Plump Lips Without a MedSpa Visit: An MUA Shares the Best Lip Plumpers She’s Tested (2024)

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Lips

No pain (just a "stingle") or fillers necessary.

Ashley Rebecca

Ashley Rebecca is an NYC-based makeup artist and a regular contributor for Byrdie covering makeup, skincare, and haircare.

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Updated on October 07, 2024 12:41PM

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If you’ve found yourself on a quest for fuller lips, we see you. While lip shapes come in all sizes and volume levels, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to plump them up a bit when you feel like it. Yes, filler injectables can boost the size and shape of your lips and last longer than makeup, but it’s expensive and can be painful. Lip plumpers, on the other hand, are typically pain-free, MUCH less expensive, and can create that little extra oomph you’re after. But which ones really do the job?

According to leading board-certified dermatologist Dr. Nazanin Saedi, M.D., not all lip-plumping glosses are equal. So, since I love the look of full lips, I tested 12 famous lip plumpers to see which ones live up to their promises. I tested these lip plumpers for a month, day and night, while eating, drinking, traveling, and more. I wore them alone and with other lip products, like lipstick, and reapplied them throughout the day to gauge the level of sensation each time. Ahead, read my honest reviews on the top ones and all the tips you’ll need when shopping for the right lip plumper to suit your pout best.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme Lip Plumper at Sephora$16

Jump to Review

Best Overall

Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme Lip Plumper

$16 at Sephora $29 at Target $29 at Ulta

Shades: 5 | Shade Tested: Bubblegum Yum | Size: 0.14 oz

This plumping gloss blew me away with its formula and results. With one swipe, I noticed the difference in my lips right away. It has a tingling, burning sensation that lasts (but not to the point that it’s uncomfortable) that made my lips look significantly plumper. The texture of this gloss is akin to that of a tinted lip oil; it glides on wonderfully smooth, and the plumping results lasted at least three hours. Wear it alone or with your favorite lipstick; you won’t be disappointed.

Best Overall, Runner-Up

Dr. Dennis Gross DermInfusions Lip Treatment

$45 at Amazon $45$25 at Sephora $45 at Nordstrom

Shades: Clear | Shade Tested: Clear | Size: 0.33 oz

Upon application, I immediately noticed a burning sensation which let me know that the results from this product were most likely going to be fabulous. I was right—this lip plumper certainly yields results—as long as you can handle the hot tingling. The good news? The more you apply this product, the less sensation you feel. Your lips adapt and get used to it over time. The biggest takeaway was within less than 10 minutes my lips were a different color, noticeably more red, and the plumping benefits were immediately noticeable. Be mindful to only apply this directly onto lips and avoid going too far outside of the lines, as the product will migrate, and other parts of your face will turn red when it does.

Best Budget

Maybelline Lip Plumping Gloss

$10 at Target $13$10 at Ulta View on Maybelline.com

Best Line-Smoothing

Lawless Lip Plumping Gloss

$26 at Amazon $15 at Sephora View on Lawlessbeauty.com

Shades: 20 | Shade Tested: Velvet | Size: 0.11 oz

This was my favorite gloss to wear; I loved the texture and the way it looked on my lips. It creates a pleasant cooling sensation, and the formula is noticeably thicker than the others I tested. While I didn’t clock any significant differences in the volume of my lips, the formula creates the illusion of fuller lips by smoothing lip lines and texture. I also loved that it added a pretty wash of color to bare lips and layered nicely over lipstick. While this might not be ideal for people who prefer super lightweight formulas, it’s a great choice for those who love a rich consistency.

Best Gloss

Patrick Ta Major Volume Lip Gloss

$23 at Amazon $26 at Sephora View on Patrickta.com

Shades: 10 | Shade Tested: 2 CCs (Juicy Pink) | Size: 0.3 oz

It’s always a great feeling to use a product that instantly imparts benefits; with this particular gloss, those benefits were fuller-looking, smoother lips. It starts to burn within the first minute of wear, and the sensation is on the stronger side, but it’s nothing I couldn’t handle. The gloss's formula is not sticky (unusual for lip plumpers) and looks beautiful on the lips. My lips were about two-thirds more plump than normal—and it didn’t enhance any lip lines whatsoever, which is fantastic!

Best Conditioning

Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Heat Universal Lip Luminizer + Plumper

$26 at Sephora $26 at Ulta $26 at Walmart

Shades: 6 | Shade Tested: Hot Cherry | Size: 0.3 oz

With the dreamiest texture, this lip plumping gloss truly feels divine. It applies like a slick oil that left my lips feeling wonderfully hydrated—and it does not cause any flakiness with repeated application—what a win! The feeling is comfortable, too.

