I freaking love lip filler. There, I said it! I first dipped my toe into the injection pool a few years ago and have maintained firm footing in said pool ever since. Even though the topic of filler and injectables (or, at least, if people are getting them) remains a tad taboo, I've always been a staunch believer in transparency, and while some people might not feel comfortable admitting to what they have or haven't gotten done, I'm here to say that my lips are juiced up, and I plan on keeping them that way until further notice, thank you very much!
That said, filler isn't for everyone, and I know plenty of people who simply aren't interested or can't afford the treatment and/or upkeep. (It's a steep investment, after all!) Luckily for us, the makeup industry has really been kicking it up a notch in the innovation department the past few years, and some of the most effective lip plumpers boast drugstore-level price tags. Not everyone is looking for plumper lips, but if you're craving an extra injection of volume sans filler, you've come to the right place. Below, I'm sharing five of the absolute best lip plumpers that A) can be found at the drugstore or B) boast drugstore-affordable price points. Plus, because I feel so passionately about the subject, I've gone ahead and added the products that will further enhance your pout, and I even tacked on a few of my favorite, albeit more splurgy, lip plumpers at the end of the article. Keep scrolling!
Best overall drugstore lip plumper: Sephora Collection Outrageous Plumping Lip Gloss
Okay, I'm cheating. Sephora is not a drugstore, but the retailer's eponymous line of products is stellar in both price and efficacy. Therefore, I simply couldn't not add this 15/10 lip plumper to my list. And honestly, the colors are so stunning I'd buy them all even if they didn't have supersonic plumping powers.
Pros: Plumping, high-shine, moisturizing
Cons: More expensive than some other drugstore picks
Product info: 8 shades, 6 ml
Customer review: "This color is like my lips but better! It’s smooth and not sticky, lasts a decent amount of time for a lip gloss. It also has a slight minty tingle rather than a harsh cinnamon-ish sting like some other plumping lip glosses have."
Enhance it with:
Nyx Professional Makeup Filler Instinct Plumping Lip Gloss
Sheer and shimmery, this top-rated drugstore lip plumper from Nyx offers a flattering, photo-worthy finish thanks to a powerful punch of light-reflecting emollients.
Pros: Plumping, hydrating, sheer coverage
Cons: Small
Product info: 6 shades, 2.3 ml
Customer review: "This is a great product. Long lasting, love the way it makes my lips look full and healthier."
Enhance it with:
Maybelline Lifter Gloss Hydrating Lip Gloss With Hyaluronic Acid
I'll let you in on a little secret: I know for a fact that professional makeup artists (who have access to literally everything) use this zippy little tube of plumping goodness on shoots and sets. Plus, since it's enriched with lush ingredients like hyaluronic acid, your pout will get a nice dose of long-lasting hydration to boot.
Pros: Hydrating, high shine, lots of shades
Cons: Some find it could last longer
Product info: 15 shades, 5.23 ml
Customer review: "I am of very light neutral complexion, and I bought both Bubblegum and Sweetheart. Both of these colors have been smash hits for me. The glosses are thicker, but they feel very comfortable to me. Feels very protective of the lips and does not dry me out. This gloss does need to be reapplied quite often, but I don't mind as the application feels nice to me."
Enhance it with:
E.l.f. Cosmetics Lip Plumping Gloss
Not all lip plumpers come in tons of shades to choose from, so I appreciate that this mildly tingly formula from E.l.f. provides 10 enticing options for every mood and setting. The tube even contains nurturing ingredients like vitamin E and coconut oil so you can gift lips with some TLC they'll appreciate.
Pros: Hydrating, plumping
Cons: Smaller shade range
Product info: 7 shades, 2.6 ml
Customer review: "I have had fillers injected into my lips a few months back and I was upset because my lips started getting smaller again so I went to search for lip plumpers on here. I wanted one that wasn’t too expensive but that also did the deed. I spent hours trying to find the perfect one and unfortunately so many did not actually do any plumping. So I stumbled on this one and the reviews weren’t bad and it wasn’t too expensive. Guys, it works. I can clearly see the difference before and after applying it. "
Enhance it with:
Milani Keep It Full Nourishing Lip Plumper
If you were to swipe on this luxurious lip plumper blindfolded, I promise you'd think it's five times the actual price. I can't stand sticky finishes, so this addictively cooling formula is naturally one of my all-time faves. The mix of shiny polymers, chap-proofing oils, and moisturizing hyaluronic acid complete its A+ ingredient profile.
Pros: Hydrating, plumping
Cons: Smaller shade range
Product info: 5 shades, 3.84 ml
Customer review: "This lip gloss is so bomb. I have 'Prismatic Peach' and use it every day. It's so nourishing and doesn't have the sticky feeling that a lot of lip glosses have."
Enhance it with:
6 *Splurgy* Lip Plumpers I Also Love
If your budget has a little more bandwidth, I can't recommend this multitasking lip product enough. It's spiked with SPF, it gives megawatt shine that's not too sticky, and it's the best plumping formula I've ever laid my lips on. Seriously, the results rival actual lip injections, which isn't all too surprising since Dr. Lara Devgan is a world-renowned plastic surgeon. This is one of my favorite beauty products of all time, and I use it every damn day.
It doesn't get more luxurious than La Mer, baby. But it will cost you! This lip plumper is definitely an investment, but if it makes you feel any better, a little goes a long way, and it's worth every penny (IMHO). Subtly volumizing, this is one I'll layer both under and over other lip products for the most pillowy and defined lip look. It actually acts as a serum and contains the brand's signature hero ingredient, Miracle Broth, alongside other luxe ingredients like antioxidant-charged lime tea concentrate and its Plumping Renenealy Complex, which has marine ingredients and nutrient-rich minerals to support long-term natural collagen production.
Buxom is such an OG when it comes to lip plumpers, and this particular formula is a go-to I've used for years. There's a variety of finishes you can choose from, the colors are beautiful, and the unique peptide complex creates noticeable volume, while vitamins A and E keep your pout topped up with hydration (a must for soft, pillowy lips).
Is there a more iconic lip plumper? I firmly believe Dior's Dior Addict Lip Maximizer Plumping Gloss should be on everyone's beauty bucket list, and most recently, I've been eyeing this peppy shade for my growing collection.
I have an unhealthy obsession to this particular plumping gloss in this particular shade. As the name suggests, it brings the heat in terms of the perfect ratio of volume and that "just bitten" touch of color everyone craves.
Charlotte Tilbury is the queen of all things lip, and not surprisingly, she has some amazing lip-plumping elixirs up her sleeve. I'm partial to this epic gloss which, of course, I love to apply over my CT liners and lippies for a next-level plumping effect.
I'm pretty sure Too Faced's iconic lip plumper was the first lip-plumping product I owned (pre-beauty-editor career!), and honestly, I think it's still one of the best I've ever used. I love keeping this duo on hand at all times so I can match my hue (they're super sheer!) to whatever my mood is doing that day. These are a gold mine if you're after that bee-stung look but want it from a tube and not a syringe!
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
