9 Lip Plumpers That Made My Lips Fuller, Really, Really Fast
Bigger lips sans needles? Yes, please.
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PSA: Lip plumpers have gotten a whole-ass makeover in recent years. Yup, the lip glosses of your youth that burned the hell out of you have officially been upgraded to lightweight, hydrating formulas that boost your lips with gentle ingredients. Old-school lip plumpers use low-grade irritants (i.e., mint, cinnamon, etc.) to make your lips look bigger. And while those are totally effective and worth a try, you can also opt for a gentle, irritant-free formula—AKA ones that use plumping humectants, like hyaluronic acid, to draw in moisture and give you that plumping effect.
"Lip plumpers are topically applied products that come in various forms and contain ingredients that temporarily induce swelling of the lips," says board-certified dermatologist Rachel Westbay. And the best part? There are so many lip plumpers on the market rn that you can get super specific when it comes to formula. So, whether you're looking for a pigmented gloss, a creamy lip balm, or a hydrating lip mask, keep scrolling for the best products and everything you need to know about 'em, courtesy of some of my go-to dermatologists—Dr. Westbay, Mona Gohara, MD, and Aleta Simmons, MD.
Our top picks for the best lip plumpers in 2024:
Now, here's the fun stuff: The nine best lip plumpers for temporarily bigger and fuller lips from brands like Patrick Ta, Tarte, Maybelline, and more. Then, keep scrolling for Lip Plumper 101, brought to you by a few derms and yours truly.
Pros
- Pigment is great for a gloss—totally buildable
Cons
- Testers note that they run through it rather quickly
Reason number one why this lip plumper is my favorite? This gorgeous formula—with 16 shades in balm, gloss, shimmer, and satin finishes—wears comfortably without feeling sticky or greasy. Swipe on the creamy tinted lip balm/gloss combo, and the hyaluronic acid and vitamin E will hydrate, smooth, and subtly plump up your lips.
- Shades: 16
- Finish: High shine, shimmer
- Plumping ingredient(s): Hyaluronic acid
Glowing Customer Review: "This little miracle has almost made me disown every other lip product in my arsenal! It leaves my lips hydrated and plump. The cherry blossom shade and the Charlotte Tilbury lip cheat liner in iconic nude make a gorgeous combo."
Pros
- Plumps big time thanks to the stabilized peptide formula
Cons
- Definitely an intense burning sensation
If you're cool with a little tingle, this is one of the best options for fuller lips, really fast. The culprit? The stabilized peptide complex that works to smooth, moisturize, and firm your lips all in one go. And if you're not totally cool with the tingle and want some volume without quite the amount of tingle, opt for the Original Lip Injection Hydrating & Plumping Lip Gloss.
- Shades: Five
- Finish: High shine
- Plumping ingredient(s): Maxi-Lip™ (stabilized peptide that moisturizes, smooths, and firms lips), sodium chondroitin sulfate (plumps)
Glowing Customer Review: "Love it! Gives your lips a nice red plump, although it does burn/tingle a little bit, and if you get some on your skin it turns very red, but besides that it is amazing!!"
Pros
- Shade range includes opaque or sheer finishes
Cons
- Testers note how it can be sticky and goopy
This ultra-shiny gloss—which comes in 10 shades ranging from clear to a rich brown—not only uses plumping plant extracts to give you immediate fullness but it is also packed with peptides to give you ultra-firm lips. The peppermint, ginger, cinnamon, and pepper ingredients will give you all that plumpin' goodness, but just be warned: It *will* indeed irritate your skin and lips briefly, especially if you are sensitive.
- Shades: 10
- Finish: High shine
- Plumping ingredient(s): Capsicum (pepper), ginger, cinnamon, peppermint
Glowing Customer Review: "This is definitely my favorite lip-plumping gloss out of all the top sellers. It does have a bit of a cinnamon aftertaste which I don't mind but others might not like. It makes a difference, especially on my thin upper lip. The tingle is also not as extreme as others. 2CCs is such the perfect soft pink coral color!"