This one has a slight tingling sensation, but it's not overpowering. It is very comfortable to wear, and my lip lines looked smooth after applying. However, there wasn’t much of a difference in terms of plumpness. This ended up being my favorite gloss to wear and reapply though, it feels that good.

Best Shade Range

Dior Addict Lip Maximizer

$40 at Sephora View on Dior.com $40 at Macy's

Shades: 28| Shade Tested: 013 Beige | Size: 0.2 oz

This gloss has an impressive shade range—28 beautiful hues to choose from. While there is a light, tingling sensation when applied, it wore mostly like a regular lip gloss that added a nice touch of shine and hydration to the lips, but sans any noticeable plumping results. It has a sweet, light peppermint smell, and is very comfortable to wear and reapply throughout the day. Think of this as your favorite lip gloss that comes in so many shades to try—the formula is lovely!

What to Look for in a Lip Plumper

Ingredients: “Lip plumpers typically include an irritant or vasodilator that will increase blood flow, helping to temporarily plump up the lip. These irritating ingredients can be peppermint, ginger, cayenne pepper, capsaicin, cinnamon, and menthol,” says Dr. Saedi. “The irritant tends to feel a bit spicy or tingly after application. It can also cause redness or swelling, which will go away when you stop use of the product. Different products use different irritants, so if one lip plumper causes too much irritation or inflammation, you may have success with another.”
Humectants: Hydration is important. “Many lip plumpers also use humectants, most commonly hyaluronic acid or glycerin, that will help pull and hold hydration into the skin,” notes Dr. Saedi. “Pulling in hydration will help give the lips a smoother, plumper appearance. Lips are prone to losing moisture, which is why hyaluronic acid is such a helpful ingredient. Generally, skin that is fully hydrated and moisturized looks smoother and helps conceal the appearance of fine lines. This is one of the reasons why moisturizing your skin and keeping it hydrated is so important for your face lips.”
Comfortability/Wear: Another thing to note when using lip plumpers is whether they feel comfortable on the lips, or is the sensation overwhelming? Knowing what you can and can’t handle with the sensation that comes with lip plumping ingredients is key when choosing the right formula.

How I Tested Lip Plumpers

I tested these lip plumpers for an extensive amount of time, applying them several times daily for the best analysis and results. I wore them by themselves to see how they performed and also paired them with lipsticks to see if there were any notable differences. There were specific things I looked for with each use:

Sensation: Did the plumping gloss have a cooling, burning, or tingling sensation? How strong was the sensation, and did it make a noticeable difference in how comfortable I was wearing the product? I also paid attention to whether my lips changed color or became noticeably red after use.
Plumping Effect: Were my lips noticeably plumper after application, and did they stay that way or change within a few hours of wearing the plumping gloss? I also took note of any subtle or major changes in my lip volume after each application.

FAQ

Can you receive cumulative benefits from lip plumpers?

In short, no. Lip plumpers create a temporary effect rather than something that lasts like injectables. “The effects of lip plumpers are subtle, and the results are temporary,” says Dr. Saedi. That said, if a plumper also contains moisturizing ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, you might notice smoother lips over time.
Who is the best candidate for lip plumpers?

If you’re someone who wants to have the appearance of fuller lips, you could be a great candidate for lip-plumping glosses. However, if you’re allergic or sensitive to any of the ingredients commonly used in lip plumpers, consult your dermatologist before using a product that contains them.
When should you avoid using lip plumpers?

“If your lips are peeling, dry, or chapped, it’s best to skip the plumpers,” advised Dr. Saedi. “Instead, stick with lip products that focus on conditioning and hydrating the lips like shea butter, Vaseline, ceramides, etc. You can try a plumper once your lips are repaired and healthy.”

Why Trust Byrdie

Ashley Rebecca, a longtime Byrdie freelancer and makeup artist based in New York City, enjoys more natural makeup and focuses heavily on caring for her skin. She’ll never turn down the opportunity to test beauty lip products, as she relies on them for her work and always wants to know what formulas yield the best results. Her experiences testing thousands of beauty products have made her an expert and trusted resource for reviews and recommendations.

She interviewed Dr. Nazanin Saedi, a leading board-certified dermatologist serving patients throughout Philadelphia and the surrounding areas, for this article. Her areas of expertise include cosmetic dermatology and laser surgery and is always up to date on medical device and cosmetic companies.

Edited byAlly Hirschlag