More than a year ago, my friend Nancy asked me what I thought about City Lips Lip Plumper. I told her I wasn’t familiar with it. I googled the product, and I read what I thought might be hype about how well it worked. There was video from a TV show extolling its virtues. I thought it sounded too good to be true. Also, I was afraid that it would be irritating to my extremely sensitive lips the way Lip Venom was. I have such dry lips, that last thing I need is something that will dry them out even more.
Yet, I was extremely curious. I think I read every review that came out about City Lips. I subscribed to their email list and read all their press releases and ads. Fortunately, I have decent-sized lips, so I wasn’t desperate to run out and purchase. And because my lips are very sensitive and very dry, I didn’t want to buy something that I thought might possibly dry them out more. So I kept on reading.
I learned that, unlike other temporary lip plumping products that work via ingredients that serve as “irritants” such as cinnamon or menthol (menthol just wreaks havoc with my lips and dries them out!), City Lips works by building or rebuilding collagen from the inside out. I saw that City Lips earned the Good Housekeeping Seal, and I’m still old school, and that means something to me (for one thing, if I’m not satisfied, I can return it). And I spoke to a number of women who tried City Lips, and they all — every one of them — liked the product.
Recently, I was given the chance to try City Lips.
In fact, I was sent City Lips in sundiego, a sheer peachy my-lips-but-better shade, as well as a clear one.
City Lips is basically a lip gloss that comes in an attractive tube with a doe-foot applicator. It goes on thick. It is initially sticky but it dries down a lot. I don’t recall having any trouble with my hair sticking to my lips in a breeze 😉
So how does it feel on my lips? Fabulous! I was so relieved that my lips do not tingle, they are not irritated at all, but instead they feel hydrated and plump.
The instructions say to apply City Lips and wait 2-3 minutes before applying another lipstick or gloss. I like that I can wear my favorite lipsticks with it. The website says you can wear City Lips either underneath or on top of your lipstick. I usually wear it underneath, but with a long wear lipstick, I will do it the other way around.
Here’s what the website says about City Lips:
- Instantly delivers dramatic plumping effects with HA Plumping Spheres
- Stimulates new collagen development with twice the collagen peptides for long-term plumping
- Provides instant fullness, definition, & hydration with long-lasting plumping benefits
- Diminishes and fades the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Works safely, painlessly and without irritation or numbness
City Lips has become my go-to lip treatment product. It has increased the volume of my lips. I had decent lips to begin with, but now they seem to have a noticeably greater fullness. At first, I noticed it in my lower lip, but after a week’s use, I could see a small increase in both lips. I’ve been using it now for two weeks. City Lips claims an average increase of 3mm, but I haven’t measured 😉
Also, after I apply it, the lines in my lips aren’t as apparent. The packaging says to apply City Lips morning and night which I’ve been doing. It also says to keep using the product to continue to build collagen and to maintain the effect. I intend to keep at it!
What is the absolutely incredible added benefit besides the volume for me is how hydrated and protected my lips feel and look! I usually have dry lips year round. I put the clear City Lips on before bed, and it is still on when I wake up the next morning. I’m not kidding! It’s on. I love my Jack Black Intense Therapy that I reviewed a few months ago, but to be honest, City Lips is a better moisturizer with its hyaluronic acid and collagen spheres.
If you have thin lips or lips that have lost volume over the years, I definitely suggest giving City Lips a try. If you have extremely dry lips, give City Lips a try. I get to try out lots of beauty products and many are good, but for me, this one is a keeper! I want to keep my lips soft and plumped. In fact, I can hardly wait (maybe that’s an exaggeration!) to see how City Lips makes my usually chapped lips feel and look this winter.
Each City Lips tube contains 5 mL /0.169 fl. oz., and it comes in 8 shades:
- sundiego: peach
- losangelips: light pink
- nudeyork: nude
- tinseltown: a light sparkle
- orchid: radiant orchid
- sangria: deep wine
- holly: red
- clear
City Lips is cruelty-free, and it is made in the US.
City Lips is priced at $35.00 for Clear and $40 for colors, and is sold on the City Lips website (plus I’ve seen it on Amazon). But I have an offer for you from City Lips so you can try it out for much less if you purchase on the City Lips website! Use the code: lipplump40 — it’s good for 40% off sitewide, so check out the other products too (I’m also using Dark Spot Serum and Eye Serum to be reviewed in a few weeks!). The 40% discount can also be combined with a buy one, get one free offer here. And there’s free shipping on all orders. Woohoo! Frankly, I’m going to use these offers myself. I want to try either Holly or Sangria, and I need to get another clear for bedtime use!