Pros
- Universal range truly is great for all skin tones
Cons
- If you apply a lot of product, the formula can get goopy
Ahhh, the Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb. I have to say, this is my all-time favorite lip gloss on the market, and nothing has yet to change my mind. The shades have options for all skin tones and looks thanks to Rih's universal tone range. Though it will give you a subtle tingle (s/o to the formula's cayenne pepper!), it uses moisturizing shea butter and soothing vitamin E to offset any burnin'.
- Shades: Five
- Finish: High shine
- Plumping ingredient(s): Cayenne pepper
Glowing Customer Review: "My favorite lip luminizer! It plumps and it doesn’t turn your lips darker like [other brands]. It’s such a pretty color and it’s very hydrating, not sticky. It also doesn’t burn like others I have tried before."
Pros
- Longest-lasting lip gloss I tested
Cons
- Thicker formula that some testers note can be sticky
My newest favorite lip plumper on Amazon? This City Lips plumper gloss that has a formula with jojoba oil, peptides, and amino acids to smooth and moisturize your lips, while the hyaluronic acid adds a short-term plumping and hydrating effect. The best part? The wand will hug your lips for the most precise application ever.
- Shades: 14
- Finish: High shine, shimmer
- Plumping ingredient(s): Hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, peptides, amino acids
Glowing Customer Review: "WOW! the result an amazing difference. Just as promised, enhance lip volume and smooth fine lines to create a fuller looking lip! I highly recommend City Beauty City Lips-plumbing lip gloss, it is as no other!"
Pros
- Feels weightless on your lips
Cons
- Testers note that you may need to reapply often
You get a solid dose of color when you smooth this gloss over your lips, but you also get some gentle—and effective!—plumping action, courtesy of the formula's hyaluronic acid and peptides. It's super hydrating and lightweight, btw, so no need to worry about that sticky, heavy texture that comes with most lip glosses (ty, evening primrose oil).
- Shades: Eight
- Finish: High shine, shimmer
- Plumping ingredient(s): Maxi-Lip™ (stabilized peptide that moisturizes, smooths, and firms lips), hyaluronic acid
Glowing Customer Review: "This is a life changer for me. I will never buy another lip oil besides this bad boy here. It’s so comforting, so hydrating, and effective."
Pros
- Ingredients compare to higher-end, more expensive options
Cons
- Contains ingredients that will burn upon application for the first few minutes
Trying to get bigger lips but don't want to blow through your budget? This pick from Maybelline comes in at a v reasonable $13, but the hyaluronic acid-based formula is just as effective as its pricier counterparts. There are 10 ultra-flattering shades, too, which leave your lips with a high-shine finish. Just note that the plumping ingredients contain cayenne pepper and peppermint oil, meaning they will tingle a bit upon application.
- Shades: 10
- Finish: High shine
- Plumping ingredient(s): Cayenne pepper, peppermint oil, hyaluronic acid
Glowing Customer Review: "I have tried so many high-end branded lip plumpers and they never last this one BURNS for a good 10 minutes but it's so worth it. leaves my lips super plump and juicy and lasts a loooong time!"
Pros
- Smells amazing
Cons
- Is sold out quite often
Not only does this sweet-smelling gloss (which comes in six high-shine and two shimmer-spiked shades) give a plumping effect right away, but after four weeks of continued use, you may start to see smoother lips all day long, thanks to its collagen and marine-based formula.
- Shades: 12
- Finish: High shine, shimmer
- Plumping ingredient(s): Hyaluronic acid
Glowing Customer Review: "I'm obsessed with it! It hydrates my lips so well, the formula isn't too sticky, and it lasts forever. Paired it with a sugar scrub, and it saved my lips from the harsh winter!"
Pros
- Safe for sensitive, irritation-prone skin
Cons
- Most expensive option on this list
If you lean towards beauty products for sensitive skin because your face is irritated when applying literally anything, try this gentle two-step system. Each tube contains a blend of five different types of hyaluronic acid—a naturally occurring molecule that has the ability to hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water—to give your lips a plumper, fuller, and hydrated finish that will never irritate your skin.
