Lip Plumpers That Work for All Beauty Budgets

Carolyn J. Braden • 3 Minute Read 

Lip Plumpers That Work for All Beauty Budgets

I’ve always loved pillowy soft lips. I think it started when I watched the 80’s movie Weird Science as a kid. The main actress in the movie, Kelly LeBrock, had beautiful lips and I remember wanting to look like her when I grew up. Her hair was fab, she was fit and tall, and her lips and smile were gorgeous in my young eyes. I grew up and ended up not being tall at all (I’m 5’1”), but I knew I could accomplish being fit, having great hair, having a great smile and pillowy soft lips like her.

A liner can add a bit of fullness to your lips too!

I’ve kept up with my fitness (I’m an avid walker, which is great for your health!) and my hair on my own well, but I did need a little help with my smile and lips. When I was in my 20’s, I got braces. I luckily had good insurance and was able to have an orthodontist help me with my super tight teeth. I actually had pain in my jaws because they were so tight and the braces helped spread them apart a bit. They also helped with my severe overbite. If you have pain in your mouth and can afford braces or retainers (and they are recommended by a doctor) get them.

I won my first lip injections after winning a contest for the best Kentucky Derby themed fascinator. I made it myself and it was fab! I got my first lip injections weeks after winning the contest and I was hooked. I didn’t go overboard (no duck lips wanted here!) and I just had the doctors plump them up slightly. My upper lip was very thin, and we focused on plumping that up to match my bottom lip. After getting lip injections about once a year for several years, I now only do it every other year or so.

This L.A. Girl is a good minimal lip plumper

Lip injections (the ones I get) are full of hyaluronic acid and do hydrate my lips and help with wrinkles too (which help my lipstick to not bleed). My lips took the injections very well, but not everyone’s does. If you are considering getting them, please consult a licensed plastic surgeon and/or doctor. Read more about lip injections from the Cleveland Clinic by clicking here.

In knowing not everyone has the funding or the good physical and mental health required for lip injections (mental health matters in the beauty world of aesthetics and I’ve had really good doctors tell me they will refuse to work with a patient if they come in to their office demanding unrealistic things…this is a sign of a great doc!), I started doing some testing of some over the counter lip plumpers at all price points.

You do have injection-free options if you want to make your lips a bit fuller. No gloss will plump your lips quite like a lip injection, however, they can be hydrating and add a bit of volume to your lips. Did you know that drinking plenty of water can keep your lips plump? Read this article by the American Academy of Dermatology Associate to learn more about how to take better care of your lips. Read on here to learn about my favorite over the counter lip plumpers.

Please note that all the prices I have listed are what I’ve found as I’ve researched online and in stores. Prices go up and down all the time, so do your research, use coupon codes when you find them and grab beauty products on sale in bulk like I do if you frequently run out of them! All brands I have listed are cruelty free. As I try more lip plumpers that I like, I’ll add them to this list.


1—Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme: $29

This is at the highest price point for lip gloss plumpers I’ve used. I’ve used this brand for many years and actually only buy it when I can get a discount, and then I buy it in multiples. I put it on when I’m doing my makeup and let it do it’s thing.

Before applying Lip Injection Extreme

While I’m applying my makeup, it works to plump and hydrate my lips. It’s aimed to keep your lips plump with long term use, and I do notice my lips being slightly plumper when continue using it daily. I honestly think it’s just really hydrating and hydrated lips always look plumper.

Applying Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme

Sometimes my skin is super sensitive and on those days, I steer clear of this as it can turn your skin around your lips a bit red. It has a bit of a “bite” or a sting (as that’s what lip plumpers do…they kind of irritate your lips to make them swell, kind of like a much less painful bee sting), but it goes away after about a minute. Too Faced has several “Lip Injection” gloss types and I’ve tried them all. I do keep them in my makeup rotation, as they are all good and work well for me.

I like the Too Faced Lip Injection that smells like maple syrup

See my one minute video review of Too Faced Lip Injection on my video below or via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden:


2—Buxom Full-On Lip Plumping Polish: $25

I’ve used Buxom Full-On Lip Plumping Polish for many, many years. It plumps slightly, and I always get compliments when I wear the shade “April”, which is a light sparkly pink. A little goes a long way, so I apply it sparingly. It is moisturizing, lasts for hours, and is fun to wear. It comes in many colors and I seem to always have April, Dolly, White Russian Sparkle and Sandy on hand.

This is me wearing Buxom Lip Polish in April

It has a bit of a sting, but not quite as much as the Too Faced Lip Injection. My lips always look full and plump when using this gloss. It’s kind of peppermint-y and fresh feeling too.


3—L.A. Girl Tinted Lip Plumper: $5

I grabbed the L.A. Girl Tinted Lip Plumper on Walmart.com after it looked like it may be a good dupe for my Buxom Lip Plumping Polish in April. I tested it out for a few days and found that it was a great dupe! It actually has a similar texture, color, is moisturizing and long lasting.

Check out my one minute tutorial and watch it adjust to my skin tone below or via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden:

Before applying L.A. Girl Tinted Lip Plumper

It adjusts to the warmth of your lips, so the pink color I used called “Tickled” goes on clear and warmed up to a very pale shimmery pink on my lips after a few minutes.

This one did not have quite as much “sting” as the others I’ve tried, so it could be a good one to use if you have sensitive skin or lips. It’s slightly plumping, but not majorly.


4—L.A. Colors Lip Plumper: $2

I stopped in Walmart and browsed the beauty aisle (my favorite aisle) and grabbed the L.A. Colors Lip Plumper in Clearly Pink along with the L.A. Colors Auto Lip Liner in Pinky. I lined my lips with the liner, which was very creamy and smooth. I used my finger to spread it out a bit on my lips and it actually was very pretty on it’s own. Over-lining your lips a bit can also give an appearance of fuller lips.

Before applying L.A. Girl Lip Plumper

Then I applied a few dabs of the lip plumper and it gave my lips a nice shine. This one had more of a bite than the L.A. Girl Tinted Lip Plumper, and did hydrate and gave an appearance of fuller lips. It’s got a cinnamon-like scent, but is clear and has no sparkle. I loved the pink color combination of the liner and the gloss as they matched well and looked great on my skin tone.

Wouldn’t you know too that this is probably my favorite lip plumper of all that I’ve tested so far! And, it’s the least expensive!

After applying L.A. Colors lip plumper and liner

Check out my one minute review of L.A. Colors lip plumper and lip liner (and see them in action!) via my YouTube video below or via my channel @carolynjbraden:

Overall, lip plumpers can work, but you have to find the ones that work best for you. As I said earlier, none will quite make your lips as full as injections, but they can work to give your lips a fuller appearance. If used daily, you can expect to see maybe a slight bump up in hydration, which can make your lips look fuller. Try one out and let me know your results in the comments below!

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Carolyn J. (C.J.) Braden is a regular contributor and editor for Carolyn’s Blooming Creations. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.