Best Lip-Plumping Glosses For Achieving The Perfect Pout In 2022
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Now that we're back to traveling and hanging out with friends, it's time to get your favorite lip gloss back out. Per The Guardian, lip gloss has re-emerged as a popular makeup staple for the simplistic makeup look that's been trending as we gradually leave the pandemic phase. For those who got used to wearing sweatpants with no makeup on, applying tinted sunscreen and lip gloss is an easy look that can help you transition back to a sense of normalcy.
In 2021, lip gloss had already skyrocketed in popularity with LookFantastic noting an 11% increase in online queries regarding lip gloss (via The Guardian). According to a report by Euromonitor International, lip gloss sales have increased in the U.K., Italy, and Germany from 2020 to 2021. And with several countries like Germany relaxing their mask mandates, Euromonitor International predicts a 5% compound annual growth rate in lip gloss sales across the European continent.
Lip-plumping glosses, specifically, are getting their moment in the spotlight. Google Trends data shows a spike in global searches for lip plumpers starting from May 2021. These days, lip gloss formulas have also drastically changed from the sticky nightmares of the early 2000s (per The Guardian). If you want full, voluminous lips, there's guaranteed to be a plumping lip gloss that will suit your preferences. From lip oil-gloss hybrids to glossy balms with anti-aging peptides, there are several plumping lip glosses on the market that are so poppin' that even Lil' Mama herself would approve.
How we selected the best lip-plumping glosses
In choosing the best lip-plumping glosses, we looked through a wide variety of formulations and took various preferences into consideration. Some of the glosses we chose feature dessert flavors, while others are fragrance-free. Some will work to gradually rebuild lip volume over time, while others give you the ultimate plump within a few minutes.
Before choosing the right lip-plumper for you, it's important to consider the type of lip plumper you want. There are three methods lip plumpers can use to volumize your lips, per Harley Street Emporium. Many lip plumpers rely on using mild irritants like menthol or chili pepper to aggravate the lips. Manhattan-based dermatologist Shereene Idriss explained how irritants can plump lips to The New York Times, saying, "They create blood flow and give you mild swelling."
While some lip plumpers use irritants that will temporarily cause a plumping effect, there are other advanced formulas that plump the lips using more skin-friendly ingredients. Some use hyaluronic acid to attract moisture to the lips, which will add fullness to your lips, while others add anti-aging peptides which will regenerate collagen production. A few of the plumpers we chose, like our best overall pick, even use all three methods for an extra voluminous lip look.
Whether you have sensitive skin and prefer a no-tingle formula or you're a plumping diva who wants the ultimate volume, our list has your lip-plumping needs covered.
Best overall
Looking for the perfect lip plumper product that won't burn your lips but still have people thinking you got lip injections is easier said than done. But there's an all-around plumping lip gloss that will grant all three of your wishes (and then some). The Buxom Full-On Plumping Lip Polish plumps your lips immediately, smoothes lip lines, and gradually restores volume to your lips that diminishes through the aging process.
Per Buxom, the lip polish contains anti-aging vitamin A and nourishing vitamin E as well as a menthol derivative that helps to visibly plump your lips upon application. The product comes in shimmering, pearlescent, and sparkly finishes, which can be worn alone or layered on top of another lip color. According to The New York Times, the Buxom Lip Polish is also infused with collagen-regenerating peptides that help plump lips over time. Makeup artist Maggie Doucet reviewed the lip polish glosses on her YouTube channel, saying she's a "huge fan of Buxom glosses" for the vanilla cupcake scent, "finely-milled" sparkles, and "cooling tingling sensation." Doucet most enjoys the high-shine finish this gloss gives, leaving lips looking healthy and plump.
Pucker your lips and buy the Buxom Full-On Plumping Lip Polish for $23 from Amazon.
Size: 0.15 oz. | Number of Shades: 63 | Tingle Factor: Strong
Best budget
E.l.f Cosmetics is a reliable and cheap brand that's perfect for people looking to try new beauty products without breaking the bank. The company's Lip Plumping Gloss is one such product that's ideal for lip-plumping novices.
On Influenster, the gloss comes with a 4.4-star rating among 2,210 reviews. One reviewer said, "This is one of the best plumping lip glosses out there!" She added, "Plumps perfectly with a slight feel, not tingly or warm like some. Very shiny and lasts a while." The reviewer also pointed out that for the price of one high-end lip gloss, you can stock up on all the colors of this e.l.f. plumping gloss.
Blogger Gemma D. reviewed the glosses on her website called Gemma Etc. She claims that the gloss not only looks like the packaging of MAC's Cremesheen Glosses, but the formula is also very similar to the cult-favorite glosses. She loves the vanilla scent and super-shiny effect. The lip gloss doesn't burn the lips and only tingles slightly.
