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I read science articles so you don't have to, because (A) I was an aspiring environmental scientist at one point in my life and I usually find the subject matter fascinating and (B) sometimes I come across the darndest things. To wit, we hear about skincare products boasting peptides (in layman's terms, segments of amino acids) all the time. But according to Science Alert, a new mousse-like product containing peptides has recently been discovered that seems particularly adept at repairing tooth decay, DIY at-home style. What gives?

Dear Product Fiend,

So for quite some time there has been a lot of buzz about "Lip Venom." I've done some research on my own but the most I can get from most sites is basically the same: "I like it." Or "It's tingly." It would be really great if you guys could do a post about it or just tell me a bit more about the product.

Thanks,
Maddie


Hi Maddie!

Just like "Kleenex" has come to refer to any brand of tissue, "Lip Venom" has practically turned into the generic term for any kind of lip plumping topical agent. DuWop released the stuff about five years ago, and now everyone from Perricone to Juice Beauty have rushed to crank out similar glosses, lipsticks and sticky goops meant for giving you an Angelina Jolie pout. They all smell nice and work pretty much the same way--by stinging your lips with some kind of mildly irritating essential oils, such as cinnamon, peppermint, and/or ginger, causing your lips to have a mild reaction. You'll notice that after you apply, your lips will get about 20 percent plumper and I typically noticed that the lips of my friends get about two or three shades darker.

Of course, it works by irritating your kisser so you might notice that your lips start to tingle, get warmer or, if you have chapped or cracked lips, feel like they've exploded into a fiery kiss of death. Am I bitter? Yes, maybe. If you can bite into a cinnamon Altoid and not blink, you'll probably do just fine and at $16 for the original, it seems like an affordable experiment.

Saryn Chorney and Nathalie DiNoia ambush another victim in need of softer lips.

According to Beauty Packaging Magazine, one-armed surfer chick Bethany Hamilton (famous for being a rad athlete and also losing her arm in a 2003 shark attack) has a lip balm out that's extra easily accessible because it can be popped open with one hand, good for whether you're an amputee or just really crazy busy running around with coffee and a bag and all that other crap us ladies always seem to be carrying around. Buy one here for $4.50.