The Best Lip Gloss Sets

Broadway Vita-Lip Clear Lip Gloss

Clear and comfortable

This four-pack of subtle glosses leaves your lips feeling moisturized without an overly sticky feeling.

Best Overall

Find on Amazon

For those of us whose lip routines begin and end with lip balm, it’s hard to imagine making lip gloss a part of our daily routine — especially if the word itself immediately conjures images of hot pink, glittery lips on teenagers. But a subtle gloss is a great way to add a bit of shine to your smile. We love Broadway’s Vita-Lip glosses because they hydrate your lips without overwhelming the rest of your makeup. You’ll get a cooling mint oil, a moisturizing rosehip oil, a soft coconut oil, and a regular lip oil included in your six-pack, all of which stay on your lips without drying them out. And unlike other glosses, these are minimally sticky, meaning you’ll likely only remember you’re wearing it if you catch a sparkle in a passing reflection.

Pros:

• Includes a standard lip oil for hydration
• Good balance of thickness in the gloss
• Long-lasting wear

Cons:

• No strong flavor or scent

Nicka K New York Hydrating Lip Gel

Luster for life

Add a dash of this long-lasting, shiny gloss anytime you want to make your smile stand out.

Shiniest

Find on Amazon

Though glosses can do a lot these days, their original function is still the most important one: to make your lips shine like a star. Shiny lips are a great way to draw attention to your mouth without dealing with the hassle of thick, single-color lipstick. Nicka K New York’s five-pack of hydrating lip gels takes it to the next level. The gloss easily glides on your lips giving you a lightly-tinted mirror finish in a range of colors from red to clear. And while the gloss itself is slightly sticky, we think it’s worth it to keep that shine on for longer.

Pros:

• Includes five different glosses
• Well-flavored and scented
• Lightweight and hydrating

Cons:

• Gloss is on the sticky side

Shany The Wanted Ones Lip Gloss Set

Let your true colors shine

With a diverse range of wearable tints, this affordable lip gloss set looks flattering on every skin tone.

Best Color Variety

Find on Amazon

Along with its signature sheen, lip gloss is a great way to add subtle color to your finished look. Unlike lipsticks, glosses boost your actual lip color, which can result in a more natural look. So if you’re looking to experiment with different tints without drawing too much attention, then make sure to stock up on some of the great shades in this 12-gloss set from Shany. With colors ranging from nudes to pinks to oranges in different opacities and shimmer finishes, this set complements all skin tones. And despite the diverse range, each color is still totally wearable for everyday use — you won’t find any yellow or blue glosses here.

Pros:

• Great cost value
• Infused with aloe vera and vitamin E
• Comes with a velvet organizer tray

Cons:

• We wish the color would last a bit longer

Unicorn Snot Holographic Glitter Lip Gloss Set

Party puckers

Use this holographic gloss on its own or atop your favorite lipstick shade to make your smile shimmer and sparkle.

Most Glittery

Find on Amazon

There’s a reason lip gloss is often the first makeup item we give to little girls — it can add a bit of razzle-dazzle without looking too heavy. But glittery goodness shouldn’t just be reserved for the young divas in your life, and the folks at Unicorn Snot are here to tell you why. Their glittery holographic glitter lip gloss set uses ethically-sourced, cosmetic-grade glitter to make your lips sparkle, no matter your age. In five fun rainbow shades, their gloss can be worn on its own for a lightly-tinted mirror shine or atop your favorite shade of lipstick to really make that color pop. Plus, the flavored formula means you’ll taste cotton candy every time you blow a kiss.

Pros:

• Won’t stick on your lips
• Smooth, weightless wear
• Vegan and cruelty-free production

Cons:

• Like many ethically produced items, the price is higher than many sets on the market

QiBest Matte Lip Gloss Kit

Bold from start to finish

With a quick-drying formula, this velvety lip gloss can keep your favorite pigment on your lips for up to eight hours.

Best Matte Finish

Find on Amazon

If you’re looking for super-saturated, long-lasting color for a big event, matte lip products are the way to go.  And while we generally associate lipsticks with this look, matte lip glosses are quickly becoming the hot new way to get bold, beautiful lips. QiBest’s eight-piece set of matte glosses includes kiss-proof shades ranging from pale pink to deep burgundy to make you stand out no matter the occasion. Each velvety shade glides on smoothly and dries quickly on your pucker. But unlike most matte lipsticks, the quick-drying comfort won’t dry your lips out in the process — there’s no feathering or caking with this matte finish. Each gloss even has added vitamin E to keep your lips hydrated throughout its extra-long wear.

Pros:

• Includes an extra lip plumper
• Waterproof formula lasts up to eight hours
• Soft, precise-tip applicator

Cons:

• Pigment-packed colors may stain your pout

Frequently Asked Questions

Does lip gloss expire?

Because lip gloss has a liquid composition, it can breed bacteria faster than its solid lipstick counterpart. This means that you should switch out your favorite glosses at least every year or so after opening. Depending on how often you use it, you may want to throw out the gloss sooner, especially if you notice a change in consistency.

Is it ok to wear lip gloss every day?

Absolutely, but it’s important to make sure your lips don’t dry out because of it. If you like to have a layer of shine on your smile for most hours of the day, we recommend getting a gloss with vitamin E and aloe vera to make sure your lips stay hydrated. And because lip gloss basically functions like an oil on your lips, you’ll want to apply some sunscreen before spending time outside to make sure your lips don’t get burned. Lastly, to keep those lips feeling as moisturized as possible, try applying a lip balm at night to rejuvenate your skin before reapplying your favorite gloss.