13 Best Drugstore Lip Glosses to Level up Your Glam Quotient
Updated on Feb 19, 2024
After a decade full of ardor for bold, matte lipsticks, every makeup junkie today wants to secure the best lip gloss for their arsenal! This is because while the former gives a slightly mature look to your facial aesthetic, the latter gives it a shiny, satin finish and a healthy plumpness that makes you appear younger. However, this doesn’t mean that lip glosses are juvenile or only suitable for teens, as celebrities like Jessica Alba, Beyonce and Kendall Jenner have time and again taught us how glossy lips can be made to look professional yet chic. “I keep lip gloss everywhere. It always makes me feel like I am slightly put together,” says American actress, Angela Kinsey.
Another thing that many worry about is that lip glosses don’t offer versatility and every makeup look of theirs would appear alike — professional, romantic, glamorous, casual, etc. This is far from true as lip glosses come in various types and finishes for you to jazz things up for every occasion. Here are some types:
1. Sheer Lip Gloss: The quintessential lip gloss that is either colorless or consists of a subtle tinge that gives your lips a delectable, kissable, wet look! A sheer lip gloss can be applied as it is or layered over a lipstick.
2. Shimmer Lip Gloss: Perfect to skyrocket your glam quotient — shimmer lip glosses consist of ultra-fine reflective particles that give a starry allure to your lips.
3. Glitter Lip Gloss: Often confused with shimmer lip glosses, these formulations consist of chunkier reflective particles for a bold, extravagant, barbiecore look.
4. Matte Lip Gloss: While the name fuses two polar lip products together, matte lip glosses offer the most subtle, professional and widely desirable lip gloss aesthetic.
Another benefit some lip glosses offer is that they come in moisturizing formulas, infused with vitamin E, squalene and other humectants, so your lips will not only look healthy and plump but will also get nourished simultaneously. You’re in luck and we’ve listed some of our recommendations for the same in the list below. Scroll away and enjoy!
Our top picks
13 Best Drugstore Lip Glosses
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Butter Gloss comes with a buttery smooth formula to ensure a selfie-worthy pout with a soft glow. The drugstore lip gloss has already been a favorite of influencers and has 80K+ rave reviews on Amazon. This sheer liquid lipgloss gives a delectable glossy finish and sheer coverage when applied over natural lip shade. The butter gloss claims to make your lips kissable, and supple every time of use.
Pros
- Available in 15 shades
- Melts onto the lips
- Doesn’t feel sticky
- Cruelty-free
- Long-lasting
- Plumps the lips
Cons
- Bleeds after some time
2
Rimmel Stay Glossy Lipgloss
Rimmel Stay Glossy is one good drugstore lip gloss that comes with a shiny extend technology to bless your lips with killing high glow features. The double moisture formula of the gloss ensures that your lips don’t dry out with time, on the other hand, the long-lasting formula of the product promises to keep the product intact for up to 6 hours without reapplication. The non-toxic product comes in 15 shades most of which are universally flattering.
Pros
- Smooth and buttery formula
- High-shine gloss
- Long-lasting
- Makes pout soft and kissable
- Free of harmful chemicals
Cons
- Poor applicator
3
Broadway Vita-Lip Clear Lip Gloss Set
Treat yourself to a pack of assorted clear lip gloss from the Broadway Vita-Lip range. The most drool-worthy part of the product is the yummylicious fragrance. The clear drugstore lip gloss comes with 5 different lip glosses— featuring coconut oil, mango butter, rosehip oil, and vitamin E to soften the lips and at the same time heal them. The lip-smacking drool-worthy lip gloss range promises to hydrate it with a cooling effect throughout the day.
Pros
- Moisturizes throughout the day
- Protects the lips
- Reduces fine lines
- Soften the pout
- Not sticky
- Gives an amazing finish
Cons
- Packaging could be sturdier
4
Best Lightweight Formula
Revlon Super Lustrous The Gloss
Revlon Super Lustrous The Gloss is one of the cheap lip glosses that give you a premium finish without burning a hole in your pocket. The iconic shiny gloss gives an ultra-smooth finish to your precious pout with its major moisturizing formula. The lightweight texture will not make you feel that you are even wearing anything! Loaded with exotic ingredients like cupuacu butter, agave, and moringa oil, the lipgloss makes lips soft, plump and kissable.
