When I asked Amber for a just-short-of-injections lip plumper recommendation she expertly gave me some names, warning however that they HURT. But the truth is, like the Garbage song goes I’m only happy when it rains I’m only happy when its complicated, I’m only happy when lip plumpers hurt.

The science behind the sting is that these products contain chemicals or oils that stimulate the blood vessels in your lips resulting in pouty pain. So yes, the first time you might feel uncomfortable, the second time you get used to it and by the third you actually like it. Or at least I do. Here are my favorite masochistic lip plumpers.

They tingle (or sting, or burn depending on your sensitivity) but they work. Beauty is pain, right? For those on the sensitive side, Osmotics has a great no pain lip treatment that leaves lips full, healthy and super-moisturized.

—Julia Casella