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Byrdie / Chloe Jeong
Considering that lip augmentation is one of the most requested aesthetic procedures, it comes as no surprise that we've also seen a rise in the popularity of over-the-counter lip-plumping products. While injections sound great in theory, the cost, risk of an allergic reaction, and general fear can play a big role in why they aren't in the cards for you. Thankfully, you can achieve a plump lips with today's needle-free options. Ranging from glosses to lip masks, lip plumpers are an alternative to the non-surgical procedure, achieving a similar (yet much subtler) effect.
Although results won't be nearly as dramatic or last as long as injections, lip plumpers can be applied whenever you want, yielding the same plump, juicy effect with each use. Another great thing about them? They cost significantly less than lip injections and can be found everywhere, including your local drugstore. Plus, many of them come in gorgeous glossy formulas with a high-shine finish to help reflect light and help add some extra oomph.
Keep reading to check out our picks for the best lip plumpers.
Best Overall: Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Heat Universal Lip Luminizer + Plumper
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High-shine finish
Versatile shade range
Contains fragrance
Trust us—RiRi has done it yet again with this lip plumper from Fenty Beauty. It’s molded after the OG Gloss Bomb, meaning it has a gorgeous high-shine finish and a versatile shade range, but this formula also boasts an added plumping and smoothing effect. Its Plump Job Complex—made up of a blend of plumping ingredients—is designed to add subtle volume for instantly fuller lips. While it does have a slight tingling sensation, it’s only minor and barely noticeable. To top it off, shea butter and vitamin E help lock in moisture to keep your lips hydrated throughout the day.
Active Ingredients: Shea butter, vitamin E | Finish: Gloss | Shade Range: 4 | Size: 0.30 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Budget: NYX Professional Makeup Filler Instinct Plumping Lip Polish
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Affordable
High-shine finish
Versatile shade range
Can feel slightly sticky and tacky
Searching for an affordable lip plumper? Try this one from NYX. Its glossy formula uses a special hydrating and conditioning complex, along with plumping agents like hyaluronic acid and menthol to leave you with lips worthy of Kylie Jenner. Available in six sheer shades, its high-shine finish—courtesy of light-reflecting emollients—helps improve the appearance of lines and never feathers. Warning: The menthol in the formula will cause a tingling effect, but reviewers mention that it’s not harsh and doesn’t pack the same sting like some other plumpers.
Active Ingredients: Argan oil, sodium hyaluronate, menthol | Finish: Shimmer | Shade Range: 6 | Size: 0.28 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Drugstore: Milani Keep It Full Lip Plumper
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Hydrating formula
Large doe-foot applicator
Nice scent
Can feel slightly sticky and tacky
Not long-wearing
This affordable drugstore option is a fan favorite due to its cooling—not stinging—effect upon application. Thanks to its large doe-foot applicator, it seamlessly delivers instant volume and a sheer glossy sheen with each swipe. Its formula is also packed with hyaluronic acid and a combination of oils to add in some much-needed hydration. Also nice: It has a delicious vanilla mint fragrance that smells yummy without being too overpowering.
Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid | Finish: Gloss | Shade Range: 6 | Size: 0.13 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Balm: Laboratoires Filorga Paris Nutri-Filler Lips
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Heals dry, chapped lips
Hydrating formula
Excess packaging
Not cruelty-free
While you may feel that lip plumpers fall exclusively under the gloss category, they include much more than that. This lip balm from French skincare brand Filorga does double duty by adding a dosage of hydration and plumpness with each application. Its formula includes ingredients like shea butter to nourish, along with a peptide collagen booster to plump and smooth. Since it’s meant to help plump lips over time, we prefer to apply it in the evening and let it slowly work its magic. Trust us, you’ll wake up with the smoothest, supplest lips you could ask for.
Active Ingredients: Shea butter, ricin and soya oils, peptides | Finish: Sheer | Size: 0.1 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes
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Byrdie / Ashley Rebecca
Best Gloss: Lawless Forget the Filler Lip Plumping Line Smoothing Gloss
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Ultra-shiny finish
Hydrating formula
Expensive
Not a lot of product
Yes, there are many lip-plumping glosses out there, but this one from LAWLESS takes the award for the best. The ultra-shiny gloss uses shea butter and rosehip oil to make lips look and feel pillowy soft. Its plush doe-foot applicator expertly hugs the curves of your lips for a precise application. And with consistent use, it claims to help increase lip volume and decrease fine lines over time.