Pros
- Available in 24 shades
- Light-as-air
- Oversized applicator
- Non-sticky
- Hydrates the lips
- Makes them look plumper
Cons
- The color payoff could be better
5
NICKAK NEW YORK Lip Gel Set
NICKAK NEW YORK Lip Gel offers you a pack of 5 different shades featuring flavors like— cherry, bubble gum, rosehip oil, strawberry, and clear. The dewy tube lip gloss gives you a mirror-like finish while ensuring your pout remains as comfortable as it is without any coat. The flexible applicator allows you to comfortably put your gloss to give you a feather-like finish for the whole day. Not to miss, the rosehip oil present in the product protects your lips at the same time!
Pros
- Non-drying formula
- Lightweight
- Long-lasting
- Lip-smacking flavors
- Mirror finish
- Glides on smoothly
Cons
- The packaging leaks
6
Ideal for Everyday Looks
L’Oreal Paris Makeup Infallible 8 Hour Pro Gloss
L’Oreal Paris Makeup Infallible Pro Gloss is a cult-favorite long-lasting lipgloss that gives you a high-shine finish for up to 8 hours. The hydrating formula, meanwhile, takes care of your lips to make sure they remain plumpy and moisturized. The precise applicator provides an even application and ensures maximum color deposit to avoid reapplication. It is available in 20 different shades that won’t fade or bleed to look classy throughout the day.
Pros
- Long-lasting
- High-shine
- Smooth finish
- Wide range of shades
- Glides smoothly
- Pigmented
Cons
- Not for sensitive skin
7
Best Cost-effective Set
SHANY The Wanted Ones - 12 Piece Lip Gloss Set
SHANY The Wanted Ones comes with a pack of 12 premium lip glosses that are worthy for any type of skin. The lip gloss sticks give a shimmery and translucent finish that enhances your pout for a natural finish. With the goodness of aloe vera and vitamin E, this set of glosses deserves a place in your stash. Furthermore, the premium-looking product comes with a long applicator to glide over smoothly on your lips.
Pros
- Wide range of shades
- Affordable price
- Melts on the lips
- Nourishes the lips
- PETA-approved
- True-to-color shades
Cons
- Not long-lasting
8
Burt's Bees 100% Natural Lip Shine
Burt's Bees Lip Shine comes with a cutesy package loaded with a sheer gloss that gives a radiant finish to your lips. This irresistible lip shine is one good drugstore lip gloss that gives you the desired shiny finish for smooth lips. With 100 percent natural ingredients like sunflower seed oil and apricot wax, the gloss hydrates your lips all day long without bleeding the color. Pair them with your favorite lipstick or alone to seal the deal!
Pros
- Natural ingredients
- Moisturizes lips
- Shimmery finish
- 6 different shades
- Super shiny finish
- Loaded with natural oils
Cons
- Unappealing smell
9
Best Shimmery Finish
Nicole Miller NEW YORK Lip Gloss Collection
Nicole Miller Lip Gloss range is a collection of colored lip glosses that gives you instant shiny lips to go well with the trending style of shiny pout in the beauty industry. The lipgloss gives you a shimmery finish that doesn’t dry out your lips and keeps them moisturized throughout the day. The collection is claimed to be free of harmful toxins, and cruelty-free. This convenient and travel-friendly pack allows you to carry it with you anywhere anytime.
Pros
- Shimmery finish
- 10 available colors
- High-shine
- Free of chemicals or parabens
- Plumpy lips
- Premium packaging
Cons
- Not long-lasting
10
Value-for-money
Ellen Tracy Lip Gloss Collection
The Ellen Tracy Lip Gloss Collection comes with 10 pieces of lipglosses that give a shimmery finish to your lips with just one swipe. The richly pigmented formula is free from any harsh chemicals, toxins, preservatives, and alcohol to make sure that beauty doesn’t come at the cost of health. Get the perfect radiant pout on the go by laying your hands on one of the best drugstore lip glosses available online.
