These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (2024)

These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (1)

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Lip gloss is back and it's way better than what you remember from the early 2000s. Modern lip gloss formulas deliver major shine, color and sparkle without making your lips feel like you smeared honey all over them. In fact, many formulas feel nourishing and hydrating on lips (almost like a lip mask!) rather than sticky or gloopy, making lip glosses the perfect option for when you want to look polished, but don't want to commit to a lipstick.

The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab regularly tests different lip products, from lip balms to lip oils to lip plumpers. In our most recent lip test, we tested several lip glosses, glazes and oils based on performance, ease of use and overall satisfaction. Testers considered whether the product made their lips feel hydrated, if it added shine, if it had staying power, scent and stickiness. After parsing through dozens of data points and Lab notes, we narrowed down the lot to find the very best.

Below, the best lip glosses of 2021, including Lab-tested picks, editor picks, and some reviewer favorites:

1

Best Overall Lip Gloss

Beautycounter Beyond Gloss

These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (3)

Pros
  • These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (4)Doesn't feel sticky or tacky
  • These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (5)Hydrating
  • These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (6)Adds shine
Cons
  • These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (7)Doesn't last long

If you're looking for a weightless gloss that provides tons of hydration and shine, this is the perfect option. Testers agreed that this lip gloss didn't feel sticky or tacky, made their lips feel hydrated and added shine."This product smoothed my lips and made them feel hydrated without feeling coated and heavy," one tester says. "I like that the formula feels rich, but it is lightweight and not tacky."

2

Best Value Lip Gloss

NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Butter Gloss

These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (8)

Pros
  • These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (9)Doesn't feel sticky
  • These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (10)Goes on smoothly
Cons

    For the price, this gloss is hard to beat. The non-sticky formulagoes on lips smoothly and feels like silk."I have very sensitive lips," one reviewer says."They break out and dry out on the edges if I try anything 'cheap,' so I was skeptical on purchasing this gloss. It's more pink than it looks in the pic, but it's so buttery and pretty."

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    3

    Best Natural Lip Gloss

    Sephora Clean Glossy Lip Oil

    These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (11)

    Pros
    • These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (12)Easy to apply
    • These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (13)Doesn't feel sticky or tacky
    • These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (14)Subtle shine
    Cons
    • These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (15)Doesn't last long
    • These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (16)May smear

    For a non-tacky, subtly shiny gloss, try this clean pick from Sephora. "I like that there is zero tack and stick and it doesn't smear or feel goopy.Beyond that, it went on easily and had smooth coverage, it feels good on (not sticky or too tingly), and felt thick and substantial, in a good way. I also like how it was shiny but not too shiny." This lightweight gloss comes in eight shades.

    4

    Best Long-Lasting Lip Gloss

    stila Plumping Lip Glaze Sistine

    These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (17)

    Pros
    • These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (18)Plumps lips
    • These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (19)Adds tons of shine
    Cons
    • These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (20)Tingling sensation
    • These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (21)Not hydrating

    You may be familiar with this cult lip gloss — it's plumping, creates shine, and lasts a long time on lips."I like the sweet minty fragrance and flavor and the twist brush application," one tester notes."This product does give lips a tingly feeling, which I personally enjoy, but some can probably find that irritating. It does plump lips but not nearly as much as my favorite plumping gloss. It didn't migrate and felt like cushion on lips."

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    5

    Best Lip Gloss for Sensitive Skin

    Clarins Lip Comfort Oil

    These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (22)

    Pros
    • These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (23)Lip oil formula adds hydration
    • These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (24)Doesn't feel sticky
    Cons
    • These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (25)Not a traditional gloss

    The Lab found that this lip oil stays put without making lips feel weighed down. It is not sticky or tacky, but it also contains ingredients like vitamin E that help smooth and protect lips. This oil looks like a gloss and adds a subtle sheen of color.

    6

    Best Tinted Lip Gloss

    Enamored Hydrating Lip Gloss Stick

    These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (26)

    Pros
    • These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (27)Easy to apply
    • These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (28)Hydrates lips
    Cons

      A gloss that applies like a lipstick? Yes please. This innovative formula is packaged in a twist-up stick, making application a breeze."It swipes on and feels conditioning like a lip balm with no gooey mess or stickiness,” a tester says. This is also Beauty Director April Franzino's personal favorite gloss.

