The 16 Best Lip Glosses for Shiny, Moisturized Lips

Best Overall

Bobbi Brown Crushed Oil-Infused Gloss

View On Sephora $33 View On Ulta $33 View On Walmart $22

Highlighted Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamins C and E, botanical oils | Shades: 13 | Size: 6 ml

The very best lip glosses are hydrating and comfortable to wear (in addition to providing the look you want, of course), and this one checks those boxes. Formulated with a blend of nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamins, and botanicals, it feels soft and moisturizing when applied—and it keeps lips feeling quenched for hours on end. Though it’s not the most glassy-looking gloss on this list, it creates a shiny finish and provides a wash of semi-pigmented, healthy-looking color. We loved that this formula is neither goopy nor runny, so it doesn’t feather or bleed into lip lines. It’s lightweight, creamy, and non-sticky, and it layers beautifully over a lip liner or your favorite lip color. If you’re looking for a moisturizing lip gloss that adds an understated shine, we highly recommend this one.

Best Overall, Runner-Up

Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Cream Color Drip Lip Cream

View On Sephora $22 View On Ulta $22 View On Fentybeauty.com $22

Highlighted Ingredients: Shea butter | Shades: 5 | Size: 9 ml

The original Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb quickly became a fan-favorite in the lip gloss category, so it’s no surprise that this pigmented, non-shimmery version has followed suit. The lightweight, creamy formula is non-sticky and feels pillowy and soft on the lips, and we loved that it kept them feeling hydrated throughout the duration of the test. Some of the shades in the minimal range are more pigmented than others, though they can all be built up for fairly opaque coverage. As the glossy finish faded gradually after a couple of hours, we noticed that the color left behind remained even and intact. We also adore the subtle fruity scent—it’s a nice diversion from vanilla fragrances often featured in lip products. We were impressed with the performance of this gloss and recommend it to anyone looking for a one-and-done product that provides moisture, shine, and color.

Best Drugstore

Maybelline New York Lip Lifter Gloss

View On Amazon $9 View On Ulta $11 View On Target $9

Highlighted Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid | Shades: 20 | Size: 5 ml

The large doe-foot applicator reminds us of the one in the Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb, though this drugstore pick is just a fraction of the cost. The applicator picks up enough product to coat the lips without needing to re-dip several times. The formula of this Maybelline Lip Lifter gloss is creamy with a texture that feels akin to a semi-thick gel, and we appreciated that it didn’t feel sticky or overly goopy on the lips. Once applied, it lasts well without bleeding or feathering, and it feels nice and hydrating without being greasy. While we wish the finish delivered a bit more shine and the shades were more consistent in terms of their pigmentation levels, the formula is fantastic, and at such an affordable price, this gloss is hard to beat.

Best Budget

NYX Professional Makeup Butter Gloss Non-Sticky Lip Gloss

View On Amazon $6 View On Ulta $6 View On Target $6

Highlighted Ingredients: None referenced | Shades: 31 | Size: 8 ml

Another, even more budget-friendly option, this popular pick from NYX has been a staple in the lip gloss category for many years. The creamy, butter-like formula is incredibly smooth and soft. It comes in more than 30 shades, ranging from light and dark nudes to vibrant pinks and berry reds, all of which have buildable pigmentation. In terms of wear and hydration benefits, we think there are more impressive formulas, but all things considered, this affordable option is worth trying, especially if you’re looking for a shiny gloss in a particular color.

Best High Shine

Tower 28 ShineOn Lip Jelly Non-Sticky Gloss

View On Sephora $16 View On Credo Beauty View On Tower28beauty.com

Highlighted Ingredients: Apricot kerne, raspberry seed, and rosehip oils | Shades: 13 | Size: 4 ml

With a glossy, gel-like formula, this super comfortable gloss from Tower 28 might as well have its own fan club. People rave about the smooth, non-sticky consistency, how soft it feels on the lips, and most of all, how wildly shiny and glassy the finish is. It comes in a range of milky neutrals and jelly-like pops of color, and we loved how it looked on the lips—it created a smooth wash of color with a wet-looking shine. We also appreciate that it’s formulated with a blend of oils which helps to keep the lips from feeling dry. Though it can feel just the slightest bit tacky as it fades after several hours, generally, you won’t have to think twice about it being thick or sticky. If you like the look of intense shine, this is undoubtedly the lip gloss for you.

