I felt peer pressured into getting lip filler until I discovered a £5 buy that's just as good
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I NEVER really paid much attention to my pout - in fact I'd always thought it was quite nice.
That is, until lip fillers became a thing and a juicy pout was catapulted into trend fame thanks to the likes of the Kardashian-Jenner clan circa 2014.
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Ever since the Kardashian-Jenner brood appeared on the scene, I've felt pressured to get lip filler
Credit: Getty
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Like millions across the world, I've considered getting my lips bigger with filler - but there are affordable, needle-free alternatives on the high street
Credit: supplied/kate kulniece
Suddenly, as an impressionable teenager, I started closely analysing my lips - which compared to everything I was seeing on Instagram appeared flat and teeny.
Years have gone by - and while I'm all for embracing and rocking your natural self, I still occasionally catch myself longing for slightly more volume; especially as quite a few people of my friends have had lip fillers.
And it seems that I'm not the only one - as a whopping 24% of people want to alter their lips via fillers, a recent poll revealed.
Lip fillers - commonly made of hyaluronic acid - may appear like a relatively quick and easy solution. But in reality, they can also go horribly wrong.
Lip plumping glosses, on the other hand, are typically pain-free, much less expensive, and can create that little extra oomph you're after, working almost instantly.
But can any actually match up to the plumping powers of lip filler?
On the quest to achieve a juicier pout without needles and forking out a fortune, I tested out five high-street plumping lip glosses - one of which cost just £4.99.
Barry M That's Swell XXL Lip Gloss
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The formula boasts Sichuan Pepper and Ginger that help achieve that temporary plump look
Credit: supplied/kate kulniece
At a mere £6.99, Barry M That's Swell XXL Lip Gloss is certainly a significantly cheaper alternative to lip filler - which will set you back around £200 per session.
The 100% vegan and cruelty-free formula - a mega win for me - is formulated with Sichuan Pepper and Ginger that help achieve that temporary plump look.
Out of all the six shades available at my local Superdrug, I chose Honeyed Hue, which is perfect for a soft glam day-to-day look.
I'm so obsessed with filler that my huge lips touch my nose - trolls can't understand what I'm saying, but I don't care
While there was slight burning sensation - as expected with all lip plumping glosses - it wasn't unbearable and the tingling stopped in less than five minutes.
Although I certainly did not end up looking like Kylie Jenner with her mega defined pout, I quite liked the subtle results.
However, while my lips felt moisturised and not sticky the effect didn't last too long - but for the wallet-friendly price, you really can't complain.
Pout of control rating: 3/5
L'Oréal Paris Plump Ambition Lip Oil
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The skin-like colour is excellent, the product doesn't dry out and the gloss is stunning - but isn't sticky or tacky
Credit: supplied/kate kulniece
Enriched with hyaluronic acid and available in nine gorgeous shades with a glass like shine finish, it's easy to see why this L'Oréal Paris Plump Ambition Lip Oil has won close to five stars online.
Priced at £11.99, the pout must-have is essentially a 3-in-1 - it has colour, helps with hydration and plumps your lips, albeit subtly.
As expected, my pout tingled but it didn't have that nasty burning feel which makes you desperate to rub it off instantly.
The skin-like colour is excellent, the product doesn't dry out and the gloss is stunning - but isn't sticky or tacky.
As if that wasn't convincing enough, beauty buffs have also dubbed it a dupe for the viral Dior Lip Glow Oil - which sells for an eye-watering £33.
Pout of control rating: 4/5
Revolution Shimmer Bomb Glimmer Nude
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I felt like the silver and light purple shimmer made my lips look almost dead
Credit: supplied/kate kulniece
At just £5.99 - which is pretty much the same price as your favourite iced matcha this summer - the Revolution Shimmer Bomb Glimmer Nude is one of the cheapest options I stumbled across.
But while dozens of people online have been loving this lippy, I simply couldn't see the hype.
Yes, my lips did have the illusion of bigger slightly more plump - but the effect lasted less than ten minutes. So unless you're willing to reapply it several times throughout the day, I'd probably give this one a miss.
Perhaps this was my fault for picking the wrong shade - but I also felt like the silver and light purple shimmer made my lips look almost dead or frozen.
Pout of control rating: 2/5
Max Factor 2000 Calorie Lip Glaze
7
Not only was the tingling sensation barely noticeable but the gloss also has a gorgeous vanilla scent - but nothing too sickly
Credit: supplied/kate kulniece
Currently slashed from £9.99 to a more affordable £7.49, this Max Factor 2000 Calorie Lip Glaze seems to have become a massive hit amongst hundreds of beauty buffs online.
With more than a dozen different shades, from more neutral colours to vibrant picks, there's something for everyone.
As someone who doesn't like bright lippies on my face, I opted for Pink Fizz which has a lovely subtle shine to it, without excessive glitter.
With just one swipe of moisturising gloss, my pout was instantly transformed with a full shine, plump effect and maximum comfort without the dreaded stickiness.
Not only was the tingling sensation barely noticeable but the gloss also has a gorgeous vanilla scent - but nothing too sickly.
Out of all the picks, this lippy also delivered results that lasted the longest and I didn't have to rummage through my purse to reapply it every ten minutes.
Pout of control rating: 5/5
Collection Gloss Me Up Juicy Infusion Lip Gloss
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This product gave me a lovely shine and extra volume without the painful tingling sensation
Credit: supplied/kate kulniece
A juicy and hydrated pout with no painful injections and for just £4.99? Yes, please.
This is exactly what Collection Gloss Me Up Juicy Infusion Lip Gloss is all about - and if you love packaging that takes you right back to Y2K, then this is definitely the one for you.
The lip gloss - which makes you feel like you're munching on juicy strawberries - has a small applicator that makes it easier to apply the product without making a huge mess.
The best part? There was no tingling sensation - it felt like a basic lip gloss to give your pout some extra shine.
The only downside is the lack of colour options - online, shoppers can find a mere three picks: clear, a slightly pink and red.
Pout of control rating: 5/5
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