What is the best way to apply lip plumper?

“My favorite way to apply a lip plumper on bridal clients is as a prep step,” says McGinley. “I start by exfoliating the lips with a gentle scrub to remove any dead skin to ensure your final result is smooth and your lip colors are even. I then apply a layer of your lip plumper of choice and let it sit as I work on the rest of the makeup.” She continues, “this will give plenty of time for the skin to react to the plumping agents. I’ll typically blot off the excess product after about 20 minutes and apply your lip liners and final lip colors as the finisher.”

When is the best time to apply lip plumper before the wedding ceremony?

“Lips are always the final step in my application process and should be applied almost directly before heading to the ceremony or as close as possible,” McGinley recommends. “If your desired look is a matte lip, feel free to stop there. If you’re after a glossy look, you can dab a bit more of the plumper in the center of the lips after your lipstick to get an extra full pout.”

The 11 Best Lip Plumpers for Brides, Tested and Reviewed

Composite of the Best Lip Plumpers for Brides including PMD Kiss Lip Plumping Collagen Boost System, e.l.f. Cosmetics Lip Plumping Gloss, and Essence What The Fake! Plumping Lip Filler — Brides / Marcus Millan

Your first kiss as a married couple is a momentous occasion, to say the least. It seals the deal on your union in front of all of your friends and family. So, if you want to give your lips an extra boost in preparation for your walk down the aisle, consider adding a lip plumper to your wedding day beauty routine.

Lip plumpers, which are applied to lips just like your lipstick or gloss, work to enhance the size and fullness of lips for a limited period of time. According to Alyssa McGinley, a Hollywood-based makeup artist, “lip plumpers can be a great option for those who don’t want the long term commitment of lip fillers, but still want the temporary effects of a more full looking pout and smoother looking lips.”

If you want a full pout for the big day, an effective lip plumper may be the ideal option for you. To help you find the perfect plumper for your pout, we researched the best options available online. We then tested the highest rated products for ourselves and made our final selection based on effectiveness, consistency, and hydration level.

Read on for the best lip plumpers for brides.

Our Top Picks

Best Budget-Friendly:

e.l.f. Cosmetics Lip Plumping Gloss at Amazon

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Best Shade Options:

Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Plump at Amazon

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Most Noticeable Difference :

Essence What The Fake! Plumping Lip Filler

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Best Applicator:

Lorac Holy Lips Plumping Serum at Amazon

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Best Finish:

Buxom Plumping Lip Gloss at Buxomcosmetics.com

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Best Gloss:

Patrick Ta Major Volume Lip Gloss at Amazon

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Best Splurge:

La Mer Lip Volumizer at Neiman Marcus

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Best Device:

PMD Kiss Lip Plumping System at Amazon

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Grande Cosmetics GrandeLIPS Lip Plumper at Dermstore

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Too Faced Lip Injection Maximum Plump Lip Plumper at Nordstrom

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In This Article

Our Picks
What To Look for
FAQ
Why Trust Brides

Walmart

View On Amazon View On Beallsflorida.com View On Beautybay.com

Our Ratings

Feel

5/5
Plumping Ability

3.8/5
Hydration

4/5

Brides on a budget can get kissable lips for just $7. Don’t let the price fool you—this plumper works wonders! While testing this gloss, we noticed how nice it felt on our lips, as it was not too thick and not sticky at all. It simply felt like a lip gloss with a bit of a cooling and tingling sensation, likely thanks to nourishing ingredients like vitamin E and coconut oil.

We determined that this plumper is ideal for brides who want a subtle plump. After application, our lips looked slightly fuller, as well as hydrated and moisturized. We especially loved the amount of shine and color options.

