I have used Soap & Glory products for a few years now and have had varying success with them. In general I really life the brand - I think their quirky humour and affordable price draw me in and I am always keen to try new products in their range. I think because they are affordable and you can often find them on money saving deals if something doesn't suit me then I am still happy to return and try something else because there are a few quality products I absolutely love from this range. They also feel indulgent, a cheaper version of Benefit I suppose, and help me to feel like I am treating myself without breaking the bank!

This product is something I purchased for myself on a little bit a whim. I have used similar limp pumping products in the past and either found them incredibly painful or distinctly underwhelming. I don't think I particularly need lip plumping and it isn't something I am insecure about. However, it is a nice thing to have for a night out and if you can combine the lip plumping properties with a great lip gloss then why not?

The product is described as having 'lip plumping spheres' (whatever those are) that swell up to ten times bigger when you apply them. I am a sucker for fancy technology I don't really understand so I thought I might as well try it and see if this was a good product or not. I chose the clear colour - although there are several other lovely shades - as I wanted to be able to use it over lip tints which I generally prefer to a coloured lip gloss or lipstick. I also thought it might be useful as a subtle hint of gloss for a nude lip for everyday use as I don't wear lip colours all that often. The other four shades are really nice though and if this product appealed then I always thought I could invest in another colour once I had tried the clear gloss.

The gloss comes in a cardboard box synonymous with the Soap & Glory brand. I have always liked how easily identifiable their products are, with the quirky sense of humour, bright pink colour and retro black and white images. The box was visually appealing, although this isn't necessarily important as it only ends up in the bin! The instructions on the reverse are clear and the spiel sounds very convincing. The tube itself is a lovely black lacquer with swirly pink writing on the side. The tube twists open and out comes a white applicator with a slanted spongy end to use on your lips. The design is fairly standard and is obviously chosen because it works well - no gimmicks just a nicely designed and packaged lip gloss. As you pull out the applicator it makes a rather exciting pop sound as it is released from the tube. The applicator part of the stick is a good size and shape and makes for easy application to your lips. Generally I prefer a brush lip gloss but that is just personal preference - this is a perfectly good sponge applicator.

The lip gloss has a rather distinctive chocolate orange smell which I can't say I particularly enjoyed. It smells very sweet and a little insipid with a citrusy kick which I wouldn't really associate with lip gloss. I would rather it was scentless because I found the smell a little over-powering and it detracted from my enjoyment of the product. The gloss itself is also rather thick and gloopy and this also was immediately unappealing for me. If I am going to use a gloss I like something really light and as unsticky as is possible. However, the consistency of this gloss was very thick and sticky and rather unpleasant to apply or wear.

The plumping effect didn't take hold immediately for me. There was a slight tingling on my lips, and if like me you have an unfortunate tendency to lick your lips then you'll find your tongue begins to tingle too. I thought at the very least that the gloss might be working, unusual to find a product that tingles for no reason so I felt it must be pumping my lips. However, I found the gloss had very little effect on the plumpness of my lips and was simply uncomfortable to use. I did return to it a couple of times in case I had missed a trick but found the same underwhelming and itchy results every time.

As you can imagine I won't be recommending this any time soon. My experience of the product beyond the packaging was entirely unpleasant and not something I wish to revisit. If the gloss has achieved one of the two things I hoped for it, either a nice look or good plumping effect, I might have been able to forgive it some flaws. However, this product achieved neither of the things it has set out to do and for that I do not see myself purchasing it again.

In terms of price I paid roughly £9.00 for a 7ml tube which I think is generally reasonable for a quality lip gloss. This product is certainly not quality though so I think the price is far too steep. I can't comment on how long the gloss lasts for because I haven't used it since but for a gloss this size I would imagine it could last anything between 6 months and a year - depending on how often you use it.

Overall? I am thoroughly disappointed but I think finding an awful product in what is generally a good range is part of the experience of using an affordable brand so I can't be too angry.