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Byrdie / Chloe Jeong
It’s no surprise that lip injections are one of the most commonly requested non-surgical procedures women (and men) ask for at the plastic surgeon’s office. A pouty lip is not only sexy, but it can also make your face look more symmetrical and striking. Yes, injections sound great in theory, but for whatever reason—price, fear, allergies—they might not be in the cards for you this month (or year, or ever). But just because you don’t want to make the full-blown commitment doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy yourself a perfectly plumped-up pout a la Kylie Jenner.
Thankfully, there are a bunch of needle-free options to make your lips big and juicy without subjecting you to a high price tag or pain. Over-the-counter lip-plumping solutions, from masks to balms, can be highly effective thanks to ingredients such as collagen-boosting peptides, moisturizing factors like hyaluronic acid, and extracts of peppermint and mustard sprout. Plus, there's a reason lip plumpers frequently come in glossy formulas—a high shine finish helps to reflect light and create the look of luscious volume.
So, whether you have thin lips or just want to add some oomph, check out our picks for the best lip plumpers.
Best Overall: Dior Lip Maximizer
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Active Ingredients: Capsicum frutescens fruit extract, sodium hyaluronate | Finish: High-shine, shimmer | Shade Range: 11 | Size: 0.2 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Trust us—this gloss from Dior has it all. It's both instantly plumping and hydrating, and it comes in a range of sheer shades, from vibrant to subtle, for every mood and occasion. The formula is infused with collagen and contains a blend of hyaluronic acid and marine-based fillers that smooth out the lips, leaving them plumped and juicy all day long.
It's also vegan and cruelty-free, comes in recyclable packaging, and has the most delicious mint-vanilla scent. Plus, its spokesperson is Bella Hadid, so it's officially It Girl-approved. Need we say more?
Best Budget: NYX Professional Makeup Filler Instinct Plumping Lip Polish
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Active Ingredients: Argan oil, sodium hyaluronate, menthol | Finish: Shimmer | Shade Range: 6 | Size: 0.1 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Looking to plump up your lips on the cheap? This lip gloss from NYX does just that, thanks to its special hydrating and conditioning complex and plumping agents like hyaluronic acid and menthol. Due to the menthol in the formula, you can expect to feel a bit of a tingle, but according to reviews, it doesn’t pack the same sting as some other plumping glosses out there.
Available in a handful of sheer shades, all of which contain light-reflecting emollients, this high-shine gloss will smooth out the appearance of lines and prevent feathering, leaving you with a totally juicy and perfected pout. Also nice: The formula is cruelty-free and PETA certified.
Best Drugstore: Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Pillow Plump Gloss
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Active Ingredients: Castor seed oil, menthyl lactate, vitamin E | Finish: High-shine | Shade Range: 3 | Size: 0.3 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
The major plumping sensation you get from this affordable option is way more intense than you’d expect given the price. Unlike most glosses, this one doesn’t leave you with that sticky feel but does give you a ton of shine. It has a sweet, chocolate cake-like scent that will keep you wanting more.
With just one swipe, it delivers full, plump lips with a wash of gorgeous color. It comes in seven wearable shades that are safe enough for everyday wear and can also help spruce up your night time look. Plus, each shade contains subtle specks of glitter, which add dimension, making lips look even fuller.
Best Splurge: La Mer The Lip Volumizer
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Active Ingredients: Shea butter, sodium hyaluronate, vitamin E | Finish: Sheer | Shade Range: One | Size: 0.2 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
At first glance, $80 may seem steep for a lip product, but this one from La Mer isn’t just any old lip product. A serum-strength treatment, it works hard to simultaneously smooth, condition, and plump the lips. It’s infused with the brand’s iconic cell-renewing Miracle Broth and a blend of antioxidants, helping to protect your pout against environmental aggressors while instantly defining and smoothing out lines.
Because it lends a gorgeous iridescent sheen in a universally flattering sheer pink shade, it can be worn alone or layered under your favorite lip color as a nourishing and plumping primer.
Best for Thin Lips: Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme Lip Plumper
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Active Ingredients: Jojoba seed oil, atelocollagen, peptides | Finish: High-shine | Shade Range: 5 | Size: 0.1 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
This fast and dramatic super plumper instantly inflates even the skimpiest lips on the spot. You can rock the high-shine gloss on its own, or layer it with your lipstick. When worn solo, the clear gloss creates a naturally flushed look and the formula is thick and sticky, but in a good way.
