step. 

Stimulate the lips by pinching and slapping — this instantly creates circulation and makes the lips plump up on their own, while also improving their colour.

CeraVe Advanced Repair Ointment

Hydration, above all else, is key when it comes to lips. And one of my most used lip products this year has actually not been a lip product at all. 

It’s CeraVe’s Advanced Repair Ointment (€12.40, Boots) which I lather on my lips nightly.

Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk Big Lip Plumpgasm

Products such as exfoliators, masks, balms, and topical treatments can also work their own kind of magic. 

Try out Rimmel’s OH MY GLOSS! Lip Oil (€10.49, pharmacies nationwide), Too Faced’s Lip Injection Maximum Plump Extra Strength Lip Plumper (€26, Boots) or Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk Big Lip Plumpgasm (€36, charlottetilbury.com).

Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme Plumping Lip Gloss (€22, Brown Thomas)

The OG amongst my friends was the Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme Plumping Lip Gloss (€22, Brown Thomas) which is not for the faint of heart — and something you categorically don’t use if you have broken lip skin or blemishes — but it does indeed give you the lips of your dreams.

To exfoliate on a budget, makeup artists recommend either making your own natural lip scrub with sugar and coconut oil, or lightly buffing your lips with a toothbrush/towel.

The upper lip is dynamic and easily wrinkles over time. So the best port of call for those looking to hold off from needles is a hydrating face oil with vitamin C, like IMAGE Skincare’s VITAL C Hydrating Facial Oil (€61, imageskincare.ie).