The 16 Best Lip Glosses, Tested & Reviewed

We’ve tested hundreds of lip glosses over the years, and Tower 28’s Lip Jelly Gloss has firmly secured a spot on our list for its non-sticky feel, full range of colors, and ingredient list developed for sensitive skin. It’s also a favorite choice of Kristina, who says she loves the gloss “because of its incredible high-shine effect.”

With 12 shade options, you can choose from shimmery clear to semi-opaque pink to sheer red. We also like how the tinted versions offer a decent color payoff while having the texture of a lip oil, thanks to a blend of five nourishing plant-based oils included in its formula. The Tower 28 Lip Jelly Gloss has earned fans across the internet with 2,000 five-star reviews on Sephora and nearly 300 million views on TikTok. It’s also vegan and gluten-free.

Price upon publish date of this article: $16

With nearly 40,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, the popularity of Maybelline’s Lifter Gloss is tough to top. “​​The lip gloss I’m most obsessed with right now is Maybelline Lifter Gloss because of the fact that it has hyaluronic acid in it. I sometimes use it in place of a lip balm when my lips feel dry,” says Kristina.

What’s better than a hydrating formula and a huge shade range? The extra-large doe foot applicator easily covers lips with a quick swipe. Color options run the gamut from baby pink to hot pink to glittery bronze, and our testers are partial to the Moon shade that flatters fair to dark skin tones. Plus, Prime shipping makes it all too easy to stock up.

Price upon publish date of this article: $8.98

With its heart-tipped applicator, Charlotte Tilbury’s Collagen Lip Bath tube is as aesthetically pleasing as the shimmery formula inside. Though this gloss only comes in five neutral shades, all a variation of pink, each is versatile enough to warrant a place in your makeup bag for everyday wear. Giving the gloss its namesake, marine collagen washes over lips to deliver major moisture. Other ingredients of note are coconut oil, which leaves your pout feeling softer even after the gloss wears off, and mustard-sprout extract for a light plumping effect. Similar to Dior’s Lip Maximizer gloss, the Collagen Lip Bath has a fresh minty scent.

Price upon publish date of this article: $35

As far as lip glosses go, the Nars gloss in Orgasm is an icon. The peachy pink hue with gold flecks is one we’ve been wearing for years. From smoky eyes to minimalist makeup, you can wear this lip gloss shade any which way. And if you’re looking for something outside the classic color, Afterglow offers plenty more options ranging from shiny taupe to completely clear. In terms of texture, it’s formulated with conditioning agents like jojoba oil and vitamin E-rich raspberry oil for a feel that’s smooth, not sticky. The doe foot applicator is custom-designed to hug the curves of your lips and help you get a more precise swipe. 

Price upon publish date of this article: $21.10

Merit’s tinted and clear lip oils are packed with hydrating ingredients that work to soften your lips as you wear it. While most lip oils are sheer with a light tint, this one offers a formula that’s pigmented enough to rival the look of a nude lipstick. When our lips are feeling too dry for a traditional gloss, we find ourselves reaching for this one for its smoothing properties, buttery soft feel, and ability to deliver color in a way that a lip balm can’t.

The shade range is a curated list of classic neutrals, from soft peach to dark brown to crystal clear, that can be worn as a “your lips but better” look to match most skin tones. This original version has received the most hype, but Merit more recently released the Gelée Sheer Tinted Lip Oil with less pigment and more shine as an additional option.

Price upon publish date of this article: $24

If plumping is what you’re after, this lip gloss from Dior is a popular option loved by makeup artists and beauty fans alike. There are more than 1,000 five-star ratings on Nordstrom alone, and Kristina counts it as one of her favorites as well. 

The key to this pout-improving formula is hyaluronic acid that smooths lips and helps them look fuller. Plus, a minty scent leaves your lips feeling extra fresh. Despite its plumping properties, our testers swear this gloss doesn’t sting and feels comfortable on the lips. And with 21 shades, Dior’s Lip Maximizer has one of the best color ranges we’ve seen. There’s something for everyone, whether that’s a glitter-packed pink or a high-gloss cherry red.

Price upon publish date of this article: $34

Size: 0.14 oz./4.2 ml
Shades available: 3
Key ingredients: Vitamin E, jojoba oil
Sephora Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars

No frills, just shine. Glossier’s Lip Gloss is where our testers turn for an ultra-shiny option that leaves lips with a glass-like effect. The minimalist product only comes in three colors — clear, red, and holographic — but each is perfect for wearing solo or layered over a lipstick, depending on the level of drama you hope to achieve.

Packed with jojoba oil and vitamin E, the formula conditions lips and has a texture we’d describe as tacky but not sticky. We’ve also found it to have more staying power than the typical gloss. While we wouldn’t mind a bigger tube, the petite size makes this especially easy to stash in a small handbag.

Price upon publish date of this article: $15

Achieving near-instant cult status with its original Peptide Lip Glaze, Rhode is at it again with a new lineup of tinted lip glosses featuring a slew of conditioning ingredients paired with a splash of color. Available in four shades, the Lip Tint goes on sheer but has buildable coverage that lets you customize the look. 

As a treatment first and a gloss second, lips benefit from hydrating shea butter and peptides, as well as a buttery texture that melts upon contact with your pout. A convenient tube design makes this easy to use on the go without a mirror. It’s also fragrance-free, gluten-free, and vegan.

