Lip gloss is firmly back in vogue. While it never fully disappeared, there’s been a clear shift towards shinier finishes in recent years.
Make-up artist Anna Payne has noticed the change too, with more people choosing high-shine gloss over matte lipstick. The appeal, she says, lies in the “fresh and youthful” look it creates. The best lip gloss “adds another dimension to your make-up and can make your lips look bigger, juicier and healthier.”
Thankfully, long are the days of overly sticky formulas, with brands now opting for skin-loving ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and natural oils, to create a shiny sheen, but also help to moisturise and hydrate our lips at the same time.
To find the best lip glosses that are actually worth your money, I tested a wide range of formulas, including plumping options and those designed for dry lips. Here are the ones that made the cut.
The best lip glosses for 2026 are:
- Best overall – Refy lip gloss: £16, Refybeauty.com
- Best budget buy – Rimmel London thrill seeker glassy gloss: £8.99, Lookfantastic.com
- Best on-the-go gloss – Summer Fridays lip butter balm: £23, Cultbeauty.co.uk
- Best luxury lip gloss – Chanel rouge coco gloss: £37, Chanel.com
Read more: 9 best BB creams for hydrating coverage, tested by a beauty writer
How I tested
To bring you the best lip glosses, I tested a whole host of different formulas, assessing colour, shine, consistency and application.
Those that were sticky, sickly or drying did not make the cut. I wore each lip gloss throughout a busy day, seeing how well it held up against straws and coffee cups, and noted how often I had to reapply.
Read more: 15 best mascaras for length and volume, tested by a beauty writer
