Lip Plumpers- How Do You Choose!?
Why just gloss when you can (maybe) plump as well?
The debate continues as to whether plumpers work or not. When I asked the ladies on Twitter, the general response seemed to be that they were skeptical, turned off by tingling or stickiness, or boyfriends had vetoed the practice. There were a few kindred spirits that still have a love for “active” lip products. I remain faithful.
Thus far we carry a few plumping options from two of our lines. Jane Iredale offers up their JustKissed Lip Plumpers and the MoreLip product. While FusionBeauty brings the award winning LipFusion to the table.
The way most lip plumpers are designed to work is by slightly irritating the delicate skin on the lips. The most common ingredients are cinnamon, peppermint, ginger, peppers. This increases blood flow to the area resulting in a slight puffiness. The other option is to use peptides, which are absorbed into the skin and help to improve collagen production, improving the overall pout.
JI’s JustKissed uses the peptide technology. It’s more subtle and gentler than others, with just a very slight tingle. But overtime there will be a slight increase. The formula hydrates with Vitamin E.
If you want an immediate and more dramatic look, then LipFusion is the way to go. This particular plumper has won numerous awards and is all over the place. The difference is that it uses Micro Injected Marine Collagen. What does this mean? I have no idea.
Kidding.
As far as any education or research I’ve seen, collagen applied to any part of the body does absolutely nothing.
At all.
It doesn’t matter how much you paid for it.
The reason being that the chains of amino acids that the proteins are made up of are too large to be absorbed by the skin. That’s why peptides work. They are shorter chains, can be absorbed and stimulate the skin to make it’s own collagen.
LipFusion uses new technology that dehydrates the molecule (is that a thing?) which then makes it small enough to absorbed. When in the epidermis it rehydrates with the body’s own moisture and swells, cause a slight plumping action. Fancy. It could also be that collagen applied directly to skin is known to cause irritation. In either scenario, there will be a small amount of swelling.
I have yet to come across anything that backs this new technology up. HOWEVER, I am an enormous lip gloss fanatic. I have piles of them. Gobs of them. I don’t know specifically what it is that I love about LipFusion. That’s a lie. I know exactly what I love about this stuff. Here’s a list:
1)The gorgeous, deep-yet-somehow-sheer shades in an awe inspiring selection. You know, colors with depth and complexity that represent you as an individual…through gloss.
2)The slight sparkle that delights my inner raven
3)The light lemon taste and scent
4)It’s not sticky! But still manages to stay on for a long time.
5)The super chic packaging. I love the shiny, reflective cap. It doubles as a mirror!
6)The limited edition ones that come with a crystal studded cap! CRYSTALS! (There’s that raven again)
7)Big tube. This could be a pro or con. But I usually motor through glosses and these last a long time.
I do find a slight amount of plumping, or as some people describe it, an awareness of the lips which just makes you feel sexier. Sometimes, depending on the color, it almost feels numbing. Which I don’t understand. Whether or not it actually does plump/tingle/numb has become irrelevant for me. I now collect these things like mad. They are absolutely the prettiest gloss colors I’ve ever seen.
So if you’re looking for a subtle, natural plump that develops over time, Jane Iredale JustKissed is the way to go. If you want the drama and a stunning array of colors then it’s all about the LipFusion. (I may or may not have some of each)
What a wonderful dilemma!
Visit www.spaboutique.ca to see our full collections of makeup, skin and hair care.
Tags: collagen, Fusion Beauty, jane iredale, lip gloss, lip plumper, LipFusion, Makeup, spa boutique
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6:53 pm on April 9th, 2009
I gave up on lip plumpers…too sticky or I did not like the feeling. I did try lip fusion and wasn’t a big fan.
.
11:29 pm on April 9th, 2009
I am still on the hunt for a most favorable color!
I would love to be able to sample one to see how it produces! 
They look lovely though and I appreciate the video snips regarding product usage.
3:40 pm on April 14th, 2009
Hello Karen! Nice to see you over here at the blog as well!
Every so often LipFusion comes out with mini sizes, I believe there’s about to be a MiniBling (crystal cap) released soon. Keep checking back for that!
3:41 pm on April 14th, 2009
It’s funny, I found people were very divide on how they felt about plumpers. People either love them or hate them. Gotta love conversation inducing products!