The best lip gloss of 2025 will give your pout a flawless shine
Though not quite as timeless as lipstick, as a longtime beauty editor, I still consider lip gloss a classic beauty product. It never feels overtly trendy — despite its reputation as a 90s and 2000s trend. In the early aughts, having the best lip gloss was essential for an ultra-shiny pout (those Lancome Juicy Tubes paired perfectly with a Juicy Couture tracksuit). For tweens and teens, lip gloss was often a gateway makeup product — right next to Dr. Pepper Lip Smacker (or the underrated, yet also iconic, Avon Flavor Savers) — buying your first tube meant that you were about to transition into a big-girl beauty routine.
I’ll be the first to admit that lip gloss can be polarizing — and even challenging to wear. This is largely because not all lip gloss brands are created equally. I’ve certainly owned a few that were too sticky for my lips to function properly. I’m talking flypaper levels of stickiness that scared off potential make-out partners and left my lips looking like two slabs of Laffy Taffy.
After years of matte stains and sticks dominating the beauty-store shelves, we’re currently in the middle of a total lip gloss-aissance. Thankfully, the glosses of today are a far cry from the annoyingly goopy, hair-catching formulas of the past. Many contain hydrating ingredients that will keep your lips shiny for hours without being so sticky they act as velcro for any debris that floats their way. Today’s lip glosses can be worn alone for a fresh, (somewhat) natural look; used in conjunction with lip liner or layered over lipstick for a boost of color and shine. Another perk of lip gloss is its one of the most low-maintenance makeup items you can try and requires minimal skill to apply.
Over the past few months, I’ve put my decades-long experience with lip gloss to good use and uncovered the best brands you can find today. Whether you’re hunting for an easy everyday gloss or one with a bold tint, the following items will plump, hydrate and bring a high shine to your pout.
Table of contents
Other lip glosses we recommend
Lip glosses that didn’t make the cut
What to look for in a lip gloss
The best lip gloss of 2025
Amazon
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, shea butter | Shades: 12 | Size: .17 oz
Saie’s Glossybounce is the gloss-oil hybrid beauty fans have been collectively manifesting since the days of Juicy Tubes: lush shine, zero stickiness and a plush, cushiony feel. This formula is proof that lip gloss has grown up.
What makes Glossybounce so special is its skin care-grade ingredient list. We’re talking hyaluronic acid and polyglycerides to plump and drench lips in hydration; plus shea butter and carnauba wax to lock it all in. The fact that it’s fragrance- and mostly taste-free feels extra elevated, like the brand knew we’re too old for synthetic candy flavors.
I’m also obsessed with the shade lineup, which includes nine sheer options and three shimmers. (Play, a pretty pink shade, is the one I’ve been wearing and loving.) The applicator glides on effortlessly and delivers that mirror-like shine in one quick swoop. Truly, this is the only gloss I’d want if I could only pick one.
- Non-sticky, plush texture
- Vegan and fragrance free
- Lots of shade options
- Hydrating formula
- Color payoff is subtle; might not be pigmented enough for some
- Pricier than other lip glosses
- May need reapplication after eating and drinking
$22 at Amazon
Other top lip glosses we recommend for 2025
Nyx Professional Makeup
Key Ingredients: Vegan squalane, raspberry oil, cloudberry oil | Shades: 14 | Size: .16 fl oz
If you haven’t tried NYX’s Fat Oil Lip Drip, I have one question: just WHAT are you waiting for? Soon after launching in 2023, Fat Oil went viral with the kids over on TikTok, quickly shooting up on best-seller lists and nabbing multiple beauty awards. The formula is made up of vegan squalane, along with raspberry and cloudberry oils that help lock in moisture while giving your lips a high-shine, glass-like finish.
It comes in a short and stubby tube with a plush, fat applicator that delivers a juicy tint in just one swipe. With over two dozen shades ranging from clear to bubblegum pink to chocolate brown, there is something for everyone — and at a price that won’t make your wallet cry. If you’re looking for a lip gloss that does the most without costing the most, this is the one for you.
