7 Grown-Up Lip Glosses We Rate
All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products.
Crushed Oil-Infused Gloss, £20 | Bobbi Brown
Best For: A High Shine Finish
SL’s beauty editor swears by this gloss in the shade Rock & Red. At first glance, the colours look intimidating, but as you apply them you’ll see how they translate into more of a wash that you can layer up. They have a balmy quality that feels amazing, but with a high shine finish which goes the distance – expect a glass-like effect that’s unrivalled. Just like others on this list, the applicator has been well thought through, allowing you to push the colour into your lips for easy, sculpted definition.
Available at BobbiBrown.co.uk
Unreal High Shine Volumising Lip Gloss, £29 | Hourglass
Best For: A Softer Texture
If you find your lips often get dry or cracked with other glosses, this one is for you. Hourglass has worked hard to create a texture that ‘cushions’ lips – something that’s earnt it regular 5* reviews. It has a plush, soft feel to it, with ingredients like shea butter, hyaluronic acid and avocado oil working to coat the lips in moisture. On top of that, it goes the distance – you could eat several meals and still find the colour intact afterwards. Plus, with 18 shades available, it’s easy to find one that suits you.
Available at CultBeauty.co.uk
Lifter Gloss Plumping Hydrating Lip Gloss, £8.99 | Maybelline
Best For: Those On A Budget
With consistently high reviews, these silky glosses from Maybelline are brimming with hyaluronic acid for plumped-up hydration. Available in soft, neutral tones, they are great for everyday wear with a smooth finish that never feels sticky or cloying. A single swipe gives lips a fuller look, with just a wash of colour – ideal if you prefer things understated. Extra points for the large applicator which makes sweeping it on easy, wherever you are.
Available at Boots.com
Flawless Lip Gloss, £24 |Suqqu
Best For: A Fuller Effect
Most lipglosses have a plumping effect, but this gloss really does give a fuller finish from the get-go. The brush itself is shaped perfectly to hug and define the lips, while the lightweight gloss has a dewy finish that catches the light for the illusion of a fleshier pout. Added oils keep lips smooth and hydrated, while the suits-all colours are hard to choose between. Our favourite for evening wear is Akamitsu, while Sakurazome is softly impactful for the day.
Available at Selfridges.com
Posh Gloss, £26 | Victoria Beckham Beauty
Best For: Long-Lasting Colour
Victoria Beckham’s lip glosses tick all the right boxes. Packed with hydrating ingredients like aloe butter and vitamin E, they do more than just provide a hit of colour. Instantly, they visibly plump the lips for a fuller effect, and the sheer washes can also be dabbed onto cheeks for extra colour. The shades themselves are sheer, but leave behind a long-lasting flush that wears well with no tacky feel. They look great worn on top of matte lipsticks when you want to enhance shade intensity.
Available at VictoriaBeckhamBeauty.com
Hermèsistible Infused Care Oil Lip Gloss, £44 | Hermès
Best For: Hydration & Nourishment
At £44, these glosses don’t come cheap, but they do double up as skincare for your lips. That’s all thanks to ingredients like fruit and flower oils, as well as glycerine – all of which hydrate, soften and smooth even the driest of lips. It’s these silky ingredients that help you get smooth, even application, with no need for a mirror. They have the type of satisfying texture that makes you want to constantly smack your lips together. As for the shades, there is something for everyone, but we rate Corail Bigarade for the summer – it looks great against tanned and darker skin tones.
Available at HouseOfFraser.com
Squeaky Clean Liquid Lip Balm, £35 | Westman Atelier
Best For: Natural Ingredients
Made without parabens, sulfates, mineral oil or silicones, this aptly named lip gloss is about as natural as it comes. A joy to apply, it has a thick texture that’s loaded with organic oils – think jojoba, shea and almond – to deliver a hefty dose of moisture to the lips. The colours are sheer, but buildable for more impact. One swipe will have you hooked – it glides on smooth, gives a plumper finish, and instantly freshens up any look. We love the flat applicator which helps the gloss to apply evenly with no bleeding.
Available at Selfridges.com
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