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Lip gloss has always been a reliable beauty staple at the drugstore, akin to the best drugstore mascaras and drugstore foundations. Not only is it one of the most forgiving makeup products money can buy (usually no mirror is necessary), but the best drugstore lip glosses have evolved to compete with prestige formulas in lip-loving hydration, non-sticky comfort, and high-shine finishes. Still, the infinite assortment of affordable options can be hit or miss, so we tested the best drugstore lip glosses to determine the absolute cream of the crop.
The sole objective of a lip gloss is to deliver a juicy finish to the lips, which creates the illusion of a fuller pout — but beyond that, you’ve got options. Hydration is the most important factor in any lip gloss formula because otherwise, you’d be drawing attention to a dry and flaky smile (not so cute!). The increasing demand for lip care products on TikTok, like moisturizing lip balms and lip oils, has pushed drugstore brands to develop formulas with high-shine finishes and nourishing skin care ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, peptides, shea butter, or collagen, which allows affordable lip treatments to double as comfortable-wearing gloss. These days, glosses are seemingly more like balms, while lip oils are more like glosses. So, where to start? Consider your go-to lip combo.
If you’re a lipstick lover, a smooth and moisturizing gloss like the Maybelline Lifter Gloss or Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss is your best bet. These easy-to-layer glazes keep your lips from drying under the lipstick while enhancing the shade you’ve already applied. For added volume on bare or lined lips, the best plumping lip glosses from The Inkey List or E.l.f. softly boost and tint the lips — whereas reflective glosses from brands like Wet n Wild and Physicians Formula utilize fine shimmers for maximum shine. And, if you prefer to stick to a one-and-done lip product, you can’t go wrong with pigmented options from Nyx or Naturium that deposit a fuss-free wash of color with lasting moisture.
To curate our list of the best lip gloss formulas to shop at the drugstore, a team of four WWD Shop product testers closely evaluated over 20 formulas over a period of three months. We went shopping at local drugstores, placed countless online orders, and invoked our extensive repertoire of lip care product formulas to narrow down the 10 best drugstore lip glosses in 2024.
Top Drugstore Lip Glosses of 2024
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Editor’s Choice: Top 3 Drugstore Lip Glosses, Tested & Reviewed
In the realm of makeup, the perfect lip gloss formula is as subjective as it gets. Aside from your shade of choice, generally speaking, lip gloss is a one-size-fits-all kind of product. So, it’s important to select a lip gloss based on your desired finish and comfort, like whether you want the appearance of fuller lips, sheer or full color, or a two-in-one hydrator. For that reason, we selected the top three options for different preferences based on three months of extensive editor testing. Below, the best drugstore lip glosses that outshine the lot:
- E.l.f. Pout Cloud Lip Plumping Pen: What if a lip gloss had the hydrating properties of a balm, the color payoff of a lipstick, and the augmentation power of a plumper? You get all three in this genius click-pen product from E.l.f. One editor is obsessed with its smooth-gliding application and cooling scent that boosts lip volume in a refreshing feel.
- Maybelline Lifter Lip Gloss: One WWD Shop editor counts Maybelline’s Lifter Gloss the best tinted lip gloss in her extensive lip product collection — even outperforming glosses that go for quadruple the price. Proof that drugstore brands have never been more attuned to color trends, the Lifter Gloss comes in a slew of neutral-to-bright shades. A chubby doe foot wand makes application a breeze, and hydrating properties prevent your lips from drying out while you wear it.
- Wet n Wild MegaSlicks Lip Gloss: Lip gloss is all about creating the illusion of fuller, softer lips, and this formula from Wet n Wild ticks every box. One editor compares it to a face highlighter for your lips, as it visibly enhances their size by utilizing intense, reflective shimmer and contrasting contours drawn by lipstick or liner.
Editor’s Choice
E.l.f. Pout Cloud Lip Plumping Pen
Editor testing review rating: 4.9/5 rating
Formula type: Plumping gloss balm
Shade range: 8 shades available
Key ingredients: Maracuja oil, blueberry, watermelon, and pomegranate extracts
At the drugstore, the best E.l.f. products reign supreme with slam-dunk formulas that are just as competitive as their price points. The E.l.f. Pout Cloud Lip Plumping Pen is a standout from the brand’s lip range, offering a multifunctional formula that serves as a plumper, balm, and lip color in one. Its click-pen packaging makes application clean and precise, with an easy-gliding stick formula enriched with softening maracuja oil and fruit extracts. Take your pick from neutral nudes to deep berries and even a rich red — it’s an ideal everyday lip formula you can toss in your designer handbag without the risk of gunky spills.
