Lip Plumpers — Godsend or Gimmick?

The desire for full, plump lips is one that has been around for decades, and luckily for cosmetic companies, doesn’t show any signs of fading. Any woman can attain an Angelina Jolie-level of plumpness, according to lip plumper products that claim to enhance fullness (and are a much less painful alternative to collagen injections!). They sound fabulous, but do they really work? We break down some common myths surrounding lip plumpers, share some benefits, and provide a product recommendation for each!

MYTH #1: Women with full lips can’t use lip plumpers

If you were lucky enough to have been born with full lips, lucky you! A common misconception about lip plumpers is that they are virtually useless for women with naturally plump pouts—if you already have full lips, why would you want to add more fullness and enhancement?

TRUTH:

Not all lip plumpers are made the same, so if your pout doesn’t need much more of a boost, you can simply choose a plumper that offers a dazzling gloss and keeps lips soft. You’ll receive all the benefits of a moisturizing, shine-enhancing lip product, but the plumping factor will be slightly lower. We recommend Estee Lauder’s Pure Color Envy Lip Volumizer.

MYTH #2: Consistent use of a lip plumper can cause lips to become very dry.

Since lip plumpers contain an irritant that causes the lips to swell, there are some real concerns as to their possible side effects. As beauty-savvy makeup artists, you always do your research into the products you’re using, but we want to debunk the myth that lip plumpers are actually causing damage to your lips.

TRUTH:

The majority of lip plumpers use moisturizers in their ingredients to give lips an added sheen (as well as a fuller look!). Shea butter and aloe vera are common ingredients in lip plumpers, so before purchasing one, double check that these are active ingredients. A great choice is Active Bee Venom Lip Plumper with Manuka Honey, Shea Butter, Grape Seed Oil, and Cocoa Butter.

MYTH #3: Lip plumpers only give the illusion of fuller lips, but don’t really work.

There are many skeptics out there when it comes to lip plumping products! Some believe that the gloss within the plumpers only provides an illusion of fuller lips, and the tingling sensation is just a result of added cinnamon or menthol that doesn’t actually do anything.

TRUTH:

Lip plumpers contain a serum that causes a tingling sensation, and while that may seem like a gimmick, it is actually a mixture of cinnamon, ginger, mint and hot pepper that boosts the lips. This tingling sensation may not last long, but it really does cause lips to swell, and in the case of Too Faced’s Lip Injection Extreme, lips appear full and pouty from the very first application.

MYTH #4: Besides cosmetic surgery, lip plumpers are the only way to attain full lips.

As we mentioned earlier, the desire for full lips has been around for years, and celebrities with plump pouts are usually considered the most attractive (think of Kylie Jenner and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley). A common misconception is that without cosmetic surgery or the use of lip plumpers, adding a boost to your lips is impossible.

TRUTH:

If the tingling sensation of a lip plumper isn’t your thing, don’t worry! The magic of a full pout can be created using makeup products you likely already have. When applying your foundation, blend it all over your lips, and then use a lip pencil (we recommend MAC Pro Longwear Lip Pencil) to fill in the outer lips. Using a lip brush, fill in your lips with lipstick (a light shade of red or pink is ideal, in order to make lips look bigger). To finish up, add a gloss. Voila—you’ve created your perfectly plump pout without the help of a lip plumper or potentially painful collagen injections!

So, there you have it—four common myths about lip plumpers, with a healthy dose of truth plus a product recommendation. Make sure you try them out for yourself, and give your makeup clients a fuller pout!

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