The 13 Best Lip Glosses of 2024, Tested by Real People

Best Overall

Rare Beauty Stay Vulnerable Glossy Lip Balm

$20 at Sephora View on Rarebeauty.com $20 at Kohls.com

When testing lip glosses, we were most impressed by this Rare Beauty balm for its buildable coverage that feels smooth and creamy, making it easy to layer. The formula has a lightweight consistency that can give you either a subtle or bold finish, depending on how many layers you apply and, although it’s light, it still boasts plenty of shine. 

Throughout the testing period, its long-lasting finish provided that glossy finish without needing to reapply often. While we didn’t find it was the most hydrating formula on our list, it still provides some subtle nourishment with ingredients such as lotus, gardenia, and white water lily, which are known for their skin-nourishing benefits. 

Size: 0.12 ounce | Key Ingredients: Lotus, gardenia, white water lily | Shades: 5

Best Overall (Cheaper)

Maybelline New York Lip Lifter Gloss

$9 at Amazon $9 at Target $8 at Walmart

The Maybelline Lifter Gloss made has a lightweight consistency that still adds ample nourishment to the pout thanks to its inclusion of the coconut oil and hyaluronic acid. On top of that, it has a buildable consistency that makes it easier to achieve a more customized finish so you can either keep it simple and subtle with one coat or go for a bolder finish with several layers.

The applicator wand also played a major role in its buildable possibilities as it was easy to use and evenly distributed the formula onto the pout so you could get more even coats. While it felt sticky at first, the overall sticky texture disappeared after a few minutes, and our lips felt like they had a more creamy lip balm on instead.

Size: 0.18 ounce | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, coconut oil | Shades: 25

Best Budget

NYX Professional Makeup Butter Gloss Non-Sticky Lip Gloss

$6 at Amazon $6 at Target $6 at Ulta

For a cheaper yet still high-quality lip gloss, we recommend the NYX Butter Gloss which has a highly pigmented formula that rivals those of luxe makeup brands. With 29 different shades to choose from, this lip gloss is also at the top of our list for one of the best color ranges.

During testing, its buildable coverage was one of the most noteworthy features, especially since it not only layers nicely with itself but also works well on top of lipstick for a glossy finish. While it has a slightly stickier consistency compared to other options on our list, we found that it still feels smooth on the lips and is thick enough for coverage but not so thick that it’s impossible to spread across the pout. 

Size: 0.27 ounce | Key Ingredients: Beeswax | Shades: 29

Best Staying Power

Bobbi Brown Crushed Oil-Infused Gloss

$33 at Nordstrom $33 at Sephora $33 at Ulta

Thius Bobbi Brown gloss is enriched with several different types of skin-nourishing oils — including apricot kernel, olive fruit, kukui seed, and avocado oil — to support hydrated, supple lips.

While testing this formula, we were most impressed by its glossy finish, which never feels sticky on the lips and instead has a more creamy consistency. We love that it is formulated with skin-benefiting oils, and despite the added oils, it still feels ultra-lightweight. On top of that, it has a buildable formula so that you can achieve both a subtle and a bold look from the same product.

Aside from when we wiped our mouth on a napkin after eating, we rarely felt the need to reapply this lip gloss throughout the day as it boasts impressive staying power. When we did remove it, the added oils left our lips feeling more moisturized than before the initial application.

Size: 0.2 ounce | Key Ingredients: Apricot kernel oil, olive fruit oil, kukui seed oil, avocado oil | Shades: 9

Best Staying Power (Cheaper)

Lancôme Juicy Tubes Lip Gloss

$25 at Nordstrom $25 at Sephora $25 at Ulta

After testing many options, we found that the Lancôme Juicy Tubes Lip Gloss has the best-staying power. While this gloss doesn’t really have a sticky texture, its creamy formula feels a little tacky, which helps it keep its long-lasting shine and keeps it in place even after eating. 

Enhanced with vitamin E, the formula provides the pout with nourishment and antioxidant protection, making it a two-in-one product. It might not be ideal for every preference, but we love that it has a more tinted finish that provides a subtle pop of color rather than a high-pigmented gloss, making it another contender for an everyday look. 

Size: 0.5 ounce | Key Ingredients: Vitamin E | Shades: 12

Best High-Shine

Tower 28 ShineOn Lip Jelly Non-Sticky Gloss

$16 at Amazon $16 at Sephora View on Credo Beauty

When it comes to high shine, the Tower 28 ShineOn Lip Jelly Non-Sticky Gloss is where it’s at. This formula has a thick and glossy consistency that provides a nice layer of high shine while also nourishing with ingredients such as apricot kernel oil, castor seed oil, rosa canina seed oil, avocado oil, and raspberry seed oil.

The formula comes in 13 different colors — including a Y2K-worthy clear gloss — and is easy to apply for an even coat, too. While it is expected with such a high shine, the formula has a more tacky and sticky texture (despite its “non-sticky” name), and it applies a bit goopy at first, but that wears off once it settles. 

Size: 0.13 ounce | Key Ingredients: Apricot kernel oil, castor seed oil, rosa canine seed oil, raspberry seed oil, avocado oil | Shades: 13

Best Balm

Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Balm

$26 at Target $26 at Sephora $26 at Ulta

For those who prefer a lip balm over a gloss, you can still get high shine without the liquid formula with this Tarte product. It's formulated with lots of skin-benefiting ingredients such as maracuja oil, grapeseed oil, goji, acai, acerola, pomegranate, watermelon, blueberry, peach, cranberry, and vitamin E to protect and nourish. With all of these hydrating ingredients in one formula, the product goes on like a lip balm but has a lip gloss-like finish that feels creamy and smooth to the touch. 