Editor testing and review notes: “I was not expecting this under-$10 find to perform super well after three months of testing luxury lip balms, lipsticks, and lip plumpers. But, I stood corrected when I found myself sidelining the $25 plumping lip balm I had been using for a week or two; this one is, surprisingly, way better. Its cushiony texture deposits an even (not splotchy) swath of color, and rather than the spicy tingle you get from most lip plumpers, this one’s comfortably cooling.” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $7.99
Long-wear: 4.8/5 rating | Comfort: 5/5 rating | Packaging: 5/5 rating
WWD Shop editor Claire Sullivan tests E.l.f.’s Pout Clout Lip Plumping Pen in our New York City office.
WWD/ Adam Mansuroglu
Editor’s Choice
Maybelline Lifter Lip Gloss
Editor testing review rating: 4.96/5 rating
Formula type: Plumping, shimmer
Shade range: 15 shades available
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid
Maybelline’s Lifter Lip Gloss has maintained its bestseller status in the drugstore for years — over 33,000 Amazon reviewers rave about its long-lasting wear, non-sticky texture, and flattering shade options for every skin tone. It offers buildable color payoff, making it a versatile choice for wearing on its own or layering with lipstick, and is formulated with hyaluronic acid for impactful hydration and shine.
The chubby doe foot applicator aptly addresses both lips in one swipe and deposits a smooth, visibly enhancing wash of color. You’ll get a subtle plumping effect with this gloss, but, if you prefer more fullness, it’s also available in a chili pepper-infused plumping formula.
Editor testing and review notes: “Maybelline’s Lifter Gloss in shade Moon (shown) is, hands-down, my favorite tinted lip gloss in my extensive collection. It’s a nude pink that gives my smile some oomph. The chubby doe foot makes it easy to apply without a mirror, and the chunky tube makes it easy to find in my cluttered bag. Compared to similar inexpensive glosses, this one feels soft on the lips rather than sticky.” — WWD Shop Senior Beauty & Lifestyle Commerce Claire Sullivan
Long-wear: 4.9/5 rating | Comfort: 5/5 rating | Packaging: 5/5 rating
Price upon publish date of this article: $8.98
Editor’s Choice
Wet n Wild MegaSlicks Lip Gloss
Editor testing review rating: 4.9/5 rating
Formula type: Shimmer
Shade range: 9 shades available
Key ingredients: Jojoba glaze, maxi lip peptides, yaluronic acid, collagen, sunflower oil, vitamin E
The Wet n Wild MegaSlicks Lip Gloss offers shimmer and shine galore. It’s the most affordable drugstore lip gloss on our all-star list, but it doesn’t skimp on prestige-level ingredients like hyaluronic acid, collagen, peptides, and vitamin E. It’s an ideal formula to apply over carefully lined lips or lipstick, as it applies a subtle wash of color and intense wet-looking shine. Consider this the highlighter of your lip rotation that boosts glow and enhances contours.
Editor testing and review notes: “I’ve never been a shimmer gloss girl, but Wet n Wild has converted me. Off the bat, I love the flat and flexible doe foot applicator. It’s surprisingly pillowy-soft and helps to blend the formula into harsh lip liner lines. The gloss itself isn’t too thick or thin, so it doesn’t feel goopy on its own or layered and I didn’t discover any feathering throughout long hours of wear.” — Commerce Writer & Producer Olivia Cigliano
Price upon publish date of this article: $2.28
Long-wear: 4.8/5 rating | Comfort: 5/5 rating | Packaging: 4.9/5 rating
Naturium Phyto Glow Lip Balm
Editor testing review rating: 4.9/5 rating
Formula type: Balm
Shade range: 6 shades available
Key ingredients: Phyto-derived esters, shea butter, cupuaçu butter, and plant squalane
Naturium is a shining example of how a lip balm can play double-duty as a gloss. This best lip gloss for dry lips is formulated with soothing and hydrating ingredients that heal flaky skin and instantly soothe the lips, while leaving behind a tint of color and lacquer-level finish. Its squeeze-tube packaging makes it small and convenient for reapplying throughout the day — or for storing with your skincare as an overnight lip mask.
