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Review: Irresistibly full lips without injections! We searched for the best enhancing lip gloss

2/14/2025

Andrea Machajdik

8-minute read

Full and shiny lips are experiencing the biggest boom. You can achieve them without aesthetic surgery and without the strange silicone lip plumper that has flooded TikTok. Trust the best lip glosses for lip volume, and you'll be blown away by the resulting effect.

We have some great tips for you on how to make your lips appear fuller at home. Simple, effective and above all natural. Don't believe us? Then come see for yourself and find the best lip enhancer with us.

Fuller lips in 3, 2, 1…

  1. Don't underestimate the need for preparation. Using a damp facecloth or a special lip exfoliator, remove any flaking skin from your lips. You'll get rid of dead cells, improve circulation, and smooth fine lines. Next, apply a moisturising lip balm, and wait until it has been absorbed. Ideal timing? In the evening before bed. In the morning, your lips will be like something out of a magazine.
  2. Time for a concealer! When you want to visually enlarge your lips, you need to perfectly even out the surrounding area. A light-coloured concealer or pencil in the colour of your skin will help you do this. Apply the product to the lip area and blend it in until it fades away.
  3. Main role: lip contour pencil. Use the pencil to outline the outer edges of the lips. Start at the heart (centre of the upper lip) and work your way out to the corners. For the lower lip, start from the sides and join the lines in the middle.Choose a shade that is either the tone of your lips or the colour of your lipstick. Use a lip brush or cotton bud to gently work it into your lips so that it is not too obvious at first glance.
  4. And now for lipstick. Use a brush for precise application. Start in the centre of your lips and blend the colour in to the sides. The lipstick and contours should blend naturally.
  5. Miraculous shine. A perfect finish is guaranteed with lip gloss. But not just any lip gloss. Get one that enhances your lips. You can apply it over lipstick or wear it on its own.

By the way, we have tested 6 miraculous lip enhancers for you. You can find out how they stood up in our review and also in the videos.

Basic equipment for lip enhancement

Plumping lip gloss: A review

Maybelline Lifter Plump

What I liked the most: Of all the lip glosses, this one definitely amused me the most with its novel design. And I have to mention the super-flexible lip brush which is just the right size, so I could really draw my lips with precision.

Advantages: The paprika on the packaging warns in advance that this is going to be a pretty hot ride. And it is! Maybelline Lifter Plump lip gloss with plumping effect contains chilli pepper extract, which, along with the Maxi-Lip™ ingredient, takes care of quick lip volume. It really burns as if you've rubbed fresh chilli on your mouth.

The unpleasant sensation lasts about 20 minutes and then you can enjoy naturally full lips for hours, which are also pleasantly smoothed. A big thumbs up that the lip gloss doesn't stick at all. I'm going to love these juicy lips and I've long since forgiven the burning.

Disadvantages: It really burns a lot, so be careful not to give anyone a "spicy" kiss.

NYX Professional Makeup Duck Plump

What I liked the most: I was amused by the name of the lip gloss, which plays on the well-known term "duck lips". But you definitely won't have those. It makes your lips look naturally fuller, so you don't have to worry about any extremes. What I was most happy about was that even though I didn't have any lip gloss on my lips after a while, they were still slightly tinted and more voluminous than usual. I really enjoyed this effect.

Advantages: In NYX Professional Makeup Duck Plump lip gloss with enlarging effect, all credit goes to the piquant ginger. It leaves lips full, intensely coloured and glowing. Simply kissable. Wait a while, though, because it burns for a few minutes after application. The applicator is big and bevelled on both sides, which makes it easier to apply. There are 17 different shades to choose from.

I tried 04 apri caught which seems perfect for the autumn. The effect exceeded my expectations by far, so this lip gloss went straight into my toiletry bag to join my favourite make-up products.

Disadvantages: It stings for a few minutes, and is a little sticky at the beginning.

Find the best lip gloss with plumping effect

Buxom PLUMP SHOT™ COLLAGEN-INFUSED LIP SERUM

What I liked the most: The lip gloss smells nice, so I had a really nice taste on my lips. The burning was quite mild in this case and went away quickly. And the result was great!

Advantages: Just a few seconds after application I could see a difference. My lips were really fuller, softer and beautifully shiny. At first I only felt a slight tingle, which then turned into a nice cooling sensation.

Buxom PLUMP SHOT™ COLLAGEN-INFUSED LIP SERUM lip gloss for more volume is made with vegan collagen peptides and tripeptides. In addition, hyaluronic acid beads also contribute to the final effect, hydrating and smoothing fine lines and wrinkles on the lips.

Disadvantages: Maybe a little too plain design which probably wouldn't spark my interest at first glance.

Max Factor 2000 Calorie Lip Glaze

What I liked the most: It doesn't stick at all! Lips are supple, shiny and slightly enlarged. Absolutely perfect lip gloss for all day use. Just pop it in your bag!

Advantages: At first glance, this inconspicuous lip gloss hides a real treasure. But I already kind of knew that, because it's from the same line as the mascara I have sworn by for years. Max Factor 2000 Calorie Lip Glaze lip gloss for more volume does everything I expect from a lip gloss and as a bonus, it naturally enhances lips without any burning, tingling or stinging sensation. It's all thanks to the miracle combination of hyaluronic acid and squalane.

The 170 nectar punch shade was a great match for my skin and my favourite daily make-up. The final effect is just fantastic!

Disadvantages: The jumbo applicator was a bit too large for my liking.

Can't decide which lip gloss shade is the right one? Use our Virtual Try On. Download the app, and try various shades (not only of lip glosses) directly on your smartphone.

essence Extreme Shine

What I liked the most: It creates a cool wet effect on your lips, it's practically non-sticky and its shine makes your lips visually larger.

Advantages: essence Extreme Shine gives you extremely shiny lips that are visibly fuller. It doesn't have the same effect as lip glosses with chilli or ginger extract, but the final effect is still very nice. I applied it several times during the day and my lips felt pleasantly nourished. It also has a nice formula without silicones, microplastics or preservatives. And I was pleased with the cap, which is made of 90% recycled plastic. Because even small steps towards sustainability count. If you have a teenager around you who likes to get dolled up, this lip gloss will be perfect for her.

Disadvantages: Shorter staying power on the lips.

Catrice Plump It Up

What I liked the most: The lip gloss contains menthol, which leaves a cooling sensation on your lips. I wasn't too keen on it at first, but afterwards I was impressed. The slight tingling sensation is really nice. I loved the minimalistic design of the packaging as well.

Advantages: Slightly enlarged lips,extraordinary shine, cooling sensation, non-sticky, light texture. Catrice Plump It Up transparent lip gloss for more volume does it all and is very reasonably priced. The transparent shade 010, which I tried, can easily be dabbed over lipstick. It looks divine! This is exactly the product you want to keep in your purse and use all day long. If you're looking for a little gift for a bunch of girlfriends, this is a definite go-to!

Disadvantages: The applicator is harder to remove because the brush is wide and the neck of the bottle is narrow.

Will you try a painless lip augmentation too? Go for it! With the best lip gloss it will be a piece of cake. Watch our videos to see that it really works.