Lip shapes – the 7 most important forms & what they reveal about personality, closeness, and expression
- Daniel Neuhaus
- Feb 6
- 7 min read
Our lips speak long before we say a single word.
They show how we feel, how we live closeness, how we set boundaries.
In their shapes, emotionality, communication, sensuality, and our inner movement between closeness and distance are reflected.
In the art of Face Reading, the mouth is one of the most honest areas of the face. It reveals how much of ourselves we show – and where we protect ourselves.
And it is precisely there that its stories lie.
In this article, you will find the 7 most important lip shapes – clear, accessible, and deeply connected to inner personality.
With each shape, you get a sense of how this person speaks, loves, gives, receives, and shows themselves.
Contents at a glance
1. Full lips – emotionality, generosity & communicative warmth
Full lips are among the most expressive lip shapes of all. They show a person who is willing to express themselves emotionally.
Core essence:
strong emotionality
joy in exchange
communicative, extroverted
strong power of persuasion
generous, warm-hearted
sensitive and easily touched
People with full lips experience the world through emotions.
They enjoy talking, sharing their feelings, their wounds, their enthusiasm.
They appear attractive because their inner vitality is immediately palpable.
People with full lips are often:
empathetic and attentive
passionate
easily inspired
sometimes moody (“on top of the world – deeply despondent”)
They open spaces – and sometimes overwhelm people who communicate in a less emotional way.
In relationships:
They need closeness, exchange, and touch.
They give a lot – emotionally as well as materially.
2. Thin lips – clarity, structure & emotional self-control
Thin lips indicate people who open up consciously – and hold back consciously.
People with this lip shape speak only when, in their view, there is truly something worth saying.
Core essence:
intellectually oriented
precise language
reserved with emotions
skeptical toward sentimentality
People with thin lips:
share little personal information
need time to build trust
are not cold, but controlled
appreciate facts, clarity, and structure
Those who have thin lips have often been shaped by life:
They had to learn to protect their feelings – or to process them on their own.
In relationships:
They are deeply loyal once trust is established.
But they rarely open up quickly.
3. Full upper lip – emotional depth, empathy & inner longing
In Face Reading, the upper lip represents the inner world: emotions, dreams, longing, spirituality, and connection.
Core essence:
strong emotional energy
sensitivity
empathy
pronounced intuition
need for closeness
great ability to articulate feelings
The psychological life sits deeper than the physical.
They are drawn to themes such as:
relationships
inner growth
secrets
psychological depth
In relationships:
They long for emotional depth – and need someone who is able to truly listen.
4. Full lower lip – enjoyment, drive & material expression
The lower lip represents the outer world: needs, action, sensuality, and implementation.
Core essence:
enjoys talking about tangible topics
pragmatic way of thinking
pleasure-oriented mindset
sensuality and physicality
desire for fulfillment
realism
strong power of persuasion
If the lower lip is significantly larger than the upper lip, a special dynamic emerges:
“If the lower lip is twice as thick, you almost believe everything they say.”
People with this lip shape, where the lower lip is larger than the upper lip, possess great persuasive power. They appear credible – even when they are not always telling the truth.
In relationships:
They show love less through words – and more through actions, gifts, and care.
5. Long, full lips – communicative strength & “lips of love”
These are the famous lips of love. This lip shape belongs to people who need a stage, love closeness, and do not hide their inner world.
Core essence:
extroverted in their communication
expressive storytellers
generous
sociable
charismatic
People with large and full lips:
give a lot of themselves
communicate openly
have a strong presence
bring warmth into groups
The longer the lips, the stronger the urge to communicate.
The fuller they are, the greater the ability to create closeness – and often to allow it.
In relationships:
They are giving, close, and open – sometimes too much.
Emotional boundaries can be challenging.
6. No visible lips (“millionaire’s mouth”) – control, rationality & distance
The so-called millionaire’s mouth is an intensified form of thin lips: a mouth with hardly any visible lip shape.
