Fashion’s penchant for Nineties and Noughties throwbacks is spreading and is now just as prevalent in the latest beauty trends as it is in our wardrobes.
First, we saw blue eyeshadows creeping back into the snaps of our favourite A-lister and content creators, then lip liner regained its importance in our makeup bag. So, it should come as no surprise there has been something of a lip gloss revolution in recent times.
Jamie Genevieve, founder of VIEVE and expert make-up artist, explains, “The nostalgia of the 90s and 00s have influenced the return of many makeup looks, and in this case – the glossy lip. TV shows like Euphoria have also been a huge inspiration for this, alongside the “clean girl” aesthetic trend on TikTok”.
Complete your nostalgic look with a gleaming sheen of lacquer, but fear not as these are not the formulas that we once knew. In line with the ever-growing adoration of glass and doughnut skin, this is wet-look lips but without the sticky textures that were once an unfortunate consequence.
Genevieve reveals, “A gloss should ideally be non-sticky and long lasting, I also love when they have skincare benefits as it keeps your lips looking and feeling hydrated. It is one of the reasons I created the VIEVE Lip Dew which is a lip oil/gloss hybrid containing hydrating ingredients such as Vitamin E and Raspberry Oil Extract”.
Whether you opt for a tinted variation or go clear and classic, “Colour preference is up to the individual”, she says. “However I love a clear gloss that can be layered on top of any colour lipstick or lip liner”.
The makeup expert reveals for best application, “Apply a thin layer at first and then follow on with a second layer to enhance the sheen”.
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MERIT Beauty Shade Slick Gelées
Minimalistic makeup label MERIT made a splash on UK last month and is already expanding its collection. The Shade Slick Gelées is your first stop for juicy lips. The gloss brings a sheer finish without any of the stickiness typically associated with 90s iterations of this product type. Ingredients like squalane and quinoa seed oil show the brand’s skin-first approach and inject parched pouts with moisture, while protecting against external aggressors that can disrupt the barrier function. There are four shades; Jeté, Le Deux, Maraschino and Mapleton that offer a very subtle wash of colour.
Buy now £26.00, MERIT Beauty
Too Faced Lip Injection Power Plumping Lip Gloss
As soon as you try Too Faced’s Lip Injection Power Plumping Lip Gloss, you’ll want one in every one of the 14 colours. This is your first stop to achieving a plump pout as the formula is infused with volumising complex that has a tingling feel on application and actually works, no fillers necessary. There’s also avocado oil and vitamin E too that have a nourishing effect so your lips are silky smooth. Glossy yet no stickiness.
Buy now £22.50, lookfantastic
DIOR Addict Lip Maximizer
Each swipe of this gloss is a luxurious experience - but what else do you expect from the makeup collection of the French fashion house? The Dior lip gloss packs long-lasting moisture to your pout, imparting instant shine, while also hydrating with hyaluronic acid. There are seven shades to choose from, whether you’re looking for a pale pink or berry plum.
Buy now £28.00, Boots
Fenty Gloss Bomb Ice Cooling Lip Luminizer Cold Heart'd
Much like everything that Rihanna does, the Fenty Beauty Glass Bomb glosses are some of the best on the market. This is not the classic product but transforms the bestseller to become a sensorial experience. The formula has an immediate cooling effect that is created with peppermint that offers a welcome burst of freshness. The texture is thicker than some of the others, making it far more long-lasting but doesn’t feel heavy or sticky. The addition of shea butter and vitamin E means your lips are treated to nourishing benefits at the same time.
Buy now £20.00, Boots
Rare Beauty Stay Vulnerable Glossy Lip Balm
This product is part of Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty range and is one of the most sought-after in the collection. It’s a gloss but not as you knew it from your childhood. The modern take on formulation means that it provides a wash of hydration, hue and shine without tackiness. There’s a botanical cocktail of white waterlily, lotus and gardenia that have anti-inflammatory and calming properties with subtle plumping too. There are five shades.
Buy now £19.00, Space NK
VIEVE Lip Dew
Makeup artist and entrepeneur Jamie Genevieve took a different approach when it came to creating the Lip Dew. She wanted this product to combine a gloss and oil texture to be a treat to parched pouts, while also leaving a healthy sheen. The product is vegan and contains raspberry seed oil extract, vitamin E and camellia oil that are kind to the delicate lip area, working to smooth and soften. The addictive vanilla aroma will have you relishing the application process and it comes in four hues, including clear.
Buy now £17.00, Space NK
Kylie Cosmetics High Gloss
Kylie Cosmetics was created by the youngest of the Jenner clan with lip products as its speciality and includes this gloss. Unlike the lip kits that sent the mogul to billionaire status, this product does not come with a liner included. It has a high shine finish and a thick texture so it’s lasts longer than your average gloss, and yet doesn’t feel too cumbersome on the pout. The colours are pigmented and there’s a slight sparkle to the colourways too. There are 18 shades.
Buy now £17.00, Boots
Glossier Lip Gloss
Even with all the hype surrounding Glossier, it never fails to disappoint and the collection of Glossier G lip tints are some of our favourite products ever. The lip gloss has the same skin-loving ingredients like vitamin E and jojoba oil to keep your parched pout hydrated, while offering a mirror-like level of shine. There are four shades and for ultimate foolproof application, you only need one swipe of the wand to create the look.
Buy now £12.00, Glossier
Anastasia Beverly Hills Crystal Gloss
Pigmented palettes and lipsticks are Anastasia Beverly Hills’ MO but it’s this crystal clear gloss that has earned its place in our list. The product requires just one layer applied to the lips and works to enhance your natural colour in line with the latest trend for skinimalism. The shine is immediate and it gives a fuller feel to the pout. Vegan and cruelty free as well as beautifully scented with a peach aroma.
Buy now £19.00, Space NK
Clinique Pop Plush Creamy Lip Gloss
When you read the ingredient list for this product, there are no doubts as to how it achieves its buttery soft texture. The formula is enriched with aloe butter, avocado butter, shea butter and the hydrating benefits of hyaluronic acid that are soothing, nourishing and moisurising to the lips - and that’s all without mentioning the glossy finish that remains. There are 10 shades with pigmented tints and a shiny not sticky texture.
Buy now £21.00, Boots
Bobbi Brown Crushed Oil-Infused Gloss
This gloss from Bobbi Brown is like if your favourite lip balm left a high-shine finish and came in 12 sheer tints. That’s the level of conditioning that we’re talking about here where each swipe is a treat to dry, flaky pouts. The formula is rich in nutrients and vitamins and any hint of stickiness can be easily counteracted if you actually start with a balm first.
Buy now £22.00, Boots
