As someone who has never gotten lip filler, and doesn’t plan to, I’m always intrigued by the latest lip plumping makeup alternatives. Time and time again, I’m let down by either a spicy— and sometimes painful— tingle that barely boosts my pout, or a somewhat visible effect that lasts all of thirty minutes. So when the new Milani Keep It Full Glossy Plumping Balms dropped, I was skeptical. But after my first application, I was quickly convinced that these are the best drugstore lip plumpers that actually work.
The Milani Keep It Full Glossy Plumping Balms are a 3-in-1 solution that combine the shine of a gloss, the nourishing feel of a tinted balm, and the pumped up pout everyone’s looking for from lip plumpers. Though, what really makes this product stand out is that it’s clinically proven to increase lip volume in 4 weeks with daily use. So not only are you getting immediate effects, but long-term benefits as well.
The formula features the brand’s volumizing Maxi-Lip™ blend, with mango seed butter, apricot, pomegranate and Kalahari melon oils. It feels super hydrating and has a balmy texture that immediately melts over the lips. Be sure to apply with a light hand, because less is more.
Buy them from Milani, Ulta, Target or Amazon.
These lip plumping balms feel cushy on the lips— they’re not entirely weightless but they don’t feel heavy or sticky. The color payoff is a little more than sheer, though the deeper shades translate more pigmented. Your natural lip color will affect the final look since they are slightly translucent. I love that they included neutral browns and cool berries in this range.
The plumping effect with this product is not the typical stinging you get from plumping glosses. In fact, it shows up as a subtle and refreshing cooling sensation that stays comfortable. Compared to their Keep It Full MAXXX Lip Plumpers which moderately sting for a short-lived effect, these are a breeze.
The first thing I noticed was how smoothed out my lip lines looked, which lended itself to a fuller and more youthful effect immediately. I’ll admit, I thought this was more of an optical illusion due to the glossy finish, but I was wrong!
As time passed, I could definitely see my lips increasing in size and rounding out. What impressed me the most, though, was how long the effect lasted. At 15 minutes, I was already seeing results. But at 90 minutes, not only did my lips still look plumped but even more than my previous check in! These outperformed every other viral lip plumping gloss and balm I’ve ever tried.
Out of curiosity, I wiped off the color at 90 minutes to see what my bare lips looked like underneath. Sure enough, I could still see the added volume the Keep It Full Plumping Balms added to my lips. It’s not just an optical illusion.
The glossy color isn’t transfer-proof or staining, so you’ll lose color as you sip on a drink or eat. But it does provide long-lasting hydration on top of the plumping effects that makes my chronically dry lips look and feel fantastic.
I do want to briefly mention that I experience slight throat irritation with this product— though that happens with nearly every lip plumper, and some lip glosses. It’s most likely a personal reaction to getting some of the balm in my mouth. But if you also experience sensitivity with similar products, you may get that with these as well.
Final verdict: if you’ve been on the hunt for an affordable lip plumper that works and doesn’t sting, the Milani Keep It Full Glossy Plumping Balms are for you— especially if you have dry lips. Milani really nailed this formula, consistent with most of their recent releases.
Buy them from Milani, Ulta, Target or Amazon.
Read Next: Drugstore Lip Plumping Glosses: Which Ones Work?
– Miranda
