Since their heyday in the ’90s, lips so shiny they’re borderline disarming have been back on the up-and-up for a couple years now, and the trend doesn’t seem to be letting up anytime soon. But best of all? These next-gen glosses don’t feel like glue, making them this week’s Chosen Ones.
Lip gloss is back, people. While the last few years have been pretty matte-tastic, that intensely glossy look that marked the era of Delia’s(RIP) has made a full-fledged comeback.
Even the kween of matte, Kylie, and the lipstick powerhouse Colourpop, are ushering in the era of high shine with respective lines of glosses. But it’s brands like Glossier and Fenty Beauty that are really leading this trend. Even as relatively new brands, they’ve gathered cult followings and even meme fame.
Below are our favorites of the nex-gen lip glosses that go on smooth, feel nourishing, and are substantially less glue-like than their predecessors.
It Cosmetics Vitality Lip Blush Hydrating Gloss Soft Stain
It Cosmetics peddles this as being for “anyone who wants to drench their lips in hydration with long-wearing, naturally pretty sheer color.” And they’re not lying. This signature formula hydrates and nourishes your lips to the nth degree, using butters and oils to do what it promises. Bring on the Baby Spice vibes.
Glossier Lip Gloss
The hype is real. This crowd pleaser is not only cute (duh, it’s Glossier), but it’s also hypoallergenic, dermatologist tested, paraben free, alcohol free, cruelty free, and vegan—and loaded with Vitamin E. It’s lovely on its own or as a top gloss over a traditional lipstick. with other colors.
Fenty Beauty Cosmic Gloss Lip Glitter
RiRi has taken over the beauty world with her new Fenty line. For real, one of her models (the beautiful Slick Woods) is now Google’s definition of beauty. Like the rest of the line, the product is intended to work across a broad range of skintones. And in addition to being a lip gloss, it leans even harder into the 90s by beingsuperglittery.
Hourglass Extreme Sheen High Shine Lip Gloss
This “pure pigment, pure shine” product isn’t tested on animals and is formulated without parabens, sulfates, or phthalates. It’s most standout quality is probably the vibrancy of its colors—something one doesn’t necessarily attribute to a normal gloss. It’s also silky AF; to borrow a phrase from a Sephora review, it’s “like cashmere for your lipsike cashmere for your lips.”
Jouer Cosmetics High Pigment Lip Gloss
While Jouer might not have the fanatic following of Fenty and Glossier, this brand is steadily building buzz, and among its converts, this gloss is a fave. Like the Hourglass gloss, these bring intense color into the game, while still providing a ton of hydration.