Content creator Ndy, who posts videos about lifestyle topics on her YouTube channel called Thatsndy, called the gloss an everyday staple. She found one coat to be more than enough in achieving a glossy effect and visibly plumping her lips, while an additional coat layered well.
Buy the e.l.f. Cosmetics Lip Plumping Gloss from Amazon starting at $4.50.
Size: 0.09 oz. | Number of Shades: 5 | Tingle Factor: Mild
Best drugstore
If you want the look of naturally-plump lips that make people say "maybe she's born with it," then you might want to check out Maybelline Lifter Gloss. According to Heat World, this hero product is moisturizing, long-lasting, and not sticky like other glosses. The large wand also makes application a breeze. But the magic of the gloss is in its formula — particularly the hyaluronic acid, which hydrates and plumps the lips.
Heat World writer Aimee Jakes tested Stone, a rosy nude creme shade, and Moon, a paler, sparkly shade, finding both shades to be subtle and flattering. Content creator Allie Glines especially loves the large applicator and that the formula isn't sticky. Glines said the gloss feels pleasant on the lips and tastes delicious. Beauty guru Tati Westbrook tried the lip-plumping gloss over lip color and immediately said, "I mean did I just get lip injections, or what?"
Maybe your next gloss should be Maybelline Lifter Gloss, which is available on Amazon starting at $6.70.
Size: 0.18 oz. | Number of Shades: 20 | Tingle Factor: Very Mild
Best high-end
When it comes to high-end, no one does it better than Rihanna's Fenty Beauty – and the Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Heat is no exception. According to Hypebae, the "luminizer and plumper hybrid" contains ginger root oil and chili pepper extract, which slightly irritate the lips causing them to noticeably plump. The gloss also contains vitamin E and shea butter to condition the lips, and it can be layered over other lip colors. On Ulta Beauty's website, the gloss comes in sheer tints, as well as a gold shimmer.
Certified beautician Racquel Jenkins told Jamaica Observer, "Fenty Gloss Bomb is a must-have! It hydrates and gives your lips an extra plump, sexy look. Owning one is like having a little black dress (LBD) for every occasion. So pucker up! And gloss up!"
Influencer Silvia Magaly applied the gloss on camera and showed the plumping process by putting the video through a time-lapse. During the time-lapse portion, her lips visibly plumped within two minutes — resulting in a look that rivals lip fillers. According to Magaly, the plumper does have a warming sensation, but she was happy with the extreme plumping effect and "wet-shine look." The gloss was lightweight and not sticky. While Magaly says the gloss is on the pricey side, she finds it to be the "best lip-plumping gloss" she's ever tried.
Buy the Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Heat from Ulta Beauty for $24.
Size: 0.3 oz. | Number of Shades: 5 | Tingle Factor: Strong
Best non-irritating
Using a lip plumper often comes with the drawback of irritated lips, as most of them rely on irritants that cause a reaction. If that tingly feeling is a turn-off for you, the good news is that there's a non-irritating option. The Indeed Labs Hydraluron Lip Treatment is a glossy, non-sticky lip balm that features a rich and substantial feeling (per Irish Examiner).
The product contains hyaluronic acid, which fills lip lines and plumps lips immediately, as well as vitamins, plant antioxidants, and moisturizing mango butter. What makes this product unique though are the anti-aging skincare actives that work to improve the condition of your lips inside-out by plumping, moisturizing, and brightening the lips (per Indeed Labs).
The product has a 4.4-star rating on Influenster with one reviewer saying, "I was pleasantly surprised with this product. It's very hydrating and plumps the lips without causing them to tingle. Stays on the lips for a long time, don't have to reapply that often. My lips are so smooth when I use this product."
Sandy, a blogger who reviews products for her blog SandyXO tried the lip treatments in pink and red. She found that the packaging dispenses "just the right amount of product in a controlled manner" — immediately delivering lightweight hydration and glossy, volumized lips.
Get pain-free plumping and buy the Indeed Labs Hydraluron Lip Treatment from Amazon for $14.99.
Size: 0.31 oz. | Number of Shades: 5 | Tingle Factor: None
Best scented
There are few things worse than wearing a lip gloss that has an unpleasant taste. If you enjoy wearing a lip gloss that reminds you of dessert, then Buxom Tipsy Scoop Full-On Plumping Lip Cream is the one for you. According to Fansided, the liquor-infused ice cream company Tipsy Scoop partnered with Buxom to create lip-plumping glosses that come in special ice cream-themed colors ranging from pink, purple, brown-nude, and beige.