Active Ingredients: Shea butter, rosehip oil | Finish: Gloss | Shade Range: 3 | Size: 0.11 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
What Our Testers Say
“The Lawless Forget The Filler Lip Plumping Line Smoothing Gloss offers real lip plumping benefits while working to hydrate your lips and make them extra soft.” — Alexa Garcia, Product Tester
Best Hydrating: Dior Addict Lip Maximizer Plumping Gloss
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Beautiful, sheer finish
Hydrating formula
Light, pleasant scent
Plumping effect is subtle
For a plumping gloss that provides a hefty dose of hydration, opt for this pick from Dior. Infused with a blend of collagen, hyaluronic acid, and marine-based fillers, the formula claims to smooth out the lips, providing a plumping effect that mimics subtle lip injections. It doesn’t hurt that the formula is also vegan, cruelty-free, and comes in recyclable packaging. Also worth noting: It’s offered in a range of versatile sheer shades from cherry-red to nude pink, and it features a delicious vanilla-mint scent.
Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid | Finish: Gloss, shimmer | Shade Range: 13 | Size: 0.2 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes
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Byrdie / Ashley Rebecca
Best Anti-Aging: Exuviance Targeted Lip Filler
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Wears well under lipstick
Hydrating formula
Helps improve expression lines over time
Expensive
Not a lot of product
Much like the rest of our face, our lips—and the skin surrounding them—are susceptible to fine lines and wrinkles, which is where Exuviance’s Targeted Lip Filler comes into play. “The formula not only plumps, but it also fills in and smoothes the lips as you use it,” explains Camila Bravo, an NYC and Philadelphia-based Makeup Artist. “You can use it above the lips to help expression lines appear less noticeable over time and apply it before lipstick application to keep your lips hydrated, smooth, and plump underneath.” Apply it twice daily, morning and evening, to achieve the best results.
Active Ingredients: Peptides | Finish: Clear | Size: 0.35 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Splurge: La Mer The Lip Volumizer
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Doubles as a lip serum
Provides a subtle sheen
Hydrating formula
Expensive
While $80 may seem steep for a lip plumper, this one from La Mer is well worth every penny. The serum-strength treatment works hard to simultaneously smooth, condition, and plump the lips. The formula uses the brand’s cell-renewing Miracle Broth, along with a blend of antioxidants to help protect your lips against environmental damage while helping to eliminate and smooth out any fine lines.
Active Ingredients: Shea butter, vitamin E | Finish: Sheer | Shade Range: 1 | Size: 0.2 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Serum: Buxom Plump Shot Collagen-Infused Lip Serum
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Smoothes and conditions
Can be worn alone or layered
May irritate sensitive skin
Buxom Cosmetics is known for its lip plumping products, so it only makes sense that their lip plumping serum would be incredible, too. The vegan collagen-infused formula aims to condition, smooth, and visibly plump lips. “It works great when you want a quick plumping effect for an on-the-go look,” explains Bravo. The best part? You can wear it alone or layer it over your favorite lipsticks to add a glossy finish.
Active Ingredients: Vegan collagen, tri-peptides, tsubaki, avocado, and jojoba oils | Finish: Gloss | Size: 0.14 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Mask: KNC Beauty All Natural Collagen Infused Lip Mask
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Hydrating formula
Great prep for lipstick application
Cute shape
Mask can slide off
Hear us out: Lip glosses are great, but lip-plumping masks are even better. This all-natural option from KNC acts as a volumizing primer, making it a great addition to your makeup routine before lipstick. Each gel mask is infused with collagen, hyaluronic acid, and rose flower oil and helps to improve hydration, smoothness, and fullness with each use. Also nice: The adorable oversized lip shape is great for Instagram-worthy snaps.
Active Ingredients: Collagen, hyaluronic acid | Size: 0.3 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Lipstick: Grande Cosmetics GrandeLIPSTICK Plumping Lipstick
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Balm-lipstick hybrid
Hydrating formula
Versatile shades
Strong tingling sensation
Results aren't dramatic
FYI, lip-plumping lipsticks do exist, and this one from Grande Cosmetics is our top pick. Combining the moisture of a balm and the pigment of a lipstick, it works to plump and hydrate your lips. Plus, it's available in five versatile shades that are great for any occasion.
