A lot of brands will promise bigger lips and so on but scientifically it's pretty much impossible, I mean really.
Yes, we all want luscious, full lips and I believe some will actually make your lips feel swollen but not for more than a few hours. There's a perfectly good explanation for it all (which for some reason fascinates me.) I think it's the glossy appearance mixed in with a stimulating ingredient (usually cinnamon or mint) that prompts rapid blood flow so the skin tingles. Either way they're fun to wear.
I've probably tried most that are out on the market but after some trial and error I've narrowed it down to a few I feel really deliver a puckered pout. Even though I'm not 100% convinced they can actually "plump" your lips, I still love the tingly feeling they give and the illusion of "bee stung" lips.
LipFusion
(L to R) XL, Show Off, Kiss
The minis I got as a gift & they came in a set of 4. The only 2 shades I know are Sweet (second from left) & Bare (second from right) because the tags came off the others but I always see them in stores so I know they're not discontinued.
The XL ($50) are minty/sweet but the others have almost a subtle sweet orange scent. They're all really refreshing to the taste. The formula is creamy & smooth, leaving your lips conditioned. I sometimes use the XL at night as a lip treatment.
XL Tingle Factor is a 9 at first then stays steady at a 7.
Regular Formula ($38)-is also at about a 9. I usually re-apply while I'm wearing it so it stays juicy.
I love them all and wear them constantly, over & under other products.
I know they're pricey but they're so glam, it's totally worth it!
(L to R) Victoria's Secret (Hot Pink)
theBalm (Tutti My Frutti & Water My Melon)
M.A.C (Bountiful, Nice Buzz, Posh It Up, Cushy White)
Victoria's Secret-($18)
I raved about the Victoria's Secret Very Voluptuous Lip Plumper in my "Loose Lips Share Tips" blog. After I got their first plumper, which is clear but has a self-adjusting pigment that turns rosy pink after application, I was hooked. I'd gone through 2 of them before I bought the "Hot Pink" which is gorgeous! They're super glossy but not too thick. It has a sweet taste but is more on the cinnamon side, which is delicious!
Tingle factor is at a 9 at first and maintains that for a few hours, I'm not kidding. You really feel like your lips are bigger! I have yet to try this in the new EXTREME version ($28), I can only imagine what it'll do!
theBalm-($15)
I came across theBalm while on one of my Sephora sprees a few years ago & have since decided they're a great line as a whole, not just for lip gloss. I fell quick in love with the Pin-Up packaging and reasonable prices but what's kept me coming back for more is the quality of the products!
Since I found them, I've gone through 3 tubes of the Plump Your Pucker tinted gloss in Tutti My Frutti. It's smell is good enough to eat, like a fruity pina colada.
It's tingle factor is at a soothing 8. It's a cool tingle, like mint but without the minty flavor.
It's extremely pigmented for a "tinted" gloss and it wears beautifully alone or as a pick-me-up top coat to a nice peachy/warm lipstick.
The Water My Melon is more sheer & has a watermelon flavor. Yum!
M.A.C-($19.50)
It was only a matter of time before M.A.C came out with a lip plumper and I'm so happy they did! They're called Plushglass and smell like marshmallows. Like theBalm, they too have a cool tingle but without the added flavor of mint or cinnamon.
Tingle factor-starts at an 8 and maintains a 7 while keeping it's shine & consistency. It stays for pretty much a good few hours.
Bountiful is definitely in my top 10 lip gloss favs of all time. It's a light shimmery pink & it gives just the right sting to my lips. I am never without this trusty gloss because it goes with anything.
(L to R) Clinique (Glamour-Ful & Luscious Lilac)
Clinique Mini Duos
(Luscious Lilac on top of Blackberry Bloom)
(Glamour-Ful on top of Peach Plump)
(Play-Full Plump on top of Cherry Bomb)
Philosophy (Pink)
Too Faced (Shimmery Sheer & Clear)
DuWop (Lip Venom)
Clinique-Full Potential Lips Plump and Shine($17.50)
My auntie had given me this gloss in a gift bag of makeup :-) The thick glossy formula gives your lips a nice boost.
This doesn't have a heavy scent or tingle but you can feel it. These are definitely on the sheer side and look great for day or night.
Tingle factor-7 but settles into a nice 5/6.
Philosophy-Big Mouth($18)
I bought this at the Sephora in Boston while on a weekend trip. I figured I'd try a new plumper and it looked pink and pretty so I got it. It's extremely sheer but this little treat packs a powerful punch!
It smells like Carmex and gives major tingles!
I'd say the tingle factor is at a 10. It stays that way for a while and when you wipe it off, your lips feel cool. It promises a "bee stung" look and although I don't feel my lips swell, like I do with Victoria's Secret, I do feel heavy tingles.
I wear this over lipsticks sometimes or I'll grab it to throw on when running out the door.
It must still be quite popular because it's hard to find online ;-)
Too Faced- Lip Injection($19)
Lip Injection has been around for a while, as it came out when Lip Plumpers were making their grand debut. They proved to be more than a flash in the pan when it was reported that Cher ordered it by the case when she'd go on tour and I soon learned why. It's amazing!
It's a sweet smelling, heavy gloss and not only does it make your lips feel plumped but they turn color. A few minutes after you apply, you notice a change in color where you put the gloss. On my lips, they turn a deep crimson but it looks great. It has a cinnamon base and I'd definitely say it's a tingle factor of 10!
The gloss is thick enough that it doesn't move and wears pretty good for a while. I've gone through a few of these over the years because they're so small. I now have clear and a sheer, iridescent nude pink which just shows up as a shimmery sheer. This one is good as a top coat to a nude lipstick. This also comes in an EXTREME version which I'd like to try.
DuWop- Lip Venom($16)
This is the Godfather of all lip plumpers! I remember the first time I tried it. My Mom had taken me on a nice birthday spree at Sephora's and my sister urged me to try it. I got it and when I put it on I was like, Wow!
My lips actually looked fuller!
They got red and tingled immediately. The tingle is SO intense it feels like your lips are burning, but in a good way. It's hard to explain without sounding crazy. Lol!
Rumor had it that snake venom was what caused the intense feeling but it's really a mix of ingredients including cinnamon & ginger, both of which, I think, smell and taste great.
The tingle factor is off the charts at a powerful 11 and it lasts longer than any other lip plumper I've ever used.
However, once the tingle is gone, it's gone but you are left with smooth lips so it's fine. It almost feels like your lips have been exfoliated, that's how smooth they are.
This is actually so strong I have to use it sparingly. True story.
With new products coming out so rapidly, I'm sure this is not the last of my lip plumping adventures!
Keep it pretty!
*Stephanie*