Editor testing and review notes: “This Naturium lip gloss is a great inexpensive alternative to a certain celebrity-backed peptide lip treatment. It has a serum-like consistency that melts into the lips to enhance shine in a subtle way. I love the tinted options, particularly this on-trend ’90s-inspired Spice shade that delivers a your-lips-but-better result.” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $9.99
Long-wear: 4.8/5 rating | Comfort: 5/5 rating | Packaging: 5/5 rating
Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Diamond Plumper Gloss
Editor testing review rating: 4.8/5 rating
Formula type: Pumping, shimmer
Shade range: 5 shades available
Key ingredients: Lustrous Diamond Dust
Clear lip gloss is easy to find at the drugstore, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find one as dramatic as this one at any price point. The Mineral Wear Diamond Plumper Gloss from Physicians Formula is a true hidden gem; the gloss-serum hybrid formula is plumping, hydrating, clean for sensitive skin, and blended with Lustrous Diamond Dust for a uniquely dimensional high-shine finish. Wear this best clear lip gloss alone for a simply polished pout, or layer it over your favorite lip stains for your-lips-but-way-better finish.
Editor testing and review notes: “Holy gloss! This formula ticks every boss for those who crave the look of glossy, buxom lips but would rather source their color from a lipstick or liner. Before I swiped it on, I was concerned that the shimmer particles would feel gritty on the lips, but I was impressed that they feel practically nonexistent, while the formula drenches the lips with smooth moisture.” — Cigliano
Price upon publish date of this article: $6.98
Long-wear: 4.6/5 rating | Comfort: 4.8/5 rating | Packaging: 5/5 rating
E.l.f. Glow Reviver Lip Oil
Editor testing review rating: 4.7/5 rating
Formula type: Hydrating
Shade range: 7 shades available
Key ingredients: Squalane, apricot oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil, and pomegranate oil
The E.l.f. Glow Reviver Lip Oil has millions of views and searches on TikTok, and we’re happy to report that it’s worth its hype in every swipe. Like dozens of prestige lip oils we’ve tested (that are quadruple its price), this best drugstore lip oil applies incredibly smoothly. You won’t get much color from this one, but this best non-sticky lip gloss offers a slight glow that pairs well with its naturally glossy, hydrating formula.
Editor testing and review notes: “The Glow Reviver Lip Oil offers a very sheer tint, which is nice for a subtle wash of color, and deposits beautiful shine. I noticed my lips continued to soften with wear. It has a minty fragrance that most other E.l.f. lip products have, though it’s not overwhelming or plumping, but rather refreshing. It gives similar lip oils from designer beauty brands a run for their money. My only criticism is that I often have to double-dip into the tube for full coverage on my medium-size lips.” — Cigliano
Price upon publish date of this article: $8
Long-wear: 4.7/5 rating | Comfort: 4.9/5 rating | Packaging: 4.6/5 rating
WWD Shop editor Claire Sullivan tests E.l.f.’s tinted lip oil in our New York City office.
WWD/ Adam Mansuroglu
Nyx Butter Gloss
Editor testing review rating: 4.8/5 rating
Formula type: Hydrating shine
Shade range: 43 shades available
If you have yet to try this Nyx lip gloss, consider this your cue. This creamy formula is more like a serum-y gloss — your lips will soften and feel so supple after a single swipe of product. It’s one of the best hydrating lip glosses at the drugstore, so even after the color fades, your lips look far more hydrated than where they started. It offers the widest shade range among our top picks and has earned the stamp of approval of over 81,000 Amazon reviews who call it a “must-have” and “new favorite.”
Editor testing and review notes: “This is everything a lip gloss should be: Comfortable, hydrating, and shiny. It applies as smooth as butter and I find my lips are softer hours after application. It has a slight vanilla fragrance that I enjoy and don’t find to be sickly-sweet. It doesn’t bleed, so I apply it without a mirror more times than not, and look forward to slathering on a second coat after a meal or a few hours of wear time. Plus, you can’t beat the price point or the extensive color selection. I keep it on rotation in nearly every shade.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $5.85
Long-wear: 4.6/5 rating | Comfort: 5/5 rating | Packaging: 5/5 rating
Kiko Milano 3D Hydra Lipgloss
Editor testing review rating: 4.8/5 rating
Formula type: Hydrating shine
Shade range: 34 shades available
Key ingredients: Flax seed oil and bidens pilosa extract
This Italian-made lip gloss is mega-viral in Europe and has amassed over 8,000 five-star Amazon reviews for its uniquely nourishing formula. Bidens pilosa extract works similar to retinol, smoothing and naturally creating a plumper look to the lips, while flax seed oil brings all the hydration and shine. Available in an extensive range of radiant shades, it delivers on 3D volume and shine. It’s so popular, in fact, that over 24,000 were sold daily in 2023.
