I’ve always been slightly obsessed with lip products. Lipsticks, glosses, oils, balms — you name it, I’ve probably tried it. But somewhere between my third bottle of tinted balm and my second scroll through Instagram filters that made my lips look unnaturally full, I realized something: I wanted plumper lips. Not in an overdone, filler-gone-wrong way. Just a soft, natural fullness — something that made my lips look pillowy, hydrated, and a little extra juicy.
I wasn’t ready to dive into injectables (yet?), so I decided to go on a full-on mission to find the best lip plumping products available in the U.S. I tried them all: the classics, the trendy newcomers, the ones that tingle, and the ones that don’t. Some I loved instantly. Others… not so much.
But through it all, I discovered nine standouts that I now keep in rotation. These are the ones I reach for when I want my lips to look their best — whether I’m heading out for a date night, running errands with no makeup, or prepping for an event where I want a little extra oomph.
Let’s get into it — here are the 9 best lip plumpers I tried, what makes them work, how they feel, and the best ways to use them.
1. Patrick Ta Major Volume Plumping Gloss
Price: \$26
Where to Buy: Sephora, PatrickTa.com
Shades: 11 (my favorites are “2cc” and “She’s Expensive”)
Cruelty-Free: Yes
This gloss is my current ride-or-die. From the second I applied it, I was blown away. The texture is smooth but thick enough to stay put. It has a fresh, minty tingle — not too painful, just enough to let you know it’s working.
The plumping effect is real but wearable. Think: “I just drank a liter of water and kissed someone cute,” not “I can’t feel my mouth.” It uses ingredients like cinnamon and ginger to stimulate circulation, and the hyaluronic acid gives lips a hydrated, almost plush appearance.
Pro Tip: Layer this on top of any matte lip for a fuller, glossy finish without compromising color. I’ve even dabbed it just at the center of my lips for a 3D effect.
2. Too Faced Lip Injection Maximum Plump
Price: \$33
Where to Buy: Sephora, Ulta
Shades: 6 (I prefer the clear or light pink)
Cruelty-Free: Yes
Okay, this one is intense. Like, seriously intense. I knew I was in for a ride when I felt the sting before the wand even touched my bottom lip. But man, the results?
Next-level plump. This is your red carpet lip gloss. Your “photo shoot at golden hour” gloss. It adds noticeable volume and gives lips a flushed, just-bitten look.
Important Note: If you’re sensitive to burning sensations, skip this one. It’s not painful per se, but it is spicy. I apply a very thin layer and let it sit for 10 minutes before layering anything else.
Where It Shines: Photos. This gives insane dimension in pictures — especially if you focus application just along the Cupid’s bow and outer lip line.
3. Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Plump
Price: \$24
Where to Buy: Ulta, Tarte.com, Sephora
Shades: 16 (plus limited editions)
Cruelty-Free: Yes
This balm-gloss hybrid is the chill girl of lip plumpers. It’s creamy, comforting, and absolutely gorgeous. The scent is subtly fruity, and the glossy finish gives your lips a soft blur without stickiness.
Formulated with passionfruit and a superfruit blend, it feels more like skincare than makeup — and yet the plumping is still noticeable, especially after a few uses.
How I Use It: This lives in my purse. I use it before Zoom calls, in car mirrors, during date nights. It works solo or as a primer under lipsticks. If I could only keep one for daily use, this would be it.
4. U Beauty Plasma Lip Compound
Price: \$68
Where to Buy: Dermstore, UBeauty.com
Shades: Multiple nudes and neutrals
Cruelty-Free: Yes
This one is in a league of its own — part lip plumper, part anti-aging treatment. It’s pricey, yes, but hear me out. This formula includes peptides, ceramides, shea butter, and even salicylic acid. It improves the texture and volume of your lips over time.
It has a light pink tint that’s universally flattering, and the effect is more refined elegance than club-night glam. My lips feel softer and smoother every time I use it. I actually noticed a reduction in fine lines around my mouth after about 2 weeks of consistent use.
