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Beauty team picks + Good Housekeeping Institute tested stand-outs.
Fuller lips have long been desired, and can give a youthful and romantic effect. While botox and filler are quite common place now, they understandably aren't for everyone. Lip plumping glosses and balms are a safe, playful and short term way to add a little va va voom, and we can't get enough of them.
But when it comes to buying, it's something you really need to try first. Which ones actually work? Which plumpers maintain the effects longest? How comfortable are the plumping sensations? Brands make a lot of promises, but with a product you can't try on, sometimes it feels like a stab in the dark.
If you fancy giving your pout a little boost, we've rounded up some of the the best lip plumpers on the market right now - tried & tested by our experts at the GHI, or hand picked by our GH beauty team. From Too Faced's famous Lip Injection Extreme, to Soap and Glory's bargain Sexy Mother Pucker, find out what's worth spending your pennies on.
This affordable lip plumper from Soap & Glory scored 73/100 with our testers. They found that it plumped up their lips within 60 seconds and was super easy to use. With a gorgeous, glossy finish it promises to leave lips feeling soft and looking fab.
Read the full GHI review here
If you're looking for something with colour, the range also has these glosses in gorgeous shades, using the original technology plus Lipswell Natural Plant Oil Infusion labelled as a "microcirculation-boosting extract that makes your lips feel instantly fuller."
Across the Sexy Mother Pucker line the tingling sensation is gentle and lasts only a short period, though plumping results remain.
This Too Faced lip plumper promises immediate and long-term results. Full of moisturising natural oils it aims to nourish the lips while making them look full and plump. Our experts rated this plumper, giving it 73/100. They found it really easy to apply and felt it moisturised their lips for a long time as well as giving them a little boost. It's also available in a range of flattering shades.
Read the full GHI review here
Junior Digital writer Elena Chabo warns it's not for those with sensitive lips or skin, and to only use a small amount, the tingling sensation is delayed but intense.
She told us; "Sheer shade Bubblegum Yum was the perfect amount of pink for my liking, so much so, I slathered layers and layers on for a super glossy look my first use, witch left me with blotchy red skin all around my mouth for an hour. Having learnt my lesson I now use a thin layer and wait a few minutes to feel the tingle. It's quite sharp at first, but the plumping is remarkable."
Milk Makeup is all vegan, cruelty free, and as natural as possible. So if you're concerned about what goes into lip plumpers to juice up your lips, this is the pick for you.
It gets its buzz from Sichuan pepper, and uses plant-based collagen, to plump the lips. You can feel it working for sure but there's no burning sensation, lips are left subtley plumper with lines appearing smoother. Plus the sheer shades are so glossy and flattering.
Designed and listed as an overnight serum, put a layer of this on and wait a few minutes and you'll see a gorgeous plumped effect.
With 56 active cell ingredients to rejuvenate and plump the lips, this lip cream scored 72/100 with our experts. It aims to not only boost lips but smooth fine lines and wrinkles around the lip contour. Our panel thought it seemed to reduced fine lines and moisturised lips well.
Read the full GHI review here
It's a best-seller in the US and the Buxom lip polisher went down a treat with our testers at the GHI who gave it a score of 74/100. Full of Vitamin A and E, the product promises to leave lips looking fuller with a shimmering finish. The sheer coverage lip product is available in an incredible 32 shades. Currently the brand doesn't ship internationally and it's no longer at UK retailers, but you can get your hands on it on Amazon if you're happy to pay a little extra.
Read the full GHI review here