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City Lips Lip Plumper and Gloss promises to instantly make your lips look plump and hydrated while reducing the appearance of fine lines. That’s what it says on the packaging. But does it really hydrate and plump your lips like any other good lip plumper? Let’s find out.
As someone who’s obsessed with beauty and skincare, I’ve surely tested my fair share of products, some that lived up to the hype and others that left me seriously disappointed. So when City Lips started blowing up on social media, claiming to be a next-level lip plumper, my curiosity went into overdrive. It was on many beauty forums, and basically people were trying it. And since I can never resist a good plumping moment, I knew I had to see for myself if it actually delivers or not.
City lips lip plumper
City Lips Lip Plumper comes in a variety of shades, but I decided to keep it simple and go for the clear one. I’m not usually someone who reaches for bold lip colors—I tend to stick to clear glosses or soft pinks for an effortless, everyday look. So naturally, the transparent shade felt like the safest (and most “me”) option.
It contains hydrating ingredients along with collagen.
The ingredient list contains:
Jojoba oil
Hyaluronic acid
Collagen boosting peptides
The first two are meant to hydrate, while peptides increase collagen production.
How does it feel on application?
To be very honest , when I applied it does started that tingling sensation right away. A lip plumper is meant to do that. This sensation happens because the ingredients boost blood flow to enhance volume temporarily. I applied it in the morning after doing my skin care routine. And the shine was flawless. After a while I could definitely see the volume increasing on my lips.
My lips are moderately full but I love using lip plumper. I don’t use them to make my lips look bigger or fuller beyond my natural size, I just like the subtle swelling effect. What I mean is, I want my lips to plump up within my lip line, not go beyond it.
So my default settings was not expecting a full pout from it and it exactly did that. I have seen some lip plumper, doing a full on lip filler , that almost seems like something insane is going on. But this is nothing like that. It will not wow you but it will definitely leave a subtle swell.
Does city lips really work to plump your lips?
City Lips totally met my expectations. It definitely gave me that subtle swelling I was looking for without actually increasing my lip size. And it’s last for a while. It will not last you whole day long and you will definitely have to reapply it.
Speaking of hydration, don’t expect overnight miracles with City Lips. While it definitely give an instant glossy look upon application, the long-term results take about a month to show. With consistent use, your lips will start looking more hydrated, and that annoying chapped, wrinkled appearance will slowly fade.
My lips are chronically dry, like, peeling, constantly-picking-at-them kind of dry. If you’re anything like me, you know the struggle of dealing with rough lips that make lipstick application a total nightmare. But after a few weeks of regular use, I actually noticed a visible difference.
Although city lips lip plumper claims to have collagen boosting peptides, after using this lip plumper, I noticed that my lips appear smoother over time, and I think that’s all thanks to the hyaluronic acid from the ingredient list. The whole collagen production claim of lip plumper feels a bit gimmicky to me, no offense.
Does city lips sting?
City Lips gives you that signature lip plumper tingle upon application, but it’s not the intense, fiery sting that some lip plumpers are infamous for. Instead, it’s very subtle and mild, cooling sensation that fades within a minute. If you’ve ever tried a plumping gloss before, you’ll know the drill how lip plumpers work, it’s just the ingredients working to boost circulation and temporarily enhance volume.
But ofcourse, if you have sensitive lips, you might feel it a little more than others. While most people find the tingling manageable, it’s always a good idea to patch-test first, apply to only upper lip, especially if your lips are prone to irritation.
Final verdict
If your lips are super thin and you are looking for a lip plumper to add an impressive amount of volume and increase in size, like what you would get from lip fillers, this one might not be the best choice for you. It will plump your lips, but it won’t leave you feeling wowed when it comes to increasing the size of your lips. However, if you have moderate-sized lips like mine and want a subtle, swollen look with a touch of gloss and shine, this one’s perfect for you. Also, if hydration is what you’re after, this product excels in that area and will definitely earn a spot in your collection.
Value for money
City lips lip plumper comes with a hefty pricey tag which is expensive for something that gives only a light subtle swelling. If you are considering something dramatic from this lip plumper, this might not be your best bet. The actual plumping that it gives, fades quickly. That means you’ll find yourself reapplying throughout the day just to maintain that fullness, and honestly, that translates to using up the product way faster than expected.
For the price, you could easily opt for other budget-friendly alternatives, like the COSRX Lip Plumper, which delivers a similar effect but at a lower cost. Not to mention, that one gives you more product for your money, making it a better investment in the long run. If hydration is your main goal, City Lips does deliver on that front, but if you’re looking for a long-lasting plump without constantly reaching for the tube, you might want to explore other options that offer more bang for your buck.
BUY CITY LIPS ON AMAZON.
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Maleeka is an orthodontic resident with a passion for skincare and beauty. She decodes beauty products, breaks down ingredients, and spills the tea on marketing hypes. When she’s not perfecting smiles or geeking out over the latest formulations and trends, you’ll find her binge-watching Netflix.