Worth It? Yes — especially if you’re looking for long-term results and love skincare-forward beauty.
5. Maybelline Lifter Gloss Heat
Price: \$13
Where to Buy: Ulta, Walmart, Amazon
Shades: 8 (my fave is “Bronzed”)
Cruelty-Free: No
This is the drugstore hero. If you’ve ever wanted a dupe for the Fenty glosses with just a hint of heat, this is it. It contains chili extract for a subtle warming effect and has a cushiony, glossy texture that looks expensive.
There’s zero stickiness and lots of hydration. It also layers really well — no pilling or weird separation.
Best For: Everyday use on a budget. The shades are fun, wearable, and flattering on every skin tone.
6. Osmosis Skincare Lip Intense Hydrating Plumper
Price: \$26
Where to Buy: SkinElite, OsmosisBeauty.com
Shades: 2 clear options
Cruelty-Free: Yes
This is the quiet achiever. No stinging, no gloss, no scent — just clean, nourishing ingredients like kelp, oats, and green tea. It gives your lips a gentle fullness and velvety texture over time.
I wouldn’t recommend it for dramatic before-and-after TikTok videos, but if you want a plumper that doubles as a lip treatment, this is gold.
Ideal For: Layering under lipstick or overnight wear.
7. Buxom Full-On Plumping Lip Cream
Price: \$25
Where to Buy: Sephora, Ulta
Shades: Dozens, with shimmers and creams
Cruelty-Free: Yes
This one is a total classic. The cooling tingle, the juicy shine, the perfect amount of shimmer — it’s been around for years and still holds up. Buxom’s lip creams are known for their cocktail of peptides and vitamins A & E, and they do give you that fuller-lip look fast.
I wore this on a girls’ night recently, and every single one of my friends ended up borrowing it by the end of the night. It’s just that good.
Use Tip: Reapply every 2–3 hours to maintain max effect — especially after drinks or dinner.
8. Lawless Forget the Filler Lip Plumping Gloss
Price: \$26
Where to Buy: Sephora, LawlessBeauty.com
Shades: 16 (clear, shimmer, pigment-rich)
Cruelty-Free: Yes
This gloss is so juicy, so rich, so incredibly wet-looking, it should be illegal. It’s on the thicker side, but that’s why it lasts so long and creates that luscious “glass lip” vibe.
The formula contains shea butter and hyaluronic acid, so it smooths and fills fine lines while visibly plumping. It feels luxe, looks luxe, and frankly is luxe.
Pro Tip: Apply just before you leave the house — it keeps your lips shiny and plush for hours without touch-ups.
9. Makeup by Mario MoistureGlow Plumping Lip Serum
Price: \$24
Where to Buy: Sephora, MakeupByMario.com
Shades: Over 20
Cruelty-Free: Yes
This is what I use when I want comfort above all. It’s technically a serum, but it wears like a balm-gloss hybrid. With ingredients like avocado oil, shea butter, kiwi oil, and argan oil, it deeply nourishes while offering just enough plumping to look polished.
It’s buttery-soft, with a satin sheen that looks lit-from-within. This is my favorite “no-makeup makeup” product.
Best For: Dry lips that still want to look pretty.
Where to Shop (U.S. Retailers)
Here are the main places I recommend checking out — especially if you’re hunting for deals:
- Sephora (online & in-store): www.sephora.com
- Ulta Beauty: www.ulta.com
- Dermstore: For luxe skincare + lip treatments
- Amazon: Be sure you’re buying from verified sellers
- Target & Walmart: Best for drugstore finds like Maybelline
- Brand Websites: Tarte, Patrick Ta, Lawless, etc. often have exclusive promos
Pro Tip: Sign up for email lists or use browser extensions like Honey for discount alerts.
Lip plumpers aren’t about changing who you are. For me, they’re just a fun way to feel a little extra — to boost my confidence on a tired Monday or glam up a Friday night with friends.
What I’ve learned? The best lip plumper is the one that makes you smile when you see your reflection — even if no one else notices but you.
Try one. Or try all nine. Just don’t forget to feel cute doing it.
