Your lips probably aren’t getting “wider” from exercises

A lot of what people notice as “wider lips” is actually the rest of the face changing around them. As you age, baby fat in the cheeks tends to lean out, the face matures, and features like the mouth can look longer or wider horizontally even if the lips themselves haven’t changed much.

That’s why someone like Angelina Jolie can look different in photos over time without it being one single thing. Weight loss in the face, makeup, overlining, fillers, Botox, camera angles, even the way someone rests their mouth can all change the illusion. A slightly pursed lip can make the mouth look narrower, while relaxed muscles make it appear wider.

There’s also a genetic component. Some people naturally develop a broader smile shape as their facial structure matures. Orthodontic work can change smile width too because the teeth and jaw support the lips differently afterward.

What usually doesn’t work is random “mouth widening” exercises online. At best they temporarily change muscle tension, at worst they just create repetitive lines around the mouth over time. If your goal is balance, subtle makeup placement and improving facial harmony tends to make a bigger difference than trying to physically stretch your lips.

Curious if anyone else noticed their mouth shape change a lot between their early 20s and 30s.