Adding a bit of lip shine to your everyday beauty routine can keep you feeling fresh and ready to embrace the day ahead. With a multi-billion-dollar beauty market, a lot of products fall under the branch of “lip gloss.” They can be liquid or solid, translucent or bursting with color, and derived from a laundry list of different ingredients. Finding the best lip gloss can help give you that extra boost of confidence with a level of quality that you can count on.
While beauty products may seem superficial at their core, they can actually add a lot more value to our lives than solely “looking” good. People often turn to beauty products like lip gloss in times of distress for a pick-me-up. A recent survey of 2,000 American women found that during the pandemic, 51 percent of women put on makeup and changed their looks in order to help them to cope with current affairs. The results from this study showed that millennial women overwhelmingly utilize this coping mechanism, at 63 percent. Meanwhile, their Gen X counterparts were closely behind at 54 percent. This sense of control also had a direct impact on respondents’ moods as well with 36 percent reporting being in better spirits after incorporating new beauty products.
Unfortunately, the world of retail make-up is full of knockoffs, low quality products and even products that could put you at danger. Researchers from Aston University found that the overwhelming majority (more than nine in ten!) of currently in-use makeup products contain potentially life-threatening superbugs like E.coli and Staphylococci. Exposing one’s face or eyes to such contaminated cosmetics may result in serious skin infections or conjunctivitis. That’s why it’s important to trust the brands you’re buying from and keep your makeup clean.
Well, that’s the bad news. The good news is that with just a bit of background research, you can be sure that you’re investing in safe products that will be worth your time and money. Taking quality, safety and value into consideration – StudyFinds searched the web to find the best lip glosses and shines. For our findings, we visited 10 of the leading expert websites to see which glosses were rated the best. If we missed your favorite shimmery product, let us know in the comments!

The List: Best Lip Gloss, According to Experts
1. Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer
Highly rated for its shimmery finish, decadent scent and diverse shades, the Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer is unanimously agreed as one of the top lip glosses of all time. “Available in six glossy, shimmery shades ranging from clears to nudes and pinks, each one is made to look amazing on every skin tone in true Fenty fashion. The best part is the formula is chock full of shea butter, so it’s comfortable to wear on even the most parched lips. And the light peach-vanilla scent is just a sweet bonus,” writes Forbes.

The formula is highly-rated for keeping lips hydrated and natural-looking. “Comfortable, long-wearing, hydrating, plumping—what more could you want from a lip gloss? We’d expect nothing less from Rihanna,” says Harper’s Bazaar.
According to Elle Magazine, “Chunky bits of glitter? Never. This gloss is super smooth, plumping, and looks great on everybody.”
2. Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil
If you’re looking for a high-end lip product with super nourishing ingredients, Dior’s Lip Glow Oil is a beauty editor go-to. “Everyone got obsessed with the Dior Lip Glow Oil and for good reason. It leaves your lips looking wet and glossy while emphasizing your natural lip color,” says Elle Magazine.

Reviewers also love this product for its efficiency, saying though the product is on the smaller side that a little bit goes a long way. “Somewhere between a gloss and a balm is this sheer tint, which coddles lips with moisture and the prettiest wash of color,” adds Harper’s Bazaar.
Forbes writes: “At last, a product that leaves your lips with a glow, and by that we mean a shade just a bit more pigmented and elevated than your natural color. Although the product name seems to suggest the formula lies on the greasier side, it actually has the characteristics of a lip gloss without being too sticky or thick. If your lips tend to be drier, this lip glow will moisturize while simultaneously enhancing your look.”
3. Glossier Lip Gloss
A lip shine worthy of the company name, Glossier’s Lip Gloss is a top-rated choice due to its non-sticky formula and affordable price point. “This editor favorite and cult-followed lip gloss has garnered over 1,800 reviews that rate four stars or higher. We’re guessing it’s not just for the long-lasting shine and the doe-foot applicator that grabs just the right amount of gloss so you can apply (and reapply) in one swift swipe. The stars of this show are the vitamin E and jojoba oil that moisturize and prevent future dryness,” states Forbes.

The gloss is available in four shades with a high finish look. “If you want a lip gloss your hair won’t stick to (which, um, been there), look no further than this one from Glossier. It gives lips a reflective shine without the stickiness of your go-to from 2004,” adds Cosmopolitan.
According to The Independent, “Presented in a compact tube that fits neatly into our bag, we found the integral applicator distributed gloss without any gloopy residue appearing. Plus, a tiny bit goes a long way and stayed put for hours too.”
4. Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Lip Bath
If you’re left feeling like your lips could use a little va-va-voom, Charlotte Tilbury’s Collagen Lip Bath is the top-rated lip gloss to leave you feeling perfectly plump. “Packed with skin-friendly ingredients like marine collagen, it claims to create a smoothing and plumping effect that instantly adds the appearance of volume to your pout. Its five shades—all versatile nude and pink variations—are universally flattering. And, while its heart-shaped applicator is adorable, it also serves a practical purpose by allowing us to swipe the gloss directly along the contours of our lips,” says Byrdie.

The product line is also cruelty-free and full of ingredients that won’t irritate your skin. “The coating stayed put even after drinking a cuppa, and we found a slick of this uplifting lip gloss made our make-up look appear elevated, without much effort,” writes The Independent.
5. Maybelline Lifter Gloss Lip Gloss
Coming in as the most budget-friendly pick, Maybelline’s Lifter Gloss Lip Gloss and its wide accessibility doesn’t stop it from being one of the most highly-recommended lip glosses among experts. “Hydrating (thanks to its hyaluronic-acid packed formula), super shiny and comfortable on the lips, this $8 gloss stacks up against the more luxe options on the market. It comes in 20 shades, which is more than any other brand on this list offers. And since application is everything, we especially love the large doe-foot wand that coats your entire mouth in a single swipe,” says Forbes.

The gloss features a hydrating formula and angled applicator for great coverage. “Cult favorites gain a following for a reason, and Maybelline New York‘s Lifter Gloss Lip Gloss is no exception. The fan-favorite gloss has over 20,000 reviews on Amazon so far, with more than 15 colors to choose,” points out Insider.
“This gloss smooths and hydrated lips thanks to hyaluronic acid. Plus, we love all the shade options,” adds Harper’s Bazaar, along with a customer review that says: “‘I love this lip gloss. I gave this one as a present but I have another one that I just love, it’s so pretty and it shines on the lips.'”
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Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations.