Follow These Steps for a Perfect Glossy Lip Look

How to Get a Glossy Lip Look

Step One: Exfoliate 

For the most flawless-looking lipstick or gloss application, it’s important to prep your lips adequately. Exfoliating with a lip scrub or by gently using a damp washcloth is an essential first step. This helps buff away flakes of dead skin to give you a smooth canvas. 

Step Two: Moisturize

Just as you moisturize your skin before applying foundation, you need to give your lips a boost of hydration before going in with your lipstick. Smooth on a hydrating balm, like the La Roche-Posay Nutritic Lip Balm, or a lip primer to lock in moisture.              

Step 3: Apply Your Lip Color

After you exfoliate and moisturize, you’re ready to apply your product. Simply swipe on the lipstick, gloss or balm of your choice. If you really want to play up a specific lip color, you can apply lipstick first, then add a layer of clear or tinted lip gloss.

Our Favorite Products for a Glossy Lip Look

YSL Beauty Rouge Volupté Candy Glaze Lip Gloss Stick

ICYMI, glazed makeup is still having a major moment and you can get the look with the YSL Beauty Rouge Volupté Candy Glaze Lip Gloss Stick. Infused with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, it has the vibrant pigment and high shine of your favorite lip gloss with the nourishing properties of a balm. Try it in the shade Red Crush to get in on another major summer beauty trend — cherry lips. 

Urban Decay Vice Bond Glossy Liquid Lipstick

For a longwear, budge-proof option you can rock on your busiest days, try this glossy liquid lipstick from Urban Decay. With just one swipe, it delivers ultra-pigmented shiny color that stays looking flawless for up to 16 hours, resisting transfer, smudging and water. 

Maybelline New York Super Stay Longwear Vinyl Ink Longwear Liquid Lip Color

Get bold, reflective shine with the Maybelline New York Super Stay Longwear Vinyl Ink Longwear Liquid Lip Color. The unbelievably saturated formula and color-lock technology guarantees that your lip look won’t fade or smudge for up to 16 hours. Choose between sleek nude shades and electric pinks and reds.

Giorgio Armani Beauty Lip Maestro Satin Long-Lasting Lipstick

If you prefer a more subtle shine, you’ll love the satin finish of the Giorgio Armani Beauty Lip Maestro Satin Long-Lasting Lipstick. Formulated with glycerin for maximum hydration, the velvety feel of this lipstick will make it an instant favorite. Layer a clear lip gloss over it to amp up the shine. 

NYX Professional Makeup Fat Oil Lip Drip

This lip oil is one of our favorite clear glosses to pair with lipstick when we want to deliver some seriously blinding shine (without any stickiness). Not only does it look great, but it’s super hydrating, thanks to the vegan squalane in the formula. If you want to rock it on its own, there are also seven pigmented shades to give your lips a perfect hint of color.

L’Oréal Paris Glow Paradise Balm-in-Lipstick With Pomegranate Extract

This lightweight lipstick from L’Oréal Paris has all of the nourishing, hydrating goodness of a lip balm, leaving your lips feeling soft and pillowy. It has a more understated shine than some of the other options in this list, but you can enhance it with the brand’s Balm-in-Gloss.

Maybelline New York Lifter Gloss With Hyaluronic Acid

Fake the look of fuller lips — and get stunning shine — with the Maybelline New York Lifter Gloss With Hyaluronic Acid. We love the shade Gummy Bear from the candy-themed drop — it’s the perfect Y2K-inspired frosty baby pink.         

Glossier Ultralip

Another lipstick-lip-balm hybrid, Glossier Ultralip is a great option for everyday wear because it offers the buildable, diffused color of a lip tint. The buttery soft formula melts into your lips and feels as comfortable as your favorite soothing balm.