Beauty SPOT

 

Plump up the Volume

Our tips for getting the most out of your lip plumper, and all the latest products to hit the stores

When the topic of lip plumping comes up, the words “I want Angelina Jolie’s lips” can be consistently heard in the same conversation.  Women have become obsessed with achieving full, luscious lips of superstar proportions.  But as so many of us have shyed away from the thought of the needle (and the dreaded trout pout) to achieve the lusted after bee-stung look, cosmetic companies have been busily developing topical products to give us the pleasure of full and lush lips without the pain of surgery.

The latest craze to hit our handbags is the lip plumping gloss (or pencil, balm and lipstick) and they are here to help you achieve kissable smackers – maybe not the epic size of Angelina’s, but hey, we can’t have everything!

But which of the seemingly endless choices actually do the job?  How do they work? We bravely delved into the world of the lip plumper and emerged with the latest products from brands we all love.   Have a read of our roadtest and check out the results.  Once you have picked a winner, read up on our guide about how to get the most of your plumper, and how they work.

 

The lip plumpers generally work either one of two ways. They either:

a.) Irritate the outer layer of the skin on the lip, causing flushing and swelling strictly caused by irritation to the outer membrane. While these types of plumping agents such as Lip Venom by Duwop do produce immediate results and have many fans, plumpers that work in this way can quickly dry out and deflate the lips.

b.) The "Moisture Boosters" - These types of lip plumpers work by expanding lip tissues temporarily, or claim to enlarge your lips permanently and over a gradual time span by dramatically boosting collagen production.

 

Here are some tips on how to get the most out of your gloss, pencil or balm.

1.Start with clean and dry smackers.  Plumpers do their best work when they can when there is nothing standing in between them and your lips.

2.You can add to the fullness of your lips by using two different colours of gloss or lipstick – first apply the darker colour and then apply a little of the lighter colour in the centre of your bottom lip and blend outwards – this will make your lips appear even fuller.

3.Try products that work in conjunction with each other, for example, a lip plumping pencil that will be enhanced by the use of a plumping gloss.  Apply the pencil all over the lip (this will also enhance the staying power of the colour) and then apply the gloss over the top.  The result is longer lasting and richer colour, and hopefully a longer lasting full pout!

4.If you are thinking about planting kisses on a loved one, make sure they are forewarned of your lip plumping status.  If you are wearing a particularly spicy gloss, the person on the receiving end of your smacker may not appreciate the burning sensation as much as you do.

5.Do as much research as you can before purchasing a product (or you may have to purchase a few before finding the right product for you).  Lip plumpers can feel ‘barely there’ on the lips, or they can feel like you just had a good smooch with a hot frying pan, so it may be worth road testing a few to make sure you will be able to stand the potentially fiery sensation on this sensitive part of your body

6.It's key to find one that does not dry your lips, as this defeats the purpose of inflating your lips.  Dry lips equal deflated lips, so you always want your kissers to be moist, moist, moist!

 

 

Model Co Wonderfull Lip Plumper

Delicious scent, great colour, plump lips!

The first thing you notice about Wonderfull is the yummy cinnamon scent – good enough to eat!  Once you pop this on your lips for a cool tingling sensation (don’t apply too much or the tingling becomes a fire!) and plumping action that works almost straight away.  The colour we used, Hot Coco, was fantastic – a subtle reddy brown that makes your lips look really shiny and full.

What type of lip plumper is this? This is a great coloured gloss that will feel very tingly while the ingredients work on plumping your lips, designed for immediate plumping effect.
Any tingling?  You can feel a cool tingling that can be a bit intense at first, but this wears off within about five minutes.
Plumping effect:  You can see the results straight away – your pout will look full and red and very kissable – love the glossy, shiny look!
Plumping lasted for: I had to reapply after two hours.
Dryness?  None here.
Overall Rating 9/10

WonderFull can be found at David Jones, www.modelcoshop.com.au and selected pharmacies for $24.00

 

Naked Kiss Plump and Polish

Polished, sparkling lips fit for a kiss.

Naked Kiss has the fine honour of starting the lip plumping craze – theirs was the first to hit the market in 1999.  The superstar of current range is the Plump and Polish Collagen Lip Treatment.  We give this one top marks for design – pull the applicator out from the lid to find the handy little pop up mirror, great for speedy application.  The Collagen Lip Treatment has a clear shine with a sparkle effect, but be warned – make sure you don’t go outside the perimeter of your lip, otherwise you can end up with unsightly red marks on your skin.  Perfect for application over a lip colour, or check out Naked Kiss’s range of lippies with lip plumping ingredients.  And we love the scent!

What type of lip plumper is this?  Naked Kiss is a collagen treatment that works over time.  It is recommended that you use this product for at least 3 weeks before you see any major results, but I actually saw results straight away.
Any Tingling?  Slight tingling, but unnoticeable really.
Plumping effect:  Use it for the full 3 weeks for best results, but you will find your lips plumper after a few treatments.
Plumping lasts for:  Used as recommended (three times a day) your lips will be consistently plump.  Otherwise, the effect last for about four hours.
Dryness after use?  Nothing that can’t be fixed with a little lip balm.
Overall rating: 8/10

Find Naked Kiss at Priceline nationwide and selected pharmacies (03) 9462-7500

 

Lip Fusion Micro Injected Collagen Lip Plumping Pencil

Soft and supple lips can be found here.

