HyperLip by Sascha Nordmeyer creates grimacing facial expressions
This plastic prosthesis by French designer Sascha Nordmeyer distorts the wearer's mouth into a tooth-baring grimace (+ slideshow).
![HyperLip by Sascha Nordmeyer](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/HyperLip_by_Sascha_Nordmeyer_dezeen_sq.jpg)
Sascha Nordmeyer's HyperLip stretches the mouth apart to reveal the majority of the wearer's teeth and large portions of gum.
"Conceived for people who are just looking for a bit of fun, the prosthesis is a rigid food-safe apparatus that forces a facial expression onto its wearer," said a statement from Los Angeles brand Artecnica, which has just put the HyperLip into production.
![HyperLip by Sascha Nordmeyer](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/HyperLip_by_Sascha_Nordmeyer_dezeen_468_9.jpg)
Similar to how a gum shield covers teeth, the prosthesis fits around the lips and pushes them outward – holding them in place to distort the lower part of the face.
![HyperLip by Sascha Nordmeyer](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/HyperLip_by_Sascha_Nordmeyer_dezeen_468_2.jpg)
The bright red-coloured plastic creates an exaggerated lip that completely surrounds the mouth.
![HyperLip by Sascha Nordmeyer](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/HyperLip_by_Sascha_Nordmeyer_dezeen_468_4.jpg)
Slightly narrower on one side than the other, the asymmetric shape can be worn either way around.
![HyperLip by Sascha Nordmeyer](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/HyperLip_by_Sascha_Nordmeyer_dezeen_468_12.jpg)
"HyperLip will enhance your communication skills, make you look smart in any circumstance, be a great conversation piece at a party, raise a few eyebrows and it will certainly gets you tons of attention," said Artecnica.
![HyperLip by Sascha Nordmeyer](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/HyperLip_by_Sascha_Nordmeyer_dezeen_468_8.jpg)
The HyperLip is set to feature as part of a travelling exhibition called Photography Playground, where visitors will be able to take part in photography sessions wearing the product.
![HyperLip by Sascha Nordmeyer](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/HyperLip_by_Sascha_Nordmeyer_dezeen_468_10.jpg)
Starting in Cologne from 11 September and running until 5 October to coincide with the Photokina imagery festival, the exhibition is also set to visit Amsterdam and Tokyo.
![HyperLip by Sascha Nordmeyer](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/HyperLip_by_Sascha_Nordmeyer_dezeen_468_0.jpg)
A prototype was also displayed in the Talk to Me exhibition at New York's Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in 2011.
![HyperLip by Sascha Nordmeyer](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/HyperLip_by_Sascha_Nordmeyer_dezeen_468_1.jpg)
Other designs that modify the face include a set of prosthetic lips that can be inflated with a hand pump and a stylus that straps over the nose for using touch-screen phones in the bath.