What They Say: "Have you ever wished you could plump up and stretch out your lashes like a Hollywood Plastic Surgeon can do to a Movie Star's lips with an injection? From the "Fantastic Plastics" Lab of TOO FACED cosmetics comes LASH INJECTION; lash extensions in a tube! Our exclusive 3D formula actually builds tubes around each lash. Unique elastic polymers curl fatten and stretch far beyond the natural lash to add extreme volume curl and length for that costly lash extension look without any of the hassle or pain! With a flick of our specially-designed "GIANT" wand lashes will be injected with indelible weather-proof color. Easily removable with soap and warm water or eye make-up remover this amazing mascara doesn't dissolve and smudge like any ordinary mascara LASH INJECTION comes off in tiny tubes like little socks! Incredible! Innovative! Glamorous! Of course, we're TOO FACED!"

Jen's Experience: Historically, there have been very few mascaras in the world that I feel confident wearing on a daily basis (well, actually, only one -- Blinc Kiss Me) because of the eye irritation and subsequent smudging that I usually get from mascaras. And while I still sing the praises of the Blinc mascara, this one from Too Faced not only has the same staying power, but it may actually work even better. One of the main reasons I keep trying other mascaras despite the fact that I finally found one that would stay put all day is that I was looking for one that would give me more dramatic lashes rather than just coating them with color. The truly giant wand on this mascara does the trick, and with enough layers I almost look like I'm wearing falsies. The other reason that I like this one is that I can apply a coat or two in the morning before work and then apply some more before going out in the evening. Blinc makes my eyelashes too stiff to apply any more once it's dried. When I'm putting on my make-up each morning, putting on Lash Injection is such an easy choice. It may just be my Perfect Mascara.

Melissa Says: I was not prepared for the sheer size of the brush inside this tube. They're right - it is GIANT, but combined with this mascara formula, I get amazingly lush lashes with a bit of separation and...no clumps! Also, just as they say, there is absolutely NO smudging. It creates drama in one swipe, but if you really want to apply two coats, do it quickly and don't wait for it to dry in between or you just might get some globs. I truly love the pretty, glamorous look of this mascara, and mostly the look lasts all day. But as someone who tends to not always remove my mascara fully at night (bad!), I will tell you that this starts to come off a little bit at the very end of the night in tiny little flecks that can get into your eyes and irritate them, especially if you're a contact lens wearer. So just be smart and safe and remove this with soap and water or eye makeup remover before it gets to that point. I have a new favorite to add to the mascara group - I love this stuff.

Retail Price: $19.50 (at toofaced.com or go here to find a select retail location near you)

DeLush Ratings:
Jen-
Melissa -

What They Say: "This spa-like mask will plump your pucker for any situation or special occasion with lip-loving benefits like glycolic humectants that provide moisture, vitamins A and E to nourish and provide antiaging action, algae and aloe to condition lips, and all while this amazing lip mask plumps, exfoliates, and rejuvenates the lip area.

Vertical lines seem to disappear, while the blood vessel dilating properties of this plumping miracle fill the lips with a lasting and healthy rush of blood and oxygen that takes your kisser to the extreme!

To use: Apply a generous amount to the natural lip area (inside the lip line) with the enclosed spatula. Relax for 3-5 minutes and let the plumping technology work its magic. You may experience a slight tingling sensation. Gently remove with a wet washcloth."

Jen's Experience: I will try anything that works to plump up my lips, and this product that works as a quick-acting mask was no exception. The mask itself is a thick paste with a slight grape flavor that reminds me of the stuff my dentist uses to make dental impressions. Applied onto the lip, it dries quickly and tingles quite a bit. Getting the mask on the skin outside my lip is actually somewhat unpleasant.

I do believe that this is a very effective product (one of the best out there) for plumping up my lips and also for enhancing my natural lip color, but the effect doesn't seem to last all that long, an hour or two at most. I also think that it dehydrates my lips a bit. Personally, I would prefer using a product that may not work quite as well, but that I can carry with me and reapply throughout the day or night. I can see possibly using this product before a major party or event, but this is not something I can envision using on a regular basis.

