City Lips has been everywhere lately, from Facebook ads to sponsored influencer videos, all claiming the same thing:
“Filler-like results without the needles.”
After seeing the hyaluronic acid spheres, the “clinically proven results,” and the two million sales figures, I finally ordered a tube myself. And after three weeks of using it day and night, I have a very clear picture of what this gloss can (and can’t) do.
If you’re wondering whether City Lips is actually a filler alternative or just a very expensive gloss, this review will save you the trouble.
First Impressions: Thick, Glossy, and Definitely Hydrating
The first thing I noticed was the texture, it’s thick, slightly sticky, and feels more like a treatment than a regular lip gloss. It gives that glassy, juicy-lip look instantly, which is honestly part of the “plumping” illusion.
No burning, no minty sting, none of those traditional lip plumper tricks.
Just hydration. A lot of it.
The Filler Claims Don’t Hold Up and Here’s Why
The ads suggest that the hyaluronic acid spheres can somehow mimic injectable fillers.
But after digging into the science, and seeing my own results, here’s the reality:
💡 Topical hyaluronic acid cannot penetrate deep enough to add true volume.
Hyaluronic acid molecules are far too large to enter the dermis where filler lives.
So the “plumping” you see is:
- Surface hydration
- Light reflection
- Slight swelling from moisture retention
That’s not the same thing as structural volume from actual fillers.
And yes, they do mention a disclaimer about individual results, but it’s tucked in fine print, and it changes everything once you see it.
About That “Clinical Study”…
City Lips shows a clinical study claiming participants saw measurable increases in lip volume.
What most people don’t realize is:
- The study included only 21 participants
- All were compensated
- The improvements were 10–15% increases over several weeks, not dramatic transformations
My results were exactly in line with that.
I did see improvement, but not the kind of change influencers show in paid ads.
Is the $35 Price Tag Worth It?
This depends completely on your expectations.
It is worth it if you want:
A hydrating gloss that repairs dry lips
Smoothness and softness
A fuller-looking pout when you apply it
A daily treatment that makes lips feel healthier
It is not worth it if you expect:
Filler-like results
Dramatic long-term volume
A visible change without constant use
Overnight transformation
For me, it delivered exceptional hydration, but not true plumping in the injectable sense.
So What Actually Causes the “Plumping”?
After using City Lips consistently, the biggest changes I noticed were:
1. Moisture Swell
The hyaluronic acid and peptides help your lips hold onto water.
This makes them look smoother and slightly fuller but only at the surface.
2. Glossy Optical Illusion
The extreme shine makes lips look plumper even if they aren’t dramatically bigger.
3. Smoothing of fine lines
This was actually my favorite result. My lip lines looked softer after about 10 days. strips don’t work, they do, but the brand relies heavily on marketing language instead of real science.
Real User Reviews Match My Experience
When I checked Trustpilot before writing this review, I wasn’t surprised:
- Most people report noticeable but modest improvement
- Some mention seeing change only with consistent daily use
- Almost everyone praises the hydration
- A few say it’s “just a gloss”
- And many note that results disappear when you stop using it
The 10–15% improvement mentioned in reviews is very realistic.
My Honest Before & After
Day 1:
- Lips looked glossy but not fuller
- Felt deeply moisturized
End of Week 1:
- Looked smoother
- Slight plumpness, nothing intense
End of Week 3:
- Noticeable improvement in hydration
- Fine lines softened
- Lips looked healthier overall
- No dramatic filler-like volume (not even close)
Conclusion
After using City Lips long enough to see results, here’s the clearest conclusion I can give:
City Lips is an excellent hydrating lip treatment with mild plumping effects, but it is not, in any universe, a substitute for lip fillers.
It makes your lips look better.
It makes them feel amazing.
It gives subtle volume with continued use.
But if you go into this expecting injectable-level fullness, you will be disappointed.
If you go in expecting a luxe, moisturizing gloss with gradual improvement, you’ll probably love it.
Check out the Beplain Cleansing oil , I talked about earlier if you are a makeup enthusiast like me!