Is this S$7 TikTok-viral SHEIN lippie a dupe for Tarte’s popular plumping lip colour? Here’s what you need to know

Like most things that go viral on social media nowadays, we often catch ourselves asking, “Is it too good to be true?”

We set out to explore which of these was the case when it came to the trending S$7 Sheglam Pout-Perfect Shine Lip Plumper, which has been making its rounds on TikTok for giving users an ultra-juicy lip effect.

@hayleybuix

I don‘t think my lips ever looked this juicy! @SHEGLAM #sheglamlipplumper #sheglampartner #SHEGLAM AD

♬ Make You Mine – Madison Beer

So juicy, in fact, some reviewers on the SHEIN site have commented that it’s the perfect dupe for Tarte’s Maracuja Juicy Lip, which retails for just under S$40 on Sephora. That’s almost six times the price of the alleged dupe from SHEIN.

So, does the glossy lip plumper live up to the hype? And is it actually safe to use? Here’s what we found.

It gives a juicy, water-like lip effect

As seen on user @hayleybuix, the glosses have an incredible shine when swatched and on the lips, giving it a reflective water-like look.

Upon first application of the Pout-Perfect Shine Lip Plumper, the colour is already visible on the lips, though the effect is akin to a regular satin lipstick or tinted lip balm. After the second or third swipe, that’s when it gets exponentially glossier.

The brand also claims it provides a non-painful plumping finish that gives your lips a fuller look. As to whether it actually does so, reviewers are divided. Some commented that while the added volume of their lips is definitely noticeable, the effect errs on the subtle side.

It is, however, indeed as moisturising as it looks due to the nourishing coconut oil included in its formula. So to the dry-lip girlies on the hunt for a suitable lip product – this might be one worth getting.

The packaging and shade range

SHEIN’s lip plumper comes in a packaging that’s similar to the Tarte version – a sleek tube with the same click mechanism but with a holographic exterior instead. As the lip plumper is non-retractable, make sure to only dispense the amount you need during each use.

Available in six colours, some of the Sheglam glosses are also comparable to the options from Tarte.

The Pout-Perfect Shine Lip Plumper in “Pink Flamingo”, a mauve-pink is a near-exact dupe of  the Juicy Lip in “Primrose”. For classic Barbie pink lips, go for “Makin Me Blush”, which is similar to “Blossom”.

Peachy colours are also a favourite in many juicy-lip products, so you can’t go wrong with one from Sheglam, like “In Bloom”, which is the closest shade to Tarte’s “Peachy Beige”.

The most popular shade in the affordable line, however, is “Sepia Kiss”, a gorgeous rich crimson red that will give your lips that just-bitten look. One SHEIN reviewer wrote, “It is like a tinted lip balm but better. Buttery soft with a nice shine and the colour Sepia Kiss is great for everyday natural use.”

You might have to layer up some of the more wearable colours, such as “Walk on the beach”, a few times to get the full colour payoff, but it’s perfect if you prefer your lippies to be more on the more buildable side anyway.

Is Sheglam makeup safe to use?

With the almost too-good-to-be-true price tag, it’s natural to wonder just how safe the Pout-Perfect Shine Lip Plumpers are. Thankfully, it appears you don’t have anything to worry about.

SHEIN’s cosmetics are all 100% cruelty-free and vegan, which means they contain more skin-friendly ingredients and fewer harmful chemicals. As with most other products under this category, they derive ingredients mostly from plants, like vegetable glycerin or oils, from crops such as corn plants.

Their cosmetic products are also 100% talc-free, paraben-free, and gluten-free, so the formulas appear to be safe for use as they omit highly regulated substances.

At present, authorities in the US, Canada, and the EU have not identified any inconsistencies in the ingredient list provided by SHEIN. Nonetheless, it should be noted that the list of regulated substances continues to expand with the introduction of new chemicals.