How to Use a Lip Plumping Gloss & How Long Will it Last

Beautiful full lips are a must-have beauty trend these days. Thankfully, there are many products that can be used to create those plump luscious lips.
Now Lip Plumping glosses are one of the safest ways to temporarily create those full lips without the use of invasive needles.
You see Lip Plumping Glosses are specially formulated lip glosses that increase the volume of your lips while amplifying their color. But for them to be effective they need to be applied correctly
So in this article, we will be sharing:
- All our very best tips and tricks to safely apply lip plumping glosses to make them more effective and long-lasting.
- We will also examine how long the effects of lip pumper glosses last
- And How to maximize each application’s effects on the lips.
If you want to learn more about Lip Plumping glosses and how they work you can click here.
Steps for Applying a Lip Plumping Gloss

To get the maximum plump, from a lip plumping gloss there are several essential steps to follow for a smooth and safe application.
Did you know you can also use Ice to plump your lips click here to learn more
Step 1. Patch Test
Before use, it is recommended that you patch test the lip plumper gloss for any signs of allergy or severe irritation to your skin.
You can do this by applying the gloss to a small patch of your skin such as your hands- before applying it directly to your lips.
If you notice anything beyond a mild tingling, such as a rash or extreme irritation you should not use the lip plumper. Once the lip plumping gloss has passed the allergy test, you can move on to the next step.
Step 2. Clean Lips
Next, begin preparing your lips for the application by making sure that your lips are properly clean. If you’ve been wearing makeup, you can simply clean it with a makeup remover.
If any makeup or oil stays on your lips, it creates a barrier that prevents the lip plumper from getting to the skin of your lips. This hinders the activation of the plumping agents.
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How to use Peppermint Oil for Plumper Lips & Is it Safe
How to Use Cinnamon to Plump Your Lips- Benefits & Risks
Step 3. Exfoliate Lips
Once your lips are clean, it is best to exfoliate them. Exfoliating removes any dry and flaky skin on the lips which causes lips to appear smaller. If your lips are dried, cracked, or flaky they may be prone to more irritation after the application of the lip plumper.
So exfoliating lips will ensure a less painful, smoother application and a more intensified lip color. It will also get the blood flowing to your lips, naturally plumping them up.
Avoid using harsh exfoliants which can cause minor bruises on your lips. I recommend using a mild lip scrub or you can make your own DIY lip scrub with some sugar and honey to use as an exfoliator.
Guide to exfoliation of lips
- Apply the scrub generously on your lips, wait for a few seconds and rub the lips to make sure all the dead skin is gone.
- Wipe any remaining scrub off completely.
Related Article – 6 Best DIY Ways to Plump Lips Without Botox or Fillers
Step 4. Prime and Hydrate Lips
Next, prime your lips with a hydrating lip primer. This moisturizes your lips and reclaims the lost moisture from the exfoliation done. The primer may also help to lighten any pigmentation, blur fine lines and give you a smoother lip base to work with.
You can use a Moisturizing Lip Balm or mask to prime and hydrate lips before applying the lip plumping gloss. This will not stop the product from working, but it will act as a barrier and lessen the tingling effect.
You can also use your favorite lipstick as a primer. But note that the effects of the lip plumper will be milder because there is another layer of makeup product between the plumper and bare skin. This is ideal for those with extra sensitive skin and damaged lips.
Here are my Recommendations for Lip Primer and Balms:
Lip Balm- Aquaphor Lip Repair Ointment
Lip Primer- Colorbar Lip Prime And Care
Step 5. Apply the Lip Plumping Gloss
Finally, once the lips are prepped, you can begin the application of the lip plumper by following these steps.
- Using your favorite lip liner, sketch a line right above the bows of your top lip.
- Next, look for the fullest part on your bottom lip and round that out with a lip liner pencil as well.
- Now to the most important part. Grab your lip plumping gloss and use the applicator to carefully apply it to your lips.
- Stay inside the natural lip lines and try not to go over since you want only your lips to plump and not the area around.
- Avoid the plumping gloss from coming into contact with your tongue or other parts of your face.
- Wait a few minutes and you may feel your lips tingling a bit, this sensation is purely superficial and will diminish over time.
- After a few minutes you will notice the effects of the plumping gloss- a more intensified lip color and plumper lips.
- Once you’re lips have been plumped and the tingling sensation has started to wear off you can remove any smears and smudges.
- You can wear the lip plumping gloss as is or add a lip stick on top for more color.
Note after applying a lip plumper gloss be careful when kissing someone especially young children as a mild kiss on the cheek can lead to irritation.
Related Article – What are Lip Plumper Tools- Do they Work & Are they Safe
Video Showing How to Safely Apply Lip Plumping Glosses
How Long Does a Lip Plumper Lasts for
Traditional lip plumper glosses that use irritants to plump lips will go for an average of two-three hours depending on the brand.
The irritants are ingredients like cinnamon, ginger mint, wintergreen, or capsicum that boost blood flow to the lips, leading to mild swelling and redness.
Other lips plumpers that use hyaluronic acids or peptides to plump lips will have longer-lasting effects. However, results will be milder than the traditional lip plumpers and will only be seen after being used for a long time.
How Long does it take for a Lip Plumper to Work
Traditional Lip Plumpers start working within 15 minutes of application and may reach their maximum plumping potential in 30 minutes. This is according to a 2019 study done by the International Journal of Cosmetic Science.
This study used 60 women who applied a ginger-infused lip plumper to their lips.
Now, lip plumpers that use hyaluronic acids and peptides to boost collagen take longer to work. It takes on average 28 days to a couple of months for any noticeable change in lips to be seen.
When should you put a Lip Plumper on
You should put on a lip plumper gloss on clean dry lips in the morning and throughout the day as a lip plumping treatment. If you want to keep your lips plump for the whole day, you can reapply the gloss every 3-4 hours.
However, for most people reapplication throughout the day is not needed. Again, results will vary for everyone but since this is temporary and easy to carry and use, it’s really easy to tailor it to your specific needs.
For lip plumper treatments that work with hyaluronic acids and peptides, application during the night is best.
Can you wear Lipstick with a Lip Plumper
You can use Lip plumping glosses before or after applying lipstick.
When you apply a lip plumper gloss before the lipstick – the lip plumper acts as a lip primer and as a lip booster. This is because it plumps the lips while ensuring a smoother application of the lipstick.
When you apply lipstick and then add a lip plumping gloss to your lips your lipstick will get a more glossy look. But using a lip plumper gloss on top of a lipstick lessens the effectiveness of the lip plumper. This is because there is another layer of lip product (Lipstick) between the skin and the plumper.
Tips to make Lip Plumpers Last Longer
The general trick to ensure that a lip plumper gloss lasts a long time without having to reapply is to make sure that you carry out all the steps in the application process such as proper cleansing, exfoliation, and priming.
Also, before application of the plumper, your lips should be well hydrated and without any dried cracked open lines. Having a smooth base will help to alleviate any tingling sensation.