Price upon publish date of this article: $16

What Róen’s lip gloss lacks in shade range, it makes up for in quality. The brand prioritizes the use of non-irritating formulas housed within luxe packaging that feels like a treat to use. “The most important evolution I have seen with lip glosses — and makeup, in general — is more options are available for clean products that are equally as high performing, if not better, than conventional products,” Scott says. “Brands that develop clean lip glosses have proven they can have the same high shine and pigment but without many harmful ingredients. Since we all tend to re-apply our lip gloss multiple times a day, it is particularly important that the product be as clean as possible.” Our testers also love how smooth the texture feels on our lips.

Price upon publish date of this article: $26

We put the TikTok-famous NYX Fat Oil Lip Drip to the test, and it lived up to the hype. Neon packaging and a sheer, shiny finish bring you right back to the ’00s, while the formula hydrates lips for a full day thanks to the inclusion of vegan squalane. In terms of colors, all eight are universally flattering, but “My Main” and “Supermodel” have earned particular accolades on TikTok. The oversized applicator delivers full coverage on the first swipe. While non sticky, we did find this Amazon beauty product can feel tacky with additional layers.

Price upon publish date of this article: $8.97

Famed for its inclusive foundation shade ranges, Fenty Beauty has another hit on its hands with the Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer (which has more than 1 million hearts on Sephora). Each of the eight colors is designed to work for all skin tones and ranges from a soft peach to a bold, clear iridescent. Although the formula is shimmer-packed, fans describe the texture as completely smooth instead of grainy, leaving lips softer after wear from ingredients like shea butter. 

Makeup artists often name this as a favorite for a long-lasting finish, and Kristina says it’s a good choice if you’re chasing the “high shine lacquer effect you would think about from the 2000s.” While we approve of all the colors, the iridescent hue is an especially fun option to pull out for special occasions. 

Price upon publish date of this article: $26

Designed to feel like a lip mask within a gloss, Rare Beauty’s Stay Vulnerable lip gloss saves the day when you want high shine but need conditioning. You won’t find glitter in the tightly edited range of five shades, just simple, pretty neutrals that include iterations of peach, mauve, and berry.

Out of all the best Rare Beauty products, this gloss has remained a TikTok favorite since launch, with over 18 million views on the app. The colors are also buildable so you can swipe on a light wash or layer up for a more noticeable pop. With a comfortable, cushiony texture of a balm, it’s a gloss you’ll look forward to wearing.

Price upon publish date of this article: $20

“The most beautiful sparkly and shimmery glosses out there! They’re fun and festive and give that shine you’d expect from the mother of editorial makeup,” says Kristina of Pat McGrath’s Lust Gloss. Outside of their luxe, non-sticky formula, our testers loved the full range of finishes available, spanning from high shine to shimmery and glittery.

Plus, leave it to Pat McGrath to offer more than just pink. Beyond gorgeous neutrals, the Lust Gloss comes in colors like Astral Moon Flower, an iridescent periwinkle, and Blitz Gold, described as a 24-karat gold pearl. Whether you’re after a little daytime shine or evening drama, the Lust Gloss has a lippie to match. 

Price upon publish date of this article: $29

Say hello to volume with this bestseller from Buxom. You’ll feel the plumping effect kick in from the tingling sensation, courtesy of its peptide complex. Aside from a plumped-up pucker, the formula is infused with vitamin E to improve softness, along with ultra-hydrating hyaluronic acid for a fuller look. There’s no shortage of shine with the choice of glitter or shimmer finishes.

Standout shades include Sarina, a sparkly nude brown; and Jessica, a sheer mauve. Swipe this on to give your lips a literal glow-up. “I love the smell and feel of this plumping gloss and how it comes in a large range of colors. They make my go-to nude lip gloss,” says Kristina.

Price upon publish date of this article: $25

In the past, we found Bobbi Brown glosses to fall on the sticky side, but the legendary brand’s Crushed Oil-Infused Lip Gloss impressed our testers with an oppsoite effect. This popular gloss, a favorite of editors and makeup artists, contains vitamins C and E plus a host of botanical oils that help the formula melt into your lips to deliver shine without that tacky feeling. In addition to the hydration-packed formula, we’re impressed by the spectrum of beige and berry tones that go beyond classic pink. 

The gloss has an impressive 4.8-star rating on Sephora (one of the highest we’ve ever seen), but reviewers note it’s not the gloss if you prefer something packed with pigment — though with hyaluronic acid, you’ll never be lacking for comfort and shine. Bare Sparkle, a sheer glitter, is a perfect top layer to amp up a neutral pink lipstick.

Price upon publish date of this article: $33

After putting Chantecaille’s Brilliant gloss to the test, WWD editors found it worthy of a spot among the best. More than just pretty to look at, this bestselling and award-winning gloss treats lips to free radical-foraging antioxidants from the inclusion of green tea extracts. While most glosses have a doe foot applicator, Chantecaille instead opts for a brush that feels a little more luxe. If glitter isn’t your thing then you’ll want to look elsewhere, but the all-shimmery shade range imparts a gorgeous sheen that’s sure to attract compliments. Despite all the shine, our testers report that the texture feels silky smooth and not grainy or sticky. Fans of sheer, pale pink hues will find plenty of options to choose from.

Price upon publish date of this article: $40