While a plump pout has never really gone out of style, the past year has made us extra determined to get our lips looking juicier and glossier.
We went all in with TikTok’s “gym lips” trend, which involves using a lip liner to overline the lips before sweeping on a moisturising lip treatment for a glossy, mega-syrupy effect. Where glazed lips are concerned, we also snagged lip oils to up the ante on hydration and shine.
But, while these lip products and combos have been our besties for making our pouts look juicier, they haven’t actually done anything to really increase the size of our lips.
It’s why we’re turning to lip plumpers, which are products that actually plump up the pout for as long as over an hour – perfect for if you’re going on a fancy date night or posing for the ‘gram.
What Are Lip Plumpers?
Photo source: @tartecosmetics/Instagram
Lip plumpers can come in the form of a gloss, balm, cream, or mask; when applied to the lips, they produce a filler lip effect. Literally, they plump up the lips so that your pout appears fuller and juicier than before.
How it works is that lip plumpers typically contain plumping hydrators like hyaluronic acid (HA) and other ingredients that stimulate blood flow to where it’s applied to.
The hydrators help by pulling moisture to and plumping up the lips; the other ingredients are, in fact, often spicy extracts such as peppermint, cinnamon, menthol, and even hot pepper (capsaicin), which work to “irritate” the lips.
This causes blood to rush to the area and the pout to swell – just as it might when you’re chowing down on something spicy.
Are Lip Plumpers Safe?
Photo source: @dilnar.d, @mimiermakeup/TikTok
Naturally, the common question that arises is: are lip plumpers safe? The answer is that lip plumpers are considered generally mild and safe as your lips are also “irritated” the same way when you’re slurping a sinful bowl of peppery mala-tang or chomping on hot wings.
However, if you notice that your lips are starting to crack or feel excessively irritated throughout the day, it’s a sign that you might be using your lip plumpers too often.
If so, don’t be afraid to fall back on hydrating lip treatments like the popular-for-a-reason Laneige Overnight Lip Sleeping Mask (S$30) to nourish your lips for a naturally supple pout!
Best Lip Plumpers in Singapore
Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Plump
TikTok has made us cart out many viral products in the past year, but the Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Plump has to be one of the top ones in our “favourites” list, especially when it comes to a juicy lip product.
The Maracuja Juicy Lip Plump is a lip plumper slash lip gloss that doesn’t just let users flaunt a fuller pout, it also really adds a natural flush to the lips with its range of beautiful shades like rosy pink Primrose, mauve Mixed Berries, and deep cherry-toned Honeysuckle.
@dilnar.d Wow! #tartecosmetics #tarte #juicylips #musthaves #lipplumper #viralproducts #beautyreview
Click the button on the end of the bullet and it dispenses the perfect amount to coat the lips. But, the truly great thing about this lip plumper is that it plumps up the pout by delivering good-on-the-lips hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, maracuja oil, goji, and vitamin E!
The pleasantly minty, tingling sensation that you feel is from an ingredient called menthone glycerin acetal, which the brand uses to let users know the product is working – not because your lips are burning and irritated.
Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Plump retails for S$39, available at Sephora.
Givenchy Rose Perfecto Liquid Lip Balm
This marbled couture lip balm from Givenchy is so pretty that we want to keep it forever with us when we’re on the go!
The lip balm comes in a swirled marble design, so you have to dip the wand and swatch the syrupy formula onto your lips to see the true shade you’ll be wearing on your lips.
@doublewks gorgeous packaging but is it gorgeous on the lips? Lets see hehe #givenchybeautysg #insidercommsg
Brimming with hydrating skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and pink pepper, Givenchy’s Rose Perfecto Liquid Lip Balm works to nourish and plump the lips. Even though the brand doesn’t call it a lip plumper, we’ve tried it – it works its volumising magic every time it touches our pout.
Givenchy Rose Perfecto Liquid Lip Balm retails for S$58, available at Sephora.
Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Heat Lip Luminizer + Plumper
As if Fenty Beauty’s OG Gloss Bomb doesn’t do enough to seriously add honeyed shine and volume to our lips, the brand has gone ahead and created another even juicier formula: the Gloss Bomb Heat Lip Luminizer + Plumper. And, we’re not kidding about how thicc our lips get with this lip plumper hybrid on.
Besides adding a hint of colour to the lips, the Gloss Bomb Heat also warms and spices up your pout with a special Plump Job Complex, which is an invigorating blend of ginger root oil and capsicum fruit extract (pepper).
With your lips tingling, moisturised, and coated in Fenty Beauty’s Gloss Bomb shine, it’ll look like they’re ultra-pillowy and, undoubtedly, juicer than ever before!
Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Heat Lip Luminizer + Plumper retails for S$39 on Sephora.
Patrick Ta Major Volume Plumping Gloss
If you can’t stand the sticky feel of gloss on your lip, turn straight to Patrick Ta’s Major Volume Plumping Gloss.
This lip plumper scores major points when it comes to how it feels on the pout; TikToker @christxiee said that it feels “more like a silky balm gloss instead of a lip oil texture”. While it warms the lips a little, it doesn’t burn, which means that you get to enjoy plumper lips sans any discomfort.
