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Just call me Sasha because it's giving Bratz doll Filler For Scars
I'm going to start this rave review by transparently confessing that I never had much interest in lip plumping, having been blessed with a pretty impressive pout. Running to an event late after work one evening, I simply grabbed what I thought was a Too Faced gloss from the beauty cupboard ignoring its 'Lip Injection Extreme' label as branding. A gloss is a gloss, right?
After copious over-applying in my first application, a tingly sensation grew into my lips being on fire– the result of lashings of layers, I had learnt my lesson. No, not to avoid lip plumpers... but not to overlook or underestimate their power. Amen.
The pain didn't put me off, just told me I'd used far too much. That's basically how plumpers work, they irritate the lip causing swelling and redness, sounds scary but quite frankly it looks great.
I've yet to find one that rivals Too Faced's Lip Injection Extreme, and the Maximum Plump version? Honestly steer clear if you're a beginner because *pain*. But it wasn't that intense beast that sent the entire Cosmo team wild on an outing to Drag Bottomless Brunch (while we would never promote sharing lip gloss, after numerous bellinis we're only human).
The brand's classic plumper doesn't do much by way of glossiness, meaning you might need to add your own gloss after, potentially diluting the burning and plumping effect. But fear not, the formula is also available in a gloss version, and my obsession with it quickly spread through the team between breakfast boards and trash fashion show competitions (which we won, naturally). I'm not going to tell you how many of us tried it on, I'm not proud, but at least two of the team have since bought one since.
Forever devoted to a clear gloss, Stars are Aligned is a dreamy glossy plumping wonder with a subtle glitter that is almost imperceptible once on. You can go for two modes, one is colouring within the lines; one layer, for a naturally plump look. The second is for those like me who are addicted to the burn and want to see what they'd look like with freshly-done swollen lip filler, the result of taking the gloss right up to your lipline and slathering it on thick.
I know that I don't want lip filler, at all, I know because I've been offered it multiple times in my job. But that doesn't mean I don't greatly enjoy cosplaying like I've had it.
Our Digital Design Editor, Jaime is one of my recruits to the cult of TFLI, and is at the bottom of her second tube of the max plump in as many months. She in fact dubs it; "my fave makeup product that I can't live without." She recommends pairing it with minimal makeup for a holiday lewk, and not to kiss anyone after freshly applying unless they also want to plump their pout.
If you do use it every day though, the effects will start to lessen as your lips get used to it. I myself am much more of a special occasion girly, which also makes the price tag feel far comfier.
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