Collection Cosmetics Plumping, High-Shine, Non-Sticky, Plump Me Up Scented Lip Gloss, 10ml, Clear, Peppermint

Product Information

Choose between Sweet Dreams, a baby pink, and Cherry Vanilla, a sheer cherry red, and get some zzz's. Come morning, lips look fuller, smoother and, honestly, like you just got injectables thanks to its potent formula containing Maxi-Lip™ (a natural peptide that defines, smooths, and firms lips), shea butter, and hyaluronic acid. "I put the mask on before bed, and when I woke up the next morning, my lips were so hydrated," the tester admits. "The mask must have seeped into my lips right after I applied it, because it stayed on even after brushing my teeth." According to board-certified dermatologist Michele Green, MD, who is based in New York City, topical lip plumpers are enriched with active ingredients — including cinnamon, ginger, peppermint, and the same ingredient found in injectables, hyaluronic acid (more on this later). Simply put, these ingredients create a plumping effect by temporarily swelling the lips. "The skin reaction [caused by these ingredients] results in localized swelling, which gives the lips a temporary plumping effect," Green explains. Fortunately, these ingredients are considered safe and effective, according to Erum Ilyas, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group.

They also have stimulant ingredients designed to increase blood flow in the lips (such as cinnamon and menthol essential oils) to make them flush and swell. After a swipe or two, the gloss drenches lips in a refreshing, chilly sensation that the brand describes as "tantalizing." Some find that tingle to be too much, but others, like our tester, found the sensation to be an invigorating reminder that the product was hard at work. "The tingling was slightly more intense than I thought it would be, but it diminished as time went on," the tester admits. "I thought it felt good, but it could definitely be too much for some people." A lip plumper will moisturise and condition lips, and temporarily and subtly add volume. The effects typically last a few hours, but by conditioning the lips and improving moisture retention, some will have longer-lasting effects if regularly applied. How long your newly plumped lips will last depends on the product. Some products boast 24 hour longwear, while others can resemble the effects of filler when applied consistently over time. When looking at lasting power, think about the occasion or outings you'll want to wear plumper to and consider your personal preference. Usually, the longer the effect will last, the better, so you don't need to worry about reapplying. A product with color may also need to be applied more often to maintain its vibrancy. Lip plumpers rely on humectants, like hyaluronic acid, and are safe to use everyday. Dr. Hausauer notes that these products are made even better when combined with emollients, like ceramides, and occlusives, like squalane and petroleum jelly. "This trifecta is the hallmark of great lip moisturizers and are safe to use on the gentle lip skin as often as necessary," she says. She warns, though, that lip plumpers that offer a swelling effect should be used in moderation.Plump, pouty lips are highly sought after these days, and with such a saturated market of lip-plumping devices, glosses, and treatments available both at home and in a pro's office, it's hard to know what option is right for you. If you're looking for a less-invasive way to plump your lips, plumping balms and glosses are a great place to start. To make achieving the perfect pout easier, we set out to find the best lip plumpers. We researched the top plumpers on the market and enlisted the help of a handful of reviewers to test out the most popular options firsthand. Board-certified New York City-based dermatologist Hadley King, MD, also recommends lip plumpers enriched with humectants (such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin), emollients (which include fatty acids and ceramides), and occlusives (like beeswax) for maximum hydration. If you're new to the world of lip plumpers and are considering giving one a try, know that there can be many benefits to applying a swipe or two everyday or every once in a while. "Lip plumpers can add an instant boost of fullness and shine, especially for special events as there is no downtime after using them and they offer instant results," Nourian says. "If you're considering getting lip fillers, lip plumpers are a nice, non-committal way to enhance your lip shape and see what your lips might look like." Are lip plumpers safe? Similar to getting hair extensions, Botox, or eyebrow microblading — getting lip filler — injectable hyaluronic acid — is a completely optional beauty enhancement. The kind offered by professionals can get pricey, especially considering these services may require multiple sessions to achieve the level of fullness you desire. If you want to give the look of fuller lips a very temporary test run before deciding whether or not you want to take the injectable route, lip plumpers in the form of glosses and balms are the next best thing.

Not only do lips actually look different, they feel different too. "I was surprised to find that my lips actually felt nourished and hydrated while wearing the gloss," the tester says. "I didn't need to apply lip balm underneath it, which is something I usually do when I wear lip gloss." Plus, once it's on, it's on. Even after all-day wear, she didn't need to reapply it to keep her lips juicy and plump. There's variety, too. The gloss is available in five high-shine, semi-sheer shades: Clear, beige, baby pink, pink, and red.Polyisobutene, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tribehenin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Linalool, Limonene