Photo: blissworld.com

Purple Lab has come out with a lip gloss that promises to plump your lips and not your hips, aptly named Huge Lips Skinny Hips ($20). It's a great idea, born when creator Karen Robinovitz ate too many delicious appetizers at a fancy soiree and had to leave before her belly busted out of her Herve Leger bandage dress. Like we haven't all been there, right?

The products contain moisturizing ingredients as well as lemon peel oil, which can act to irritate your lips (thus plumping them) without causing a sting. Moisturizing and irritating are the two main ways most (temporary) lip plumpers work. Additionally, the product contains a small amount of orange peel extract to boost your metabolism as well as Hoodia, which acts as an appetite suppressant.

I tried it out, and received a tube in Lychee Martini (a light, pretty peachy pink), which definitely had me off to a good start! It looked gorgeous on, had a smooth application, and the flavor was pleasant without being overwhelming.

Most lip plumpers I've tried have stung -- a lot -- but this is very subtle. However, so is the plumping action. My lips look well-moisturized and full, but they don't really look bigger.

As far as my appetite being suppressed, well, I had high hopes, to be sure. Unfortunately, I really didn't notice any difference in my level of hunger. However, I will say that just wearing a pretty lip gloss, particularly to a party, makes me less likely to snack mindlessly -- who wants to have to reapply lip color every 10 minutes?

And maybe that's a start. Anything that keeps us a little more mindful of what we're eating can't hurt, if you ask me. If what makes you more mindful is a particular lip gloss, fantastic. Especially if it helps you look fabulous!

This isn't the only beauty product on the market claiming to aid in weight loss -- check out this fat burning balm!