Pros
- Cruelty-free
- Moisturizes lips
- 10 different shades
- Free from harmful preservatives
- Pigmented
- Travel-friendly
Cons
- Rough applicator
11
Best Hydrating
L'Oreal Paris Glow Paradise Balm-In-Gloss
L'Oreal Paris Glow Paradise Balm-In-Gloss gives you a high-end finish at the budget of a drugstore lipgloss. The balm-in-gloss revolutionary product stands true to its name and instantly moisturizes your lips when you apply it. The buildable yet lightweight formula allows you to reapplication without making your lips heavy. Available in 12 shades, the lipsticks are richly pigmented and give you the desired finish every time you apply. Other than these, the lip glosses are specially made for people with sensitive skin, and this feature gives it yet another brownie point.
Pros
- Wide range of shades
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Moisturizes lips
- High-end finish
- Dermatologist-tested
- Silky smooth look
12
Townley Girl Disney Princess Lip Gloss Set
Townley Girl Disney Princess Lip Gloss Set comes with cutesy packaging that will make it irresistible for you to grab. The lip gloss lipstick package offers 7 different colors that will set the perfect party mood for you. The shimmery drool-worthy finish is another plus point that makes the set perfect to ace a nighttime look. The assorted flavors smell so great that you will want to keep hoarding them over and over again.
Pros
- Shimmery finish
- Assorted flavors
- Different colors
- Cute packaging
- Best for playful looks
Cons
- Has chemicals
13
Best Delectable Flavor
Feel Foxy Honey Gloss Set
Feel Foxy Honey Lip Glosses are packed with assorted fruit flavors like— apple, bubble gum, strawberry, cherry, grape, peach, watermelon, and orange. Enjoy the refreshing fruity flavored light lip glosses that are loaded with the goodness of vitamin E. The lip product keeps your lips shiny and smooth all day long without even the need for an application. Create an envious refreshing look with the help of these stunning lip glosses!
Pros
- Refreshing
- Assorted flavors
- 6 different shades
- Smoothen out lips
- Moisturizes
- Easy-to-use
Cons
- Not for sensitive skin
What to Look for in a Drugstore Lip Gloss?
Before you get your hands on one of the products, let us make the picking process clear—
a) Composition- Composition plays the biggest part when you choose any beauty product. If you have sensitive skin, the search for a good product makes it more difficult for you. Go for natural ingredients products loaded with organic components to avoid the chance to harm your skin in the name of beauty.
b) Texture- The texture should always be buttery and must glide on your lips effortlessly. However, it should be kept in mind that the less creamy the texture is less sticky it would be.
c) Finish- The finish of your lip gloss is subjective as it depends on your desire. You can pick the product depending on whether you like shimmery particles or glitter ones.
c) Pigmentation- Pigmentation plays a big role when you wear lipgloss alone without anything underneath. Some lipglosses have an opaque formula, while some come with rich pigmentation that doesn’t require anything for building up color.
d) Effectiveness- Lipgloss stays for a much lesser time on your lips than lipsticks, however, there are a few lipglosses that claim to stay for a decent amount of time. The thumb rule is that the less sticky the more longevity.
Tips to Wear a Lip Gloss
1. Always Prep Before You Start: It is a good idea to nourish your lips first with a hydrating lip balm to maintain their health and texture. Also, this prevents your makeup products from drying out or causing discoloration on your lips. Then, layer it up with a lip primer.
2. Determine the Shade As Per Your Skin Tone: People with really fair skin may want to avoid ultra-pigmented and intense colors such as wine, carmine, plum, coffee brown, etc., whereas dark-skinned beauties should refrain from using soft and subtle shades, such as baby pink, mauve or coral. The right lip gloss shade is the one that does not camouflage with your skin color but also doesn’t create an over-the-top contrast.