Each of the four lip glosses that are a part of this delicious collaboration features a unique scent and flavor like Vanilla Bourbon or Mexican Hot Chocolate. These plumping lip glosses are based on Buxom's original Full-On Plumping Lip Cream formula, and therefore feature all the same skincare benefits. Per Ulta Beauty, the glosses feature hyaluronic filling spheres that plump and fill lip lines immediately, as well as peptides that work to plump the lips over time.
Beauty guru Kelly Gooch named the Buxom Full-On Plumping Lip Cream formula one of the best lip glosses on her YouTube channel. Gooch likes the pointed end on the wand, which is great for keeping the gloss within lip lines. The formula is a long-wearing, ultra-shiny gloss that continues to have a plumping effect for hours.
Try not to scream too loud for ice cream and buy the Buxom Tipsy Scoop Full-On Plumping Lip Cream from Ulta Beauty for $21.
Size: 0.14 oz. | Number of Shades: 4 | Tingle Factor: Strong
Most plumping
If you're a plumper-lover, then no ordinary plumping gloss is going to cut it for you. For the ultimate "I can't believe it's not lip filler" look, try the Too Faced Lip Injection Maximum Plump Extra Strength. This product is for experienced lip plumper users desiring a dramatic effect, per Too Faced. With chili pepper extract and peptides, the gloss plumps lips by 96%, in addition to softening and smoothing the lips gradually by 97%.
Blogger Beauty with Hollie tried the Too Faced lip plumper and found that it gives the effect of lip injections. While it will sting and have a warming effect at first, the feeling fades away — immediately hydrating and plumping the lips. Content creator Karina Gonzalez also tested the lip plumper on a YouTube video where she showed the plumping process on a time-lapse video, in which her lips visibly plumped after three minutes. While she felt a burning sensation, the end result looked worth it, with Gonzalez saying, "They look like I got injections."
The gloss comes in full-size and mini versions. The mini only comes in clear, while the full-size glosses come in clear and four other shades.
If you dare, buy the Too Faced Lip Injection Maximum Plump Extra Strength for $33 (or $17 for the mini) from Sephora.
Size: 0.14 oz. (full size), 0.1 oz. (mini) | Number of Shades: 5 | Tingle Factor: Very Strong
Best oil-based
Imagine being able to combine the emollience of a lip oil and the juiciness of a plumping lip gloss. Now you can get both benefits in one product through the Kosas Wet Oil Lip Gloss. Hypebae hypes up the formula's "cushiony-plumping effect" — a result of plumping peptides and replenishing hyaluronic acid. The gloss comes in soft neutral shades. Per Elle India, there's also a clear "Jellyfish" shade that looks amazing on the lips. The skincare-infused oil lip gloss has a mildly-plumping effect and also contains avocado oil and Konjac root, which help hydrate and protect the lips from free radical damage.
With shea butter and evening primrose oil, the gloss plumps and moisturizes without tingling (via Kosas). One customer said, "I'm obsessed. Feels so deeply hydrating and plumping. The product feels like it's actually penetrating to deliver moisture instead of just a gloss sitting on top of my lip. Easily a staple in my daily routine."
Beauty influencer Serein Wu reviewed the lip oil on Youtube and found the shades "universally flattering" with a comfortable and glossy formula. They work well over matte lipsticks, and all of the tinted glosses are pigmented. Wu says this gloss leaves a juicy, plump, and hydrated feeling. It's not sticky, but also stays put on the lips without slipping and sliding around.
Pamper your lips with nourishing oils and buy the Kosas Wet Oil Lip Gloss for $22 from Sephora.
Size: 0.15 oz. | Number of Shades: 8 | Tingle Factor: None
Best lightweight
While some plumpers tend to rely on irritants to volumize the lips, others use hyaluronic acid that plumps the lips by attracting moisture to them (per Harley Street Emporium). If you want a tingle-free plumper that offers lightweight hydration, look no further than the L'Oreal Paris Glow Paradise Hydrating Lip Balm-in-Gloss. It's guaranteed to not cause the dreaded hair-trap situation that often gives gloss a bad name.
An Ulta Beauty customer who tried the product said, "This is a stunning product! Gives the lips a juicy, plump look without any mint or sting." The gloss is made up of 92% natural, plant-based ingredients. Upon application, the nourishing, hydrating gloss formula "feels like a cushiony balm" with a "smudge-proof" finish. The product also contains other skincare ingredients like vitamin E, argan oil, and pomegranate extract.
