In recent years, lipgloss has made a major comeback, in the beauty world, quickly becoming an essential staple in makeup bags worldwide. If you were to peek into my bag at any point in time, you’d most definitely find a lipgloss or two sitting pretty in there.
Thanks to modern formulations, the sticky, goopy textures of lip glosses from years ago have become a thing of the past, granted that some are still being produced like that (hint: Absolute Lip gloss anyone?).
Nowadays, lip glosses are formulated with hydrating and light, glossy consistencies to keep you lips supple, give your entire face a nice look and afford you many options that are comfortable to wear.
In this guide, I’ll be ranking the best lip glosses globally – including standout brands from Africa – that I believe everyone should try. There’s no discrimination in this list, there are lip glosses available to suit every individual, from high-shine finishes to moisturizing formulas. Read on to discover them – that is if you haven’t already.
The Criteria for Ranking
To determine the best lip glosses, we considered the following factors:
Ingredients: Lip glosses that used natural and safe ingredients were ranked higher. This includes the ones that avoided harmful chemicals like parabens, sulfates, and phthalates and instead, used products that contain nourishing ingredients such as shea butter, jojoba oil, and vitamin E.
Longevity: How long the gloss stays on the lips without needing frequent retouches.
Moisturizing Properties: Products that prevent dryness and chapping are rated higher.
Color Range: The variety of shades available were checked, ;from nudes to bold colors), to see how well these shades matched the different skin tones.
Finish: Options like glossy, matte, and shimmer were checked to ensure they delivered the desired effect without being overtly sticky or heavy on the lips.
Price: Checks were made to see if the lip gloss offered good value for its price.
Brand Reputation: Customer reviews and ethical practices were checked.
The Top Global Lip Gloss Brands
1. Fenty Beauty:
Fenty Beauty, founded by beauty mogul, Rihanna, is touted for its inclusive range of products that cater to all skin tones. The brand’s lip glosses have been highly praised for their high quality, long-lasting wear, and universal appeal.
– Top Product: ‘Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer’ which is also a fan favorite for its non-sticky formula, high shine, and universally flattering shades. This product also contains shea butter, which helps with moisturising the lips.
2. Glossier:
The Glossier brand aims to create products that enhance natural beauty. Their lip glosses are true to this as they provide a natural, dewy finish that is great for everyday wear.
– Top Product: ‘Glossier Lip Gloss which is known for its clear shine and comfortable wear. As an added bonus, this gloss is enriched with vitamin E and jojoba oil to keep lips soft and hydrated.
3. MAC Cosmetics:
The MAC cosmetics brand is famed for its wide range of colors and finishes. Their lip glosses are also highly pigmented and offer a variety of textures, ranging from glossy to matte.
– Top Product: ‘MAC Lipglass’. I love that it comes in a wide array of shades. Also, it has a glass-like shine with vibrant colours that I love to see in any gloss product
4. Dior:
Dior is not just a luxury brand known for its high-end clothes, it also offers long-lasting lip gloss formulas with high shine. Their lip glosses also often include skincare benefits, making them a real treat for the lips.
– Top Product: ‘Dior Addict Lip Maximizer’ This gloss not only gives one a beautiful shine, it also has a hyaluronic acid-infused formula specially made for the lips.
5. NYX Professional Makeup:
NYX Professional Makeup is very popular in the beauty world for offering high-quality products at budget-friendly prices. Their lip glosses are popular because they provide a wide array of shades and finishes, catering to different preferences and styles.
– Top Product: ‘Butter Gloss’ product which has a creamy, non-sticky formula that slicks on smoothly to the lips. It also gives a sheer to medium coverage and has nourishing ingredients like shea butter, which helps to keep the lips soft and hydrated.
Top African Lip Gloss Brands
1. Zaron Cosmetics:
Zaron Cosmetics boasts of high-quality products that cater to the diverse beauty needs of the regular-regular African woman. Their lip glosses are offer rich and vibrant pigmentation and smooth application.
– Top Product: ‘Zaron Lip Gloss’ which is formulated to create extra juicy, luminous-looking lips and comes in a range of exciting Maxsheen colors. The gloss also has nourishing ingredients to keep the lips hydrated and comfortable.
2. House of Tara:
House of Tara is an African beauty brand that has been at the forefront of the beauty industry in Nigeria. The brand offers a vast array of lip products that are made to enhance natural beauty and cater to various skin tones. This brand’s lip glosses are known for their high shine and moisturizing properties.
– Top Product: ‘House of Tara Lip Gloss’– This lip gloss has a glossy finish that lasts for hours. The lip glosses also comes in a variety of shades, making it perfect for any occasion.
3. Hegai & Esther:
Hegai & Esther is famed for its high-quality and long-lasting glosses that gives the lips a beautiful shine without the added hassle of being sticky.
– Top Product: ‘Hegai & Esther Lip Gloss’ which is enriched with jojoba oil and vitamins, that gives the lips a soft and moisturized treatment. This non-sticky formula is also available in a variety of shades.
4. Nuban Beauty:
Nuban Beauty produces lip glosses that have rich pigmentation and moisturizing properties. The brand creates products that deliver intense color payoff while still keeping the lips hydrated and comfortable.
– Top Product: ‘Nuban Beauty Lip Gloss’. This product gloms smoothly to the lips and can be worn alone or layered on top of other lip products for added thickness. This gloss product is also available in a various shades.
Tips for Choosing the Right Lip Gloss
1. Know Your Preferences: Do you prefer a glossy, matte, or shimmer look for your lips?
2. Consider Your Skin Tone: Pick shades that complement your skin tone.
3. Check the Ingredients: When shopping for lip gloss, look for ones containing moisturizing ingredients like shea butter, vitamin E, and hyaluronic acid.
4. Test the Longevity: If possible, opt for glosses that offer long-lasting wear without constant reapplication.
5. Read Reviews: Check customer reviews and ratings online and in person to gauge the performance of the product so you wouldn’t end up purchasing what you won’t like.
Final Thoughts
In summary, the top lip gloss recommendations are:
- Best Overall: Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb.
- Best Budget-Friendly: NYX Butter Gloss.
- Best African Brand: Zaron Cosmetics Lip Gloss.
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