There have been many developments in medicine and science in the past few years giving women a variety of options to make their lips fuller and more youthful looking. But if you don't want to go down the route of collagen injections, fortunately the beauty industry has created a more convenient solution to the challenge of thin lips. Topical lip-plumpers are easy, safe, and provide an instant solution to thin lips, giving women a fuller, sexier pout.
Lip enhancers can work in different ways to help women achieve fuller lips. Most contain ingredients that help regenerate skin cells more quickly, thus giving lips a smoother, more youthful look. They also help stimulate collagen production, which in turn gives lips a naturally fuller effect. High quality lip plumpers may also use a mild stimulant providing a tingling sensation upon application creating an increased blood flow to the lip area. This provides instant plumping and an added colour to your lips.
When choosing a lip plumper, it is important to assess the ingredients used in the formulation. Some lip enhancers contain more effective ingredients than others. hyaluronic acid is a potent ingredient contained in some lip plumpers, helping the generation of new, plumper cells when applied topically. Peptides are also proven ingredients that can help skin turn over new cells and boost collagen production. Ingredients such as pepper extract, cinnamon or benzyl nicotinate are also effective in producing instant plumping and increasing natural colour.
Although the number of choices on the market may seem overwhelming, you should make sure your choice of product contains the ingredients that will give you the desired effect you are after. Current scientific evidence shows that lip plumping products can plump lips instantly, have long term effects, reduce fine lines and wrinkles around lips and, most importantly, contain quality ingredients. Two of my own absolute favourites for serious smackers are Yves Saint Laurent Top Secrets Re-plumping Concentrate, Lip & Contour Shaper (ciao.co.uk), a volumising lip balm that delivers instantly plumped-up lips for beauty in a flash; and NV Perricone Lip Plumper (ciao.co.uk), with alpha lipoic aid and DMAE to stimulate cell production, which minimises fine lines and enhances the lip contour area. One of the cult products hailing from the US market is LipFusion XL Micro Collagen Lip Plump (ciao.co.uk), applied overnight so that you wake with the most intensely plump, firm, hydrated, and "full-out sexy" lips. And for astounding results, try Lancôme's Absolue Lips Precious Cells (houseoffraser.co.uk). Drawing from Lancôme's cutting-edge expertise in epidermal stem cells, this has a unique massaging applicator that targets wrinkles, thinning lips and skin dullness, for that dramatic Angelina pout.
Also remember that prevention is as important as cure in the quest for full, gorgeous lips. Keeping lips soft, nourished and hydrated during the colder months is key to slowing down the ageing process and keeping those smackers more kissable for longer. So it is also important to pick a product that has moisturisers like jojoba oil and Vitamin E so that lips stay soft and hydrated.
My own handbag must-have is the delicate pink tint of Baume De Rose Crystal SPF15 By Terry (spacenk.co.uk). Rejuvenating, reparative, strengthening, nourishing and anti-ageing, this deliciously scented wonder product is a 2-in-1, ideal for both lips and cuticles. And the Or De Rose Baume Precieux By Terry (spacenk.co.uk) is an ultra-luxurious alternative, a limited-edition version, spun with pink gold to give lips a non-sticky, sparkling shine - it is certainly top of my Christmas present list! Of course, the ultimate luxury in lip care is, The Lip Balm from Crème de la Mer (ciao.co.uk), a luxurious emulsion which infuses a potent concentration of Crème de la Mer's famous Miracle Broth™ with marine extracts, botanicals and vitamins to regenerate the delicate lip skin. It works on contact to soften roughness, relieve dryness and flaking and help heal seriously dry lips. I also love Balance Me Hydrating Rose Otto & Shea Butter Salve (ciao.co.uk), one of The Beauty Bible favourites, for a pampering fragrance of a summer garden while conditioning and protecting lips.
Finally, you can't go wrong with Chanel Hydramax Active Nutrition Lip Care (ciao.co.uk), which is an exquisitely soft lip balm to soothe dry and damaged lips. At the heart of its formula is the exclusive active ingredient, Ceratonia PFA*, which boosts the dynamics of skin hydration at the very heart of cells to maintain an optimal level of moisture so that softer, smoothed and nourished, the lips look perfectly plumped, with a satiny finish - and utterly desirable. At the other end of the price spectrum, Vaseline Lip Therapy (ciao.co.uk) remains the best-selling handbag essential, for kissable lips on any occasion.
So for the fullest, softest kiss-me lips, lip plumpers are an amazing investment that will safely help you achieve a fuller, firmer lip and give you a sexy smile that will light up the room - remember it's only a few weeks until the mistletoe makes an appearance!
Source: Helena Sampson for MSN Life & Style
Helena Sampson is an Independent Strategic Consultant for Luxury Goods and Services.
