Do Lip Plumpers really work?

I was going through a box of make up I don't use very often and stumbled upon this! Lip Plumpers!

I have a love-hate relationship with these! And I did my home work on lip plumpers a long time ago when I was hooked on DuWop Lip Venom, I used this stuff like there was no tomorrow, to the point where I wouldn't even feel the sting anymore. I think my lips became immune to it. And my conclusion was that I don't think that they actually "plump" your lips, rather give an illusion of fuller lips for a short period of time, but you don't really need to buy stuff for an illusion. Illusions can be created easily, and most likely with products you already own.

Some lip plumpers temporarily irritate your lips as they contain "spicy" ingredients such as cinnamon, ginger, peppers or menthol. The stinging you might feel with these is your lips being irritated and reacting to the product. Which just makes me wonder if rubbing cinnamon on my lips would give me the same effect!
Now my thing with these is, you see, I have very, very pigmented lips. I'm very pale sometimes, and my lips are so red that even when my lips are bare people often think I have something on them. When this stuff starts stinging, my lips become even more pigmented.

Then there's some lip plumpers that claim to stimulate collagen production (yeah right!) by containing retinoids. I don't really believe that prolonged use of this will give you permanent lips a la Angelina Jolie.

Others draw moisture to the top of your lips making them appear fuller. But just like with Nail Hardeners which draw out moisture giving you hard nails (which break easier) I don't know how safe it is. I don't want full, dry and cracked lips.

And as much as I would love a fuller upper lip I always tell myself I won't waste money on products that don't work or work for about 15 to 20 minutes at the most.
That's why I currently only own two.
Victoria Secrets Very Voluptuous Extreme Lip Plumper: it retails for $26.  Allure made it the best lip plumper of the year. Yeah I really don't trust Allure's recommendations. They had Proactiv as their top acne treatment and we all know that Proactiv is a joke even if Katty Perry and Diddy advertise it.
It comes in a 0.12 oz tube with a twist brush applicator. Its clear and has a high gloss and shine to it. It does sting but not for very long, 10 minutes at the most and if you are eating or drinking probably even less. It is very sticky though, and I hate a sticky gloss!
Sally Hansen Lip Blush Plumping Balm: I believe this retails around $13 at CVS but I got it for 75% off. That is probably the only reason I even decided to buy it. You know I cant pass up a 75% discount.  It comes in a 0.32 oz tube with a brush applicator, however you really have to squeeze out the product. It does not plump lips, however it goes on clear and turns into a soft, rosy color which actually looks really nice. It supposedly adapts to your natural tone and gives you youth full, subtle, fuller looking lips. Oh and it is very moisturizing. For plumping I give it a 0, for color and moisture I give it a 5.

my lips with just some EOS Lemon Drop Lip Balm



with Victoria Secrets Very Voluptuous Extreme Lip Plumper




with Sally Hansen Lip Blush Plumping Balm


In conclusion, I don't believe that they work great, however you might like it if you want to re-apply it constantly. To me that's actually a deal breaker. I want to put it on not have to worry about it for at least a few hours. There is a big difference between "oh wow" and "ehhh, its ok" for me, so I'm not really impressed with lip plumpers.
Instead of throwing away money on lip plumpers I suggest we just start making out more, works a lot better and its free! :) lol
What's your experience with Lip Plumpers?
And speaking of lips, I am still searching for the perfect matte red lipstick. I grew fond of MAC's Ruby Woo but it does not always compliment me. What is your to go red lipstick?