Price at time of publish: $7

Shades: 6 | Ounces: .09 | Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, coconut oil

Sephora

View On Amazon View On Kohls.com View On Macy's

Our Ratings

Feel

4/5
Plumping Ability

3/5
Hydration

5/5

Get juicy, luscious, and plump-looking lips! This all-in-one plumping balm, gloss, color, and hydrating treatment delivers everything you need for a kissable pout on the big day. When testing this, we noticed that the formula was very comfortable on the lips without being sticky, and it left our lips fuller and extremely hydrated. We also loved the color payoff, especially for brides who love a multi-purpose makeup product.

Price at time of publish: $24

Shades: 17 | Ounces: .095 | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, maracuja oil, grapeseed oil, goji, acai

Ulta

View on Ulta View On Amazon View On Ulta

Our Ratings

Feel

4/5
Plumping Ability

4/5
Hydration

5/5

Who needs lip filler when you have this lip plumper? When we applied this product, it was a bit tingly but went on very smoothly and felt super nice on our lips. After application, we definitely noticed a difference yet it still looked very natural. Overall, our lips felt super soft and hydrated without being sticky. The hydration from this plumper was noticeable almost immediately and continued throughout the next 30 minutes of wearing it—apply it right before your walk down the aisle for the full effect!

Price at time of publish: $5

Shades: 2 | Ounces: .14 | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin E

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Macy's View On Ulta

Our Ratings

Feel

5/5
Plumping Ability

3/5
Hydration

5/5

Throughout our testing, this LORAC plumping serum was a standout pick. We especially loved the application wand, which was great for super strategic coverage, as well the gentle and pleasant smell. It tingled an appropriate amount while applying, and it increased in tingle the longer we left it on—which is the sign of a powerful plumper! We noticed that this made our lips subtly plumper without drying them out, and we loved the slightly gold and honey color of the gloss.

Price at time of publish: $20

Shades: 1 | Ounces: .16 | Key Ingredients: Marula oil, coconut oil, mango seed butter, green tea oil, vitamin C

Sephora

View On Buxomcosmetics.com View On Ecosmetics.com View On Kohls.com

Our Ratings

Feel

5/5
Plumping Ability

4/5
Hydration

4/5

Creamy and shiny with just the right amount of color, we can’t get enough of this beautiful Buxom gloss that delivers luscious lips with a refreshing, tingly sensation. After applying, we noticed a slight plumping of our lips, as well as a more defined shape and lines. Our lips felt soft and hydrated, and we especially appreciated the texture. It felt very smooth on the lips, which we think brides (and their soon-to-be spouse) will love.

Price at time of publish: $25

Shades: 5 | Ounces: .14 | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin A, vitamin B

Sephora

View On Amazon View On Kohls.com View On Patrickta.com

Our Ratings

Feel

5/5
Plumping Ability

4/5
Hydration

5/5

Brides who love a nourished and shiny-looking lip will adore this pick from Patrick TA. When testing, we appreciated that the tingling of this product doesn't burn at all, and as it begins to settle into the lips, it is not sticky. Rather, it is glossy and feels silky. After application, we noticed that, while the plumping was subtle, our lips looked rounder and poutier.

We also noticed how nourished and hydrated our lips felt while wearing this plumping gloss. Plus, we loved the color selection and the overall effect. As a result, we concluded that this is definitely a top pick for plumpers if you want even a little bit of volume—it’s a wedding day must-have!

Price at time of publish: $26

Shades: 5 | Ounces: .3 | Key Ingredients: Plumping peptide, cinnamon, ginger

Sephora

View On Neiman Marcus View On Nordstrom View On Net-a-Porter

Our Ratings

Feel

5/5
Plumping Ability

3.5/5
Hydration

5/5

This luxurious lip volumizer from La Mer is, in fact, worth the hype. When testing this for ourselves, we noticed that it felt very smooth and not sticky at all, which is great for a wedding day makeup look. It also felt nourishing on our lips and hydrating in a way that won't wear off. Plus, we loved the way it smelled and the plush applicator brush made it easy to apply. This product delivered a very subtle plump, but we loved how hydrating it made our lips—they felt smoother and less cracked.