- Shade(s): Clear
- Finish: Natural
- Plumping ingredient(s): Hyaluronic acid
Glowing Customer Review: "I have been using this religiously for a few years now. I know it’s expensive for the amount of product received, but I keep coming back to it after trying countless other lip-hydrating and plumping products. Other plumping products dry out my lips and feel as sticky as flypaper. This one is the most hydrating and flattering of them all. It even gives the lips a healthy glow, with no need for tinted lip gloss. Buy it!"
What is a lip plumper?
As a refresher, lip plumpers are topically applied glosses or balms that come in various forms and contain ingredients that temporarily induce swelling of your lips, says board-certified dermatologist Rachel Westbay. There will be a short-lived increase in volume and the appearance of fuller, more plump lips, she explains. Typically, results will last anywhere from 30 minutes to a maximum of three hours, depending on the product.
How do lip plumpers work?
Lip plumpers work in two different ways—either using humectants or vasodilation. Let's break them down, courtesy of board-certified dermatologist Rachel Westbay, MD:
- Humectants: Hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin attract and draw water molecules to your skin's surface. As a result, the volume of the lips will increase due to the added hydration. Try: Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Plumper
- Vasodilation: Ingredients like caffeine, niacin, cinnamon, and menthol work to plump your lips via a vasodilatory effect—i.e., the dilation of blood vessels. When these ingredients are applied topically, the blood flow to your lip tissue will temporarily increase, and in turn, your lips will increase in volume. These ingredients will cause a tingling sensation. Try: Patrick Ta Major Volume Plumping Lip Gloss Full Syringe
Is lip plumper bad for your lips?
Both Dr. Westbay and Dr. Gohara agree that, generally speaking, lip plumpers are not bad for your lips. "The levels of the ingredients in question are low and considered safe when used at these concentrations," says Dr. Westbay. If you have sensitive skin, look for products that use humectants for a gentler and hydrating approach so you'll get that plump without the sting or potential irritation. If you're worried, Dr. Westbay suggests a patch test on your inner wrist.
How to choose the best lip plumper:
Understand what lip plumpers can and cannot do
As a refresh, lip plumpers will not permanently give you fuller lips. The reality is that anything topically applied to the lips will probably only cause a slight improvement and nothing drastic, says Dr. Westbay, adding to be wary of products that claim to improve lip volume over time. "Evidence is quite limited, and most of what exists is based on short-term manufacturer-sponsored studies."
Consider other options
These products are a great option for those who are not ready to take the plunge with lip fillers, or even those with lip fillers who want an extra boost, explains Dr. Gohara. However, if you're noticing changes that can be attributed to aging (such as fine lines and wrinkles!), or want your lips to have increased volume for much longer than a few hours, lip filler may be a more semi-permanent solution, as board-certified dermatologist Aleta Simmons has explained to Cosmo. Before going that route, you should learn about all the potential risks and complications, so peep our lip injection guide for everything you need to know.
Meet the experts:
- Mona Gohara: Gohara is a board-certified dermatologist in Hamden, Connecticut. She currently teaches at Yale and is the president of the Women's Dermatologic Society. Her areas of expertise include medical and surgical dermatology and skin of color.
- Rachel Westbay: Westbay is a board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical in New York City. In addition to general dermatology, she is an expert in fillers, laser surgery, microneedling, and other cosmetic procedures.
- Aleta Simmons: Simmons is a board-certified dermatologist at Get The Skin-E in Nashville, Tennessee, and assistant professor at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She has a passion for mentoring and supporting underrepresented minorities in medicine. Simmons recently spoke to Cosmo about lip masks.
Why trust Cosmo?
Siena Gagliano is the associate editor at Cosmopolitan who writes beauty and has four years of experience writing about beauty, fashion, and lifestyle news. She’s an expert at researching and writing beauty stories, like the top lip masks and the best lip balms. She’s an authority in all makeup categories, but an expert when it comes to lip plumpers. She regularly tests and analyzes them on herself for efficacy, while working with the industry’s top makeup artists to assess new formulas and brands
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