I felt peer pressured into getting lip filler until I discovered a £5 buy that's just as good
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.
7
7
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
7
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
7
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
7
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
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
7
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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
29 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Lindsay Lohan and Kris Jenner's make-up artist reveals the exact anti-ageing make-up she uses to 'reverse lines and creases' - and it's only £20
They regularly stun on the red carpet with their flawless make-up looks. And now Lindsay Lohan and Kris Jenner 's make-up artist has revealed that the key to their jaw-dropping complexions is an 'industry secret' product. When it comes to covering up tired eyes and lines, many women's go-to is the trusty concealer, however, the perfect Hollywood look is often ruined when the product begins to crease. But Ash K Holm, the beauty expert for stars including Lindsay, Kris and Kris' daughter Khloe Kardashian, has now disclosed a hack for reversing lines and creases - and you can get it at your local high street health and beauty retailer. In a new video, Ash promoted the ROC Revive + Glow Eye Balm, revealing how it's an 'industry secret' that makes it possible to 'fix your creased concealer without redoing your makeup.' Speaking on a clip on her Instagram, Ash remarked: 'All you need to do is apply a small amount right underneath the eye or wherever your concealer is creasing. It doesn't matter what kind of concealer you've used but this is a fix-it stick, is what I like to call it.' And if the miracle make-up product is good enough for the likes of Lindsay, Kris and Khloe, then it's certainly good enough for you! We've found the exact product and some similar alternatives... EXACT MATCH: ROC Revive + Glow Eye Balm £22.10 Shop
Daily Mail
29 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Controversial BBC Breakfast host Naga Munchetty could face investigation after string of complaints relating to her 'hard' and 'bullying' tone following claims she fostered 'toxic' work atmosphere
Presenter Naga Munchetty could face an investigation from BBC bosses after she was accused of bullying a junior colleague. The BBC Breakfast host, 50, has been placed 'under review' while bosses consider escalating complaints to a formal investigation, The Sun reports. A source said higher-ups had heard from several colleagues and logged concerns over her 'hard' and 'bullying' behaviour on the breakfast show, as well as her Radio 5 Live show. 'Following the amount of people who have come forward to share their experiences with Naga, the BBC has officially moved to place the complaints under review. 'The review is to ascertain whether a full-on investigation is required and that could come in weeks', the source told The Sun. Daily Mail has approached BBC and Munchetty's representatives for comment. It comes after Munchetty was spoken to by execs after a junior staffer accused the journalist of bullying them. She was also reportedly hauled into a meeting after she made a sex jibe during an ad break while hosting her radio show. She is believed to have used a crude slang term for a sec act and reportedly asled a colleague if they had ever done it. It was also reported last month that Munchetty was planning on quitting BBC Breakfast after she was accused of bullying. Her own conduct was thrown into doubt when BBC Breakfast's editor Richard Frediani reportedly took an extended period of leave, after an internal review of bullying and misconduct allegations was opened into the show. Amid the fallout, Munchetty's agents have reportedly 'held talks with rival station LBC' to explore opportunities for the highly-respected journalist. A source told The Sun: 'The fallout of Richard Frediani's investigation created a stark 'him or her' narrative on Breakfast with Naga flung to the front line. 'The fact is she loves the BBC and her job but there's only so much external noise anyone is prepared to take. LBC would suit her well as the focus remains on news-led broadcasting, they take a hard line and there's far less of the fluffy nonsense involved in working at the BBC. 'Her team last week renewed historic talks with the Global radio station to see if there could be any work for her there.' New figures released by the BBC last month revealed the presenter was awarded a £10,000 increase in her annual salary. It now takes her pay packet to an eye-watering £355,000 - almost double that of her co-host Charlie Stayt. Stayt, 63, has remained in the £190,000 bracket as tensions between the pair are said to be 'rife'. Munchetty hosts BBC Breakfast on Thursdays to Saturdays with Charlie, while Jon Kay and Sally Nugent anchor the programme from the start of the week. Today, BBC Breakfast was branded a 'clown show' by fans after a 'car crash' interview left viewers cringing. Munchetty and Stayt presented Friday's instalment of the daytime news show. Crime novelist Lynda La Plante was discussing her latest book release The Scene Of The Crime. Having researched forensics for her novels, Lynda explained animatedly: 'If you have blood spattering, you could get an expert that deals only with that, and they could walk in and see pooling, splattering-' But she was interrupted by Munchetty, who quickly warned her: 'Careful! It's breakfast.' Good-natured Lynda seemed unfazed, and laughed: 'Sorry!' but it wasn't long before Munchetty delivered another blunder, forgetting the name of the hit crime series inspired by Lynda's most famous book. 'In the book, when you have the forensic expert come in who runs the team and has this history, there is a little bit of discomfort in terms of how the team responds,' Naga begins. 'When you were writing for, erm… Oh my goodness, how have I just…' Co-host Charlie then chimes in with the correct name: 'Prime Suspect,' and Naga says, relieved: 'Prime Suspect - thank you.' Still undeterred, Lynda continues with the inspiration behind her book, saying: 'What I loved in The Scene Of The Crime is he's not dead - he's alive! The victim is alive!' But Munchetty scrambles to prevent Lynda from revealing the central surprise, speaking over her to say: 'Don't spoil it! Don't spoil it, don't spoil it because there are, as usual, many twists.' Frantically segueing into another line of enquiry, Munchetty asks awkwardly: 'Do you ever - I avoid, often, crime and murder novels because I get squeamish.' 'But this isn't too much for me. I can only speak for myself. Do you ever think there's a limit? You wouldn't go too far in terms of description and squeamishness?' 'A limit of the horror?' clarified Lynda, before answering: 'I think there is my own limit. 'We can give a name to virtually every reason for a crime, you can say they had a horrible background, an abused child, or psychological problems, but there is no-one that can ever say "This is what made evil". We haven't got it. Charlie then asked Lynda: 'We're almost out of time. Do you think you would have made a good detective yourself?' But Lynda insisted she would be 'dreadful', adding: 'I talk too much and I think I'd get awfully upset.' Fans of the show weren't impressed, and rushed to social media to express their disapproval. One wrote: 'Never, ever let Charlie ad-lib. F***ing disaster every single time.'