This plumper contains marine sponge, which simultaneously adds volume while moisturizing lips. Meanwhile, its proprietary “collagen booster” helps increase collagen, which also helps plump up lips. With all of its goodness, this mega booster is the closest thing you can get to lip filler without actually getting lip filler. Sold.
Best Overnight: Dermalogica Nightly Lip Treatment
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Active Ingredients: Swertia chirata extract, sodium hyaluronate, peppermint and spearmint oils | Finish: Sheer | Size: 0.3 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Help erase lip lines, reverse free radical damage, and moisturize dehydrated, chapped lips by swiping on this treatment before hitting the sheets. It’s truly skincare for the lips. Everything from its potent ingredients to its luxurious massaging applicator makes the creamy and effective product soak right into your lips, instantly adding volume and filling out lines.
Whether you have virgin lips (aka no filler) or lip injections, this enhancing, anti-aging treatment will leave you with a plumped-up pout. In a clinical study, almost 90% of participants noticed their lip volume increased and over 90% noticed a decrease in fine lines and wrinkles. Beyond the science, customers love that you don’t have to worry about a crazy tingle irritating your lips. Instead, it gently works overnight (when the skin repairs itself) to smooth the appearance of lines and make lips look more defined.
Best Balm: Laboratoires Filorga Paris Nutri-Filler Lips
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Active Ingredients: Ricin and soya oils, shea butter, peptides | Finish: Sheer | Size: 0.1 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Key Ingredients
Shea butter is a plant lipid that comes from African shea tree nuts and is rich in fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins. It's used to help moisturize, nourish, and soothe the skin.
At first glance, lip plumpers and lip balms might seem like relative opposites, but this product from French skincare brand Filorga is truly the best of both worlds. Its formula includes ingredients like shea butter and ricin and soya oils to nourish and repair, a peptide collagen booster to smooth and plump, and an active ingredient that reacts to your lips' pH to brighten their natural color. Plus, its finish is non-sticky, which is always a plus.
Meant to help plump the lips over time, we actually prefer to apply this one in the evening so it can work its nourishing magic while we sleep. Trust, you’ll wake up with the smoothest, supplest lips ever.
Best Gloss: BUXOM Cosmetics Full-On Plumping Lip Polish Gloss
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Active Ingredients: Hydrogenated polyisobutene, palmitoyl oligopeptide | Finish: Metallic, shimmer, high-shine | Shade Range: 21 | Size: 0.2 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Key Ingredients
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring polysaccharide found in the human body. It acts as a cushioning and lubrication agent for our joints, nerves, hair, skin, and eyes. When used in skincare, it acts as a moisture binder, which means that it will attach itself to the water in the cells (while also attracting and holding water from the air) making them plump.
Sephora’s best-selling lip plumping gloss is available in over 100 shades (!) and we just can’t get enough. The shimmer-sheer finish gives lips the perfect flush, while the unique peptide and hyaluronic acid booster help support your pout's natural collagen production. With a pop of color and a hint of shimmer, volumized lips will be plumped to perfection.
The formula has a minty, tingly sensation, and is made for those who really like to feel the tingle. Plus, we love that the long-lasting formula won’t separate throughout the day.
Best Hydrating: PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Lip Booster
Active Ingredients: Palmitoyl tripeptide-1, palmitoyl tripeptide-38, vitamin E | Finish: Sheer | Size: 0.2 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
It's no secret that hyaluronic acid is the ultimate moisturizer—which is why we picked this product as our favorite hydrating lip plumper. Designed to help plump and increase volume over time, its formula uses the brand's Ultra-Filling Spheres, an ingredient blend that combines sodium hyaluronate and konjac root, to hydrate the lips and enhance volume sans irritation. Rounding out the list are collagen-stimulating peptides and the powerful antioxidant vitamin E, which helps neutralize free radicals while soothing the skin. All in all, it's a must.
Best LED: Revive Light Therapy Lip Care
Even just a few years ago, LED light therapy—a treatment that exposes skin to certain wavelengths of light to target concerns like acne or signs of aging—was pretty much only offered at your dermatologist. However, today, at-home light therapy (think: face masks) has become a thing, too. It's no surprise, then, that there are products that target your lips, specifically.
