Preparation
If you’re looking to add a hint of color and sparkle to your lips, glosses are one of your best options. Today’s formulas and finishes are elevated and subtle (think shine, not shimmer) and boast moisturizing formulas to boot. But when you consider the plethora of options on the market, finding the best product for you can be a challenge. According to makeup artist and CTZN Cosmetics co-founder Naseeha Khan, a lip gloss should check two specific boxes: They need to provide color and skin benefits. “Nailing the right formula is the key to making a good gloss,” Khan says, which “should be infused with natural butters, oils, and [other nourishing] ingredients.”
Celebrity makeup artist Liz Lash agrees, adding that a lip gloss should also be wearable. “A formula that dries out your lips and makes them crack defeats the whole purpose,” she notes. They also shouldn’t feel sticky or tacky. “This is critical in the COVID-19 era: You don’t want a gloss that’s going to make your mask stick to your lips. A lip gloss that goes on smooth is usually hydrating and makes for a better experience.” With that in mind, we asked Lash, Khan, and celebrity makeup artist Renée Loiz for their lip gloss recommendations. Scroll down to discover their top picks—alongside a few of our own go-to formulas—and find the right formula for you.
Laura Mercier “Lip Glacé” Lip GlossSaint Jane Beauty Luxury Lip ShineTower28 “ShineOn” Lip JellyPat McGrath “LUST” Lip GlossMaybelline “Lip Lifter” Gloss with Hyaluronic Acid
