Sorry matte lip fans, this year it’s all about the glossed, plumped pout. It’s seemingly yet another 90s trend making a comeback, along with ballet flats and pedal pushers, but with a more modern twist.
Instead of sticky, glittery formulas, think glass-like glosses packed with skincare ingredients that hydrate and plump - the antidote to the ultra-matte liquid lipsticks that left our lips dry and flat. I have to admit, I too was a fan of the Rimmel Stay Matte collection back in 2017, before I moved to more satin finishes. But seemingly, this transition was only a gloss lippy gateway to a world of juicy, high-shine pouts.
As a self-confessed gloss addict, beauty writer, and makeup enthusiast, I've picked out some of the best lipglosses to add to your cosmetics collection in 2024. From plumping formulas from the likes of Huda and Charlotte Tilbury, to affordable beauty picks from Kiko Milano and Maybelline - here are the top-rated, tried and tested, shopper loved picks:
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Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer - £19
Gloss Bomb has proved to be one of the most popular lip glosses because of the conditioning yet non-sticky feel it leaves on the skin and the plumped up effect it gives. It has also been praised by how the shades really do suit everyone – no surprise coming from Rihanna's beauty brand, which has championed inclusivity ever since the launch of its first foundation in 2017.
The suits-all, shimmery lip plumper and a constant bestseller is a favourite with celebs and make-up artists, gaining even more fame after it became a favourite in the Love Island villa.
Melisha Kaur, fashion and beauty content editor for The Mirror, says ‘one swipe’ of this Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer is enough for the perfect pout. She said: “As someone who wears lip gloss pretty much every day, I'm always trying out new ones, but nothing beats this bad boy from Rihanna's Fenty Beauty line. I love it for its non-sticky, buildable formula and long-lasting wear.
“Just one swipe of the product amps up lip volume. Thanks to its conditioning ingredients like shea butter, your pout will be left super-hydrated as well. My favourite shades are RIRI, the perfect pink hue, and Fenty Glow which offers a shimmering rose nude colour. Both are universally-flattering and absolutely gorgeous.”
Senior Beauty and Fashion writer Bethan Shufflebotham added: "I wear this product most days, especially in the summer months. I feel like Fenty Glow really makes my features pop and the way it catches the sunlight is stunning."
Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Big Lip Plumpgasm - £27
With one Pillow Talk product sold every two seconds, it’s safe to say that Charlotte Tilbury’s flagship range is one of the most iconic in the industry. And her latest Plumpgasm lipgloss is set to follow suit. Priced at £27 , the gloss comes in two universally flattering shades, fair/med and med/dark, designed to provide fuller, smoother lips in seconds.
The gloss features a unique Heat + Ice Technology that cools as it works, with plump-effect Collageneer and hyaluronic acid to reveal a "juicy, plumped up pout".
Senior Beauty and Fashion writer Bethan Shufflebotham said: “The diamond tip applicator is a nice shape and size which allows for an even application. It’s well-pigmented and not patchy, which means you can opt for one swipe, or load it on if you so wish. The tingling sensation is almost immediate but it’s not painful or uncomfortable - though it does last a while after application - and five minutes later, my lips looked super juicy and plumped.
“But it wasn’t the results that impressed me the most, it was the texture of the gloss , which isn’t at all sticky or oily, instead, it’s really balmy and comfortable to wear and thanks to hyaluronic acid in the ingredients list, kept my lips feeling hydrated all day, too. It is a triple threat of a balm, plumper and lip colour in one, and according to the makeup artist, ‘the more you wear it, the more your natural lips look plumper and smoother’, so I’ll be very excited to see how this fairs in the coming months with regular use.”
KIKO Milano 3D Hydra Lipgloss - £10.99
Coming in at £10.99, the KIKO Milano 3D Hydra Lipgloss is one of the most affordable on the list. But it’s not just the purse-friendly price point that has seen it go viral on TikTok, but the results it delivers, too.
Available in a whopping 26 shades , the gloss is made with bidens extract that effortlessly glides across the lips without leaving a sticky residue. The soft wand applicator helps accentuate the natural outline, leaving lips visibly plump and polished.
