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 a 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 someone who is 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 splurge-y, lip plumpers at the end of the article. Keep scrolling!
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 array of colors are so stunning I’d buy them all even if they didn’t have supersonic plumping powers. Did I mention that all Sephora Collection products are a whopping 20% off through November 7 during their annual Holiday Savings Event? (Yep, go shop the eff out of that!)
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.
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.
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 ten 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.
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.
If your budget has a little more bandwidth, I can’t recommend this multi-tasking 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 and 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 addiction 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 goldmine if you’re after that bee-stung look but want it from a tube and not a syringe!
Up Next: Any Time Someone Compliments My Lips It’s Because of This Lipstick Equation.
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