Touted as ‘revolutionary’ we had to give the Lip Fusion pencil a go.  The pencil (although it looks and feels more like a crayon) is applied all over the lip, giving a longer lasting colour and plump.  And while my lips weren’t transformed into puffed up bee-stung lips immediately, they were smoothed, soft and moisturised, and coated with a pretty colour that lasted.  And that counts for something, doesn’t it?  I noticed a difference in plumpness within a week when I used Lip Fusion regularly and in conjunction with their plumping glosses. 

What type of Lip Plumper is this?  The Lip Fusion Pencil is a moisturising collagen treatment designed for regular use with results that improve over time.
Any tingling?  None.
Plumping effect:  Within a week I found my lips fuller, softer and lines smoothed – don’t use this if you are looking for immediate results!
Plumping lasted for:  This product is a pleasure to use, and I used it consistently, which is the way you achieve best results.  The eventual plumping effect is permanent if you use it religiously.
Dryness?  No way.
Overall rating: 6/10 for plumping, 10/10 for smoothness and moisture

The Lip Fusion pencil is available at Mecca Cosmetica for $48  www.meccacosmetica.com.au Ph 1800 007 844.

 

Napoleon Perdis Love Bite Lip Plump

Perfect over the top of your lipsticks

One of the very latest plumping products to hit the market, Napoleon’s Love Bite is great for immediate plumping and fullness effect.  The capsicum pepper and cinnamon has a strong presence on the lips (I’m wiping the tears away as I speak) but this settles down within a few minutes.  We love the ‘Original’ for use over our lippies for full and shiny lips.

What type of Lip Plumper is this?  Love Bite is a stimulating product that will tingle on your lips to produce the plump.
Any tingling? Most definitely – almost a burn initially.
Plumping effect:  Immediate and noticeable.
Plumping lasted for: About an hour.
Dryness:  Love Bite does tend to dry out your lips considerably – great for a one off use, such as a night on the town.
Overall Rating: 7/10

Love Bite is $25 and is available at Napoleon Perdis stores, David Jones and selected independent retailers.  For Stockists call 1800 814 572.

 

Du Wop Venom Gloss

A cult favourite gets better

Du Wop’s Lip Venom has been a cult plumping product since it’s arrival in Australia.  For those not fond of the intensity and drying effect of Lip Venom, Du Wop introduced the gloss version for our lip plumping enjoyment.  Venom gloss has the perfect amount of shine, immediate fullness and plump, a light tingle which is not uncomfortable at all.

What type of lip plumper is this?  Du Wop uses a ‘secret’ blend of ingredients to produce immediate plumping.  The gloss will stimulate the skin on your lips for plump and softness.
Any tingling?  A light, almost pleasant tingle – no harsh pins and needles type feeling here.
Plumping Effect:  The best immediate plump I could find.
Plumping lasted for: Hours – reapply a couple of time a day.
Dryness:  This gloss is great at moisturising as well as plumping.
Overall Rating: 9/10

$40 Available at Mecca Cosmetica www.meccacosmetica.com.au Ph 1800 007 844

 

Pout Plump

Lips fit for a celeb

Pout Plump peddles itself as a ‘celebrity’ plump product, for picture perfect smackers.  Does it live up to the hype?  Pout Plump is an effective plumping product with hydrating qualities and has a really ‘cool’ sensation – must be the peppermint!  Pout Plump will show results straight away, but you can also use it regularly to improve your lip’s fullness.

What type of lip plumper is this?  Pout Plump will cause the flushing and swelling effect on your lips immediately, but you can also use it for a long term effect.
Any tingling?  There is definite tingling sensation, but it is not unpleasant.
Plumping effect:  A good full result.
Plumping lasted for: About an hour
Dryness:  This product has a hydrating ingredient that works well at moisturising.
Overall rating: 6/10

Pout Plump is $38 is available at Myer and at www.rescu.com.au

 

Clinique Full Potential Lips Plump and Shine

Love the shine, Love the colour, Love the plump

A lovely little lip plumper from Clinique – great shine and smoothing effect, and gentle plumping action.  We also love the delicious shades – we are wearing this one on its own, no need for another product underneath!  Full Potential doesn’t irritate or feel uncomfortable what so ever – the emphasis here is on gentle. Perfect for sensitive smackers.

What kind of lip plumper is this?  Full Potential uses natural oils to stimulate your lips and produce the plumping effect – A great product for full lips straight away.
Any tingling?  A little, you can feel the product working away.
Plumping effect:  I loved my full, smooth lips – and did I mention the great colour?
Plump lasted for:  I reapplied after about four hours.
Dryness after use:  None.
Overall rating: 9/10

Clinique Full Potential is available at Myer and David Jones and selected pharmacies. 1800 061 326