Active Ingredients: Portaluca pilosa extract, peptides, sucrose cocoate | Finish: Satin | Shade Range: 5 | Size: 0.14 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Sensitive Skin: Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Lip Bath Gloss
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Versatile shades
Sting-free formula
Expensive
Can feel slightly sticky and tacky
If you're aiming to add some volume to your lips sans any stinging, opt for this plumping product from Charlotte Tilbury. Infused with marine collagen, this nourishing lipgloss has a smoothing effect and instantly adds plumpness to your lips. While its heart-shaped applicator is aesthetically pleasing to look at, it also allows you to swipe the gloss precisely along the contours of your lips. Plus, it's available in five versatile pinks and nudes.
Active Ingredients: Marine collagen | Finish: Gloss | Shade Range: 5 | Size: 0.26 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best High-Shine: Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme Lip Plumper
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Hydrating formula
Can be worn alone or layered
Can feel slightly sticky and tacky
Not long-wearing
This high-shine gloss from Too Faced is recommended for even the thinnest of lips since it can dramatically add volume in a matter of minutes. The formula—which boasts a lab-tested blend of atelocollagen, marine filling spheres, avocado and jojoba oils, and vitamin E—aims to moisturize the lips while delivering long-term plumping effects. Whether you wear it on its own or layer it with your favorite lip color, it’ll create the naturally plump look you’ve been aiming to achieve. This mega booster is the closest you can get to lip filler without actually getting injections, which makes sense, considering it has tons of rave reviews.
Active Ingredients: Atelocollagen, marine filling spheres, avocado, and jojoba oils, vitamin E | Finish: Gloss | Shade Range: 5 | Size: 0.14 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
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Byrdie / Ashley Rebecca
Final Verdict
For plump-looking lips sans the use of needles, opt for a lip plumper. Our pick of the best plumper on the market is Fenty Beauty's Gloss Bomb Heat Universal Lip Luminizer + Plumper (view at Sephora). It adds subtle volume, provides a gorgeous high-shine finish, and has a versatile shade range for use on all skin tones. Looking for great affordable options? Try the NYX Professional Makeup Filler Instinct Plumping Lip Polish (view at Amazon) or Milani's Keep It Full Nourishing Lip Plumper (view Ulta). Both are under $10 and provide fantastic plumping results.
What to Look for in a Lip Plumper
Conditioning Ingredients
First and foremost, Urban Decay Global Makeup Artist Steve Kassajikian recommends looking for lip plumping products that are chock full of conditioning ingredients that’ll keep your lips amply moisturized. In order for plumped lips to look their very best, you’ll want to ensure they’re soft and supple—not dry or flaky.
Hyaluronic Acid
One key ingredient Kassajikian recommends looking out for in a lip plumper is hyaluronic acid. As you know, hyaluronic acid draws moisture into the skin and holds it there, lending a plumping effect to fine lines and wrinkles. It’ll have the same effect on your lips, helping them look fuller, plumper, and healthier overall.
Avoid Sting-Inducing Ingredients
There's a reason why people are slathering cayenne pepper concoctions all over their lips on TikTok right now: Mild irritants, such as cayenne, capsicum resin (from peppers), cinnamon, menthol, and even bee venom cause blood to rush to your lips, creating a temporary plumping effect. That's why many lip-plumping products have a subtle bite to them. (But don't worry, they're safe!)
While this is totally up to your personal preference, Kassajikian recommends avoiding products with these ingredients if you don't want your lips to sting—instead, reach for products with non-stinging ingredients like mustard sprout and hyaluronic acid. We especially recommend avoiding these if your lips are dry and cracked. Ouch!
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How do lip plumpers work?
Not all lip plumpers are created equal, but many of the glosses, balms, masks, and creams out there have ingredients that draw moisture into the skin’s surface, resulting in a plumped appearance. “This gives the lips a fuller and smoother appearance,” says Kassajikian. However, others contain the blood-rushing ingredients mentioned above, which cause the lips to temporarily swell and become inflamed to appear fuller. LED devices also exist, which boost collagen production within the lips to create a fuller, smoother appearance.
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Are lip plumpers safe?
According to Kassajikian, they’re safe because the effects are only temporary. However, he does give one warning: “If overused, they can potentially cause dry and chapped lips.” That said, be sure not to overdo it.
Why Trust Byrdie?
Byrdie contributor Rachel Dube has tested hundreds of products and written beauty-related articles for some of the biggest digital publications out there. As someone who sometimes wants plumper lips but isn't quite the candidate for filler, she's turned to lip plumpers of all kinds when she wants to add some volume to her lips. In case you were wondering, her personal favorite is Dior's Addict Lip Maximizer Plumping Gloss.
Meet the Expert
- Camila Bravo is a makeup artist based in New York City and Philadelphia.
- Steve Kassajikian is Urban Decay’s Global Makeup Artist.
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