I’m a Beauty Editor With Dozens of Lip Products—These Are the Only Lip Glosses I Actually Use (2025)

This Lip Gloss from YSL quite literally checks every box, and then some. It does it all: hydrates like a dream thanks to hyaluronic acid, leaves my lips looking extra glassy, and brings so much color that I can skip lipstick altogether. This isn’t just a glossy topper—it’s a whole lip combo in one swipe. And it plumps with ginger extract, without stinging or leaving my skin irritated. It gives me soft, full, and shiny lips every single time.

• Shades: 9
• Size: .2 fl oz.

One Cosmo editor says: "I went to a wedding this past weekend and in lieu of stuffing a lip liner, lipstick, and gloss in my tiny purse, I simply used this one product. It is truly so pigmented that you'll never need another lip product again, and it makes my lips look so full without the stinging that usually comes with a plumper. After many hours of eating, singing, and drinking, this lip gloss held its own and kept my lips hydrated and tinted."—JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR

If you're looking for a glassy lip balm that will also provide an SPF shield against the harshest of sun rays, lemme introduce you to Supergoop's Glow Gloss. It comes in three sunset-esque shades (coral, hot pink, and light pink) and is equal parts nourishing as it is protecting. When I apply it, I literally feel a glossy layer form on my lip for protection and that glass-esque finish. Plus, you also get a lot more product in each tube compared to other glosses on the market.

• Size: .5 fl oz.
• Shades: 3

One Cosmo editor says: "This is the first lip SPF product that I've tried that isn't chalky or tastes like sunscreen (I love the vanilla flavor). It's just as hydrating as a typical gloss, and now I don't have to worry about my lips getting chapped or dried up in the sun."—JH

Basically every product from U Beauty is a workhorse, and this multitasking lip combines the high-shine finish and pigment of a gloss with the intense hydration, plumping, and smoothing properties. Packed with shea butter and peptides, it keeps the lips supple and pillowy soft while delivering long-lasting color with one of its glassy or shimmery finishes.

• Shades: 16
• Size: .5 fl oz.

  One Cosmo editor says: "This $68 lip gloss is worth every penny. it visibly plumps and smooths lips and i love the shade range—I'm currently obsessed with lady, it's the perfect pinky nude." —LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTOR

This lip balm-gloss hybrid is perfect for all-day wear. It’s packed with nourishing shea butter and fruit extracts to keep your lips soft, hydrated, and subtly tinted. I’m especially obsessed with the berry shade—it adds the prettiest flush of pink and gives my lips a fresh and awakened look.

• Size: .35 oz
• Shades: 9

One Cosmo editor says: "You can find one of these Lip Glowy Balms in every bag I own. They're so hydrating and long-lasting that I even sub them in for a lip mask. I also have yet to run out since a tiny bit of product goes a long way."—JH

Everyone knows and loves the Dior Lip Oil that started the lip gloss renaissance when it went viral back in 2020. And this is basically the more pigmented sister lip product. It takes the old sticky formulas of the 2000s and transformed it with smooth and hydrating ingredients. Its ability to add color and shine to the lips without drying them out is truly unmatched. Plus, look how freaking pigmented it is (pics below)!

• Shades: 24
• Size: .2 oz

One Cosmo editor says: "At any given time, you'll find at least one of these classic Dior glosses in my bag. The tube is so stunning and makes me feel bougie as hell pulling out of my bag to reapply. But it's the formula that's made me want to own nearly every shade and turned it into my go-to. It's not sticky or gloopy at all, no matter how much you apply. There's a teensy tingle, but nothing too intense or plumping. In fact, I love putting this on because I'm convinced the minty fresh scent and taste makes my breath smell better."—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR

MAC’s Lipglass Air is like the lighter, fresher version of the OG Lipglass—it's almost tinted lip oil vibes with a side of plumping. The formula feels more lightweight than the original and swaps out heavy pigment for a more subtle wash of color.

• Shades: 10
• Size: .17 oz

One Cosmo editor says: "I'm an O.G. Lip Glass fan forever and ever, but I fear I've officially been converted to this updated formula. When I swipe it on, it feels like I've just put on a lightweight balm, not a juicy wet-like gloss. I also love the wide shade range--there's a mix of more pigmented shades (like the new Viva Glam color by former Cosmo cover star Kim Petras) and sheer ones to pair with liner or lipstick."—BG

This drugstore lipgloss is not just affordable as hell (likely the most affordable we've ever used and actually liked), but feels comparable to basically every other luxe gloss that's double or even triple the price. It's hydrating, pigmented, and leaves a sparkly sheen that's wearable enough for everyday glam.

• Shades: 14
• Size: .18 fl oz.

One Cosmo editor says: "As a beauty editor, I'm lucky to have an entire desk at the Cosmo office to store a gazillion beauty products that I love but won't fit in my tiny NYC apartment storage. In my desk right now is approximately every single shade of this iconic drugstore lip gloss. One swipe gives me a glossy, non-sticky coat. And there's even a lip plumper version that's fantastic too (and seriously plumps, if that's your vibe)."—BG

If you're looking for a lip formula with some serious plumping powers, Valentino's latest gloss has you covered. It's loaded with volumizing ingredients like peptides (which also help plump the lips over time) and hyaluronic acid to smooth and pull moisture into the lips. And in addition to its plumping ingredients, the formula is super pigmented and also comes in shimmery finishes for a more frosted look.

• Shades: 6
• Size: .2 oz

One Cosmo editor says: "As someone who already has lip filler, I rarely feel the need to top it all off with a lip plumper. But Valentino's is different. It feels gentle on my lips--just a slight tingle--but really fills out all the lines in my lips to make them look more plush."—BG

This super pigmented lip gloss could almost pass for a liquid lipstick if it weren't so glassy and hydrating. It also has some plumping ingredients to give your lips some volume—without the stinging and redness of a typical plumping gloss.

• Shades: 10
• Size: .16 oz

One Cosmo editor says: "I'm a lipstick hater, so when I want a lip product that gives me full coverage, I always turn to this gloss. My personal favorite shade is Berry Jolie, which is sooo pigmented that it can entirely cover my original pink lip color with its deep berry shade four hours without needing to re-apply."—JH

If you’re not already familiar with Hourglass’s iconic Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm, please allow me to introduce you to one of the greatest lip products of, well, ever. The formula combines the best properties of a tinted lip balm, lip gloss, and lipstick to coat lips in a layer of sheer, shiny, and ultra-moisturizing color that’s both comfy and incredibly flattering.

• Shades: 20
• Size: .05 oz

One Cosmo editor says: “I’m convinced every beauty editor has one in tow at all times. It’s just the simplest product to throw on and it always looks good—whether your lips are chapped, covered in lines, or lacking in the volume department (me).”—BG