Although the lip balm bled a little on our lower lip, we were overall impressed by its highly pigmented and buildable coverage, staying power, and how soft and hydrated our lips felt even once the formula was removed. 

Size: 0.09 ounce | Key Ingredients: Maracuja oil, grapeseed oil, goji, acai, acerola, pomegranate, watermelon, blueberry, peach, cranberry, vitamin E | Shades: 11

Best Cooling

Jones Road Beauty Cool Gloss

$22 at Jonesroadbeauty.com View on Libertylondon.com

The best cooling lip gloss is the Jones Road Cool Gloss. Formulated with peppermint and shea butter, this lip gloss provides lips with a cooling and calming sensation that feels so nice, especially on chapped lips. In addition to its minty sensation, it also boasts a smooth consistency that glides easily across the lips and provides lots of shine without feeling too tacky or sticky. Since the formula also features shea butter, it can nourish the lips long after removing it at the end of the day.

While testing this formula, we found that its staying power didn’t hold up well when drinking or eating, so expect to reapply. Other than that, though, it has a really nice balm-like texture that we love (and, honestly, we don’t mind reapplying). 

Size: 0.49 ounce | Key Ingredients: Shea butter, peppermint | Shades: 10

Best with Shimmer

Pat McGrath Labs Lust Gloss

$29 at Sephora View on Ulta View on Bergdorfgoodman.com

If you want your lip gloss with some extra shimmer, the Pat McGrath Lust Gloss is for you. With over 32 colors to choose from and a high-gloss consistency, this lip gloss features a shimmering and highly pigmented finish that you can really only get with such a high-quality formula. 

Throughout the testing period, we found that it replaced the need for lipstick, so it’s an excellent option for those who love a lipstick base with a glossy finish. Although this formula features a richly pigmented formula, we weren’t very impressed by its staying power and found that it transfers easily on drink glasses, so you have to reapply to keep that shimmering finish (which we don't necessarily mind!).

Size: 0.15 ounce | Key Ingredients: Triglycerides, silica | Shades: 32

Best Overnight Treatment

Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm

$24 at Sephora $24 at Revolve View on Summerfridays.com

Some glosses — including the Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm — work well as an overnight lip mask treatment. With a formula enriched with shea butter, murumuru seed butter, and vegan waxes, this lip gloss is designed to lock in moisture and protect lips with hydrating and long-lasting coverage. 

Available in a clear option that is ideal for bedtime wear, as well as bolder and nude hues, this lip gloss is one we can wear 24/7, thanks to its hydrating and comforting formula.

Size: 0.5 ounce | Key Ingredients: Shea butter, murumuru seed butter, vegan waxes | Shades: 6

Best Investment

Westman Atelier Squeaky Clean Lip Balm

$38 at Amazon $38 at Nordstrom $38 at Sephora

The Westman Atelier Squeaky Clean Liquid Lip Balm is a dual-action lip formula that is well worth the splurge. With hydrating skincare ingredients such as almond oil, plant-based seed oil, organic jojoba oil, and shea butter, this luxe lip gloss is both a gloss and a treatment, providing a burst of color and moisture to the pout.

From our testing, we found it worked well to keep our lips hydrated, even after the glossy finish wore off. We also love that it has a sheer and creamy consistency, which makes it easier to apply and layer. With its staying power, you also don’t need to reapply that often, so although we wish the tube was a little bigger for the price tag, a little goes a long way.

Size: 0.21 ounce | Key Ingredients: Almond oil, plant-based seed oil, organic jojoba oil, shea butter | Shades: 6

Best Plumping

Mac Squirt Plumping Gloss Stick

$26 at Target $26 at Nordstrom $26 at Ulta

Formulated with tingling ginger root oil, the Mac Squirt Plumping Gloss Sticks is our top pick for the best plumping lip gloss. This lip gloss formula features nourishing ingredients such as shea butter and avocado oil, which can promote a supple finish that looks naturally fuller while also creating a heating effect with ginger to plump up the pout even more. While it has a smooth consistency that is easy to apply to the lips, it still boasts a little bit of tackiness for a more high-gloss finish, too. 

Size: 0.8 ounce | Key Ingredients: Shea butter, avocado oil, soybean oil, ginger root oil | Shades: 10

Best Lightweight

Jane Iredale HydroPure Hyaluronic Acid Lip Gloss

$26 at Amazon $28 at Ulta View on Janeiredale.com

The best lightweight lip gloss is the Jane Iredale HydroPure Hyaluronic Acid Lip Gloss. Formulated with hyaluronic acid for a burst of hydration, this formula features a sheer finish that is lightweight enough for everyday wear and gives lips just a touch of shine. Additionally, the lip gloss also features lactic acid for sloughing off dead skin, smoothing lips, and making it easier for them to absorb hydration, as well as peptides for a plumping effect. 

Since it is a lightweight formula, you might need to reapply this lip gloss more frequently throughout the day as it tends to wear off; however, its subtle shine is an excellent option for makeup minimalists who want some sheen without the high gloss. 

Size: 0.17 ounce | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, lactic acid, peptides | Shades: 13