- Intense shine
- Good shade range
- Hydrates for up to 12 hours
- Formula can be drippy when removing from the tube
- Applicator doesn’t reach the bottom of the jar
$9 at Macy’s
Sephora
Key Ingredients: Cherry oil | Shades: 13 | Size: .2 oz
There are lip oils, and then there’s Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil — a beloved luxury gloss that made the lip gloss category feel couture. This formula has earned its status as a makeup bag staple for a reason: it gives lips that luminous, glassy finish while secretly functioning like skin care.
The infusion of cherry oil, which has antioxidant properties, is the star ingredient here, working to hydrate and possibly protect the lips from pollution and oxidative stress. There’s also a mix of amino and fatty acids as an emollient, wrapping lips in a veil of moisture that feels weightless yet deeply conditioning.
Lip Glow has an ability to deliver that highly coveted mirror-like shine without a greasy feel or icky stickiness. The texture is silky, with just enough grip to stay put, so you don’t feel like it’s sliding around. It also has a pleasant, not-too-sweet mint-vanilla scent, which takes the whole experience up a notch.
Of course, we can’t ignore the glam factor. From the sleek tube to the oversized applicator, the whole experience feels indulgent in that quintessential Dior way. “The Dior Lip Glow Oil is hands-down one of the most beautiful lip products I own,” wrote one happy Sephora customer. “The packaging is luxe and elevated, just like you’d expect from Dior — it feels like a true treat every time I reach for it. The formula is smooth, glossy and super hydrating without any stickiness. It gives that perfect plump, healthy look to the lips while actually nourishing them.”
- Luxe, shiny finish
- Comfortable wear
- Prestige packaging
- Plush applicator
- Extensive shade range
- High price point
- Tends to fade while eating and drinking
- Contains added fragrance which might not work if you’re sensitive to scent
$42 at Sephora
The Outset
Key Ingredients: Maxi-Lip
, vegan squalane, polyglycerides, lactic acid, Hyaluroset Complex| Shades: 1 | Size: .3 oz
Scarlett Johansson was blessed with great lips, so it was only natural for The Outset, the skin care brand she co-founded, to come out with a lip care product. In fact, this product was planned as part of the initial lineup when the company launched in 2022, but the formula took three additional years to perfect. One of its key ingredients is Maxi-Lip, a patented peptide complex that stimulates collagen production and increases hydration and lip volume.
The Outset’s lip gloss is made with tons of additional skin-soothing ingredients, including vegan squalane, polyglycerides, lactic acid and the brand’s signature hyaluronic acid complex. Together, these ingredients infuse tons of moisture into the lips while reducing fine lines and protecting against environmental damage.
With all these healing, hydrating properties, you might imagine that the “gloss” aspect of this product would take a backseat, but the high-shine finish here feels incredibly luxe on its own.
It’s become a go-to product for me, one I find pairs perfectly with a lip liner. Johannson herself uses it with MAC Spice (hello, ‘90s throwback) and Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk for a more nude-glossy look. I can’t say which I love more — all the skin care benefits of this gloss or the gorgeous, lon-lasting sheen it leaves on my lips.
- Naturally plumps lips
- Not sticky
- Boosts lip hydration
- Meant to strengthen delicate skin barrier on your lips
- Expensive
- Some reviews say the cap doesn’t feel as secure
$28 at Amazon
Vacation
Key Ingredients: Chardonnay shea butter, vitamin E, peptides, hyaluronic acid | Shades: 1 | Size: .2 oz
Most of us remember to slather sun protection on our faces but often forget one of the most delicate — and exposed — areas: our lips. But the the skin on our lips is thinner and contains less melanin than the rest of the face, making it extra vulnerable to sun damage — which means SPF lip care should be at the top of everyone’s mind. Without protection, you’re not just risking dryness or chapping; UV exposure can lead to premature aging, discoloration and even increase the risk of skin cancer.
Vacation’s Chardonnay Lip Oil has SPF 30, shielding lips from harmful UV rays while keeping them soft and hydrated. Don’t be fooled by the name; there’s no booze here for wine moms. The formula is infused with antioxidant-rich chardonnay grape seed oil, which not only nourishes but also helps combat free radical damage. It also has shea butter, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid and peptides—the works! The applicator is plushy and fat, just how I like it, delivering a perfectly silky, lightweight and non-greasy oil that feels like straight-up luxury on the lips.
