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Best Lip Plumpers

Updated October 2023
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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Laneige Lip Treatment Balm
Laneige
Lip Treatment Balm
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Most Versatile
Bottom Line

This lip treatment covers more bases than most.

Pros

Its chief effects are to help your lips look and feel firmer and fuller, plus it helps to smooth out lip wrinkles. It comes with a handy applicator and its key ingredients are coconut oil, peptide, and adenosine.

Cons

Some felt it was a little sticky and could tingle slightly.

Best Bang for the Buck
NUDESTIX Nude Plumping Lip Glace
NUDESTIX
Nude Plumping Lip Glace
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High Shine
Bottom Line

This formula is infused with natural butters and vitamins A and E to keep lips soft and hydrated.

Pros

Leaves lips with a glassy finish. Has a naturally derived balm base with shea and avocado to condition lips. Contains 1% Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38 Complex, which promotes natural collagen production. Vegan and cruelty-free.

Cons

It's a very sticky formula, which not everyone enjoyed wearing.

PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Lip Booster
PCA Skin
Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Lip Booster
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Expert-recommended
Bottom Line

PCA Skin offers a comprehensive lip-plumping serum that uses hyaluronic acid to moisturize and boost your pout.

Pros

Free of parabens and synthetic dyes and fragrances. Designed to improve the look and feel of lips by increasing hydration and softness. Doubles as an anti-aging serum for lips. Formula comprised of hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and beneficial tripeptides.

Cons

Some users found this worked to hydrate their lips but did not boost size as much as they would like.

Buxom Full-On Plumping Lip Polish
Buxom
Full-On Plumping Lip Polish
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Rich Colors
Bottom Line

A well-liked brand that contains hyaluronic acid for a collagen boost.

Pros

Unique peptide and hyaluronic acid booster gives lips a volumized look. Pleasant minty tingle when applied. Moisturizes lips with vitamins A and E. Sponge applicator makes it easy to apply. Nice gloss finish.

Cons

Can be sticky. Has a strong scent, and is not as long-lasting as other brands.

Grande Cosmetics GrandeLIPS Hydrating Lip Plumper
Grande Cosmetics
GrandeLIPS Hydrating Lip Plumper
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Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

Vanilla flavor-infused plumper with no tingle, yet it delivers high-volume results.

Pros

Visible plumping within 3 to 5 minutes. Hydrates well and helps diminish lip wrinkles. Comes in various shades as well as clear. Smells (and even tastes) good. A great choice for sensitive skin. Rave reviews for the precision applicator.

Cons

Not much product for the price. Not everyone saw results.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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Buying guide for best lip plumpers

Filler injections will plump up your lips, but they can be pretty painful, not to mention expensive. Fortunately, you can get a similar, if not quite as dramatic, effect at home with a good lip plumper.

Not all lip plumpers are created equal, though. Sorting through all the options to find a product that actually delivers bee-stung lips can be tricky. You have to figure out what type, formula, active ingredients, and other features to keep an eye out for, so you don’t wind up with a glorified lip gloss rather than a real-deal lip plumper.

Ready to purchase a great lip plumper? Check out the product list above to see our five favorites. Or for everything you need to know about finding an effective lip plumper for your pout, keep reading our handy shopping guide.

What is a lip plumper?

A lip plumper is a lip product designed to plump your lips so they appear bigger. Lip plumpers typically contain ingredients that cause temporary swelling, boost collagen production over time, or have a gradual smoothing effect, all of which help give the appearance of fuller lips.

Lip plumpers usually have a thin texture, so they absorb easily into the lips. They can be worn on their own or with another lip product, such as a lipstick or lip gloss. However, a lip plumper works best when applied to clean, bare lips, so it should be the first step in your lip makeup routine.

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It’s easy to forget sun protection for your lips, so consider choosing a lip plumper with SPF.

Types of lip plumpers

There are two types of lip plumpers: those that instantly plump the lips and those that have a gradual plumping effect.

Instant lip plumpers

If you want your lips to look fuller immediately, an instant lip plumper is your best bet. These products work by increasing blood flow to the lips so they swell and appear fuller or plumper. The increased blood flow is usually the result of mild irritation, which may make your lips redder as well.

Because of the irritation, instant lip plumpers may cause burning, discomfort, or pain. The tingling or stinging sensation quickly wears off for most people, though. You typically will only feel irritation for a minute or so after application.

Keep in mind that the effects of an instant lip plumper are temporary. Once the product wears off, your lips will no longer look fuller.

Treatment lip plumpers

If you find the stinging sensation of instant lip plumpers too painful or want long-term plumping action, a treatment lip plumper is a better option. These products contain ingredients meant to boost collagen and elastin production in the lips so they look fuller over time.

Many treatment lip plumpers are designed to help your lips retain moisture, which can result in a plumper look as well. In some cases, the formula may include exfoliating ingredients to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, as smooth lips also appear fuller.

A treatment lip plumper doesn’t deliver the immediate bee-stung look of an instant formula, but the results are long-lasting if you use the product consistently.

Features to consider when buying lip plumpers

Formula

Lip plumpers come in a variety of formulas, which are all easy to apply.