Have you tried City Lips yet? What was your experience?
Ingredients
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, VP/Hexadecene Copolymer, Phenyl Trimethicone, PPG-51/SMDI Copolymer, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Silica, Petrolatum, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Octyldodecyl PCA, Ceramide 2, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Glycerin, Sucrose Distearate, Tribehenin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Benzyl Nicotinate, Caprylyl Glycol, Artificial Vanilla Flavor, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed oil, Sodium Cocoyl Amino Acids, Sarcosine, Potassium Aspartate, Magnesium Aspartate, Cetyl Myristate, Olea Europea (Olive) Oil, Soybean Oil, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Extract, PEG-10 Rapeseed Sterol, Microcrystalline Wax, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Saccharin, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Hexylene Glycol, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Fruit Oil, Isopropylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Butylparaben, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Cananga Odorata (Ylang) Flower Oil, Water, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil
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On another topic, don’t forget to enter the Ritual Beauty Daily Perfecting Treatment Serum GIVEAWAY! As I said above, I try out a lot of products, and most are good, some are disappointing, but I really do love this serum/moisturizer in one. In fact, I suggested doing a giveaway to Dawn, the owner of Ritual Beauty, because I love her product so much! This giveaway will have 2 winners. Right now, you’re got a great chance of winning! So click here, and enter. If you have trouble with the Rafflecopter widget, let me know and I’ll help you but you must leave a comment on the blogpost about why you want to win.
Oh wow, I am loving the results you show from City Lips! Putting this on my beauty wish list right now!
Tina @ My Highest Self recently posted…LORAC Back to Bronze Collection
Tina, it does plump, and it’s the best lip balm EVAH!!
You know,when I saw you the other day, I kept meaning to say how MARVELOUS you look!!! Really!!!! Now I know why 🙂 You looked so good that I’m going to use your offer and try some of the products you mentioned!!! What color do you recommend for me?
Thanks a lot, Lois! I remember thinking I needed to wash my hair on Sunday so thanks for not noticing that, lol. I think I look better because of the Ritual Beauty Daily Perfecting Treatment Serum I’ve been using, but I know you don’t want to try any new skincare products after your experience with Kaplan M.D., lol! On the topic at hand, I really do love City Lips! It has made my lips a little fuller which is amazing since I didn’t expect it to work! What I also love is that it is the best lip balm for my dry, chapped and sensitive lips that I’ve ever tried! For that alone, I will keep using it. The tinted shade “sundiego” that I received is very, very sheer with not a lot of color. What I plan to do is see if I can use the discounts to buy one “holly” or “sangria” and one “clear” (I use the clear before bed every night and it’s still on in the morning!)…if it will let me do it. Do you think “sangria”, a deep wine shade, would work for you? My guess is it will still be sheer so I don’t think it’ll be too much.
Such a great review! Great detail, I will def be checking these out!
Heather recently posted…Just Natural Organic 5 Olive Oils Hair Treatment-Review
Heather, I was amazed by this product. It does what it says and it has definitely hydrated my dry, sensitive, flakey lips!!
Sounds like an amazing product! I’ll have to check these out for sure.
Leigh recently posted…Bare Minerals 5-in-1 BB Advanced Performance Cream Eyeshadow in Divine Wine Review, Photos, Swatches.
You should, Leigh! It’s terrific!
This looks very interesting. I would like to try it.
Erika recently posted…Review: LORAC Pro 2 Palette
I was shocked by how much I like City Lips! As well as plumping up my lips, it is my go-to lip balm. LOVE it!
Great review! Glad you are seeing some results
Cosmetics Aficionado recently posted…First CVS in Washington Opens in Renton
Yes, I was somewhat surprised about it working so fast! But the hydration is the lucky strike extra for me 🙂
I love that it’s cruelty free
Phyrra recently posted…Ardency Inn MODSTER Long Play Lip Vinyls Review
Yes, that is an added benefit!
Glad you are seeing results!
Yes, I actually can see results!
I’m definitely seeing the difference with your bottom lip! Do you find that to make it look more natural that you have to overline your lips, since it puffs out the bottom?
Miranda recently posted…Review: Maybelline Great Lash “Lots of Lashes” Mascara
No, my lips – both upper and lower – are a little bit fuller, and equally so, though the photo may not show that. I don’t need to do anything different 😉
LOVE that it’s also hydrating!! Great results!
