I wasn’t born with naturally full, pillowy lips—but you better believe I’m always on the hunt for a gloss that can fake it. The catch? Some are too tingly, others don’t give results, and some are just… unpleasant.
To find the best of the best, I tested three of the buzziest plumper options: City Lips by City Beauty, Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme, and Buxom Plump Shot Lip Serum. Here’s how they stack up:
If You’re After Instant, Visible Results…City Lips
When it comes to lip plumpers, the proof is in the pout. Too Faced Lip Injection added volume, but when a little got on my skin, it turned red and burned—not exactly the kind of “plump” I wanted. Buxom Plump Shot gave a subtle boost but lacked hydration, leaving my lips drier over time.
City Lips, on the other hand, made my lips look fuller, smoother, and more youthful with just one swipe. After a few weeks of consistent use, I saw lasting improvements in hydration and texture—something the others just didn’t deliver.
If You Want the Best Bang for Your Buck…City Lips
At first glance, Too Faced and Buxom seem cheaper at $29, while City Lips costs $35—but the value adds up fast. Not only does it double as a lip treatment that hydrates, smooths, and enhances lip health over time, but you can unlock exclusive savings through this link.
Buying two drops the price to $33 per tube, while three brings it down to $29—the same as the others. A subscription cuts it further to $25.81 per tube, plus free shipping —a deal you won’t find on the City Beauty website.
Add in a 60-day money-back guarantee (which the others don’t offer), and City Lips is the better deal.
If You Want Plumping Without the Pain…City Lips
This was an easy win for City Lips. Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme lives up to its name… and not in a good way—the tingling starts as a slight burn and quickly turns into a full-on sting. No thanks! Buxom Plump Shot is milder but still relies on tingling, making it hard to enjoy when your lips feel under attack.
City Lips, on the other hand, delivers plumping results without the burn. Its hydrating formula is powered by hyaluronic acid spheres, which plump and lock in moisture up to 30x their volume on contact, along with oligopeptides that naturally enhance lip volume over time.
My lips felt softer, smoother, and undeniably fuller—without irritation!
If Ingredient Integrity Is Important to You…City Lips
If you value clean, science-backed skincare, you’ll love City Lips. It’s free of parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, phthalates, and alcohol, plus cruelty-free and made in the USA. But beyond avoiding harsh chemicals, it’s designed to nourish lips over time.
Aside from Hyaluronic Acid Spheres and Oligopeptides, City Lips is packed with soothing, restorative ingredients:
- Sepicalm delivers plumping without the burn
- Arophira, a retinol-like ingredient, boosts skin renewal, collagen production, and wrinkle reduction
- Sea Fennel Extract and Ceramidone for hydration and protection
City Lips is both a plumper and a treatment. While Too Faced and Buxom skip certain harmful ingredients, they don’t go as far in prioritizing lip health. Too Faced relies on irritants for plumping, while Buxom contains fragrance—a no-go for sensitive skin.
If You Appreciate More Color Options…Buxom Plump Shot
When it comes to shade selection, Buxom offers the most options with 20 shades in their Plump Shot range, followed by City Lips, which boasts an impressive 18 shades to suit every mood, from soft neutrals to bold reds.
Too Faced falls behind here with only 5 shades in their Lip Injection Extreme line, which feels pretty limited by comparison. That said, Buxom’s shades are more sheer, so if you want opaque, saturated color, City Lips is the better pick.
My Ultimate Winner: City Lips
After testing all three, City Lips came out on top. It delivers a fuller pout without the sting, clean ingredients that nourish, and a stunning shade range. Factor in its long-term benefits and smart pricing, and it’s clear why I’ve ditched my other glosses.
For a lip plumper that feels as good as it looks, City Lips is the one to beat!
