Everything I Wish I Knew Before I Got Lip Injections

I wish it didn’t need saying, but women have every right to do whatever the hell they please with their bodies. That ranges all the way from reproductive health care to fashion, and of course, to cosmetic surgery. I’ve been supportive of the practice ever since I knew what it meant to have a boob job, but after a few friends (one of whom has happily had a breast reduction) kept inquiring what I would choose to have done, if anything, I realized it was time to face one of my own insecurities: my lips.

Now, do not get me wrong, I’m a pretty confident person in general (#humblebrag). I weathered my awkward teenage years with hopes that the boys would eventually catch up to my gangly 5’9″ frame, and surprise, the universe blessed me with a 6’2″ partner. Now that I’m 28, I feel like I’ve finally grown comfortable with who I am and what I look like, save for the occasional hair makeover or fresh piercing or tattoo, but I’d always felt that my lips—with their pronounced Cupid’s bow and perpetually downturned corners—weren’t proportional to my strong jawline. They only added to my permanent resting bitch face, and frankly I was over it. It didn’t matter that my boyfriend frequently told me that my lips were one of his favorite features—this was my opinion, and that is the *only* one that matters when it comes to deciding to have cosmetic surgery or injections.

So it was finally time to investigate the world of lip fillers, and after a few days of research I decided that New York dermatologist Dr. Lisa Airan would be the ideal fit. I told her that I wanted a fuller pout—especially on top—for the left and right sides to be more symmetrical, and to avoid any comparisons to Kylie Jenner’s ubiquitous mouth. You can actually watch the entire process on Coveteur’s Facebook Live (fair warning, I am completely numb in the video and very concerned about drooling on camera, hence the weird face). Overall, I’m 100% happy with my decision and how it looks—check out the before-and-after below—and even though I was worried that other people would judge my choice to get my lips done, the truth is I feel even more comfortable in my skin than ever before.

For the 6 lessons learned, check on the full article on Coveteur.