11 Best Lip Plumpers, Tested by Celebrity Makeup Artists

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There are a lot of surgical ways to achieve pouty lips, but if you’re looking for a little less commitment, lip plumpers have quietly allowed everyday people to temporarily enlarge their lips without a trip to an injector. But there are a lot out there on the market, so if you want some help narrowing down your choices, Parade spoke with four celebrity makeup artists to get a list of the best lip plumpers.

Celebrity makeup artist Brett Freedman has worked with Taylor Swift, Catherine Zeta-Jones and more. Kasey Spickard is a New York City makeup artist who’s worked with with stars like Summer House‘s Ciara Miller, among others. The co-founder of Glossed Finishing Studio and founder of The Bridal Beauty Team, Kate Johnson, has worked with the cast of Love Is Blind. And Jenn of Arch beauty brand founder Jenepher Reynolds and has worked with Harry Connick Jr. and Norah Jones, among others.

They all have their favorite lip plumpers, and the products can help in different ways. Some are super effective for people with sensitive skin or fine lines, while others help add hydration while plumping your lips. It’s important to be choosy about which products you add into your routine, because as board-certified cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Azadeh Shirazi tells Parade, “The lips are one of the most delicate areas of the face.”

If you’re looking to achieve bigger lips with a plumper, here’s what you need to know.

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What Is a Lip Plumper?

A lip plumper is a “lip gloss or oil that includes ingredients that stimulate blood
flow to the lips and gives the lips a larger more full and plump look,” says Spickard.

When it comes to lip plumpers, Dr. Shirazi (or Dr. Azi as she’s known to her nearly 2 million TikTok followers) describes the product as “a quick, non-invasive way to boost lip volume without injections” and says that many of her patients like to use them for their “instant plumping effect.”

Related: This Is the Sneaky, Easy Trick Makeup Artists Use To Make Lips Look Fuller

Top Lip Plumpers 

• Best Gloss: Dior Addict Lip Maximizer Gloss
• Best Oil:Farmhouse Fresh Vitamin Glaze Oil-Infused Lip Gloss
• Best for Hydration: Farmhouse Fresh Plump Up Pretty Peptide Lip Treatment
• Best Drugstore: NYX Duck Plump Lip Plumper Gloss
• Best Lightweight: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil Stain
• Best for Fine Lines: Bobbi Brown Extra Plump Lip Serum
• Best for Thin Lips: e.l.f. Pout Clout Lip Plumping Pen
• Best for Sensitive Skin: Chanel Hydra Beauty Micro Sérum Lèvres
• Best for Quick Results: Maybelline Lifter Plump Gloss
• Best for Shade Range: Make Up For Ever Super Boost Moisturizing & Plumping
  Lip Gloss
• Best Dermatologist-Recommended: AziMD Skincare Pout Plump30 Lip Plumper

How Do Limp Plumpers Work?

Dr. Azi says that most plumpers “work by either increasing blood flow to the lips or drawing moisture into the skin.” Many contain hyaluronic acid to “hydrate and smooth” and others can contain ingredients like peppermint oil to “encourage a subtle swelling effect that creates the look of fuller lips,” she says.

Freedman adds that many lip plumpers also have a glossy shine that “catches light and gives the illusion of a fuller lip line.”

Related: The French-Inspired Lip Trend That’s Flattering at Any Age, According to a Celebrity Makeup Artist

Why Does Lip Plumper Burn?

“A mild tingling or cooling sensation can be normal,” Dr. Azi says, adding, “Especially with plumpers that use ingredients like peppermint, cinnamon or capsicum to stimulate circulation.”

However, she adds that it shouldn’t be painful or irritating to the point of stinging or redness. “Plumping doesn’t need to be uncomfortable to be effective,” Dr. Azi says.

Reynolds says that many modern plumpers have done away with slightly irritating ingredients in favor of hydrating ingredients. “These give a plumping effect without the heat,” she says.

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How Long Should Lip Plumpers Last?

