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Between the great debate of lip filler versus a lip-flip and exactly how many syringes are ideal for a natural-but-not-too-natural look, there’s a lot to consider when deciding if injections are right for you. If you’re anything like me and the thought of spending a lot money on a cosmetic procedure that might not end up looking the way you want it to, you’re open to exploring easier (and less expensive) solutions.
For a lip-filler alternative, don’t overlook lip plumpers — they’re having quite the resurgence! In the past, I strayed away from these, too, in fear of painful formulas that have a reputation of stinging or burning the lips. But there are now a plethora of new options on the market that lean au naturel and offer up a subtle sensation and less sticky finish. (Don’t worry, if you prefer the tried-and-true dramatic plumpers, those are back and better than ever, too.) And I tested them all so you don’t have to.
Ahead, I’ve rounded up the eight best plumpers that you may want to consider before your next injection appointment — and hey, if you’d rather stick with filler (no judgment), use these to bump it up another notch.
Patrick Ta Major Volume Plumping Lip Gloss
$26
$26
This gloss shows immediate results without too much pain. It offers up a pretty, semi-sheer finish and comes in six different colors. The plump is sparked by active ingredients like cinnamon and ginger while promoting hydration with hyaluronic acid. For me, it strikes the perfect balance between optimal results and endurable application.
$26
at SephoraToo Faced Lip Injection Maximum Plump Extra Strength Hydrating Lip Plumper
$33
$33
This lip plumper is not messing around — when they say maximum plump, well, they absolutely mean it. Out of all of the options on this list, this gloss delivered the most noticeable results. With that being said, it’s not for the faint of heart. The sting on the lips (and even around the mouth) was pretty intense for me. If you have sensitive skin, you might want to skip this one.
$33
at SephoraTarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Plump
$24
$24
This gloss is viral for a reason. The formula relies on maracuja and superfruits for its plumping and nourishing properties. It has an intense cooling sensation upon application, but it doesn’t sting or burn the lips. This gloss also comes in a wider color range than many of its competitors, as well as two different finishes, which is a nice plus if that’s on your list of priorities in a plumper.
$24
at SephoraMaybelline Lifter Plump Lip Plumping Gloss
$13
$13
I’m not going to lie to you, the chile pepper callout on the ingredients list had me nervous, but the application is not too bad. It heats up your lips to achieve a full look, instead of creating a tingling sensation like other plumpers on the list. The color range and glossy finish is pretty, and it certainly does the trick, especially for the lower price tag.
$13
at Ulta BeautyOsmosis Superfood Lip Oil
$26
$26
This gloss is packed with hydrating superfoods and undoubtedly takes a more subtle (and painless) approach to plumping. It still offers up a fuller look and has a silky texture, making the clear gloss perfect to add on top of another colored lip product. But if you’re looking for dramatic results, you’ll want a more intense option than this one.
$26
at Skin EliteBuxom Full-On Plumping Lip Polish Gloss
$25
$25
Whenever I talk to my friends about lip plumpers, it’s hard for this Buxom gloss to not come up. It has a pretty intense tingle, but you’re guaranteed to see results. This option comes in a range of shimmer finishes, making it a solid pick for a girls’ night out.
$25
at SephoraLawless Forget The Filler Lip Plumper Line Smoothing Gloss
$26
$26
Powered by shea butter and hyaluronic acid, this clean gloss is all about hydration to make your lips feel pillowy soft and look glasslike. It’s available in standard and shimmer finishes from clear to shades of pink and red. My only complaint? The texture is quite thick.
$26
at SephoraMakeup By Mario MoistureGlow Plumping Lip Serum
$24
$24
I’m an advocate for lip serums, especially for daytime. They offer up the same glossy look as a lip plumper or gloss — without the thick, sticky feeling that I simply don’t want to deal with for more casual occasions. This formula is packed with hydrating actives like shea butter, avocado oil, kiwi oil, and argan oil.
$24
at SephoraA stylish weekly guide to help you make good choices about what to spend your money on.
