Kisses to Glosses 💋
- Dec 21, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Dec 23, 2025
A love letter to the glosses that grew up with me
I love a gloss. It’s not optional for me. It’s a step in my routine I will never skip. Gloss is the final touch that makes makeup feel finished. Without it, everything else feels incomplete.
What’s funny is that growing up, I hated gloss. I associated it with sticky lips, hair getting caught every two seconds, and that overly shiny, juvenile feeling. But looking back, I think that had less to do with gloss itself and more to do with being a kid when I was running around, careless, unbothered. That’s not my life anymore.
I always have one within reach. One in my vanity. One in my purse. One in my car. One on my bedside table. They rotate depending on where I am and what I need: a deeply hydrating one for nighttime, something glossy and chic for errands, something elevated for going out. Gloss adapts with me.
Wearing gloss feels like my quiet transition from girlhood into womanhood.
I want to say this: most of the “glosses” I love aren’t traditional glosses at all. I gravitate toward lip oils, hydrating balms, and treatment-style products that function like glosses.
After I posted my TikTok applying my Dior lip oil, SO many people reached out saying they bought it because of that video. Which inspired me to explore and share all my thoughts on glosses from years of wearing them now.
So here it is — my gloss edit. The ones I reach for, rebuy, and genuinely love.
The gateway gloss
If you’re just stepping into the world of gloss, this is where you start. The Dior Lip Oil is my all-time favorite. The one I always come back to.
It’s hydrating, never sticky, never annoying, and somehow manages to feel luxurious without trying too hard. The applicator is thick and plush (so satisfying), the formula isn’t tacky, and the shades range from sheer and subtle to slightly deeper without ever feeling overpowering.
It’s the kind of gloss you can throw on bare-faced or pair with a full beat. I own multiple shades, and I genuinely feel off when I don’t have it on. It’s one of those products where, even after doing a full face, I’ll look in the mirror and think, something’s missing, and it’s always the gloss.
Side note: On a night out, I always pair it with a Charlotte Tilbury lip liner In Pillowtalk with the Dior Lip Oil in shade Rosewood. So Fab. So Chic.
Yes, it’s pricier, but it lasts forever, and in my opinion, it’s worth every dollar.
My O.G.
There’s a reason this gloss has cult status. The Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb is one of the most universally flattering glosses out there. It’s smooth, plush, and gives that high-shine finish without feeling heavy.
This is the gloss I reach for when I want something glossy but effortless. It was my first gloss that I turned to when I started glossing, and made me fall in love with gloss. It layers beautifully over liner and works just as well on its own.
Gloss, but also a balm.
This one feels like gloss for grown-ups. It’s sleek, hydrating, and gives your lips that smooth, polished look without screaming lip product.
If you like your makeup to feel intentional but understated, this is for you. It’s especially good for nights out when you want something glossy but refined. If you want this vibe: sutle, mature, mostuizing, but not an intense gloss... this is the one.
The sensitive-skin favorite
This is a go-to for days when my lips feel dry, irritated, or just need something soothing. It’s lightweight, comfortable, and incredibly easy to wear.
It doesn’t overpower your makeup, it enhances it. Perfect for everyday errands, coffee runs, or no-makeup makeup days.
Gloss-meets-treatment
This one sits in that perfect in-between space: glossy enough to count as a lip look, nourishing enough to feel like skincare.
It’s ideal for daytime wear and travel, and it gives your lips that soft, hydrated shine without ever feeling sticky.
Color without commitment
If you like a little tint with your gloss, this one is beautiful. It feels weightless, melts into the lips, and leaves behind a soft wash of color that feels natural and effortless.
Great when you want something more than clear gloss but less than lipstick.
A classic for a reason, iconic shine with a thick, juicy finish that makes lips look full without feeling sticky. It’s buildable, comes in a huge shade range, and pairs beautifully with lip liner. Definitely feels glamorous but still easy to wear day to day.
ILIA’s lip oils are extremely hydrating and have a more skincare-inspired formula compared to traditional glosses. They give a soft glow with sheer color and are a gorgeous choice if you want a balance of moisture and shine without heaviness.
If you love plump, shiny lips, this is it. The tingling effect is subtle but makes lips look fuller, and the glossy finish is great for nights out or photos. The formula sits nicely and doesn’t drag.
This isn’t a traditional lip gloss....it’s what Rhode calls a Peptide Lip Treatment, BUT I use It as a gloss because the gloss police doesn't exsist in my world.
It's a hydrating balm that also gives a glossy, plumped look. Think of it like lip care + shine in one tube. It nourishes, moisturizes, and visibly plumps lips, and a lot of people (myself included) keep it in their purse or on the back of their phones because we need it close by.
🌙 Honorable Mention: Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
Not a gloss… but also absolutely a gloss
Technically, this isn’t a gloss, but I wear it like one. Constantly.
It’s my go-to at night, but I also keep one in my purse and wear it throughout the day. It makes my lips look plump, hydrated, and healthy in a way no traditional gloss ever has.
If you’re someone who wants juicy, moisturized lips above all else, this is essential.
Gloss isn’t just a product for me, it’s a ritual. A comfort. A finishing touch. It’s the thing I reach for when I want to feel put together without doing the most.
And maybe that’s why I love it so much. It’s simple, but it makes me feel like myself.
xoxo, B.💋✨
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