Daily Mail
29 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Kate Garraway puts on a brave face and heads out in a quirky outfit after being forced to sell £2 million home to pay off debt
Kate Garraway put on a quirky display as she headed out in London on Friday after she was forced to put her £2 million home up for sale. The TV presenter, 58, who was left in £800,000 debt after caring for her late husband Derek Draper, was in high spirits despite the sale. Walking through the capital, she wore a colourful boho skirt, which she teamed with a fitted T-shirt. Kate layered over a matching beige cardigan, wore a crossbody bag and pulled a suitcase behind her. To complete her outfit, she added a pair of tan sandals, styled her hair straight and opted for minimal makeup. Kate been forced to sell her second home after Derek fought a brave four-year battle against Covid before tragically passing away in January last year. She is also battling company debts after Derek's psychotherapy firm Astra Aspera Ltd went bust owing hundreds of thousands to creditors including a huge sum to HMRC with Kate currently trying to pay back some of the debt. Now the Good Morning Britain star is flogging a stunning three-bed, four-storey townhouse in Islington, north London, which the couple bought for £550,000 in 2004. The property had been up for rent for £6,750-a-month, but is now in the process of being sold, confirmed by the Land Registry Office, and should fetch around £2 million. In January last year, the Mail on Sunday reported that Kate was faced with having to sell her five-bedroom family home in Muswell Hill, but by selling her second home, this appears to have been avoided. Daily Mail have contacted Kate's representatives for comment. One source said at the time: 'It is so sad for Kate. Not only has she had to watch her beloved husband suffer for almost four years but her financial worries have never been far away from her thoughts. 'It has cost hundreds of thousands of pounds to look after Derek and do everything she could to get him better but it's left her struggling. 'The house is about all she has left financially and she is now facing up to the fact it might have to be sold.' According to the rental listing for her Islington pad, it has a roof terrace and private garden. 'This beautifully presented 3-bedroom terraced house offers a perfect blend of modern living and period charm. Spread across four spacious floors, this property is ideal for those seeking comfort, style, and convenience. 'The ground floor features a welcoming living area with original features and ample space for relaxing or entertaining. The fully fitted kitchen is stylish and functional, leading directly to a private garden, perfect for outdoor dining or enjoying the fresh air. 'On the first and second floors, you'll find well-sized bedrooms, each offering plenty of natural light and built-in storage. The top floor boasts a stunning roof terrace with panoramic views across London, making it the perfect spot to unwind or entertain guests,' states the blurb. An identical property on the same street sold for £1.865M in June last year. The most recent liquidator's report for Astra Aspera Ltd shows that Kate has been trying to repay some of the debt she owes - and HMRCS have dramatically decreased their tax demand. The directors' loan account was overdrawn by £139,849, but the liquidator, Greenfield Recovery, hired solicitors, The Wilkes Partnership, 'to assist in the recovery… and the sum of £21,000 has been received in this report period'. According to the latest liquidator's report, HMRC has submitted a new preferential claim of £288,054. This is a third of its previous submission of £716,822. It's not known why the HMRC has dropped its demand. There are also creditor claims of £196,548 from four other firms including a £50,000 bank loan. It looks like there'll be no pay out for creditors. In 2012, two other companies jointly controlled by Kate and Derek were wound up by creditors. Fulfill Media Ltd had debts totalling £922,807, which included £88,486 owed to HMRC, £90,882 to trade creditors, and £462,808 in 'third party loans'. Countrymouse Media Ltd was liquidated owing £189,121, which included £98,944 to the taxman and £48,000 on an overdrawn directors loan account.