Editor testing and review notes: “Ok, I’m obsessed. This gloss has a tiny bit of iridescent sparkle that gives the lips an extra pop. It glides on silky smooth and does not feel sticky at all. It’s great by itself or layered with other products. The moisture lingers throughout the day, too. Chef’s kiss.” — Cigliano
Price upon publish date of this article: $13
Long-wear: 4.7/5 rating | Comfort: 4.9/5 rating | Packaging: 5/5 rating
The Inkey List Tripeptide Plumping Lip Balm
Editor testing review rating: 4.8/5 rating
Formula type: Pumping
Shade range: 4 shades available
Key ingredients: Tripeptide complex, Ultra Filling Spheres, hyaluronic acid
The Inkey List Tripeptide Plumping Lip Balm has been an editor favorite for years, so you can imagine our excitement when the brand released three tinted shades earlier this year. The skincare brand formulated this balm to boost lip volume in just four weeks of regularly use, thanks to its inclusion of peptides and Ultra Filling Sphere technology. It repairs lips, naturally plumps, and satisfies with an ultra-juicy finish. Plus, it’s got a TikTok cult-following amounting to over 40 million views and searches, including long-term reviews that substantiate the brand’s long-term plumping promise.
Editor testing and review notes: “Consider this a tinted lip mask to carry on-the-go. When I apply two coats, not only do my lips look plumped and refreshed, but after hours of wear they’re softer to the touch. Impressively, I notice that fine lines on my lips begin to fade within a week of consistent use.” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $13
Long-wear: 4.5/5 rating | Comfort: 5/5 rating | Packaging: 5/5 rating
Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss
Editor testing review rating: 4.8/5 rating
Formula type: Hydrating shine
Shade range: 12 shades available
Key ingredients: Agave, moringa oil, and cupuaçu butter
The Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss stands out from the crowd for its glaze-like finish. On the lips, its silky moisture powered by agave, moringa oil, and cupuaçu butter conditions the skin, while a slightly thick — not sticky — layer of color reflects a high-shine varnish. It’s one of the most pigmented drugstore lip glosses that impressed our editors, as it offers an even, medium to full coat of color that lasts for hours of wear.
Editor testing and review notes: “I love this gloss, mainly because my all-time holy grail lip color is from this line. ‘Supernatural’ is the perfect rosy nude gloss that sits rights in the middle between pink and brown. I prefer this non-shimmery shade, as it applies so creamy and juicy and looks like an enhanced version of my natural lips. I grab for this formula when I’m already wearing lipstick and my lip are feeling tight and dry.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $9.39
Long-wear: 4.9/5 rating | Comfort: 4.9/5 rating | Packaging: 4.7/5 rating
What to Look for in the Best Drugstore Lip Glosses
The best drugstore lip gloss for you will depend on your glam preference, but there are key elements to consider in your hunt for a standout formula.
- Key ingredients: Drugstore lip glosses come in all kinds of formulas these days, but it’s most important that they moisturize your lips, rather than sitting on top in a layer of sticky goop. Keep an eye out for lip gloss formulas that include ingredients you’d enjoy in your favorite skin care products, like hyaluronic acid, peptides, shea butter, collagen, vitamins, and plant-based hydrators, as this ensures your lips will stay soft after the shine wears off.
- Formula type: When looking for your ideal drugstore lip gloss, keep in mind that you aren’t just limited to products labeled “lip gloss.” If you have lips that are prone to cracks and splits, go for a shiny lip balm or lip oil instead, as this will give you the best of both worlds. Or, if you are hoping to achieve a more voluminous smile, opt for plumping formulas that temporarily boost your lip fullness. Consider your lip care needs and glam preferences before committing to a formula.
- Applicator: Beyond formula, a lip gloss applicator is critical to your overall lip finish. Applicators that are too big will deposit an overwhelming amount of product, which can lead to color feathering or a heavy feel, while stiff or small applicators can be frustrating for large lips. If you have full lips, you’ll benefit from a chubby doe foot applicator, while small lips should lean into more precise applicators in order to apply a clean coat of gloss.