Core essence:
extremely rational
fact-oriented
goal-driven
dominated by thinking rather than feeling
highly controlled
People with no visible lips:
talk a lot, but rarely personally
reveal little of their inner world
do not easily allow emotions
can negotiate extremely well
love the stage, sales, and business
They are not heartless – they are protected.
Something in life taught them to process emotions internally.
In relationships:
Trust is the key.
Opening comes late – but when it comes, it is honest.
7. Bulging lips – intensity, impulsiveness & dramatic emotionality
Bulging lips carry the strongest emotional charge among all lip shapes.
They are an expression of great inner movement.
Core essence:
impulsive
easily hurt
quickly enthusiastic
quickly frustrated
dramatic in expression
seek closeness – intensely
People with bulging lips:
show emotions immediately
live from emotional abundance
draw feelings out of groups
can appear theatrical
sometimes explode after a short period of restraint
Their emotions run hot – both in enthusiasm and in pain.
In relationships:
They love deeply, quickly, and intensely.
They need partners who can hold clarity.
Not sure which lip shape you have?
If you are curious about what your lips reveal about your personality, your way of relating, and your emotional experience, this article guides you step by step into this subtle language.
Heart-shaped lips are more than an aesthetic feature. Their shape reflects emotional depth, presence, and the way we allow closeness. In this article, you will learn how to recognize heart-shaped lips, what different forms mean, and why this small detail has such a strong influence on attraction and expression.
Taking a closer look at the philtrum is especially worthwhile. It connects nose and lips, heaven and earth – and shows how a person resonates on the inside. Here you will find a detailed, easy-to-understand introduction.
If you would like not only to recognize your lip shape but also to understand the dynamics behind it, you have the opportunity to book a personal Face Reading here. Your entire face will be taken into account.
If you would like to see how subtle signals of expression can also provide orientation in a professional context, this article shows how Face Reading can deepen leadership.
Video: A conversation about personality, empathy, and what faces reveal
In this episode of FlowGrade – For Life, I talk with Max Gotzler about what Face Reading can truly offer today. We go through the fundamentals – physiognomy, facial expression, and body language – and discuss how personality shows itself in the face, where the limits lie, and why empathy is the core of this work.
At the end, I read a few facets of Max’s personality from his face – in the form of a small speed reading, in a live analysis.
Free Face Reading Webinar – live every month
In my monthly live webinar, I show you how Face Reading works in practice.
You will learn how facial features are connected to personality, resources, and inner patterns – and how you can use this knowledge for coaching, communication, or your personal development.
The webinar is designed to be interactive and offers plenty of space for your questions.
Join for free here:
Also interesting:
If you would like to know which face shape you have and how it connects to personality and expression, this article might be of interest to you.
If you want to see deeper in recruiting than a résumé allows, Face Reading offers a clear assessment of attitude, stress patterns, social competence, and potential of applicants – factual, discreet, and reliable.
FAQ – the most common questions about lip shapes
Which lip shape is the rarest?
Bulging lips occur least frequently.
They indicate strong emotionality and intensity.
Which lip shape is considered attractive?
Studies show that clear contours, gentle fullness, and a defined Cupid’s bow are often perceived as attractive. However, attractiveness is also culturally shaped.
What do lips reveal about personality?
Full lips → emotional, open, warm
Thin lips → rational, reserved
Full upper lip → emotionally driven communication
Full lower lip → preference for talking about material matters
Long lips → strong communication skills
Small lips → controlled communication
Bulging lips → impulsive and intense
Do lip shapes change over the course of life?
Yes. Stress, vitality, emotional patterns, and exhaustion can visibly and tangibly change the lips.
Which lip shape do I have?
Look neutrally into the mirror – relaxed mouth, without muscular tension.
Fullness, length, contour, and the balance between upper and lower lip reveal your shape.