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      7

      Best Drugstore Lip Gloss

      Chapstick Total Hydration Vitamin Enriched Tinted Lip Oil Tube

      Pros
      • These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (30)Hydrates lips
      • These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (31)Good color payoff
      Cons

        This gives your lips the glimmer of a gloss while delivering the hydration and nourishment of a lip balm.“No stickiness, and my lips felt hydrated, not parched," one tester notes.Enriched with vitamins and plant oils, it slips easily onto lips and gives good color payoff.

        8

        Best Non-Sticky Lip Gloss

        Clinique Clinique Pop Splash Lip Gloss + Hydration

        These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (32)

        Pros
        • These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (33)Doesn't feel sticky
        • These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (34)Lightweight formula
        • These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (35)Hydrates lips
        Cons

          Not your average gloss — Clinique's innovative formula is a weightless liquid that gives reflective shine and a hint of color.Testersnote it is“notgoopy and less sticky thana traditional gloss.” Formulated with vitamin E, it also gives all the hydration of a lip balm.

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          9

          Best Smelling Lip Gloss

          FENTY BEAUTY by Rihanna Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer

          These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (36)

          Pros
          • These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (37)Smells good
          • These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (38)Adds tons of shine
          • These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (39)Looks good on every skin tone
          Cons

            Chances are, if you ask any makeup artist or beauty editors their favorite lip glosses, this one will be on the list. Designed to flatter any skin tone, these glosses give lips a massive amount of shine and glitter. Bonus: it's not sticky and it smells like peaches and vanilla.

            10

            Best Clear Lip Gloss

            Glossier Lip Gloss

            These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (40)

            Pros
            • These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (41)Glass-like shine
            • These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (42)Long-lasting
            Cons

              Glossier has earned a reputation for making the glossiest lip gloss (as you might hope). This pick delivers a glass-like finish to lips, and it hydrates and lasts for hours."Super sticky lipglosses bother me but this really sits perfectly on your lips and I'm able to wear it all day (with only 2-3 reapplications)," one reviewer raves.

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              11

              Best Plumping Lip Gloss

              Buxom Full-On Plumping Lip Polish Gloss

              These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (43)

              Pros
              • These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (44)Plumping
              • These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (45)Tons of shades
              Cons
              • These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (46)Tingling effect

              This is Danusia Wnek, chemist at the Good Housekeeping Institute's all-time favorite lip gloss."It is a thick but not too sticky or tacky gloss that gives shine and ever so subtly temporarily plumpslips. I love that they have so many different shades and the crème variant is also really nice. It’s my go tolipgloss!" This does have a bit of a tingly feeling, but it's manageable.

              12

              Best Moisturizing Lip Gloss

              ILIA Balmy Gloss

              These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (47)

              Pros
              • These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (48)Hydrates lips
              • These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (49)Lots of color payoff
              • These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (50)Glassy shine
              Cons

                For a mirror-like shine and tons of color payoff, this lip gloss is the perfect choice. It slips onto lips with ease and is full of hyaluronic acid that provides an instant plumping effect. This leaves lips feeling hydrated and supple.

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                13

                Best Luxury Lip Gloss

                DIOR Lip Glow Oil

                These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (51)

                Pros
                • These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (52)"Your lips but better" finish
                • These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (53)Looks natural
                • These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (54)Doesn't feel sticky
                Cons

                  With just a whisper of color, this lip gloss aims to enhance your natural lip color while giving lips tons of shine. Dior claims that its Color Reviver technology reacts with your lips' moisture level to create a custom natural-looking flush in this gloss-oil hybrid.

                  These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (55)

                  Katie Berohn

                  ELLE Beauty Editor

                  Katie Berohn is the Beauty Assistant at Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day and Prevention magazines, all part of the Hearst Lifestyle Group. She graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder, with a major in journalism and minor in technology, arts, and media, and earned her Master’s Degree at NYU’s Graduate Program of Magazine Journalism. In addition, Katie has held editorial internships at Denver Life Magazine, Yoga Journal, and Cosmopolitan, a digital editorial internship at New York Magazine’s The Cut, a social good fellowship at Mashable, and has freelanced for HelloGiggles. When she’s not obsessing over the latest skincare launch or continuing her endless search for the perfect shade of red nail polish, Katie can be found in a hot yoga class, trying everything on the menu at New York’s newest restaurant, or hanging out at a trendy wine bar with her friends.

                  These 13 Lip Glosses Are the Best for Tons of Shine (2024)

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