Where to Shop Drugstore Lip Gloss Online
- Target.com: In our opinion, Target is the drugstore beauty “bullseye.” The retailer not only provides endless options from top drugstore brands, but also offers Ulta-exclusive brands like Pixi Beauty, Honest Beauty, Juvia’s Place, Makeup Revolution, W3ll People, and many more. Target regularly offers flash deals on bestselling and viral products, along with rewards points, express delivery, and seamless returns.
- Amazon.com: Amazon is basically a digital mecca for beauty lovers. You can shop an incredible assortment of vetted lip gloss and makeup goodies, from TikTok beauty products to the best hair gels to skin care tools and everything in between. It’s the best place to crowd-source thousands of honest beauty reviews before you take the plunge on a purchase. Plus, you can enjoy Prime benefits like speedy shipping and exclusive discounts.
- CVS.com: The digital beauty aisles at CVS.com offer more deals and perks than shopping in-store. If you place an order, you can receive free shipping on select products while racking up ExtraBucks points with a CVS ExtraCare card. You can also sign up for the ExtraCare BeautyClub membership, where the retailer will send you a monthly box of free beauty products and an extra 10 percent off discount on the retailer’s entire beauty stock.
- Walmart.com: Walmart’s beauty page offers a wide assortment of drugstore brands. To ensure you’re shopping from a verified storefront, be sure to navigate from the beauty dropdown menu or click on a product and look for a link to the brand’s storefront (for example, “Visit the L’Oréal Paris Store”). As you scroll through Walmart’s wide product selection, you can discover discounts on top-selling lip glosses, new releases, and viral formulas that are exclusive to the site. Plus, there are added perks like next-day or two-day shipping and store delivery options. A Walmart+ membership — you can sign up for a 30-day free trial here — also grants free local delivery, free shipping with no minimums, early access to product releases and deals, and easy returns from your doorstep.
- Ulta.com: Ulta Beauty offers the widest range of brands at affordable prices. On top of beloved drugstore brands like E.l.f Cosmetics, Maybelline, and Wet n Wild, you can also shop indie brands that’ll lead you to discoveries at affordable price points. Ulta’s website also grants access to exclusive beauty deals, rewards programs, bonus samples, and exciting sale events.
How We Selected & Tested the Best Drugstore Lip Glosses
To narrow down the best drugstore lip glosses that outshine other formulas, our editors lent our lips to three months of lip gloss testing. Before we rolled up our sleeves, we rounded up a testing pool of over 20 lip glosses in different finishes and formulas, referencing extensive market research, buzzy TikTok-viral formulas, and long-time bestsellers. We compared customer reviews on retailer websites, social media, and forums like Reddit to determine the most satisfactory formulas for a variety of needs and preferences. Any lip glosses that did not provide substantial hydration, wear comfortably, achieve high-shine results, or deliver on impressive claims were cut from our list of the best drugstore lip glosses.
Throughout our testing period, editors wore each lip gloss for as long as they stayed put on our lips. We timed how quickly they wore off throughout the day, whether they held up through eating and drinking, and whether the lips felt softer, plumper, or more hydrated than before application. We took note of other factors, like color payoff, product packaging, applicators, fragrance, and overall comfort as key criteria for nailing down the best formulas. Our beauty test team represents different lip care needs and glam preferences so that you’re equipped with the nitty-gritty details that’ll lead you to your next holy grail lip gloss.
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Meet the Testers
A panel of four testers evaluated dozens of formulas for this definitive guide to the best drugstore lip glosses. Our testers include Olivia Cigliano, the Commerce Writer & Producer at WWD and the author of this story, Claire Sullivan, the Senior Beauty and Lifestyle Commerce Editor for WWD, and two additional testers. Our beauty test team represents a range of needs and preferences, including varying lip sizes, skin tones, lip care needs, and glam preferences. Each drugstore lip gloss was tested alone and with other lip products to narrow down the most versatile, comfortable, and flattering options.
Meet the Author
Olivia Cigliano is a Commerce Writer & Producer at Footwear News and WWD where she writes and edits shopping content across fashion, beauty, footwear, TikTok style trends, and more. Cigliano received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Emerson College, and her byline can be found in publications including Elite Daily and CR Fashion Book. She is currently based in New York City. At WWD, she regularly tests and reviews top-rated and TikTok-famous products like drugstore lip gloss.
