The Best Lip Glosses for Long-Lasting, Mega Shine—And No Stickiness (2024)

There's a reason why the phrase "everything old is new again" has stood the test of time. It's continues to ring true—and not just in fashion. Case in point: lip gloss.

After years dominated by matte lipsticks and liquid lacquers (often in bold crimsons and corals), it appears shiny, silky, and slightly subdued glosses are making a big comeback. And, happily, the new formulas have come a long way: Unlike the glosses of the 1990s and early '00s (meaning overly sticky, blindingly shiny, and over-the-top scented), today's iterations have been reformulated to be less sticky and longer lasting, infused with reflective shimmers (key for a subtle, pretty sheen), and—best of all—loaded with nourishing skin care ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, to quench dry lips. Not to mention that they're also available in just about every imaginable finish and color—from your traditional clear shine to iridescent shades of purple to full-on nudes to glittery golds to shimmery pinks—so there's options that flatter fair skin, dark skin, and everything in between.

Ahead, we asked professional makeup artists to share the best lip glosses, including perennial cult-favorites from brands like Glossier and Fenty Beauty, splurge-worthy luxury buys, and a couple of budget-friendly drugstore picks—all of which are guaranteed to make you shine.

Put simply, this sheer, shimmery lip gloss from Rihanna's Fenty Beauty line is, well, the bomb. Here's why:The non-sticky formula contains deeply moisturizingshea butter, has a delightful—meaning addictive—peach-vanilla scent, and is available in seven shades, all of which were designed to flatter every skin tone. "In addition todelivering the most stunning color payoff, this glossalso includes light catching shimmer that instantly makes lips look fuller," says makeup artist Porsche Cooper.

If you're like us, a clear lip gloss (complete with asweet flavor likecotton candy or watermelon) was one of the first makeup products you owned. So, consider this Glossier optiona major upgrade to the O.G. version you used back in the day: The long-wearing formula—available in clear, holographic, and red—is formulated with moisturizing vitamin E and jojoba oil,so your lips feel softer, smoother, and more supple. "I've been using this for years, says bicoastal makeup artist Emily Cheng. "I'm particularly partial to the clear, whichI often dab on the center of my lips for a pop of shine."

Prefer to go (nearly) au naturel? Thislong-lasting formula is beloved bycelebrity and editorial makeup artistKatie Jane Hughes—and it's easy to see why. Available in 12 flattering, barely-there shades, it has therich, creamy consistency of a lipstick and the shine of a gloss. Even better: Thenarrow doe-foot applicator(pointed for maximum precision)delivers the exact amount of color needed for complete coverage in one swipe.

Yes, you can have it all—thanks to this lip tint from Nars, which combines the best parts of a gloss (think: a shiny, sheer wash of color) withthe moisturizing benefits of a balm (thanks to an antioxidant-rich, skin-softening blend of pomegranate extract, raspberry seed oil, and vitamins A and E. "I’m obsessed with the texture and hydration of this formula," says Cooper. "It's perfect for thosewho like their lip products tofeellightweight, but still deliver extraordinary shine."

Not all lip gloss is created equal—especially when it comes to staying power. Which is exactly why we love this high-performance option from Stila.Not only is it formulated with light-refracting, iridescent pearls for intense shine, but it's also available in 18 shades, from dramatic plum to pretty peach to prismatic purple. The best part, though? The gloss actually lasts, so you candazzle all day—and night—without having to worry aboutre-applying.

As it turns out, it's not just lipsticks that can pack a punch of color. This vanilla-scented option from Anastasia Beverly Hills—which is available in three finishes and an extensive range of shades—combines the shine of a lip gloss with the vibrancy of a lip stain, which is part of the reasonwhy Oprah selected it for her 2015Favorite Things list. It's also a favorite of professional makeup artist Latrice Johnson: "If I had to use one word to describe this gloss, it would be pigment," she says. "Not only does itdeliverfull-on, opaque color, but equallyimportant, it does so without drying out your lips."

Win big with this champion lip gloss: Thenon-stickyformula—which can be worn alone or over lipstick—is loaded with hyaluronic acid (to smooth, soften, and plump), comes in nine slightly sparkly shades,and is designed to beapplied withan extra large applicator, soall you need is one swipe for total coverage and noticeably fuller lips (at least for a few hours). Oh, and did we mention that you get all that—for under $7?

Tower28 is formulated for those with sensitive skin—which is why you won't find common irritants, like lanolin,menthol, camphor, or beeswax, in any of its lipproducts, including this semi-sheer gloss. Instead, it's formulated with a nourishing blend of five oils—apricot kernel oil, raspberry seed oil, castor oil, rosehip oil, and avocado oil—to deliver extremely high-shine with zero stickiness. "This gloss is very buildable and comes in a variety of shades that suits every skin tone," says Hughes. "But, more important, there's zero stickiness."

Turn up the volume with thiscinnamon-flavored lip plumper. It's formulated with moisturizing maestrohyaluronic acid, which pulls hydration to the surface of the skin, so your lips look softer, smoother, and noticeably (but not excessively) fuller—without the old-schoolburning and tingling you may have experiencedas a teen. "Not to mention that most of theshades have a subtle yetplayful sparkle," says Cheng.

Kiss the endless search for the perfect lip gloss goodbye with this super shiny—andnot at all tacky—formula from Dose of Colors,which comes in 20 shades, including a soft mauve, a golden beige, and a warm mocha. "This is a staple in my kit," says Johnson. "It can be worn on its own or over any lipstick, and it looks amazon on all skin tones."

Tothe KJ Miller and Amanda E. Johnson, thegeniuses behindMented Cosmetics: Here's a big smooch for developing a line of nude lip glossesthat's actuallyfor all women. The brilliant collectionincludes seven shades—Mauve Over (a dusty pink), Send Nudes (a caramel), Berry Me (a deep raspberry),Baby Brown (a rich chocolate), Pink About Me (a subtle rose), Coralition (a sheer tangerine), and #1 Cran (a punchy pink)—all of whichhavejust the right amount of pigment, so they don't lookintimidatingly bright and they don't disappear entirely on deeper skin tones. P.S., This year Oprah Mented'sholiday trio as one of her Favorite Things.

Sure, this non-sticky lip gloss—available in 14 shades, from soft blush to deep cherry—delivers highly-pigmented color and a whole lot ofshine.But the real reason we think it's brilliant? It's packed with a serious shot of intensely refreshing hyaluronic acid to quench even the most parched lips.