Russian lips add height and a defined Cupid’s bow with a flatter side profile. Butterfly lips usually describe fuller, wider-looking lips, though injectors use the name differently. Both use hyaluronic acid filler, and at InjectCo lip filler is $399 for a half syringe or $699 for a full syringe.
Written by Jen Adams, BSN, RN
Medically reviewed by Dr. Josh Allen, D.O., Medical Director
Medical disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Lip filler is a medical procedure. Results vary by individual. Consult a licensed provider to decide what’s right for you.
Both styles use the same kind of filler. What changes is where the filler goes and in which direction, so the same amount of product can produce a very different look.
Russian lips focus on vertical height. Small amounts of filler are placed along the lip border to lift the upper lip and sharpen the Cupid’s bow. From the front, the lips look taller and more defined. From the side, the profile stays relatively flat rather than projecting outward. For a closer look at the technique, read our Russian lip filler guide.
Butterfly lips don’t have a standard definition. At InjectCo, the term describes fullness that fans out from the center toward the outer parts of both lips, so they look wider and softer. Some injectors use the same name for a heart shape with extra lift, and on social media it can even refer to a lip-taping trend with no filler at all. If you ask for butterfly lips, describe or show the look you mean so you and your injector are talking about the same result.
| Russian lips | Butterfly lips | |
|---|---|---|
| Main direction | Vertical (height) | Horizontal (width) |
| Side profile | Flatter, defined border | Fuller body of the lip |
| Cupid’s bow | Defined and lifted | Soft, not emphasized |
| Where fullness sits | Upper lip center and border | Outer portions of both lips |
| Often suits | Flat upper lips, undefined Cupid’s bow | Narrow lips, long faces |
| Price at InjectCo | Same per syringe | Same per syringe |
Neither style is better. They answer different goals. Both can look natural when done conservatively, and both can look overfilled when too much product goes in.
Like butterfly lips, these names describe techniques rather than fixed recipes, and injectors adapt them to each person’s anatomy.
Keyhole lips. Filler goes into the body of both lips on either side of the center, leaving a small gap between the upper and lower lip when your mouth is relaxed. The gap creates depth, so lips look full without looking sealed together.
Cherry lips. Filler concentrates in the center of both lips to create a round, plump look while the outer corners stay soft. The result has soft borders rather than sharp definition.
Heart-shaped lips. The focus is the upper lip’s silhouette. The Cupid’s bow dip is accentuated and the body of the upper lip gets fuller, with lighter treatment on the lower lip. This works well when you already have some natural arch to build on.
Cupid’s bow lips. Small injections sharpen and heighten the two peaks of the upper lip while leaving the center softer. The result is defined rather than noticeably fuller.
Natural lips. A conservative amount of filler adds fullness to the body of the lips without changing their shape. The goal is your own lips, slightly fuller.
Face shape and lip anatomy both shape the recommendation. Use this as a starting point for your consultation, not a rulebook; your injector will assess your proportions in person.
| Face shape | Often a good fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Oval | Natural, Russian, or Cupid’s bow | Balanced proportions suit most styles |
| Round | Russian or heart-shaped | Vertical definition rather than added width |
| Heart | Natural or soft heart-shaped | Heavy width can look out of balance with a narrower jaw |
| Square | Cherry or natural | Soft, rounded shapes balance a strong jaw |
| Long | Butterfly or heart-shaped | Added width helps balance length |
Filler type matters too. Softer hyaluronic acid gels move with the lips and suit subtle, natural results, while firmer gels hold structure along the border. Your injector chooses the product; for how two common lip fillers compare, see Kysse vs Juvederm.
Talk through styles with a nurse injector.
Lip filler at InjectCo is $399 for a half syringe or $699 for a full syringe. The price is the same for every style, whether you want Russian, butterfly, keyhole, or natural lips, because you pay for the filler, not the name of the technique.
Your injector will recommend a half or full syringe after your consult, based on your current lip volume, the shape you want, and how gradually you’d like to build.
For a fuller breakdown, see our guide to lip filler cost.
The FDA has approved dermal fillers for lip augmentation in adults 22 and older. Like any medical procedure, filler carries risks, and the FDA groups them by how often they occur.
Common: bruising, redness, swelling, pain, tenderness, itching, and rash. Most appear shortly after injection, and many resolve in a few days to weeks.
Less common: lumps or nodules under the skin, infection, allergic reaction, and tissue damage.
Rare: filler migrating away from the injection site, and unintended injection into a blood vessel.
That last risk, vascular occlusion, is the most serious. The chance is low, but a blocked blood vessel can lead to tissue death, vision problems including blindness, or stroke. A 2019 meta-analysis of reported cases found that blindness was the most common serious outcome among the vascular complications it reviewed.
Seek immediate medical attention if you notice unusual pain, vision changes, skin near the injection site turning white, gray, or blue, or any sign of stroke during or shortly after treatment.
Can filler be dissolved? Hyaluronic acid filler can be broken down with an enzyme called hyaluronidase, which is used to correct lumps or overfilling, according to a review of filler complications. The FDA notes that removing fillers made from other materials can be difficult or impossible, which is one reason HA filler is the usual choice for lips.
Your lips will look larger than the final result at first. Swelling and bruising are the most common effects, and the FDA notes that many resolve within a few days to weeks. Your shape becomes clearer as swelling settles.
Because results take time to settle, avoid judging the shape in the first few days. If something looks uneven once swelling has gone down, contact your injector. A follow-up visit is the right time to discuss adding volume or adjusting the shape.
Some side effects can appear weeks or months later, according to the FDA. Contact your injector if you notice new swelling, lumps, or redness at any point.
Russian lips add vertical height and a defined Cupid’s bow with a flatter side profile. Butterfly lips usually add width, with fullness spreading toward the outer parts of both lips.
There’s no standard definition. Most often the term means wider-looking lips with fullness fanning outward from the center, but some injectors use it for a heart shape, and online it can refer to a taping trend. Show your injector the look you mean.
Round faces often suit Russian or heart-shaped lips, long faces often suit butterfly lips, and square faces often suit cherry or natural lips. Your injector will also consider your lip anatomy.
Your injector will recommend a half or full syringe after your consult, based on your lips and the shape you want.
Hyaluronic acid filler can be broken down with an enzyme called hyaluronidase. Fillers made from other materials can be difficult or impossible to remove.
Lip filler at InjectCo is $399 for a half syringe or $699 for a full syringe, the same price for every style.
Russian lips add height and definition; butterfly lips usually add width; keyhole, cherry, heart, Cupid’s bow, and natural styles each change where fullness sits. The right shape depends on your face and your existing lips, and the names matter less than describing the look you want.
At InjectCo, lip filler is $399 for a half syringe or $699 for a full, whichever style you choose. Your nurse injector will assess your lips and recommend an approach before treatment.
Same syringe price for every style.
