This "Dated" Lipstick Trend Is Back in a Big Way
After scrolling through the epic BAFTAs and Oscars beauty looks recently, one thing has become clear. There's a change in the air in terms of lipstick. For a while now, we've seen velvety matte lipsticks take centre stage on the red carpet and our feeds. And what's not to love? A matte lipstick works for all occasions while giving us long-lasting wear and pigment. It's also a French-girl makeup staple when worn alone with minimal, natural makeup. However, as we enter into the warmer months, we're seeing a shift to glossy lipstick—and seeing it everywhere.
When I think of glossy lipstick, I immediately get transported back to the Boots aisles during the 2000s. In the height of Lancôme Juicy Tube mania, I was obsessed with that lacquered, super-shiny lip look. Every lipstick advert in the magazines had those ultra-shiny, wet-look formulas, and I distinctly remember buying every almost every shade of Maybelline's Watershine lipstick. And as someone who has chronically dry lips (I'm never more than two feet away from a lip balm), I'm welcoming this hydrating lipstick trend with open arms.
After bringing the topic up in the Who What Wear UK offices, it is apparent that we're all obsessed with glossy lipsticks once again. Thankfully, the formulas this time around are far more long-lasting, packed with hydrating ingredients and, most importantly, less likely to stick to your hair on a windy day. Ahead, you'll find the 15 best glossy lipsticks that we've tried and think are worth it. Time to shine!
The 15 Best Glossy Lipsticks
Laura Harrier with glossy lipstick at the Oscars.
1. YSL Beauty Rouge Volupte Candy Glaze Lipstick
After some digging on makeup artist Harold James's Instagram, I found the details of Laura Harrier's glossy lipstick, which is from YSL Beauty. James used Rouge Volupte Candy Glaze Lipstick in the shade 04 Nude Pleasure on Harrier, which was layered over lip liner. If you want something a little more sheer in pigment, this glossy lipstick is the way to go.
2. Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm
Beauty editor Eleanor Vousden wearing Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm in Pink Mist.
Trust me when I say that these Hourglass Volumizing Glossy Balm lipsticks have a hold on us in the Who What Wear office. So much so, when Who What Wear insights manager Sophie shared that she lost hers on a recent evening out, we all gave our condolences. These are ultra glossy and feel more like a nourishing lip balm thanks to the hydrating and plumping formula (expect a slight tingle), which also manages to be surprisingly long-lasting. When you do need to top up, however, it's a rather chic experience. The gold pen is perfect for popping in your bag, and you simply twist the base to push the product up.
3. Clinique Almost Lipstick
Who What Wear UK deputy editor Maxine Eggenberger rates Clinique's Almost Lipstick in Black Honey, which is universally flattering.
Clinique's iconic Almost Lipstick in Black Honey has become a modern beauty icon, and it also happens to be a great glossy lipstick, as Who What Wear UK deputy editor Maxine Eggenberger attests. "Clinique's Black Honey Almost Lipstick was the first lipstick I ever purchased, and it remains one of my favourites to this day," she says. "Yet another product I've devoted countless paragraphs to, it boasts buildable colour, a soft, just-kissed edge and a glossy finish—a look that's incredibly coveted right now. Use one layer to enhance your natural lip colour; two to create a deeper satin; or three, which, on my alabaster skin tone, creates a wearable berry shade. It’s the lipstick I reach for when I don’t want to look too ‘done,’ which is pretty much my entire makeup aesthetic right now. Not only do I love it, but my mum, aunt, and grandma also carry Black Honey in their handbags at all times. Such is its appeal."
4. MAC Lustreglass Sheer Shine Lipstick
MAC's Lustreglass Sheer Shine Lipsticks are so pretty. Delivering all-day moisture coupled with a sheer wash of colour, they look great worn alone or layered over a lip liner for a bolder finish. The shade Thanks, It's MAC has been blowing up on TikTok, but Hug Me is equally as covetable.
5. Beauty Pie Futurelipstick Luxe Shine
Price shown is member price.
This lipstick is buttery soft, drenching lips in moisture while imparting an expensive sheen that smooths over the lips. Beauty Pie formulated this lipstick in Italy, and those in the know will spot that the best lipstick formulations always come out of Italy, so you should definitely snap this up if you're in the market for a new glossy lipstick.
6. Chanel Rouge Coco Ultra Hydrating Lip Colour
There's nothing chicer than a Chanel lipstick, but this lipstick isn't just all looks. The formulation is so hydrating, lending lips a healthy sheen. That's down to the combination of three vegetable waxes: mimosa, jojoba and sunflower.