If Chardonnay Lip Oil wasn’t my pick for “best SPF lip gloss,” I would have given it an award for best flavor. I suspect fellow gourmand lovers will be obsessed with this oil’s caramel and vanilla taste (though it should be said, the flavor is somewhat polarizing — some reviewers downright hated it).
Still, this product is largely positively reviewed across the internet, including on Amazon: “I love how smooth it glides on,” wrote one satisfied fan. “The wand tip is big and soft. This oil definitely leaves a nice glossiness and it lasts a long time. I love the subtle flavor of vanilla with a hint of caramel.”
- Cruelty-free and vegan
- Contains SPF 30
- Free of PEG, parabens, oxybenzone and octinoxate
- Taste can be polarizing (some users hate it, I loved it)
- Not as glossy as some others on our list
$16 at Amazon
Too Faced
Key Ingredients: Avocado oil, tocopheryl acetate, palmitoyl tripeptide-1 | Shades: 13 | Size: 0.14 oz
Too Faced is one of the OG lip plumper brands and — in this beauty writer’s opinion — they remain the best of the best. The brand’s original lip-plumping gloss, Lip Injection, launched in 2005, but since then, the company has launched an entire Lip Injection collection with varying plumping powers.
While testing, I found Maximum Plump to be the strongest and most effective of all the lip plumpers I tried. It added clear and visible volume to my lips, and the effect was longer-lasting than anything else. Though spiciness is subjective, for me, this one has a moderate level of heat that creeps up slowly after applying. Around three minutes later, you get extremely plump, juicy lips — a near-instant plumping that lasts for hours. Maximum Plump can also be paired with any lip color you want — I layered a bright red lipstick over it for a shiny, pouty, Jessica Rabbit look.
Maximum Plump is a fan-favorite across TikTok, and shoppers seem to love it too. As one five-star reviewer on Sephora wrote: “The absolute best. I have tried a ton of lip plumpers, and this one just reigns supreme. It smells amazing, it is not sticky at all, and it gives a high shine. I use it often and can see the fine lines on my lips looking smoother!”
- Cruelty-free
- Paraben-free
- Moisturizing
- Long lasting effect (our tested reported plumped up lips for three hours)
- Instant result
- Pricey
- Strong tingling sensation
- Some reviewers find the formua too spicy
$25 at Amazon
How we tested lip glosses
A “small” sampling of the lip glosses I tested for this story.
(Marie Lodi/Yahoo News)
I’m a longtime beauty editor, — I’ve basically tried and tested most every makeup product under the sun. To narrow down the best lip glosses, I swiped my way through nearly three dozen tubes, pots and wands, testing each for shine, longevity, comfort in wear and quality of ingredients. I also paid extra attention to those little details that make or break a gloss, like whether it feels too sticky (flashback to my Laffy Taffy debacle) or seamlessly glides on like buttah.
Lip glosses we tested that didn’t make the cut
During testing, I came across more good lip glosses than bad ones so, my choices came down to a matter of personal (picky) preference. I love a fat, plush applicator—this detail alone can break or break a product for me, but it might not matter to you. That said, the Tower 28 ShineOn Lip Jelly is a popular gloss with a great formula, but it has a small, slender applicator I found difficult to use which is why I didn’t include it on this list. Rhode’s Peptide Lip Treatment is popular with other beauty editors, but it didn’t stand out as particularly special to me. The formula can also turn gritty (due to the shea butter crystallizing), so I had to pass. I also didn’t include a shimmery lip gloss category in this roundup, but if I did, I’d have considered three favorites: Too Faced Kissing Jelly Gloss, Stila Cosmetics Heaven’s Dew Gel Lip Oil and About-Face Light Lock Lip Gloss.
What to look for in a lip gloss
Shine: Glassy, dewy or somewhere in between?
One thing’s for sure: If it’s not shiny, it’s not really a gloss. But the type of shine makes all the difference. Some glosses deliver a full-blown glass-lip finish while others lean more soft and balmy. Decide if you want a reflective, high-shine pout, like the Dior Lip Glow Oil, or a subtle sheen — and maybe keep one of each on hand.