Price at time of publish: $90

Shades: 1 | Ounces: .23 | Key Ingredients: Shea Butter, cucumber, sesame seed oil, eucalyptus

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Lordandtaylor.com

Our Ratings

Feel

4/5
Plumping Ability

3/5
Hydration

5/5

For brides who want super full lips for their bridal debut, opt for this high-tech lip plumping system from PMD. It uses pulsating vacuum technology to boost collagen production and increase the look of lip volume. After we tested the three step process—first the serum, then the suction device, and lastly the lip mask—our lips felt subtly plump and extremely hydrated. There was a bit of a learning curve to using this device, so we recommend trying it out a few times in the months or weeks leading up to your wedding day.

Price at time of publish: $139

Shades: 1 | Ounces: .17 | Key Ingredients: Dimethicone, beeswax

Sephora

View On Dermstore View On Ecosmetics.com View On Kohls.com

This pick came recommended by McGinley, which she loves because it plumps with hydration and vitamins. When we tested this for ourselves, it was very comfortable on the lips and also felt very smooth. It tingled for a little bit, but once it settled, it felt nice and moisturizing. Plus, it left our lips feeling hydrated and looking shiny!

Price at time of publish: $27

Shades: 1 | Ounces: .084 | Key Ingredients: Volulip™, hyaluronic acid, vitamin B3

Sephora

View On Nordstrom View On Ecosmetics.com View On Hsn.com

McGinley also recommends this powerful plumper from Too Faced, which features an advanced lip plumping formula that immediately hydrates, nourishes, and visibly volumizes lips. When we tested this option, we noticed significantly more plump and visibly bigger lips. Based on our results, we also determined that this is more long lasting than many other plumpers. To our pleasant surprise, despite being an intense lip treatment, it still hydrated our lips well, leaving them feeling nice and soft.

Price at time of publish: $33

Shades: 5 | Ounces: .14 | Key Ingredients: Avocado oil, jojoba seed oil

What to Look for in a Lip Plumper

Ingredients: According to McGinley, “lip plumpers typically contain some form of hydrators like hyaluronic acid, and/or ingredients that increase blood flow to the lips like mint or capsaicin—a compound found in hot peppers” She notes that increasing blood flow to the lips can cause the lips to blush, and the tingling sensation causes a low form of irritation, which increases the size of the lip temporarily.
Efficacy: “The efficacy of a lip plumper varies from person to person based on many factors, such as skin sensitivity and desired results,” McGinley says. “The higher the tingling ingredients are on the ingredient list, the more dramatic the results will be.” It’s a good idea to test out a few lip plumpers before the big day to confirm which formula is best for you, and which delivers results you’ll be happiest with. Fortunately, we narrowed down the list above based on real results that you can trust.

FAQ

What is the best way to apply lip plumper?

“My favorite way to apply a lip plumper on bridal clients is as a prep step,” says McGinley. “I start by exfoliating the lips with a gentle scrub to remove any dead skin to ensure your final result is smooth and your lip colors are even. I then apply a layer of your lip plumper of choice and let it sit as I work on the rest of the makeup.” She continues, “this will give plenty of time for the skin to react to the plumping agents. I’ll typically blot off the excess product after about 20 minutes and apply your lip liners and final lip colors as the finisher.”
When is the best time to apply lip plumper before the wedding ceremony?

“Lips are always the final step in my application process and should be applied almost directly before heading to the ceremony or as close as possible,” McGinley recommends. “If your desired look is a matte lip, feel free to stop there. If you’re after a glossy look, you can dab a bit more of the plumper in the center of the lips after your lipstick to get an extra full pout.”

Why Trust Brides

Chloe Caldwell is a commerce writer at Brides who specializes in shopping and lifestyle topics. She has six years of journalism experience writing about all things fashion, beauty, travel, and wellness. For this article, our team tested a variety of lip plumpers and selected the top performers. We also spoke to an expert for their valuable insight:

Alyssa McGinley is a makeup artist in Hollywood, California with over eight years of experience ranging from bridal and event, to film and photography.

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