The best lip plumping glosses reign supreme on the list of products we’re constantly adding to our beauty carts. In our book, no makeup look can be complete without a shiny, moisturized, and plumped-looking pout. That’s why we decided to go on a hunt to find the best lip glosses that will get the job done quickly and safely.
Lip plumping glosses have also become a very popular makeup item, thanks to celebs (hello, Kylie Jenner), and social media filters on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. The plump and pouty look seems to have taken over the beauty world, even leading some customers to take it a step further and opt for cosmetic treatments like lip fillers. However, if you’re not into getting injections, you can opt for a plumping lip gloss to get a similar (but temporary) effect.
“People use plumping glosses because the ingredients oftentimes that are in them are really for the most part natural ingredients, like cinnamon or paprika or jojoba oil. Those ingredients are irritants,” says Gervaise Gerstner, M.D. a board-certified dermatologist specializing in medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology at Gerstner Dermatology in New York City.
“So basically those ingredients are temporarily making your lips have a little irritant to them and that makes them plump up, tingle, enhance, and increase blood flow. It’s a very temporary thing,” Dr. Gerstner explains. And after scrolling through tons of TikTok try-on videos and customer reviews, it’s clear that the right plumping gloss formula can actually give your lips a more volumized look. However, experts note that the formulas can differ and that customers should take a few factors into consideration while shopping for one.
“A good thing to look for when looking for ingredients in a lip plumping gloss is hyaluronic acid,” says Dr. Gerstner. That's a great ingredient because it will hold water into the skin. Also, you should look for a clean beauty brand that is not using chemicals. The second thing would be to make sure that the brand doesn't have a retinoid in it [it can cause irritations],” Dr. Gerstner explains.
To help you find the best options available, we scoured through tons of customer reviews, TikTok review videos, and asked a few experts to hear about their favorite picks. From the chilling, cooling sensations to the unfortunate burning sensation, we’ve witnessed the good, bad, and glossy for you. You can even incorporate it into your latte makeup looks or Barbiecore-inspired glam.
Ahead, find the best lip plumping glosses for you to try out.
Our Top Picks:
- Best plumping gloss overall: Stila Plumping High-Shine Lip Glaze, $24
- Best plumping lip gloss at Sephora: Kosas Wet Lip Oil Plumping Treatment Gloss, $22
- Best plumping gloss at Target: e.l.f Lip Plumping Gloss, $7
- Best drugstore plumping lip gloss: NYX Professional Makeup Filler Instinct Plumping Lip Polish, $7
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Lawless Beauty has several plumping glosses as well as overnight plumping masks that are really hydrating and moisturizing. I’ve used this brand for almost a year now and religiously apply the “forget the filler” gloss. I don’t see an insane increase in my lips when it comes to plumping, but I do feel they make my lips look fuller. It has a tingling sensation, but not too much to where it’s painful. It also has a lovely shade of pink that might look intimidatingly pigmented in the bottle, but it applies opaque and shiny.
Pros: Great applicator tool, Long-lasting formula
Cons: Sometimes feels overly sticky after long hours of wear
Ingredients: MAXI-LIP, Shea Butter, Hyaluronic Acid
Shades: Daisy Pink (baby pink), George (taupe), Cherry Vanilla (red), Velvet (mauve), Rosy Outlook (sheer), Violet Bloom (soft orchard), Lavender Sorbet (pale pink lavender)
Finish: Glossy
Customer Review: “I love this product! I’ve tried a lot of different lip glosses, oils, and plumpers, but this has to be my favorite. It doesn’t give such a big plump but it feels nice and soooo hydrating. My ONLY complaint is that there is barely any product. It’s a third of most standard sizes, but the price is the same.”
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Milk Makeup's lip plumping gloss is perfect for someone looking for the ultimate tingly sensation. However, this feeling might be a tad bit intense for someone who prefers a more cooling touch, but the reward is there if you can withstand the pepper irritant volumizing your lips.
Pros: Hydrating formula, Goes on super glossy
Cons: Some users note that it has a really intense burn
Ingredients: Sichuan Pepper, Vegan Collagen, Volulip
Shades: Pumped (clear), Buzzed (nude), Lola (mauve), Wired (coral), Charged (pink)
Finish: Glossy
Customer Review: “I love this lip gloss, it just makes your lips look so good. The tingling is not uncomfortable, it makes your lips feel a little numb at the start but it's okay. I have very sensitive lips, and I had no problem with this product.”
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Too Faced's lip injection is a fan-favorite for reason. The formula glides on smooth across the lips, thanks to its main base ingredient blend of hydrating oils. Even after long wear it stays smooth across the skin and never turns sticky and chapped. It feels very similar to a lip oil in many ways. Early in the application process, you will feel a tingling sensation and it will slightly prick at your lips, ensuring that a plumping pout is undoubtedly on the way.
Pros: Applies smooth and does not feel sticky, Easy applicator
Cons: The formula can burn if you have sensitive skin
Ingredients: Mineral Oil, Avocado Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil
Shades: Blueberry Buzz (lavender), Yummy Bear (red-pink), Chocolate Plump (chocolate nude), Cotton Candy Kisses (nude pink), Creamsicle Tickle (coral orange)
Finish: Glossy
Customer Review: “I love this product so much!! As someone with small lips this product boosts my confidence and leaves my lips plumped all day!! The color is amazing! And if you need more plump add a second layer.”
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ABH may be known for their iconic eyebrow products, but the brand also carries an amazing line of lip plumpers. The crystal lip gloss has a glass-like finish that works to enhance the lips, helping them to appear fuller and smoother. The formula is also non-sticky and feels comfortable on the lips.
