Fenty's New Plumping Gloss Is Worth the Hype

July 07, 2021 | 03:52pm

Rihanna never lets us down.

Fenty's New Plumping Gloss Is Worth the Hype

Rihanna always gives the people what they want (unless it's an album…). Her latest gift to us, aside from tons of summer style inspo? Fenty Beauty's new Gloss Bomb Heat Lip Luminizer and Plumper.

An extension of the brand's celeb-favorite Gloss Bomb lip gloss—which, for the uninitiated, is the non-sticky, shimmering lip gloss that magically makes lips look fuller—Gloss Bomb Heat is glitter-free and promises a more intense plumping effect. Adding to its allure: It only comes in a single, juicy red shade, Hot Cherry.

I am usually not a lip-plumper person—I find them uncomfortable and have lip filler as it is—but a sheer, I-just-ate-a-popsicle red is my holy grail. I'm already a huge fan of the OG Gloss Bomb, and after seeing Heat in action all over TikTok, I knew I had to get my hands on it.

Upon application, it feels just like any other shade of Gloss Bomb: smooth, shiny, free of any tacky feel, and moisturizing, thanks to the combo of vitamin E and shea butter in the formula. After a few minutes, though, Fenty Beauty's Gloss Bomb Heat's “Plump Job Complex”—a blend of ginger root oil and pepper—starts to kick in.

I really piled it on the first time I tried it, so the tingling sensation was pretty intense; applied with a lighter hand, though, it's not bad at all. Your lips will feel warm and prickly for a few minutes, and then it dissipates.

The temporary discomfort is so worth it. My lips looked noticeably plumper but not swollen, and the level of shine is really something special. But what really sold me on it is the color: It's such a special shade of red that brightens up my face, yet doesn't look too fussy or feel high-maintenance. I love that it looks so juicy and fresh, and pops against any hint of a tan.