Best Splurge

Westman Atelier Squeaky Clean Lip Balm

View On Sephora $38 View On Nordstrom $38 View On Westman-atelier.com

Highlighted Ingredients: Jojoba, almond, and argan oils, shea butter | Shades: 6 | Size: 6.5 ml

If you’re someone who likes to splurge on little luxuries, this lavish lip gloss is perfect for you. The sleek, weighted packaging looks and feels elegant, and the formula feels plush and creamy while remaining comfortable on the lips. Infused with a blend of nourishing oils, like almond and jojoba oil, we found that the formula felt pretty average in terms of hydration (it wasn’t drying but it also wasn’t the most hydrating option), though the creamy consistency was ultra-soft and lightweight on the lips. The shades create a visible but not overpowering wash of color, and a nice shiny finish. We also think this is a great pick for anyone who prefers opting for products with more natural formulations.

Best Non-Sticky

Rare Beauty Stay Vulnerable Glossy Lip Balm

View On Sephora $20 View On Rarebeauty.com View On Kohls.com $20

Highlighted Ingredients: Botanical blend | Shades: 5 | Size: 3.8 ml

Sticky gloss haters, raise your hands! Heavy, sticky lip gloss is a makeup pet peeve for so many people, so we’re glad formulas have improved over the years and there are now tons of non-sticky options. Out of the ones we put to the test, this is the pick we recommend the most for those who are sensitive to tacky formulas. It feels like a hybrid between a gloss and a lip balm—it’s smooth, creamy, and lightweight. 

Though it didn’t stand out for its hydrating ingredients, it didn’t feel drying to us. It felt creamy and comfortable to wear for hours at a time, and we loved how subtly the color and shine faded. Each shade provides a hint of rosy, wearable color, and we liked how an added layer or two could build up the pigmentation. If you’re looking for a great everyday gloss that you’ll barely even notice on your lips, this is the one for you.

Best Long-Wearing

Lancôme Juicy Tubes Lip Gloss

View On Amazon $25 View On Ulta $25 View On Lancome-usa.com $24

Highlighted Ingredients: Vitamin E | Shades: 12 | Size: 15 ml

Incredibly popular in the early 2000s, this iconic pick from Lancôme remains a favorite—if you can get past the thick, fairly sticky consistency. Yes, it’s thick and definitely more tacky than the other options on this list, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing when you consider that usually, the thicker and more sticky the formula, the longer it lasts on the lips. We found that if you apply a light layer, it provides incredible shine and wears for several hours without needing to reapply it. If you can resist the urge to rub your lips together frequently, it feels smooth and pretty comfortable once applied. The plush texture also helps to blur the appearance of fine lines on the lips, which can lead to a more plump-looking pout. Plus, we appreciate that there’s a ton of product in the tube, so this gloss will last you quite some time.

Best Hydrating

Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm

View On Sephora $24 View On Revolve $24 View On Summerfridays.com

Highlighted Ingredients: Shea and murumuru seed butter | Shades: 6 | Size: 15 ml

If you keep up with popular products on BeautyTok, chances are you’re familiar with this hydrating lip balm that doubles as a gloss. Formulated with a blend of nourishing seed butters, the smooth and creamy texture feels soft and comfortable on the lips. While we didn’t necessarily feel like it added a ton of moisture to the lips, we did find that applying it over a thin lip balm helped to lock in moisture and keep the lips feeling soft for an extended period of time.

It comes in six shades that range from a clear option to a deep berry, and each one coats the lips in a glossy finish. It’s not the most revolutionary glossy lip balm around, but we were quite pleased with the performance and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a hydrating gloss to pop in their bag.

Best Plumping

Patrick Ta Major Volume Lip Gloss

View On Sephora $26 View On Kohls.com $26 View On Patrickta.com

Highlighted Ingredients: Peptides, cinnamon, ginger | Shades: 5 | Size: 9 ml

Earning our best overall pick in our test of the best lip plumpers, this popular gloss from Patrick Ta continues to impress us. The rich texture delivers dramatic shine and feels ultra-soft on the lips. Unlike a lot of plumping glosses that cause intense tingling or burning, this one feels cooling and a bit tingly for just a few minutes. It’s formulated with cinnamon and ginger to help subtly plump lips, as well as moisturizing peptides to support a healthy skin barrier. 

The results aren’t as dramatic as some other lip plumpers on the market, but we did notice some visible improvement in the appearance of lines and lip plumpness when applied. We also appreciate that the shine lasts for several hours and it has a unique cinnamon scent that’s subtle and pleasant. If you’re looking for a painless plumping gloss with a wet-looking finish, we think you’ll be really pleased with this one.