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To help you navigate the options, we put 30 lip plumpers to the test , evaluating consistency, effectiveness, wearability, color ranges, and ingredients. We then consulted makeup artist Steve Kassajikian for his expert insights . Read on to discover the top lip plumpers that deliver serious results.
While lip fillers are injectable, medical-grade products that add volume to the lips with long-lasting results (think months to years), lip plumpers offer more fleeting results. Most lip plumpers work by causing a mild irritation to the lips, increasing blood flow to the area to trigger a volumizing effect that lasts a few hours. If you're looking for a subtle, temporary plumping effect, a good lip plumper is worth a try. If you're looking for more dramatic results, consider consulting a dermatologist about lip fillers.
Pillowy lips are a major beauty trend, but can a lip plumper truly replace lip fillers ? While technically considered makeup, lip plumpers offer a fuller pout for a fraction of the cost of injections. These over-the-counter products, whether balms, glosses, masks, or creams, contain ingredients like cinnamon, peppermint oil, and capsaicin that plump lip lines , creating a smoother, fuller appearance .
Best Overall
Patrick Ta Major Volume Lip Gloss
Sephora
View On Sephora
$26
View On Kohls.com
$26
View On Patrickta.com
What We Like
Noticeable results
Silky-smooth hydration
Long-lasting shine
What We Don't Like
Very sticky texture
Key Ingredients: Cinnamon, ginger, peptides | Shades: 5 | Finish: Glossy | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Patrick Ta's lip gloss was the most impressive product in our test. It left lips feeling hydrated, noticeably plumper, and much fuller. (Most likely due to the inclusion of peptides, aka proteins that smooth fine lines, in the formula.) The gloss felt slightly sticky at first and had a tingling sensation due to the cinnamon and ginger extracts—which stimulate blood flow—but it wasn't uncomfortable and faded after a few minutes. Also nice: The shiny finish of this lip gloss had serious staying power, lasting nearly all day without needing to be reapplied.
Best Budget
Essence What The Fake! Plumping Lip Filler
Amazon
View on Ulta
View On Amazon
$5
View On Ulta
$5
What We Like
Affordable
Subtle volumizing effect
Leaves lips soft
What We Don't Like
Almost too tingly
Flimsy applicator
Only comes in clear
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin E | Shades: Clear | Finish: Glossy | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Essence's What the Fake lip gloss is a budget-friendly option that leaves lips feeling soft and hydrated, thanks to a blend of hydrators like hyaluronic acid and vitamin E. The application is smooth, but the applicator itself can be flimsy. The tingling sensation was stronger than we would have preferred, but it effectively plumped lips for about 30 minutes, so it was well worth the slight discomfort. While a tinted version would be nice, the gloss did what it said it would.
Best Splurge
La Mer Lip Volumizer
Sephora
View On Sephora
$90
View On Walmart
$75
View On Nordstrom
$77
What We Like
Large, plush applicator
Non-sticky feel
Noticeable results
What We Don't Like
Strong fragrance
Key Ingredients: Marine extracts, minerals | Shades: Pinkish-clear | Finish: Glossy | Cruelty-Free: No
If you can swing the steep price, La Mer won't let you down. From the brand behind the world-famous, highly coveted—and extremely expensive—Crème de la Mer, The Lip Volumizer delivers noticeable results. If we had to describe this formula in a few words, we'd say it's slick, smooth, and fluid. The formula is incredbly hydrating (thank you, proprietary marine extracts and minerals) and the large plush applicator is a fan-favorite. Upon application, there is a moderate tingling sensation (though it wasn't uncomfortable) due to the menthol and capsicum in the formula. If you have sensitive skin or a fragrance allergy, you may want to skip this one, as it has a strong, sweet fragrance and potentially irritating plumping ingredients.