“The visible plumping effect is temporary and typically lasts anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours,” says Dr. Azi, adding that the hydrating benefits can linger “if the product contains quality ingredients and is used consistently.”

You can also reapply throughout the day to boost the plumping effect, says Freedman.

The 11 Lip Plumpers Loved by Makeup Artists

1. Best Gloss: Dior Addict Lip Maximizer Gloss, $42

Reynolds says this gloss “gives noticeable fullness” and is “comfortable” to wear. The product is formulated with hyaluronic acid and aims to give 24-hour hydration.

2. Best Oil: Farmhouse Fresh Vitamin Glaze Oil-Infused Lip Gloss, $28

Formulated with avocado oil, grape-seed oil, jojoba oil and more, this product helps “create a lush, glossy finish that visually enhances the appearance of plumpness,” says Freedman.

3. Best for Hydration: Farmhouse Fresh Plump Up Pretty Peptide Lip Treatment, $28

If the tingly ingredients in some plumpers agitate your lips, you can try this moisturizing formula instead. “It focuses on hyaluronic acid and shine. No sting necessary,” says Freedman.

4. Best Drugstore: NYX Duck Plump Lip Plumper Gloss, $13

NYX’s version has “a mild plumping effect at a very accessible price point,” says Reynolds about this drugstore plumper option. You can find it in stores like Walgreens, CVS, Target and Walmart—plus, it’s on Amazon.

5. Best Lightweight: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil Stain, $24

Reynolds calls Selena Gomez’s product “an innovative lip jelly that transforms into a lightweight oil.” The lip oil starts off with a glossy effect and leaves a light tint with a “gently plumping” result, Reynolds says, adding that she likes that it’s “never sticky.”

6. Best for Fine Lines: Bobbi Brown Extra Plump Lip Serum, $40

“This one targets texture as well as plumping,” says Johnson. She adds that it helps soften lips while “reducing fine lines” and can be worn under your usual lipstick or gloss.

7. Best for Thin Lips: e.l.f. Pout Clout Lip Plumping Pen, $9

Johnson says this plumper balm is a “budget-friendly and effective” choice for those with thin lips. She adds that the product isn’t sticky, is easy to apply and “gives a high shine gloss while boosting volume.”

8. Best for Sensitive Skin: Chanel Hydra Beauty Micro Sérum Lèvres, $65

“For those with sensitive skin, I opt for formulas that don’t have cayenne or
peppermint and plump the lips with hyaluronic acid,” says Spickard, calling this Chanel option his go-to. “You see a noticeable difference without getting any burning or tingling sensation,” he adds.

9. Best for Quick Results: Maybelline Lifter Plump Gloss, $14

Spickard says this gloss “works so quick” thanks to the chili pepper ingredient. “You definitely get a strong tingling sensation but you also get super plump lips, super quickly,” he adds.

10. Best for Shade Range: Make Up For Ever Super Boost Moisturizing & Plumping Lip Gloss, $26

With eight high-shine finish options and three shimmer finish ones, Spickard loves the versatility of this plumping collection. He says each gloss also “pairs gorgeously with their lip liners,” which he says are some of his personal favorites.

11. Best Dermatologist-Recommended: AziMD Skincare Pout Plump30 Lip Plumper, $40

This plumper from Dr. Azi’s skincare line was created “to deliver noticeable fullness without aggressive irritation,” she says, adding that it’s formulated with hyaluronic acid, SPF and peptides.

“I always encourage patients to avoid overly harsh formulas and to think of lip plumpers as part of their skincare routine, not just makeup,” she adds. “Hydration, sun protection and gentle exfoliation go a long way in keeping lips naturally full and healthy.”

Up Next:

Sources:

• Brett Freedman, celebrity makeup artist
• Kasey Spickard, New York City makeup artist
• Kate Johnson, makeup artist, co-founder of Glossed Finishing Studio and founder of The Bridal Beauty Team
• Jenepher Reynolds, celebrity makeup artist and Jenn of Arch beauty brand founder
• Dr. Azadeh Shirazi, board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and founder of La Jolla Dermatology and Laser Surgery Center