Best Shade Range

Pat McGrath Labs Lust Gloss

View On Sephora $29 View On Ulta View On Bergdorfgoodman.com

Highlighted Ingredients: None referenced | Shades: 32 | Size: 4.4 ml

If you’re looking for a specific lip gloss shade, chances are, you’ll meet your match in this extensive line from Pat McGrath. The range features tons of nude shades as well as rich reds, glittery golds, and pretty much everything in between. But aside from the gorgeous colors, we were also impressed with the formula. The texture is on the thicker side which might not be ideal for everyone, but we felt that it still remained comfortable on the lips and the thickness and subtle tackiness helped increase the longevity. It didn’t bleed or feather, it felt soft and nourishing on the lips, and it provided a lustrous shine. Swiping on your favorite shade is the perfect final step in any makeup routine.

Best Color Payoff

Jones Road Beauty Cool Gloss

View On Jonesroadbeauty.com $22 View On Libertylondon.com

Highlighted Ingredients: Shea butter | Shades: 10 | Size: 15 ml

Lip glosses that deliver a nice dose of color can help you cut down on steps in your makeup routine, and this is one of them. One or two swipes of your favorite shade will give your lips a noticeable wash of color with a shiny finish. We enjoy that the range features nudes, pinks, and terracotta hues, and we really love that some shades have fine shimmer in them while others are shimmer-free. 

The texture has a medium consistency and feels soft and nourishing on the lips, though we didn’t feel like it was the most hydrating compared to the others we tested. After applying the gloss and waiting for a minute, it creates a subtle cooling sensation (thanks to the peppermint oil in the formula), but it’s not overbearing or painful. The formula feels like a nice, standard lip gloss, but it’s the pigmented shades that make it really stand out.

Best Lip Gloss Stick

Tarte Juicy Lip Balm

View On Sephora $26 View On Ulta $26 View On Target $26

Highlighted Ingredients: Maracuja and grapeseed oil, goji | Shades: 12 | Size: 2.7 ml

Solid lip glosses have become incredibly popular recently, and this one from Tarte seriously impressed us. Housed in a clicky, pen-like tube, the gloss stick is compact and easy to use. Just a few clicks bring up enough product to evenly coat your lips in the creamy, moisturizing formula. It’s lightweight and comfortable, and we liked that the colors can be built up to provide medium coverage. It offers a juicy, high-shine finish that looks beautiful on bare lips or layered over lip liner. Though it isn’t the most long-wearing gloss on this list, the lightweight formula is easy to re-apply throughout the day and builds without gumming up. If you like the application experience of lipstick but the effect of a gloss, this pick is totally worth checking out.

Best Cooling

Mac Squirt Plumping Gloss Stick

View On Ulta $24 View On Walmart $33 View On Nordstrom $24

Highlighted Ingredients: Ginger root oil | Shades: 10 | Size: 2.4 ml

Another gloss in stick form, this one is for people who crave a super glassy, wet-looking finish. It’s extremely emollient—which does make it a bit messy to apply from the stick—but it feels incredibly soft and moisturizing on the lips. Once you apply it, the gloss creates a subtle cooling sensation that lasts for about 20 to 30 minutes. It’s plush without feeling sticky or heavy and lasts nicely for a few hours before the shine slowly starts to dissipate. The range features neutral shades and unique pops of color like blue and gray, though they’re all pretty sheer. It’s great for popping on bare lips to add shine and a drop of color, but it also layers beautifully over lip liner or a lip tint.

Best Treatment

Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Gloss Balm

View On Sephora $22 View On Glowrecipe.com View On Kohls.com $22

Highlighted Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, Kakadu plum blend | Shades: 1 | Size: 15 ml

If you deal with dry lips, then you know that finding products that look nice and glossy while also truly helping to quench dryness isn’t easy. But perhaps your hunt can end here with this gloss-balm hybrid from Glow Recipe. Formulated with hyaluronic acid, plum-derived antioxidants, and raspberry extract, it helps to hydrate the lips and protect them from environmental aggressors. The texture is rich and a bit tacky, though this helps to keep the formula from slipping and sliding around and fading quickly. It’s free from synthetic fragrances which is ideal if you have sensitive skin, and we loved how comfortable and nourishing just a light layer felt. It created a high-shine finish with impressive wear time, and we think this pick is excellent for daytime use or as an overnight lip mask.