Texture: Sticky vs. slippy
Some of us are fine with a little tackiness in the name of staying power. Others want that silky, barely-there feel. If you hate when your hair gets caught in your gloss (pet peeve), look for formulas labeled “cushiony” or “non-sticky,” like our drugstore pick fro Nyx.
Pigment: Are you a sheer or bold type?
Not all glosses are created equal in the color department. Some are barely-there tints, while others pack as much punch as a full-on lipstick. If you’re going for a gloss that can stand alone, look for terms like “high pigment” or “lip lacquer.” If you want something in the middle, our Saie winner is a great choice.
Finish: Cream, shimmer or sparkle?
Glosses come in more finishes than ever. Creamy? Great for a plump, smooth look. Shimmery? Hello, juicy 2000s throwback vibes. Glittery? Get ready for a sparkly pucker.
Ingredients: Yes, they matter
Hydrating glosses with goodies like hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil or peptides can double as lip care. Bonus points for vegan or clean formulas, which are always ideal, like The Outset one we love.
Applicator: The unsung hero
Doe foot-shaped applicators are classic for a reason — they are precise and easy to use — but jumbo, flat or paddle-style applicators can help ensure a fast and even swipe. I didn’t realize how picky I was about applicators until testing for this story — but they really do make a big difference!
Lip gloss FAQ
What should I look for in a lip gloss?
As with most makeup, the perfect lip gloss is subjective — it all depends on your own personal preferences and needs. If you like a high-shine finish, opt for a formula with a glossy or lacquer-like texture. If you’re fearful of flypaper lips like I am, look for non-tacky or balm-like glosses. Is color range important? You won’t have trouble finding a good tinted lip gloss. Of course, you can’t go wrong with a gloss that’s filled with good, hydrating ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, shea butter, peptides, collagen, vitamin E or botanical oils such as jojoba, argan, grapeseed or coconut oil.
Also, if you prioritize a comfortable application like I do, you’ll want to pay attention to the applicator. A plush, fatter wand can feel nicer on the lips than one that’s small and thin.
How should I prep my lips for lip gloss?
Anytime you wear lipstick, lip gloss, lip stain, etc., you’ll want to make sure that you’re working with a clean canvas. Pre-prepping your lips ensures your gloss will look smooth, not chapped or flakey. Start by exfoliating with a lip scrub (I like the Sara Happ Lip Scrub) and use a washcloth (or even a moist toothbrush!) to remove dead skin. Next, follow with a nourishing lip mask or lip balm to hydrate your pout. I like to let the balm get absorbed for a few minutes (while I do the rest of my makeup), then blot away any excess. After this, your lips should be smooth and ready to get glossed. (Use this tip for lipstick application, too.)
How do I find the right lip gloss for my skin tone?
Deep skin tones can pull off rich, pigmented shades like plums, berry, chocolate or rich, bold reds. Medium skin tones look stunning in warm nudes and berry shades. For fair skin, soft pinks and peachy tones can work beautifully. However, there isn’t any hard or fast rule when it comes to lip gloss shades — wear whatever you love and feel good in!
What is the difference between lip gloss and lip balm?
While both moisturize lips, lip gloss is designed to provide a shiny finish and sometimes even a subtle tint, while lip balm focuses solely on hydration and healing. Lip gloss is categorized as a makeup product, whereas lip balm can fall under skin care, or lip care, specifically. That being said, plenty of lip gloss/lip balm hybrids exist, such as Colourpop So Juicy Plumping Lip Gloss Balm, E.l.f. Hydrating Core Lip Shine and Sephora Collection Colorful Lip Gloss Balm.
What exactly are lip oils?
Lip oils are essentially the lovechild of a lip gloss and lip balm. They’re packed with hydrating ingredients, usually plant oils (such as jojoba, argan, sweet almond oil or coconut oil), which give them the signature shine of a gloss. They’re great if you want extra skin-conditioning in your gloss, as they provide extra hydration.
We received complimentary samples of some products and purchased others ourselves, but we reviewed all products using the same objective criteria.