@christxiee For the girls that want a mild plumping gloss & can’t stand the burn… THIS IS THE SH!T For you 😭😭😭😭😭 the shade really got me obsessed ngl
Even though this lip plumper doesn’t give ultra-obvious plumping effects, the silky smooth feel of the gloss and gorgeous shades available has us carting it out, stat.
Patrick Ta Major Volume Plumping Gloss retails for S$42, available at Sephora.
Dior Addict Lip Maximizer Plumping Gloss
Flaunt plumper lips in luxurious style with Dior Addict Lip Maximizer Plumping Gloss!
This one’s another lip plumping gloss that feels oh-so-comfy on the lips, smooth as butter, and leaves the lips feeling softer throughout the day too.
The beautifully housed lip plumper brims with hyaluronic acid and cherry oil, which gives the lips comfortable hydration and shine – on top of a glossy, subtly plumping effect, of course.
@catherine.abreu I literally buy anything my girl @Michaela recommends 😮💨🫶🏼✨ @Dior #diorbeauty #dioraddictlipmaximizer #diorgloss #diorlipmaximizer
The natural “my lips but better” shades will also have you looking more and more like Dior’s brand ambassador, the ever-ethereal Jisoo from Blackpink.
Dior Addict Lip Maximizer Plumping Gloss retails for S$59 at Sephora.
Sephora Collection Outrageous Plump Extreme
Don’t underestimate the power of Sephora’s own lip products, which includes the Sephora Collection Outrageous Plump Extreme! This lip plumper really does add volume to your pout, but warning: you might feel a little spicy burn on your lips as it does.
One trick you can use to dull the tingling sensation is to glide on a regular lipstick before glazing over with the lip plumper; otherwise, just embrace it and know that the gloss is working its magic to grant you a juicier pout.
Available in two iridescent shades, Fever and Inferno, the lip plumper can give your lips a crystal silver shine or a pearlescent pinkish nude glaze, depending on your mood.
Sephora Collection Outrageous Plump Extreme retails for S$23 at Sephora.
Too Faced Lip Injection Maximum Plump
One thing that blows our minds about the reality series Too Hot to Handle is how the contestants look this good under the blazing sun.
Well, Too Hot to Handle star, Francesca Farago, revealed one secret to their impeccable good looks: the Too Faced Lip Injection Maximum Plump, which the cast shared as they filmed.
Too Faced Lip Injection Maximum Plump gives the lips juicy volume with its hydrating blend of avocado and jojoba oils as well as illuminating pearl pigments that catch the light for an ultra-supple shine.
That’s right, if you’re searching for a lip plumper with a mega-watt pearlescent shine, this one will do. It’s available in four light-shifting shades: Blueberry Buzz, Cotton Candy Kisses, Creamsicle Tickle, and Yummy Bear.
Too Faced Lip Injection Maximum Plump retails for S$47.21 on Amazon.
DEROL Lip Plumper
DEROL Lip Plumper is a viral Amazon lip plumper that’s got TikTokers’ attention thanks to its ultra-plumping action on the pout. Swept onto the lips, the lip plumper adds visible volume and even enhances with a hint of natural colour.
https://www.tiktok.com/@mimiermakeup/video/7001513752818420997
Really, there’s no doubt about this lip plumper’s lip-filler-worthy effects. But, caveat: you’ll have to bear with a slow burn first.
DEROL Lip Plumper retails for S$54.71 on Amazon.
Essence What The Fake! Plumping Lip Filler
The best budget lip plumper on our list is Essence’s What The Fake! Plumping Lip Filler.
Costing just above S$10, What The Fake! Plumping Lip Filler glides onto the lips to give a clear, glossy finish and a subtly plumping effect. Your puffed-up pout will last for about 30 minutes, but you’ll get to enjoy softer, more hydrated lips for the rest of the day!
Essence What The Fake! Plumping Lip Filler retails for S$13.90 on Shopee. A discount is offered at the time of writing. Tap in to see the updated price!
Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Diamond Lip Plumper
Physicians Formula has been creating makeup products that are hypoallergenic and suitable for sensitive skin since 1937. So, if you’re worried about a lip plumper being irritating on your pout, why not start with the brand’s Mineral Wear Diamond Lip Plumper, which is made with sensitive skin in mind?
Reviewers say that this lip plumper gives little to no tingling sensation, a subtle volumising but majorly hydrating effect, and adds lustrous shine to their lips. Who doesn’t love flaunting a diamond-like shine to pair with a juicier pout?
Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Diamond Lip Plumper retails for S$11.59 on Amazon.
Grande Cosmetics GrandeLIPS Hydrating Lip Plumper
TikToker @literallylizzi tried Grande Cosmetics GrandeLIPS Hydrating Lip Plumper for 30 days to test the long-term plumping effects of the gloss, and she found that her pout looks slightly fuller than before.
@literallylizzi Makeup Fact or Cap @grandecosmetics #lipplumper #grandepartner #makeuphacks available at @sephora
The GrandeLIPS Hydrating Lip Plumper brims with hyaluronic acid to hydrate and add supple volume to the pout. What we really like about it is its cute clicker packaging, which lets you dispense just the right amount before smoothly sweeping it all over your lips.
It’s available in colours ranging from clear to pale pink and nude rose.
Grande Cosmetics GrandeLIPS Hydrating Lip Plumper retails for S$39.58 on Amazon.
Feature image credit: @doublewks, @mimiermakeup/TikTok