Pros: Applies easily, Good applicator
Cons: Some users note that the formula is not super plumping
Ingredients: Mineral Oil, Mica, Alba Seed Oil
Shades: Kristen (pink nude), Toffee (warm brown)
Finish: Glossy
Customer Review: “I like to apply a nude lip liner first then add this on top. Undressed is my favorite shade. It's more pink than brown, but it's a beautiful nude. I will be purchasing these at my local Ulta. Goes on even, very pigmented, and has a nice sweet smell to them. The only downside is that you have to reapply constantly.”
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As an Ariana Grande superfan, trying out r.e.m. beauty is a given and this plumping gloss is worth adding to your lip gloss collection. It has an iridescent look to it, so it's perfect when you want something to pop on your lips. The plumping power is subtle, which is perfect if you’re new to the world of lip plumpers.
Pros: Vibrant hue, Compact size
Cons: Some users note the formula feels too sticky
Ingredients: Polybutene, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Glyceryl Tribehenate
Shades: Chuckie, Away Message, Detention, Jelly Sandals, Pink Razor
Finish: Glossy
Customer Review: “I got "Chuckie" when it first launched, and I'll admit when I opened the box… I gasped at how tiny she was. But let me tell you, I love that now. There's a fair bit of product, it's just the fact it's in a squeeze tube compared to a traditional wand tube. It fits perfectly in your pocket and gives me such y2k vibes. I already know some people are going to complain it's "sticky", but personally, it's the perfect amount of stick. My lips don't literally stick together when I wear it, but it STICKS to my lips and lasts forever!"
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Patrick Ta is a go-to for all makeup needs, so we weren't surprised to find a nourishing lip gloss that we actually loved. The Major Volume plumping gloss gives a nice high shine and made me believe I was experiencing fuller lips post-application. A lovely lip volumizer that doesn’t hurt is always the goal.
Pros: Shiny finish, Nourishing formula
Cons: Some users note the gloss feels sticky
Ingredients: Plumping Peptide, Cinnamon, Ginger, (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Avacado Oil
Shades: Looks Natural (clear), Full Syringe (red), 2CC’s (pink), Superficial (beige), Pouty (baby pink)
Finish: High shine
Customer Review: “Perfect lip gloss, hands down! Stays on the lips not sticky at all! 2 CC is the perfect shade for nude. It goes with everything.”
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Caliray is one of the newer brands I’ve started using and I immediately fell in love with their plumping gloss. The formula glides onto the lips easily (feels like an oil), hydrates the skin, and includes a unique biometric peptide that helps to plump the lips over time.
Pros: Hydrating ingredients, High shine finish
Cons: Some users note that the packaging feels flimsy
Ingredients: Avocado Oil, Coffea Arabica (Coffee) Seed Oil
Shades: Likely Story (nude peach), Taco Tuesday (caramel honey)
Finish: Glossy
Customer Review: “I love this, SO SOFT, I put it on top of lip liner or lipstick or on its own depending on my mood for the day. NOT STICKY, I hate sticky lip glosses and this isn’t sticky. It lasts pretty long, too I had this for a while."
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This Buxom plumping gloss caught my attention because of its cool packaging! The formula also delivers mesmerizing shine with a refreshing, tingly sensation. The brand also has a unique peptide complex that helps to create a voluminous lip look, while the vitamin A and E ingredients help provide lasting moisture for soft and luscious lips.
Pros: Moisturizing, Metallic finish
Cons: Users note that the formula feels sticky
Ingredients: Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
Shades: Dominique (clear), Sarina (nude brown), Celeste (peachy)
Finish: Metallic, Shimmer, and Shine
Customer Review: “I’m obsessed with the Buxom glosses. Go out and buy every color. They are gorgeous. Not sticky, smell amazing, and I do notice a bit of plumping with no sting. I like the small set of these best to keep a gloss in every purse, car, gym bag, etc!”
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Christine Quinn (Netflix’s Selling Sunset star) is a fan of the Ciate brand, and now so am I! The gloss is formulated with a unique plumping complex, and it's available in color-tinted hues. The formula is long-lasting, and the formula includes hyaluronic filling spheres that reduce the appearance of fine lines for smooth, pillow-like-looking lips.
Pros: High quality, Peppermint flavored
Cons: Colored
Ingredients: Polybutene, Octyldodecanol, Silica, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
Shades: Villain Pump (red)
Finish: Glossy
Customer Review: “We all know the villain Christine Quinn, don't we? Haha! So that attracts me to this lip gloss which I've never used. The color is fantastic and this is my first time trying "pump plump," which I have to say is marvelous. The sensation it gives feels like putting mint on your lips and it's amazing. I got another "pump plump" with happy faces that I wear daily and the lip glosses change color! I'm a new fan of this brand.”
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Makeup by Mario is one of the most popular makeup brands on everyone’s radar. The products are a fan favorite amongst many celebrities, so I was excited to try out the plumping glosses. The MositureGlow lip color feels more like a lip balm with full coverage. The formula is also water-infused, which helps to hydrate and visibly plump the lips with a weightless, glossy feel.
Pros: Hydrating formula, Good for dryness
Cons: Users note that the color can shift off the lips sometimes
Ingredients: Diisostearyl Malate, Octyldodecanol, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Shades: Soft Nude (light beige), Smokey Pink (mauve), Cool Pink (pink), Caramel (light caramel), Spice (cinnamon brown)
Finish: High Shine
Customer Review: “Love this color on my complexion! The consistency is great, and I even got complimented as I walked out of the store from trying it on. I might buy the darker shade as well in the future!”