Jamie's Thoughts: At the risk of sounding elitist, I have never considered using a lip plumping product. I'm perfectly happy with my lips as they are, so my initial reaction to this product was somehwat indifferent. I do, however, have a couple friends to whom this review may be critical - so I boldly went where I have never gone before. (wink)

The teeny tub of mask was adorable, especially when accompanied by the spatula they provide for the application. I will say this - it's super easy. You put it on, wait 3-5 minutes, take it off. It requires no special preparation, no fuss, with a minimum of "muss". The scent is medicinal, generic berry, and relatively mild. Fortunately, it faded as the product dries.

Too Faced makes no bones about the tingle you will feel when using the product, which is why I was not surprised to find my lips under seige after about 1 minute. I recruited a friend to try the product as well, and she actually used the word "burning". Consumers should be aware that this product should not come into contact with your skin, or temporary redness can (and will) occur.

I wore the mask for 3 minutes, and upon removing it, immediately noticed a difference. My lips were super red and bee-stung in appearance. Results were even more noticable for my friend, but one could argue that she earned them! I did not, however, notice the disappearance of vertical lines, nor did I feel any more exfoliated or moisturized as this product description would have us expect.

Like a bikini wax, this product will do exactly what it claims, assuming the consumer is willing to experience some mild discomfort. My results lasted about 2 hours, residual tingling subsided after about 20 minutes.

Bottom line: the stuff works really well, but given the potential of discomfort and irritated skin, why bother?

Retail Price: $27.50 (Available only at Sephora)

Jen's Rating:
Jamie's Rating:

What They Say: "Lip Injection is a clear cosmetic lip treatment designed to help plump your lips for lasting fullness./p>

Lip Injection's patented formula is based on medically-proven blood vessel dilating technology touted to create the sexiest, pout this side of a Plastic surgeons office! A celebrity secret weapon against puny, lifeless lips!

To use: Apply a generous coat over the entire lip area. You may experience a slightly intense tingle that can last up to 5 minutes, but don't worry sweetie, it's so worth it!

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: Wow, I wasn't prepared for this! I was told to get ready for some major tingling action once I put it on, so I waited. At first, it was just a little cool-feeling. "Big Deal", I thought. And then? Wow. MAJOR buzzing going on and I literally FELT my upper lip grow. That was a bit bizarre. The tingle wasn't unbearable or necessarily uncomfortable, just unlike anything I'd felt before. When I'd put my lips together, they felt so unfamiliarly 'fatter'.

I asked my husband to come look, and he wandered over, then his eyes popped and he said "wow, that is definitely doing something". And it absolutely did. For about 5 - 6 hours. That definitely outlasted my expectations. So did the plumping effect:

The first photo is with NOTHING on, not even balm. The second picture is only the Lip Injection.

The formula originally came only in clear, but now is in sheer colors as well (which I tried). I wouldn't tell you to wear this every single day, because you might grow tired of feeling so tingly all the time. (And this does take a little time to get used to.) But for a special event or date, or even just when you want some extra oomph! - wow, this absolutely delivers.

Retail Price: $18.50 (sephora.com)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "These double-ended wands contain a double-duty, long-lasting (up to 6 hours) lip stain on one end and a sheer, candy-kissed gloss at the other. Here's your pretty-pucker insurance policy when the hassled of reapplying just isn't realistic."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: This being my first real experience with a lip stain, it took a little while for me to get the hang of this, but once I did it was worth it. First of all, and I CANNOT stress this enough, don't even THINK of wearing this unless you have thoroughly exfoliated your lips. If you don't, the stain will adhere most to any bit of dry skin, and will be splotchy. Once you have smooth, soft lips, do one of those oh-so-attractive open-mouthed smiles and apply some stain more toward the center of your bottom lip, and immediately smoosh your lips together to spread it around. Add as desired, but I think this stuff looks best with less applied. The stain is minty-cool and takes about 20 seconds or so to dry out. Let it dry completely, and then apply the sheer gloss. The only thing I noticed here was that it's really hard for me to get much gloss on the sponge. Once on, the gloss really transforms the look into a soft, pretty popsicle-stain-for-grownups effect. And it truly does last...through most of the work day, through a Wendy's Classic with Cheese, and several cups of tea. Just re-apply the gloss if it gets a bit dry.

Retail Price: $20.00 (sephora.com)

DeLush Rating: