'This $28 needle-less hack is supposed to be an instant lip filler. So I tried it.'

I was never really concerned about my thin lips… until the Kylie Jenner Lip Kit era hit. I couldn't even bear to look at my reflection in the mirror or a photo of myself without hyper-fixating on the nearly invisible straight lines that were giving me a cold, calculating appearance. I wanted the thick juicy lips that every hot girl on the internet said was the key to beauty and attractiveness. 

Alas, I secretly booked a lip filler appointment (Mum, sorry if you're reading this), only to walk out with a drained bank account and a bruised, Donald Duck-looking pout. 

While I have nothing against anyone who regularly gets injectables of any type (you do you, please!), for me, that episode of my life taught me that even the tiniest amount of lip filler was too extreme for the "naturally full" look I was searching for.

Since then, I've gradually hoarded every lip-plumping product on the market. From volumising lip-sheet masks to those irritating bee-stinging lip glosses, I've invested a lot of money into trying them all — and I haven't loved any of them enough to repurchase. 

But on a recent TikTok scroll, I came across an instant lip filler hack that only required two products — both of which I already had in my skincare cabinet. Knowing that I didn't need to spend a cent to try it, I decided to investigate further.

Here's everything that went down.

The instant lip filler hack.

So, what exactly is this hack? Well, TikTokers are basically taking the hyaluronic serum they use on their face, and applying it to their lips. Then, they slather a layer of thick lip balm on top (the keyword here is 'thick', so ideally one made from Vaseline or the plant-based alternative, lanolin). Roughly 10 minutes later, their lips are visibly plumper. 

But what is it about this combination that would make it an instant lip filler hack?

Well, hyaluronic acid is a humectant, or what I like to call a 'moisture magnet'. It grabs onto water locks it in, so it does wonders when it comes to keeping your skin's natural protective layer, the hydrolipidic film, healthy and happy. 

But hyaluronic acid isn't just a star ingredient for skincare. It's also the secret sauce in those volumising fillers you pay hundreds and thousands to get clinically injected. 

As for the second step of this hack, well, the emollient balm also plays a crucial role here, because this ensures maximum absorption of the hyaluronic serum, and ensures that everything is sealed right in. 

Together, this supercharged hydrating power duo works plumping wonders on the lips for several reasons. Firstly, the protective layer of the epidermis is much thinner on the lips than anywhere else on the body. It's also the part of your skin that contains less melanin (the skin pigment responsible for protecting the skin from the sun's harsh rays) and it's the body part that doesn't have oil glands. In other words, your lips pretty much depend on you to keep them moisturised, 24/7, 365 days of the year. 

So, it wasn't a question of whether this TikTok hack would work. It was how well it was going to work, especially compared to my drawer of unused lip products or the injectables I once paid good money for. 

Here's what happened when I put it to the test. 

Can hyaluronic acid serum and a thick balm instantly plump your lips?

I applied a few drops of my favourite Torriden DIVE In Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Serum to my lips (ICYMI, this Korean beauty product went viral in 2023, so much so that I spent days of a holiday in Seoul running around trying to get my hands on a single bottle, because it was literally sold out everywhere). I let the serum sit for a few seconds, allowing it to dry. Then, I went in with a thick coat of my Torriden Solid In Ceramide Lip Essence and let the two products do their thing while I got on with a few house chores. 

I swear by these two products and have repurchased them multiple times. In fact, I'm not even ashamed to say that I currently have four refills of the serum and nine unopened lip balms sitting in my beauty cupboard as I write this. Call me excessive, but the hyaluronic serum retails for $18.40 and the lip balm retails for $8.95 (both purchasable in Australia from Lila Beauty) so girl maths tells me my skin is basically making money with every use. 

The two hydrating products used. 

This hack would also work with other products. I would recommend The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 ($15.90), Haru Haru Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Essence ($19.50) or for a slightly more expensive option, the La Roche Posay Hyalu B5 Hyaluronic Acid Serum ($74.95). 

Other alternative lip balms I've tried and still love, include the cult Laneige Sleeping Mask ($5.95), Lanolips 101 Ointment The Original Multipurpose Superbalm ($18.95) or just some good old Vaseline Original Jelly ($4). 

The verdict.

Ten minutes after applying the two products to my lips, I decided to check back in and… yep, they did look surprisingly plumper.

Would I go as far as to say they looked like they had just been injected with filler? Definitely not. However, they did look healthy and natural without having to endure the pain of any needles, or the stinging sensation from volumising lip products, and that's basically the result I've always been after. 

With that being said, the plumping effect wasn't especially long-lasting. After a few hours, when my lips were product-less and a tad dehydrated from a few glasses of wine, they were back to looking finer (no, not in an attractive way) than ever before. 

Sydney-based cosmetic surgeon and ENT specialist Dr Michael Zacharia, confirmed this. 

"Combining hyaluronic acid with lip balm can give your lips a temporary plump and hydrated appearance, but won't replicate the results of professional lip filler," Dr Zacharia explained. "This effect is minimal compared to injectable fillers used by dermatologists or cosmetic surgeons, which add volume and shape to the lips by placing the substance deeper into the anatomy of the lip, which a topical approach just can't compete with. The lip balm and hyaluronic acid mixture will provide hydration and a slight plumping effect, but it lacks the structural volume and longevity achieved through professional treatments."

Some TikTokers have said that you need to be doing this hack at least three times a day to build up a longer-lasting plumping effect on the lips, but to reiterate Dr Zacharia's comments, you're not going to get a filler effect without fillers.

Before (left) and after (right).

The final word. 

There was really no doubt in my mind that two of the most hydrating products in my skincare routine would temporarily make my lips more hydrated. While it certainly didn't mimic the results of fillers, I actually loved how healthy it made my lips look.

Now, pricing. The combined cost of the two Torriden products I used will only set you back $28, so compared to injectables or other well-marketed lip-volumising products, it really is as budget as budget can get. 

Regardless of how beautifully thin or thick your pout is, I would recommend this hack for everyone, purely so you can flaunt healthy, juicy lips all year round (I wish dry, cracked lips upon no one!). And while you're at it, please don't skimp out on applying a lip product that contains SPF, and drinking enough water throughout the day. Yes, treat yourself to that Stanley Cup you've been eyeing. 

Have you tried this instant lip filler hack? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Feature Image: Supplied.