3. To Layer Or Not to Layer: If you want to soften the intense look of a matte lipstick, then it is a great idea to layer it up with some colorless sheer lip lacquer. Such pigmented yet satin-textured lips would give your face a classy and evergreen 1950s aesthetic, especially if you are going for vibrant colors such as cherry red. However, for a subtle everyday look, opt for a lightly-pigmented sheer lip gloss to effortlessly spruce up your look.
4. Avoid Over-applying the Product: Unlike buildable lipstick formulas, a lip gloss wouldn’t last or become shinier if you rub too much product onto your lips. Instead, it will only make your lips sticky, goopy and uncomfortable. Hence, apply an adequate amount only on your bottom lip, and dab your lips together to evenly distribute the gloss all over them for best results.
5. Glam Up: For special occasions such as work events, proms, wedding receptions, cocktail nights, garden parties, etc., always go for shimmery or (if you’re feeling bold) glitter lip glosses over sheer ones to add that extra shine and beautiful finish.
Lip glosses are currently taking over the timelines of our favorite beauty celebrities! These best drugstore lip glosses are definitely worth a try to keep up with the trend. Plus, these glosses are comfortable to wear, and don’t make your lips crack and dehydrated. Choosing one from the ones that are available in the market can be a little tricky! Hope this list has helped you to pick the right one.
FAQ's
Does lip gloss damage lips?
Like any other lip cosmetic, lip glosses are generally safe for your lips if used in moderation along with a healthy lip care routine. However, it is a good idea to avoid investing in formulas that contain denat alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, mineral oil, phthalates, etc. in addition to ingredients that you may be allergic to.
Which lip gloss is not sticky?
The L’Oréal Paris Makeup Tinted Lip Balm-in-Gloss, Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss and Broadway Vita-Lip Clear Lip Gloss are some of the best non-sticky lip glosses out there!
Can lip gloss help in healing chapped lips?
Healing and nourishing the lips is a feature of a lip balm or petroleum jelly over any other product. However, if your lip gloss formula happens to contains skin-friendly humectants such as squalene and aloe vera gel, then you can also experience some improvement in the health and texture of your lips.
Does a lip gloss moisturize lips?
Only if they are rich in hydrating ingredients such as aloe vera, squalene, mango seed butter, organic honey, etc. However, a cheap-quality lip gloss composed of alcohols, phthalates, and sticky emulsifiers can in fact dry your lips out, despite giving them a plump, wet and healthy aesthetic.
Are all the lip glosses shiny?
The name lip gloss itself makes it imperative for these products to have a shiny finish. However, while some products deliver a wet-looking, satin finish, others give a shimmery finish to your lips — be it with or without any pigment.
Are lip glosses long-lasting?
Lip glosses are quintessentially less long-lasting than a conventional lipstick. However, the lasting power of a lip gloss depends entirely on the formulation of the individual product. Glosses with a longer lasting power may feel slightly grippy (but not necessarily uncomfortable) on your lips, whereas slicker formulations that feel slippery on the lips come off more easily.
Which is better – chapstick or lip gloss?
Well, both products have different uses — the former for lip care and nourishment, whereas the latter for makeup aesthetics. But, on comparing the two, a chapstick is certainly a better option as many formulas offer slight pigmentation and shine, which is nearly as good as that offered by lip glosses.
Why Trust Pinkvilla
Let's admit that one of the hottest trends of the 00s, glossy lips, is slowly sneaking its way into our makeup routine and it is safe to claim that it is here to stay! From runway to makeup stores, lip glosses are undoubtedly so in! Considering this, Sayantani, who owns a great collection of lip glosses, rounded off the best drugstore ones from that to help you level up your glam quotient without spending a hefty amount on that. And we believe, they are worth a try!
Our product experts study the specifications of every product we suggest and try them out to bring what’s proven to be worthy of your money, time, and energy. We also have subject matter experts from various fields like Fashion, Skincare, Haircare, Home Decor, and Health & Fitness onboard to make sure our suggestions are credible and trustworthy. You can trust select to be your faithful shopping guide for all the right reasons!
Author BIO
Sayantani is a certified hair and makeup professional turned writer with 2+ years of experience in the same genre. Ap More