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
Best Kit
PMD Kiss Lip Plumping System
Amazon
View On Amazon
$139
View On Ulta
$139
View On Walmart
$91
What We Like
Subtle volumizing effect
Extremely hydrating
Mask feels amazing
What We Don't Like
Slightly painful
Learning curve
Key Ingredients: Peptides, hyaluronic acid, squalane | Shades: N/A | Finish: N/A | Cruelty-Free: Yes
The best kit we tried was PMD's Kiss System. Though there was a slight learning curve with the multi-step process, it does provide a volumizing effect. The pulsating vacuum quite literally sucks your lips to plumpness, which, admittedly, is something that takes getting used to. After that, you apply the serum and then the mask. While using the device was kind of painful, the mask felt amazing (probably because it contains hydrating ingredients like peptides, hyaluronic acid, and squalane), leaving our lips extremely hydrated and smooth.
Best Serum
Lorac Holy Lips Plumping Serum
Amazon
View On Amazon
$11
View On Ulta
$20
View On Walmart
$38
What We Like
Doe-foot applicator
Subtle volumizing effect
Very hydrating
What We Don't Like
Only comes in one shade
Key Ingredients: Marula oil, mango seed butter, ginger, peppermint | Shades: Universal nude | Finish: Glossy | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Lorac Holy Lips was also a hit in the lab. Between the pointed doe-foot applicator and the subtle volumizing effect, there's a lot to love. The serum gradually became tinglier (likely due in part to the ginger and peppermint in the formula), but after the tingles subsided, our lips looked slightly plumper. This product was also very hydrating (shoutout marula oil and mango seed butter) and while we wish it came in more colors, the honey-golden nude shade is undeniably flattering.
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
Best Gloss
BUXOM Cosmetics Full-On Plumping Lip Polish Gloss
Amazon
View On Amazon
$25
View On Sephora
$25
View On Ulta
$25
What We Like
Defines lips
Subtle volumizing effect
Softening and hydrating
What We Don't Like
Slightly sticky
Can be drying
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, peptides, vitamin E | Shades: 10 | Finish: Glossy/creamy | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Buxom's Full-On Gloss tingled more intensely than other products we tried, but the sensation was temporary, and overall, it felt nice on the lips. We appreciate its smooth consistency—though it got a little stickier the longer it was on. In addition to a subtle plumping effect, our lips looked more defined, thanks to the formula that contains a heaping dose of hyaluronic acid. We'd be remiss not to share that the formula can be drying, especially if your lips are already chapped.
Best Mask
Lawless Overnight Lip Plumping Mask
Sephora
View On Sephora
$22
View On Lawlessbeauty.com
View On Shopbop.com
What We Like
Immediate results
Nourishing formula
What We Don't Like
Unhygienic container
Doesn't last too long during waking hours
Key Ingredients: Maxi-Lip complex, shea butter, ceramides, ginger | Shades: 2 | Finish: Shiny | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This overnight lip treatment was a hit not only in the lab but also during at-home testing. (See the full review here.) The lovely lippie has a smooth consistency and a comfortable feel with no tingling whatsoever. We're not thrilled that it comes in a little pot (finger application isn't very hygienic), but still, the brand's patented Maxi-Lip complex produces immediate results. Oh, and you can count on incredibly hydrated, nourished lips come morning. We did notice a difference upon waking up, but we didn't love that it washed off relatively quickly after brushing our teeth and drinking water, making it a less-than-ideal option for daytime.
Byrdie / Erika Veurink
Best Drugstore
Elf Cosmetics Lip Plumping Gloss
Walmart
View On Amazon
$7
View On Ulta
$7
View On Target
$7
What We Like
Affordable
Noticeable results
Great color payoff
What We Don't Like
Not long-lasting
Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, coconut oil | Shades: 8 | Finish: Glossy/sheer color | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Our favorite drugstore lip plumper is from e.l.f. Cosmetics. Exceptionally smooth and not too thick or sticky, this creamy gloss feels nice on the lips. We experienced a slight cooling sensation, but overall, the formula was comfortable. Once it calmed down, our lips were noticeably fuller with ample shine—a major win in our book. Available in eight flattering shades, this tinted lip gloss boasts excellent color payoff, leaving you with a moisturized, healthy-looking pout. The scent is nice too!
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao