Do lip plumpers really work? Here's everything to know about these viral lip products

In the mid-2000s, there was a surge of lip-plumping glosses in the beauty market. And this wasn't just some one-hit-wonder trend. Plumped and pillowy lips were among the most coveted looks of our time. And plumping gloss was a temporary solution for those who didn't consider injectable fillers to be their cup of tea. By the 2010s, these tingly products had carved out a niche for themselves. Back then, they were formulated with ingredients such as peppermint, menthol, cinnamon, ginger, and capsaicin, which caused the blood vessels in your lips to dilate, leaving behind that temporary swollen look. A few glosses were also infused with tiny doses of bee venom to give that swollen effect. And if you're wondering whether they work, let us tell you that they do. 

While those products were generally safe to use (possibly the safest way to get fuller lips as compared to all the crazy TikTok trends), they also ran the risk of rashes if overused. Modern-day lip plumpers are an upgrade. They offer the same temporary volumising effect, with the promise of not irritating your skin as much. They are formulated with skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides, ceramides, glycerin, and other botanical oils and butters. This is not to say that the skin-irritating ingredients aren't still used today. So, be sure to read the label and reviews beforehand to ensure you don't end up with a bad reaction.  

And to help you navigate the sea of options, we've curated a list of the best lip-plumping glosses available. These will give you that full pout look you're after. But a word of caution—they might tingle. 

Too Faced Lip Injection Maximum Plump Lip Plumper Gloss, ₹2,120 

Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Lip Volumizer, ₹2,550 

Huda Beauty Silk Balm Hydra-Plumping Lip Balm, ₹1,950 

Dior Addict Lip Maximizer Serum, ₹3,900 

Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Heat Universal Lip Luminizer + Plumper, ₹2,500 

Kylie Cosmetics Plumping Gloss, ₹1,900 

Mac Cosmetics Squirt Plumping Gloss Stick, ₹2,300 

Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Lip Bath, ₹3,350 

Lancôme L'Absolu Rôsy Plump Volume Enhancing Lip Gloss, ₹2,300 

 

Feature image: The brands 

Also read: Here is how you achieve the coveted ‘cloud skin’ look with make-up  

Also read: How lip gloss became a status symbol