Should I Wear Lipstick or Lip Gloss?

Makeup is about expressing yourself and letting your personality shine through, something both lipstick and lip gloss are great for. Which you should use all comes down to your preferences—and, of course, what sort of look you’re after. For example, if your ideal lip is dark, dramatic, vampy, or matte, a lipstick (particularly a liquid lipstick) may provide the results you’re looking for. Those that prefer more of a soft girl aesthetic—think sheer washes of color, full brows, and a lit-from-within glow—may find that lip gloss is better suited for them. Of course, vampy and barely-there are two opposite sides of the spectrum, and there are a whole lot of options between the two. Experiment with different lipsticks and glosses to find the formula (or formulas) that best suit your needs.

How Do You Apply Lip Gloss?

One of the reasons we love lip gloss is that it’s super easy to apply (it typically takes about two seconds). If you want to pair your gloss with lip liner or lipstick, apply that first. Then, using the applicator included with your lip gloss, swipe your gloss over your top and bottom lips, taking care to ensure that it’s evenly distributed. And voila: gorgeous, glossy lips. (If your hand was a little unsteady, go ahead and clean up the edges of your lips with a cotton swab).

Can I Apply Lip Gloss Without Lipstick?

Lip gloss can be (and often is) worn over lipstick, but it’s not necessary—plenty of people wear lip gloss on its own. If color is what you’re after, reach for a pigmented lip gloss, like Butter Gloss, which provides high-intensity color and shine. Or, give your pout a hint of color with This Is Milky Gloss—it’s subtly tinted for a sheerer lip look. If you’d rather shine but no color, that’s totally fine too. Add sheen by swiping the clear Butter Gloss onto bare lips for a no-makeup makeup vibe. Another great option is to pair your gloss with lip liner: It can take your glossy lip to a full ombré moment, if desired. Pro Tip: Dry lips can make your gloss application less-than-even, which may be especially noticeable if you’re using a pigmented formula. The solution? Proper lip care. Keep your pout nourished with a moisturizing lip balm.

Does Lip Gloss Make Your Lips Bigger?

Generally speaking, no, standard lip glosses won’t make your lips bigger. Plumping glosses, however, are specifically designed to help make your lips look, well, plumper. That said, the reflectivity of standard glosses can also make lips appear a bit fuller. If you want to amplify the look of your natural lips, try This Is Juice Gloss. It offers vegan, electrolyte-infused color in eight juicy flavors. The formula is packed with five electrolytes (magnesium PCA, zinc PCA, manganese PCA, sodium PCA, potassium sorbate) and five lip-loving oils (rosa canina oil, grape seed oil, jojoba seed oil, avocado oil, squalane).

How Long Does Lip Gloss Last?

How long your lip gloss will last depends on the formula—some are longer-wear than others. If you’re looking for something that doesn’t require many touch-ups, try Shine Loud High Shine Lip Color. It provides up to 16 hours of smudge-proof color with a lightweight, non-sticky feel. Reapply the super-shiny, clear top coat as needed to keep your lips looking glassy and kissable.

How Do You Keep Your Lips Glossy All Day?

Generally speaking, lip gloss isn’t made for durability—it’s meant to give your lips a pop of shine (and, depending on the formula, color). If you want the glossy finish to last all day, your best bet is to reapply your gloss throughout the day, especially after eating or drinking.

Lip Gloss - Tinted, Sheer, Shimmer & High-Shine

NYX Professional Makeup Lip Lingerie Lip Liner Stain in 05 Lip Lock and Jelly Job Full Bodied Shine Gloss in 08 Jelly Kiss’d shown in a stylized packshot with pink lips and product packaging.

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Juicy Deluxe Lip Combo

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NYX Professional Makeup Lip Lingerie Lip Liner Stain in 02 Naughty Nude and Jelly Job Full Bodied Shine Gloss in 12 Jelly Squeeze shown in a stylized packshot with lip graphic and product packaging.

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Juicy Deluxe Jelly Squeeze Lip Combo

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This is Milky Gloss Milkshakes

12H Hydration Scented Vegan Lip Gloss

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Salted Caramel Shake

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What Is Lip Gloss?

Lip gloss is a type of liquid lip makeup product that can be used alone or with other lip makeup to add shine to your lips. Lip glosses can be clear, semi-sheer, or pigmented, but they always boast a glossy, wet-looking finish.

How To Pick the Right Type of Lip Gloss

There are many different types of lip glosses to choose from. Sheer lip glosses and lip oils, for example, are ideal for those seeking a subtle, more natural-looking end result. If your lips are dry, consider using a hydrating formula that provides moisture and shine.

Ultra-pigmented glosses provide the coverage of lipstick with the shine of a gloss and are ideal for glossy statement lip looks. If you want something that falls between subtle and bold, you’ll probably love a classic lip gloss. These offer soft color and shine and can be worn alone or paired with other lip makeup products.

Finally, if you want to make your lips look bigger, opt for a lip plumping gloss. These can help temporarily plump the appearance of your lips for a full-lip look.

How To Pick the Right Lip Gloss Color

The best lip gloss color for you will usually be one that complements your skin’s undertones (which can be classified as cool, warm, or neutral).

If you have cool skin, you’ll likely find the best match with cool-toned lip glosses, such as baby pink, blue-red, or sandy beige.
Warm lip colors, like orange, coral, and brick red, complement warm skin tones well.
If you have neutral undertones, most lip gloss shades will flatter your complexion.