TikTok’s “Diamond Lips” Hack Made My Lips Naturally Fuller

TikTok's beauty enthusiasts are creative to say the least. We're only a couple of weeks into spring but so far I've spotted people filling in their eyebrows with self-tanner, creating a smoky eye using nothing but eyeliner and their fingertips, and correcting orange bronzer with lipstick. Though no recent trend has amassed quite as many stitches and spinoff videos as "diamond lips."

With millions of views and counting, #diamondlips was coined by beauty content creator Eva Larosa. The trend is simple: applying silver eyeshadow or eyeliner to your Cupid's bow and the center of your bottom lip, lining the edges with a nude lip pencil and swiping a clear gloss all over. The lip liner adds definition and volume, while the silver pigment dials up the shine intensity of the gloss, imparting a blinding twinkle that's so pretty, it's no wonder it has gone viral.

Since Larosa's video, TikTokers such as Stephanie Ahn, Jennie Dimova, and even Huda Kattan of Huda Beauty have all jumped on board the diamond lips trend. One thing I've noticed is that it lends lips an immediate volumizing effect that looks natural and comfortable, unlike tingly (and sometimes pretty painful) plumping glosses.

Having recently tried and loved the "cherry cola lips" combo of brown lip liner layered underneath a vivid red gloss, I was swayed by even glintier diamond lips for two main reasons: First, because it's a 2023 take on the metallic lipstick that I so desperately wanted to look good in throughout the '00s. Second, I'm so over matte. As we sail into spring, I want my makeup to appear dewy and juicy, and that goes for my lips, too.

I didn't have Larosa's silver makeup pencil on hand but I was inspired to take the cellophane off the eyeshadow palette I've wanted to try for a long while now: Natasha Denona Eyeshadow Palette Green Brown. With a flat concealer brush, I dipped into shade Aluminium, which is a bold silver with finely milled glitter pigments. If you don't have a similar eyeshadow palette at home, I recommend using the NYX Professional Makeup Face and Body Glitter or e.l.f. Glitter Melt Liquid Eyeshadow Disco Queen to try the trend more affordably.

I carefully dusted the eyeshadow onto my Cupid's bow and in the center of my bottom lip, then used my ring finger to tap it into the skin for more of a diffused effect. Lip liner is the next step. I opted for Trish McEvoy Long-Wear Lip Liner in Barely Nude to trace my lips and to fill in the gaps where I hadn't placed the eyeshadow. Lastly, I swiped on NYX Professional Makeup Fat Oil Lip Drip Gloss in My Main, which is a clear oil-gloss hybrid.

I'll give it to TikTok — this trend made my lips look twice as full and it's all thanks to the pop of silver, which lends the illusion of a more rounded, ample shape. At some angles, the look was a little too retro for me (think early '00s Kim Kardashian). But as the silver pigment melted into the gloss, it really came together. The shine was unrivaled.

Celebrity makeup artist Maria Asadi says that diamond lips go back to the '90s. "It's essentially a frosted lip," explains Asadi, who cites Kate Moss and TLC as nostalgic inspiration. Happily, the diamond lips trend works for all skin tones — if you get the colors right. "Those with deeper skin tones might like to opt for a brown- or peach-based nude lip liner and a gold eyeshadow layered on top for the most flattering tone," Asadi says. She recommends using a flat, dense brush (not a fluffy brush as this will over-spread the eyeshadow powder). "You want to maintain control with a precise application, so simply press the eyeshadow product onto your lips."

You're also probably thinking, Is it safe to use eyeshadow on your lips? Products formulated for use on the eyes are likely not tested for use elsewhere, such as lips. For this reason, it's important to use your discretion. Asadi explains that the eyes are incredibly sensitive and that makeup brands go through an intensive safety process to make sure each product is safe for use on the eyes. If a product is certified by the EU, you can rest assured that it has passed strict industry regulations. Taking this into consideration, Asadi says it's generally fine to use eyeshadow on the lips. Applying a tiny dab of powder eyeshadow, highlighter, and even blush on the lips is something makeup artists have been doing for years.

"If using an eyeshadow [on your lips] is too much of a process and you want to keep it simple, opt for a frosted or metallic lipstick," Asadi offers. "Line the lips so that they are defined and then simply apply the frosted lipstick in the center." This will give the illusion of a lip gloss without the gloss, which can often feel sticky. For light to medium skin tones, Maria recommends MAC Frost Lipstick in Gel. For medium to deep skin tones, try the same formula in shade "O," or Bronze Shimmer, for those with darker skin. "MAC has the best options for a look like this, being such an iconic '90s brand," concludes Asadi. If you'd rather spend less, you can't go wrong with Rimmel's '00s shades Heather Shimmer and Coffee Shimmer.

The multiple (and crumbly) steps make diamond lips a look I probably wouldn't attempt very often, but I'd gravitate towards the shouty shimmer for a big occasion or a night out with friends. Until then, I'll stick to lip slugging for plumper, more moisturized lips naturally.