Senior Beauty and Fashion writer Bethan Shufflebotham tried the clear gloss , and said: “I love that the Kiko glosses can be used alone or over your favourite lipstick. I used mine over MAC Velvet Teddy, and the glassy formula looks gorgeous, immediately transforming my go-to satin lippy into a non-sticky, high-shine gloss. Now I get to wear my signature shade in brand new ways.
“It’s become so popular with beauty fans that a brand representative at Kiko told me they’re struggling to keep hold of stock as it’s selling so fast. And after trying it, it’s easy to see why.”
Milk Makeup Odyssey Lip Oil Gloss - £24
If you want to dip your toe into lip oils, this Milk Makeup Odyssey Lip Oil Gloss is a great place to start. It boasts the hydrating properties of an oil with the high shine of a gloss, infused with nourishing ingredients like jojoba oil and goji berry extract.
But the star ingredient? Literal crushed gemstones. The formula uses crushed sapphires and ruby gemstones to add a gorgeous shimmer - though some users have mentioned it makes the product feel a little ‘gritty’.
One Cult Beauty shoppers said : “I've had this for a while now to try out, I got it in the shade Odyssey which is a clear base with iridescent blue, pink and purple glitters. The lip oil itself is lovely and smooth, not sticky at all and easy to wear, the glitters are a bit gritty to be honest which might be prevented if the lip oil was a bit thicker. Think this is a solid purchase for an everyday lip oil.”
Our senior fashion and beauty writer Bethan added: “The formula is really smooth and comfortable to wear all day, and my lips still feel hydrated long after removing it, too. I have the shade Trek which is a deep rose shade with a subtle shimmer, perfect for summer and flatters a range of skin tones.”
Huda Beauty Faux Filler Extra Shine Lip Gloss - £17.50
Another plumping number perfect for those not wanting to go anywhere near needles, is the newly-launched Huda Beauty Faux Filler Extra Shine Lip Gloss, which is designed to plump, smooth and blur fine lines, while providing multi-dimensional shine.
Active ingredients like vitamin E, vegan collagen and plant-derived melted waxes create a cushion-like texture. Best of all, this formula doesn't give a tingling sensation that some lip plumpers tend to, so you can expect instant volume without any irritation.
The makeup buy is Huda Beauty's first-ever lip gloss and you can purchase it at Boots , with seven stunning shades to choose from - including pink, brown and clear. It has a near-perfect 4.8 star rating on the Boots website based on more than 800 reviews.
One beauty buff shared their thoughts on the £17.50 formula, commenting: “This lip gloss has its pros and cons. The bottle design is undeniably cute and adds a playful touch to any makeup collection. Plus, the shade range good offering something for everyone, which is always a win. The sweet scent is a nice bonus, adding a pleasant touch to the application experience.
“However, it's worth noting a few drawbacks. The applicator could be more precise,as it leads to some product wastage and a less controlled application. Also, the texture leans slightly toward the sticky side, which might not be everyone's preference. Overall, while it may not feel like a high-end luxury product, this lip gloss offers decent quality nothing extraordinary, making it a solid choice for everyday wear.”
Maybelline Lifter Gloss Plumping Hydrating Lip Gloss Hyaluronic Acid - £8.99
Designed to hydrate for a fuller, shinier appearance, Maybelline says the gloss is ‘inspired by golden hour’ offering bronzed and sun-kissed pigments, making it perfect for summer. The gloss stars hyaluronic acid, which will help your lips retain moisture, with the brand adding that “lips will seem more natural thanks to an increase in essential water that also helps you to resist chapping and dryness.”
The lip gloss’ XL wand makes sure contouring your lips is effortless, coming in 15 shades with over 2,000 five star reviews from fans who say it’s ‘not drying’ and ‘super pretty’.
Bethan, our lip gloss-loving reporter, has previously used the gloss and said: “The deep peach shade, Moon, is gorgeous and definitely universally wearable for all - it’s such a lovely colour and the coverage is great. The formula is non-sticky, so anyone with hair-sticking related trauma from the 90s can finally get over their gloss-wearing fear. And it survived the whole day despite eating and drinking, without the need to reapply after every mouthful.”