  • Gloss/serum: A gloss or serum lip plumper has a somewhat thick consistency and usually adds a nice shine to the lips. It typically features a wand-style applicator that allows you to apply the plumper like a traditional lip gloss. This formula is typically used for instant lip plumpers. Gloss lip plumpers are easy to apply on the go if you want to plump your lips when you’re out and about.

  • Balm/stick: A balm or stick lip plumper resembles a lip balm or lipstick. It comes in a twist-up tube that you use to apply the product directly to your lips. This formula is usually thinner than gloss lip plumpers, so it absorbs easily into the lips. Both instant and treatment lip plumpers are available in balm or stick form.

  • Gel: Gel lip plumpers usually have the thickest consistency and contain moisturizing ingredients. Gel is a common formula for treatment lip plumpers. They usually come in either a pot or a squeeze tube. Gel lip plumpers that come in a pot are applied with your fingers, which can get messy. You can apply a gel lip plumper in a squeeze tube directly from the container.

Active ingredients

For a lip plumper to be effective, it’s important to choose a product that contains the right active ingredients. Active ingredients in instant lip plumpers increase blood flow to the lips, while active ingredients in treatment lip plumpers boost collagen production and moisturize the lips. Here are some active ingredients to look for in a good lip plumper:

  • Cinnamon: This is a common active ingredient in instant lip plumpers because cinnamon contains cassia oil, which irritates the mucous membranes when applied to the lips and increases blood flow for a plumper look. It may cause a tingling or burning sensation.

  • Capsicum: This is a common ingredient in instant lip plumpers. It is derived from hot peppers, so it also irritates the lips to stimulate blood flow for fuller-looking lips. It usually causes burning or tingling.

  • Ginger: Another common ingredient in instant lip plumpers, ginger irritates the sensitive skin on your lips, which boosts blood flow and makes them appear fuller. You may experience burning or tingling with ginger.

  • Mint: Mint is a common ingredient in instant lip plumpers. Peppermint and wintergreen are the most common, and they increase blood flow to the lips to give them a pouty appearance. Mint usually causes a tingling sensation upon application.

  • Niacin: Niacin works by dilating the blood vessels, which increases blood flow to the lips to make them look fuller. It’s commonly found in instant lip plumpers.

  • Caffeine: Found in instant lip plumpers, caffeine constricts the blood vessels in your lips, which can smooth fine lines and wrinkles that can make the lips appear smaller.

  • Hyaluronic acid: This is a common ingredient in treatment lip plumpers. It helps attract and bind moisture to the lips and boost collagen production for smoother, fuller lips.

  • Peptides: Another common ingredient in treatment lip plumpers, peptides stimulate collagen production and repair damaged skin cells so lips appear smooth and plump.

  • Microspheres: Microspheres are a common ingredient in both instant and treatment lip plumpers. They draw moisture to the lips for a fuller look.

Tint

Nearly all treatment lip plumpers come in a clear formula that doesn’t show up on the lips beyond adding a shine. However, instant lip plumpers are available in both clear and tinted formulas. Clear plumpers are ideal for pairing with a lipstick or gloss, while tinted plumpers work well on their own or with another colored lip product. Some instant lip plumpers also contain shimmer, which reflects light and makes your lips look fuller.

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Did you know?
Because instant lip plumpers increase blood flow, they can darken the lips, which may mean you can skip adding a lip color on top.
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How much do lip plumpers cost?

Lip plumper prices vary based on the type and the quality of the ingredients. You’ll usually pay more for a treatment product that offers long-term results than an instant plumper. Prices generally range from $5 to $60.

  • Budget-friendly

Instant lip plumpers with lower-quality ingredients typically cost $5 to $18.

  • Mid-range

Instant lip plumpers with higher-quality ingredients typically cost $18 to $35. Treatment lip plumpers with lower-quality ingredients typically cost $15 to $35.

  • Expensive

Treatment lip plumpers made with higher-quality ingredients typically cost $35 to $60.

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Amp up the look of an instant lip plumper by dabbing a bit of highlighter or shimmer eyeshadow in the center of your lips over the plumper. The shine will reflect light to give the illusion of added fullness.

FAQ

Q. Is it safe to use a lip plumper?

A. Treatment lip plumpers are meant for daily use and typically contain hydrating ingredients, so they’re perfectly safe to use. Because instant lip plumpers are designed to irritate the skin on the lips to increase blood flow, they may be uncomfortable to wear if you have sensitive skin. Even if you don’t have sensitive skin, using an instant lip plumper daily is not recommended, as you may experience dryness and flaking with frequent application. Limit your use of instant lip plumpers to a few times a week.

Q. How long do instant lip plumpers usually work?

A. An instant lip plumper typically plumps the lips for two to three hours. If you have more sensitive skin, though, the effect may last a little longer because the irritation and increased blood flow is prolonged.

Q. How long does it take to see results from a treatment lip plumper?

A. As with most skin care products, patience is required with a treatment lip plumper. It can take four to six weeks before you see increased fullness and smoothness in your lips. If you want to see results as quickly as possible, use the treatment plumper daily. Some treatment lip plumpers can even be used both day and night in place of your usual lip balm.