There’s something irresistibly nostalgic about lip glosses: the click of a tube cap, the sweet scent of vanilla or bubblegum, and that glossy, glass-like finish that takes us right back to middle school lockers and first makeup kits. But today’s glosses are all grown up, combining the charm of Y2K beauty with modern formulas that hydrate, plump, and last. It’s a throwback with a glow-up, and we’re here for it.
Lip gloss is making a major comeback, offering a perfect blend of shine, colour, and hydration. Whether you prefer a subtle sheen or bold, high-gloss shine, there’s a perfect lip gloss out there for everyone.
Here’s a roundup of the best lip glosses we highly recommend adding to your beauty arsenal!
Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer
Why It’s Great: Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb is a must-have for its universally flattering shades, smooth application, and non-sticky formula. With a perfect balance of shimmer and shine, it enhances the natural beauty of your lips while keeping them hydrated with shea butter.
Key Features: Long-lasting shine, shea butter-infused, universally flattering shades.
Best For: Beauty junkies looking for a high-shine finish that suits all skin tones.
Read our review of Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb here.
Tower 28 ShineOn Lip Jelly
Why It’s Great: Tower 28’s ShineOn Lip Jelly is a cult favorite for its jelly-like texture and hydrating ingredients. It’s packed with nourishing oils like apricot kernel oil and raspberry seed oil, providing the perfect balance between a lip balm and gloss.
Key Features: Non-sticky, vegan, nourishing oils, glossy finish.
Best For: Those who want a high-shine gloss without sacrificing hydration.
Dior Addict Lip Maximizer Plumping Gloss
Why It’s Great: This luxury lip gloss from Dior provides high shine and a plumping effect. It’s infused with hyaluronic acid, which hydrates your lips and creates a fuller, voluminous look. The tingling sensation is subtle, and the finish leaves your lips looking smooth and plump.
Key Features: Plumping effect, hyaluronic acid, high-shine finish.
Best For: Anyone looking for a lip gloss that enhances volume and provides deep hydration.
Glossier Lip Gloss
Why It’s Great: Any beauty junkie worth their salt would have heard about this holy grail. Glossier’s Lip Gloss delivers crystal-clear shine in a simple, non-sticky formula. Available in clear, holographic, and tinted options, it’s perfect for those who want a glossy, glass-like finish without the heavy feel.
Key Features: Non-sticky, sheer shades, vitamin E for moisture.
Best For: Minimalists seeking a high-shine gloss with a clean, natural look.
NYX Butter Gloss
Why It’s Great: We all know this as the OG lip gloss that remains a hot favourite today. NYX Butter Gloss is an affordable, highly-rated option that provides a buttery, non-sticky texture with a touch of sheer color. It’s a drugstore favorite for its smooth application and delicious scent, offering excellent quality at a low price point.
Key Features: Budget-friendly, smooth application, wide range of shades.
Best For: Those on a budget who want a lightweight, glossy finish with sheer colour.
Buxom Full-On Plumping Lip Gloss
Why It’s Great: Buxom’s Full-On Plumping Lip Gloss delivers intense shine with a subtle plumping effect. The creamy formula glides on smoothly and offers a cooling sensation that makes your lips look fuller without the sticky residue.
Key Features: Plumping effect, creamy texture, long-lasting shine.
Best For: Fans of plumping lip glosses that provide both shine and volume.
Pat McGrath Labs Lust Gloss
Why It’s Great: Pat McGrath’s Lust Gloss is a luxurious, high-pigment gloss that offers full coverage with intense shine. The silky-smooth formula provides long-lasting wear without feeling sticky. It’s perfect for those who want rich color with a glossy finish.
Key Features: High-pigment, luxurious texture, non-sticky.
Best For: Makeup enthusiasts who love bold, glossy lips with intense colour payoff.
Maybelline Lifter Gloss with Hyaluronic Acid
Why It’s Great: Maybelline Lifter Gloss is infused with hyaluronic acid, providing a hydrating and plumping effect at a drugstore price. The gloss glides on smoothly, leaving your lips looking fuller and feeling moisturised, with a glossy finish that’s never sticky.
Key Features: Hyaluronic acid, plumping effect, affordable.
Best For: Those who want hydration, plumping, and gloss without breaking the bank.
Kosas Wet Lip Oil Gloss
Why It’s Great: Kosas Wet Lip Oil Gloss is a unique blend of gloss and lip oil, providing the shine of a gloss with the nourishing benefits of a lip oil. It’s packed with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides, and evening primrose oil, making it ideal for dry lips.
Key Features: Hydrating lip oil, glossy finish, non-sticky.
Best For: Those looking for a high-shine gloss with intense moisture benefits.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Gloss
Why It’s Great: Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Gloss offers full-pigment colour and a high-shine finish. The formula is smooth, non-sticky, and available in a wide range of shades, from neutrals to bolds, making it a versatile addition to any makeup collection.
Key Features: Full-pigment lip colour, high-shine finish, non-sticky texture.
Best For: Anyone looking for a bold, long-lasting lip gloss with a rich colour payoff.
Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Lip Bath Gloss
Why It’s Great: This lip gloss is enriched with marine collagen, coconut oil, and peppermint extract to give your lips a hydrated, plump appearance. The gloss provides a beautiful high-shine finish while nourishing the lips, making it both a skincare and makeup hybrid.
Key Features: Plumping effect, hydrating, collagen-infused.
Best For: Those looking for a luxe gloss that also cares for their lips.
Ilia Balmy Gloss Tinted Lip Oil
Why It’s Great: Ilia’s Balmy Gloss combines the benefits of a lip balm and gloss, offering hydration, softness, and a glossy finish. This lip oil is packed with hyaluronic acid and salicornia, helping to lock in moisture while delivering a sheer tint.
Key Features: Lip oil hybrid, hydrating, sheer tint.
Best For: Anyone looking for a lip gloss that prioritises hydration with a subtle hint of colour.
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