The Budget Fashionista

Blame Angelina Jolie. It seems like ever since she made it big in Hollywood, a full, pillowy pucker – like the one she just happened to be genetically blessed with – has become de rigueur. For a while there the only way to score gorgeous lips like Jolie’s was to pay a visit to the cosmetic surgeon, and risk ending up with a totally unsexy case of trout-pout.

Luckily for those of us not willing to go under the needle, the cosmetic scientists at LipFusion crafted a lipgloss that promises to amp up your kisser gently and safely, through the use of collagen microspheres that encourage minor, temporary swelling of lip tissues. While it’s practically a bargain compared to the cost of actual lip injections, the $38 price point of LipFusion Color Shine does sting a little (even if the gloss itself doesn’t!)

Enter our new best friend. Rimmel London’s new Volume Booster lipgloss is a bonafide bargain at only $6.99 (at drugstore.com). Available in 9 shades – our vote is for Attract, a shimmery pink-y nude that looks great on almost everyone – it promises to deliver up to 40% fuller lips through use of collagen technology, similar to that found in LipFusion. Great shine at a great price – it’s guaranteed to give you that warm, tingly feeling all over. (And why should lips have all the fun?)