PUCKER UP WITH PLUMPERS

Posted by Roni 12.12.09

PHOTO CREDIT: sephora.com

On this second night of Hanukkah I’m hoping for a fabulous haul of lip plumpers. Here at BITB there is no shortage of information regarding luscious lips, injectables, and the bevy of topical plumpers out there today.

The first plumping gloss to hit the market was DuWop Lip Venom. I remember rushing out to buy it back in 2003, giddy with anticipation of a beauty adventure/science experiment. Reasonable price? Sure, $16. Cute packaging? Check! Fuller lips? Check! Truth in advertising? Um, yes. Lip Venom actually feels sort of venomous. It delivers “bee stung” lips with a combination of essential oils including cinnamon, wintergreen and ginger, increasing circulation in the lips. Looks good, kinda hurts. For ladies who want the look without the burn, DuWop developed Lip Venom 2^nd Sin for a kinder, gentler plumper. Caveat emptor: you pay a premium to ditch the sting, $27.

Too Faced Lip Injection is the best-selling lip plumper today. Like Lip Venom, a plumper pout comes with a bit of a tingle, lasting about five minutes. The result is up to 20% increased fullness lasting up to four hours per application. Lip Injection can be applied then wiped off for a bare lip or matte lipstick application, or it can be layered with other products. The gloss comes in Clear, Bronze and three shades of Pink, each available for $18.50. Too Faced also makes Lip Injection Extreme, a product that promises long term effects with regular use. Recommended application is 5-10 minutes daily, and a tube will set you back $27.50.

Finally, Dior, gold standard for all things fabulous, has entered the fray with Dior Addict Lip Maximizer. Dr. Neil Sadick, Dior’s Global Medical Advisor explains the magic behind the maximizer, which “contains a collagen active stimulating complex composed of hyaluronic acid and marine based fillers which have the ability to plump up the lip in a filler like fashion.” If hyaluronic acid had a Facebook page, I would become a fan. It delivers lasting hydration like nothing else, and in the case of Lip Maximizer, the proof is in the pout. The initial tingle is more, “oh, this stuff is working,” than “ow,” and a light vanilla-mint scent leaves lips tasting as good as they look. Lip Maximizer retails for $29.50.

Whether you’re playing Spin the Dreidel or Spin the Bottle, any of these options are fabulous bets for fuller lips.

WHAT’S NEW IN OUR BAG

GINSENG – WINTER’S PERFECT PICK-ME-UP

Treasured around the world for its energizing and yes, libido boosting effect, ginseng also adds an invigorating component to face, body and hair products. You may be familiar with its energizing power from tea and other drinks like Red Bull.

MEET CLAUDIO PINTO – NEW YORK CITY’S MASTER AESTHETICIAN

Master Medical Aesthetician, Claudio Pinto, is an expert in corrective skincare specializing in the treatment of acne, aging skin, smoker’s skin, sun-damaged skin and slacking skin using the latest corrective skincare technology.

BORGHESE LAUNCHES TUSCAN INSPIRED HAIR CARE

The healing waters of Tuscany, which have made Borghese skincare and makeup a stand out brand for decades, is now available in hair care products. Venerable beauty brand Borghese has just announced the launch of a premium line of hair care.

A L’EAU TO LOVE

Fans of the rose, here’s a new fragrance option for you just in time for Valentine’s Day. L’Eau de Chloé is a new interpretation of the city-chic rose scent made popular by the original Chloé Eau de Parfum that launched in 2008.

KIEHL’S KEY TO SKIN CLARITY

Addressing uneven skin tone seems to be the breakthrough product category of the winter season. Now Kiehl’s ups its game with the launch of Kiehl’s Dermatologist Solutions Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution ($49.50).

A PERFECT TOUCH FROM YVES SAINT LAURENT

When you find that perfect beauty product, you just want to shout about it from the top of the Empire State Building. Perfect Touch Foundation by Yves Saint Laurent is one of those products.

SEW YOUR WILD OATS

A power packed heart-healthy food, oatmeal is also a nourishing and soothing ingredient in beauty products. A perfect antidote for many causes of irritation and inflammation, including insect bites and rashes, oatmeal is a natural non-clogging moisturizer for the skin.

GORGEOUS GIVEAWAY – ANGELO DAVID HANDCRAFTED HAIR BRUSH

The days of brushing your hair 100 times each night are long gone; nevertheless everyone needs a good hair brush. For this week’s GORGEOUS GIVEAWAY, we have 3 Angelo David Classic, Handcrafted Paddle Brushes (a $65 value) to give to our lucky winners.