Revive's Light Therapy Lip Care device is one such product; its infrared LED lights work to stimulate natural collagen production and increase circulation, which helps lend the lips a fuller appearance over time while smoothing out lines and creases,
Best Mask: KNC Beauty Kiss My Lips All-Natural Collagen-Infused Lip Mask
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Active Ingredients: Collagen, bitter cherry extract, hyaluronic acid | Size: 0.3 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Pucker-up, because your lips are about to get more kissable with this all-natural lip mask that acts as a volumizing primer to amplify the look of your lipstick. The formula is infused with plumping collagen and hyaluronic acid as well as hydrating rose flower oil, leaving your lips softer, smoother, and fuller sans any harsh chemicals. Unlike many lip products, it's petroleum-free so you can feel good about adding it to a regular part if your routine. Plus, they're shaped like oversized lips, making for perfect selfie material.
Best Mask, Runner-Up: skyn ICELAND Plumping Lip Gels
Active Ingredients: Red algae, mustard sprout extract, swertia chirata extract | Size: 4 x 0.1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Got 10 minutes to spare? That's all you need to score fuller, more hydrated lips, courtesy of these gel masks from Skyn Iceland. Not only are they fun to wear—they're comfortable and stay put—but they actually work, thanks to ingredients like wintered red algae (for hydration), mustard sprout extract (for conditioning and plumping), swertia chirata extract (for smoothing wrinkles around the mouth), and the brand's proprietary Icelandic Complex, a natural ingredient blend that revives stressed-out skin. They also contain wild berry extract, which gives them a fun, fruity flavor.
Best Serum: Lancer Skincare Volume Enhancing Lip Serum
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Active Ingredients: Croton lechleri resin extract, shea butter | Size: 0.5 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
It's our personal belief that face serums are an essential part of any skincare routine, so we love that this is a serum formulated just for your lips—and with plumping properties, to boot! Its antioxidant-rich formula contains ingredients like shea butter, peptides, and hyaluronic acid to hydrate and contour the lips while making them appear fuller. It also contains Sichuan pepper extract, which causes a cooling, tingling sensation when you apply it, helping to pump up the plumpness. Expert tip? It works super well as a primer for lipsticks or glosses.
Best for Sensitive Skin: SkinMedica HA5 Smooth and Plump Lip System
Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, grape flower cell extract | Size: 2 x 0.1 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
If you have sensitive skin but are craving the look of fuller lips, try this two-step treatment from SkinMedica, which includes both a smoothing formula (with dimethicone and hyaluronic acid) and a plumping formula. Overall, this product duo is designed to provide both instant and long-term effects: It's a gentle way to plump your lips, as well as blur fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth. Plus, we love that it can be worn both under or over our favorite lip color.
Best Day-to-Night Duo: Dr. Brandt Skincare Needles No More 3D Lip Plump Fix
Active Ingredients: Moringa oil, peptides | Size: 0.1 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
We have different skincare routines in the morning and at night in general, so why shouldn't that also extend to lips? This plumping lip duo includes products for both times: Its daytime formula includes hyaluronic filling spheres, peptides, and plumping enhancers that amp up your lips' natural volume, while its evening formula is all about conditioning and hydration, with a softening blend of natural butters and oils like shea and moringa. Plus, we love that both formulas are free of fragrance, parabens, sulfates, gluten, and phthalates.
Best Shine: Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Lip Bath Gloss
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Active Ingredients: Collagen, coconut oil, peppermint oil | Finish: High-shine | Shade Range: 5 | Size: 0.3 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Whether or not you're nostalgic for the lip glosses of the early aughts, this plumping formula from Charlotte Tillbury will make you a convert—just like it did for us. Marine collagen and mustard sprout extract work together to hydrate, increase lip volume, and smooth out fine lines, while coconut oil nourishes the skin. Plus, the formula contains pearlescent pigments that provide the prettiest sheen that reflects light, while peppermint extract gives the formula a cooling, tingly feel and refreshing scent. What's not to love?
Final Verdict
For plumper-looking lips without the nip and tuck, try the Dior Addict Lip Maximizer Plumping Gloss, our pick of the best lip plumper on the market. It's both noticeably plumping and hydrating, and it comes in a range of shades. If you're looking for a mask to get the job done, we recommend KNC Beauty Kiss My Lips. Unlike many lip products, it's petroleum-free so you can feel good about adding it as a regular part of your routine.
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 pout. “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.
Meet the Expert
Steve Kassajikian is Urban Decay’s Global Makeup Artist.
According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough lip plumpers from Black-owned and/or Black-founded businesses to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.
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