Ange recently posted…The “No-Makeup” Makeup Look
That’s the key thing for me, Ange! No more chapped lips!!
Love that it’s hydrating! Although I’m a big with pretty full lips already and don’t need any extra plumping. 🙂
Brittany recently posted…Haughty Cosmetics on Gloss 48!
That’s cute, Brittany! Yeah, the hydrating part has been key for me!!
Those are great results
I’m quite pleased with them, too, Melody!
I actually don’t mind the tingle feeling of most lip plumpers!!
Eugenia recently posted…Younique 3D Fiber Lashes Review
That’s good, Eugenia! With my dry lips, those tingling ingredients in the other brands are torture for me!
I tried a few of these. I really enjoyed them as well!
Brooke @ Blushing Noir recently posted…Day-to-Night Beauty with Neutrogena #AllDayLook
City Lips really is a great product!
i want pretty plump lips!
Well, with these promos, Laura, it’s a good time to get them!
I have thin lips, I need to check this out!
Cindy (Prime Beauty) recently posted…Katy Perry Royal Revolution!
My lips are decent size, but it has plumped them up. They look fuller. But the hydration is to die for since that is my primary problem. I think it’s worth a try, Cindy! And with the discount & promo, it’s well worth it 🙂
this is amazing!
I love it!!
Oh wow, you can really tell!
I’m glad you see it, Justina!
Very impressive! I didn’t believe the hype of CITY LIPS, but bought some of their other products; a city lips was a free gift. I liked it, especially the color, which I would never have chosen, but it didn’t do that much for me. However, I didn’t read the instructions.
(Could be why I wasn’t thrilled with it..duh) After your review and because I trust you, I’m going to give it a go, again. And this time, I’ll use as directed! Thanks!!
jane-in-tx
Jane, I have used it 2-3 times a day and waited the 2-3 minutes before applying any lipstick on top of it. And I apply it (the clear one) before going to bed. I’m amazed at how well it stays on my formerly dry lips. Just to be clear, I had decent lips to begin with but City Lips has made them fuller. And with the City Lips gloss on them, they look even bigger. Do you still have the one that you bought in the past? If not, be sure to use the discount code and the promotion!!
I can see this being a wonderful boon to those with thin or shrinking lips! I love how it smooths out the lip creases, too. Luckily, I was blessed with full lips, but the hubby and I joke around that he only has one, because his top lip is practically invisible. I wonder what it would do for him? hmm…
Nidia – Lit From Within recently posted…GOT Black Shine?
That would be too much fun, Nidia! I can’t imagine your husband would go for it, lol
Incredible results!
Sheila recently posted…Fusion of Color Cosmetics Perfect Lip Scrub and Lip Balm Make Smooth Lips Happen
Yes, I’m quite happy with it!
The results look impressive.
Just enough of a difference for me!
wow! The results look great!
l recently posted…NOTD: dry brush manicure
I’m happy with it, Leelo!
Say yes to hydration!
Destany recently posted…Shimmer Polish Erica swatches+review
The best part, Destany!
Wow you are getting AWESOME results with that product!
Ashley recently posted…Stila Set & Illuminate Baked Powder Trio The Correctors
I like it a lot, Ashley!
Hello Dear Friend,
Based on your rave review, I ordered City Lips and used a coupon for -40% with a BOGO! I’m so confident in your review and results I went ahead an ordered their additional 5 for $87.50 (I’m such a sucker for a good deal). I haven’t received the product yet, but am excited to to do so because although my lips are naturally quite full, I’ve definitely noticed a loss of volume and started seeing those lines above the lip creeping up on me…ugh! I also have perpetually dry lips and always use lip balm (I love Lypsyl beeswax lip balm–it’s very smooth), so I’m thrilled with the hydrating effect you’ve experienced.
Best wishes!
OMG, Amy! I really hope they work for you since you bought so many!! The photos that I posted were not enhanced. They showed a modest increase in volume, and after I apply City Lips, I can actually feel my lower lip especially becoming volumized (is that a word?). Your description of “perpetually dry lips” fits me to a T as well. As much as I like Jack Black Intense Therapy for my lips, City Lips is much more effective at hydration. I hope we’ll both be happy with them. I am going to order more, too. I want one of the darker shades, either Holly or Sangria, and I need Clear for bedtime use. It is a good deal. Let me know what you think!! Let’s talk on the phone one of these days and catch up!!