Allura Beauty reviewed the glosses and said, "It's absolutely lovely and pleasant to wear. It's lightweight, while also being super nourishing and moisturizing on the lips," adding, "It's not sticky. There's some body to it." The feeling is similar to a gel-based facial moisturizer. She noted that the applicator has two holes in it that store just the right amount of lip gloss. There's a wide variety of shades with some of the lighter nude shades applying sheer, and the darker colors having a pigmented tint to them.
Buy the L'Oreal Paris Glow Paradise Hydrating Lip Balm-in-Gloss from Amazon starting at $5.97.
Size: 0.23 oz. | Number of Shades: 12 | Tingle Factor: None
Best long-lasting
Gloss has made a major comeback and no one could be happier than our lips. One drawback to lip gloss, however, is the short wear time. And with lip-plumping formulas, there's also the fact that several of them only temporarily plump your lips. If you tend to forget to keep your lip plumper in your handbag, you have to try the Dior Addict Lip Maximizer Plumping Gloss. The rich formula has been clinically tested and proven to deliver all-day hydration and volume that lasts 24 hours (via Sephora).
According to Elle India, the hyaluronic acid-infused gloss brings out a sheer, healthy tint from your lips while plumping and hydrating them at the same time. The gloss is infused with cherry oil and features a vanilla-mint scent. Beauty influencer Chloe Morello applied the gloss on her YouTube channel saying, "I love this because it gives them [my lips] a really wet, glossy look. But it also has hyaluronic spheres and peppermint in it which instantly boosts the volume of the lips."
Morello said the Dior gloss is the "best-selling lip-plumping gloss on the market for prestige products." Additionally, the lip gloss packaging is now made of recycled, non-virgin plastic (per PR Newswire). The lip plumper comes in a wide variety of nine shades – seven creme shades and two shimmer shades.
Enjoy long-lasting glossy, full lips and buy the Dior Addict Lip Maximizer Plumping Gloss for $35 from Sephora.
Size: 0.2 oz. | Number of Shades: 9 | Tingle Factor: Moderate
Best moisturizing
The downside to lip plumpers is that they can actually make your lips feel drier. Dermatologist Paul M. Friedman told WebMD, "If you apply too much of these plumpers and use them too frequently they can potentially cause dryness and scaling." The dryness is a side effect of the irritants that are responsible for creating the plumping effect. To counteract this, it's important to look for a lip-plumping gloss that contains nourishing ingredients that will improve the condition of your lips like the Revlon Kiss Lip Plumping Creme.
According to INCIDecoder, this product contains nourishing emollients like lanolin and phospholipids that moisturize the skin barrier of your lips. The gloss also contains antioxidants that help retain moisture in your lips — like vitamin E and succulent extract – as well as collagen and anti-aging peptides that help smooth lines and promote collagen production.
According to Cosmo Philippines, this plumping gloss offers a moisturizing, satin finish that's also long-lasting. The product comes in a wide range of pigmented shades, all of which apply evenly (and not patchy) on the lips. Beauty influencer Laura Lee tried the lip glosses on Revlon's YouTube channel and noted the time-release menthol that gently pumps lips over time — without stinging or burning — and keeps them plumped throughout the day.
Buy the Revlon Kiss Lip Plumping Creme from Amazon starting at $4.12.
Size: 0.25 oz. | Number of Shades: 10 | Tingle Factor: Mild
Best anti-aging
As people age, you lose collagen and your lips lose volume (per Vanguard Dermatology). One lip gloss that will give an immediate plumping effect and gradually help the lips regain volume is the Sorme Treatment Cosmetics Lip Thick Plumping Gloss. Chili pepper extract promptly plumps the lips, while avocado and sweet almond oils deliver much-needed moisture. According to House of Beauty, the gloss contains a "maxi-lip peptide," which boosts collagen production by 40% in a month. In addition to aloe vera and fruit-derived acids, the plumper also contains vitamins A and K, which smooth lines and hydrate the lips.
One customer who reviewed the plumping gloss on Sorme's website said, "I had fuller lips in my younger years and really missed the way gloss looked on my 49yo pucker. I have my lips back!!!! Will definitely get more! This is a staple that should be in every woman's purse!"
On Amazon, another customer said, "My favorite lip gloss by far. It lasts long, adds a hint of color, is very shiny, and tingles so you know the plumping agent is working by increasing blood circulation in your lips. It's also very moisturizing which I love the most." Beauty influencer Sierra Green called the plumper one of her favorite makeup products on her YouTube channel, noting the product's soothing tingle and cinnamon smell.
Buy the Sorme Treatment Cosmetics Lip Thick Plumping Gloss from Amazon starting at $10.
Size: 0.11 oz. | Number of Shades: 7 | Tingle Factor: Mild