* Plump your lips with “fillers” from home
* We tested two strengths of Fillerina’s Lip Treatment
* Worth the hype or just a gimmick?
The idea of being able to plump your pout with “fillers” without having to go to your derm sounds like a dream come true to us. While this technology hasn’t really come into fruition yet, the innovative skin care line, Fillerina, offers a comprehensive collection of products that are supposedly the next best thing to injectable cosmetic fillers.
Unlike injectable fillers, topical dermal fillers don’t actually penetrate through the epidermis, but they’re supposed to offer a similar — albeit much weaker — alternative to the traditional fillers that inject hyaluronic acid directly into the skin.
Two of our beauty contributors tested Fillerina’s Lip Plumping System. Their lip systems come in the form of three different grades (grade one offering the most mild effect and grade 3 with most concentrated and potent effect on the lips). Valentina tested out the level 2 treatment, and Mia got to use the mildest version, level 1.
How Does Fillerina’s Lip Plump Pen Work?
Each of Fillerina’s Lip Plumping gels are composed of 6 different forms of hyalruonic acid, which attracts and retains up to 1000 times it’s molecular weight in water. Hyaluronic acid is a powerful anti-aging ingredient that’s known for its ability to help the skin retain moisture and can help promote a plumper, more voluminous look to the skin by restoring suppleness.
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Because most topical hyaluronic acids are composed of molecules that are simply too large to penetrate the skin, they aren’t able to fully work to their fullest potential unless you’re getting them injected with a big needle (i.e. Restylane, Juvederm, and all the other brand name injectables you have to go to the office for).
According to the brand, Fillerina’s products use a proprietary blend of hyaluronic acids that are small enough to penetrate the skin, and therefore give you benefits that are more on par with the result attained from cosmetic fillers.
It should be noted that this treatment line doesn’t give you the instant, lip-swelling gratification like other lip-plumping products. Instead, Fillerina’s Lip Plumping system works over time and is supposed to last between 3-4 months — even after you’re done with the tube. Also, in order to see results you do have to make a commitment. In fact, you have to commit to applying it a whopping 3-5 times a day. Thankfully, its discreet and easy-to-dispense packaging makes the application process fool-proof, so you can use it at your disk, in rush hour traffic, before you go to bed, etc.
So does this lip plumping system actually work, or is it just another beauty gimmick laden with empty promises and wasted time? Find out what our contributors thought of each product below after testing for 5 weeks:
Fillerina Lip Plump Pen Grade 1 Results
The first time I used this product, I guess I got a bit too excited and pressed down on the dispenser button one too many times. A lot of product came out, and I felt a numbed sensation with a slight tingle. Apparently, this was simply because I used too much, as this sensation didn’t happen again over the course of the month I tested it. Again, this isn’t an instant plumper that offers you a temporary boost of volume for a night out. You have to commit to using it several times a day for it work.
For me, this was a bit of a challenge, because I religiously wear a
every single day. And while I love that my matte color lasts all day, I had to give up my habit to keep up with thrice daily Fillerina application, as you’re not advised to apply it over lip products.Aside from that, there are no downsides or side effects to using this product. It’s a gel formula that feels lightweight on the mouth and just slightly sticky. Once it sets down after a couple of minutes, you can’t even tell you’ve put anything on. In fact, it was actually great to apply before putting on my ultra-drying liquid lipstick. It really helped fill in the fine lines on my lips and give them a soft base like a silicone face primer would on the face.
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Image courtesy of Amazon[/caption]
Overall, after a month of testing the product, I do notice a slight suppleness to my lips. I feel like some of the lines on my mouth have softened, and I’ve even recently starting applying outside the lines of my lips, as I’m hopeful that doing so might help address lines in those regions as well. I do notice that my lips look slightly fuller after a full five weeks. While it may or may not be the placebo effect, I am convinced enough to keep using it religiously – despite having to alter my morning lipstick routine (hey, this is a big deal for me).
Clearly, this isn’t a cheaper dupe to going and getting cosmetic lip fillers at the office, but I do think it works with restoring some of the volume and suppleness to your mouth. If you’re looking for an instant plumping effect, this isn’t the product for you, but if you’re looking for gradual and lasting effects, definitely give it try.
Fillerina Lip Plump Pen Grade 2 Results
Unlike Mia, I experienced zero tingling the first time I applied this product. I’m convinced the sensation she felt was probably due to whatever lip product she had on and pumping out ten pumps of product when you only really to need to press down a couple of times to get plenty of product. I only clicked on it once thinking a lot of gel would come out and it didn’t. It can be tricky to get the product to come out of the roller ball evenly, but after the first few times it shouldn’t get stuck anymore.
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Before & After[/caption]
The formula has the consistency of a face serum, and there is no fragrance, which is a huge plus for those with sensitive skin and allergies. When you apply the product, it almost feels like your lips are getting dry, but this goes away after a couple of minutes, leaving you with a slight film on the lips. It’s not sticky, and I actually found that it made for a great lip primer to use just before putting on lipstick for a smooth and line-reducing base.
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Image courtesy of Fillerina[/caption]
I religiously used this product five times a day for an entire month to give it a fair shot. It did make my lips softer upon application, and made my lips at least feel a little fuller – though whether they actually were or not is up for debate. However, this product shouldn’t be compared to fillers because this is applied only topically – obviously you’re not going to get even close to what you’d look like after going in for injections at the derm’s office. However, this is the “first ever” product of its kind on the market, and I’m convinced that with even more prolonged use, you’d see a different in overall volume and especially the reduction of fine lines on the mouth.