7. Revlon Super Lustrous Glass Shine Lipstick
Revlon's Super Lustrous Glass Shine Lipsticks went TikTok viral earlier this year, and these really did kick-start out obsession with glossy lips again. Rum Raisin is the shade to pick up (if you can manage to find it in stock), a muted pink-brown that glides on with high-shine payoff. And for £9, it's super affordable too.
8. Fenty Beauty Slip Shine Sheer Shiny Lipstick
When you want a no-fuss lipstick that you can swipe on, Fenty's Slip Shine is one you can count on. As the name suggests, it's more sheer than some of the other glossy lipsticks here, but it delivers just the right hint of pigment so you can easily apply it without having to worry if it's perfectly applied. It also contains a whole bunch of hydrating ingredients, making it ideal if you want a tinted glossy look that also cares for your lips.
9. Charlotte Tilbury Hyaluronic Happikiss
Who What Wear UK managing editor Poppy Nash rates Charlotte Tilbury's glossy Hyaluronic Happikiss for evenings out. "I got Charlotte Tilbury's Hyaluronic Happikiss one Christmas, and now I can't be without it," she says. "I love a wash of this before a night out, as it leaves my lips looking plumper and healthier, feeling more nourished, and it gives them a lovely colour. (I have the classic Pillow Talk shade but equally love the peachy tones.) One thing I would flag is this is pretty glossy. Not one for wearing if the wind is strong, that's for sure!"
10. Bobbi Brown Nourishing Lip Color
Every single shade of this glossy lipstick is perfection, but this Claret hue is great if you want a hydrating lipstick that brings a little bit of drama for the evening. Enriched with a cocktail of avocado, babassu, jojoba, olive oils and cocoa seed butter, it drenches lips in moisture while providing a heart punch of pigment payoff.
11. Chantecaille Lip Chic
It was love at first application with this lipstick. It's now a mainstay in my handbag to swipe on whenever I want a hint of low-commitment colour with a glossy finish. I have seriously dry lips, and most lipsticks make the situation even worse, but this one manages to restore and protect my lips from cold weather and aggressive office air con. The shade Passiflora is a perfect neutral pink that pairs well with any makeup look.
12. Dior Dior Addict Hydrating Shine Lipstick
Dior's lipsticks are great across the board, but if its a high-shine formula (and chic packaging) that you're after, then try the Dior Addict Hydrating Shine Lipstick. One swipe delivers long-lasting colour and a nourishing treat to the lips.
13. Charlotte Tilbury Superstar Lips
If you want a long-lasting glossy lipstick, then Charlotte Tilbury's Superstar Lips is the ones to go for. The formula contains not only hydrating hyaluronic acid but also diamond powder (pretty cool, right?) to add that extra sparkle and shine.
14. Guerlain Kisskiss Shine Bloom Lipstick
Just take a look at this pretty red hue and that lipstick casing. The formula inside is just a luxe with an ultra-glossy finish that glides onto lips. This is a lipstick that makes you feel expensive when you wear it.
15. With Gratitude Dewy Lip Balm
I've not tried a product that I don't like from Rare Beauty, so it comes as no surprise that this dewy lip balm is also a winner. It drenches lips in moisture, adding a healthy, luminous glow.
Up Next, I Just Tried a Full Face of Charlotte Tilbury—These Products Are Worth Buying
Eleanor Vousden is the beauty editor for Who What Wear UK. She was previously deputy editor at Hairdressers Journal, health writer at Woman & Home and junior beauty editor at beauty website Powder. She has also contributed to Wallpaper and Elle Collections with written and styling work.Working as a beauty journalist since 2015 after graduating in fashion journalism at the London College of Fashion, she has been highly commended at the BSME Talent Awards for her work on Powder and also contributed to the title winning Website of the Year at the PPA Awards.Eleanor’s journalistic focus is to provide readers with honest and helpful beauty content. Through words, video and live broadcast, she has interviewed several celebrity makeup artists, hairstylists and top dermatologists throughout her career, as well as celebrities such as Sarah Jessica Parker and Scarlett Johansson. She has a particular interest in finding solutions for acne and eczema, which she has experienced firsthand. She has also amassed a large collection of fragrances and can never say no to a new candle.When she’s not writing or testing the latest beauty product or treatments, she’s on the seafront in her hometown of Brighton and Hove, where she lives with her partner and her miniature dachshund.
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