This Lip Color Has Never Failed Me—Here’s Why

I’ve made this confession over and over again, but I’ll say it again: I’m a beauty editor who is pretty low-maintenance when it comes to makeup. It’s not that I’m totally apathetic to makeup, but it’s not my favorite part about the beauty world. For me, I’m more obsessed with learning about skincare. I’m not one to spend hours perfecting my cat-eye or experimenting with a bold eye shadow look.

But I will say that there is one thing I am passionate about when it comes to makeup, and that’s lip products. I love changing up my lip color and trying out new shades. I’m not one to shy away from a bold lip. There’s a reason I have more lipsticks, glosses, stains, balms, and oils in my makeup inventory than my mascaras, foundations, concealers, eye shadows combined.

So, yeah, I feel very strongly about lip colors. And while I like to play around with new hues, there’s one that has never failed me: A pink lip gloss. What can I say? It’s a total classic. Pink lip gloss was one of my first-ever makeup purchases. I remember I bought a cheap one at the drugstore—for the life of me I can’t remember the brand anymore—and I thought I was hot shit. I would wear that lip gloss everywhere I went. It was a mainstay in my little handbag. In every awkward middle school photo of me, chances are I’m probably wearing it.

Of course, I’ve had a lot of pink lip gloss variations in my life, and I’ve never been disappointed by any of them. Pink lip gloss and its very many shades is so universally flattering. It goes with any outfit and works for any occasion. And if you’re like me, wearing it gives you a boost of feel-good nostalgia. What more can you ask for in a makeup product?

Take a look at some of the best pink lip gloss options out there below.

If you’re not afraid of a little shimmer, you’ve got to try Fenty Beauty’s lip gloss. You’ll get the glossiest lips ever with some sparkle. There’s also nourishing shea butter in the formula.

You really can’t go wrong with M.A.C.’s classic lip glass. I’ve had more than a few of these tubes since middle school. It gives you this glass-like finish like no other.

An almost fuchsia hue, Nyx’s Cotton Candy shade is bright and bold. It gives sheer to medium coverage and the consistency is creamy, not sticky or goopy.

This neon-pink lip gloss isn’t for the faint of heart. You’re really going to make a statement with this one. The long-lasting and lightweight formula contains lychee fruit extract to soften and protect the lips.

Try this lighter pink for a subtler glossy look. The lip gloss is also infused with hydrating and nourishing ingredients like agave, moringa oil, and cupuacu butter.

This one from Tower 28 is more of a neutral pink, which is great for everyday wear (especially if you’re not big on color). The semi-sheer gloss conditions the lips thanks to a blend of oils: apricot kernel, raspberry seed, and rose hip.

This gloss from Pat McGrath Labs will give you glittery, sparkly lips. The shade has a coral-pink hue with pink pearl shimmer. It’s soothing, smoothing, and boosts your lips with three-dimensional shine.

Not only does this lip color deliver mega-shine, but it’s also infused with 50mg of hemp-derived CBD. 

Here’s another shade if you’re searching for a pink that’s more natural- or neutral-looking. The formula contains hyaluronic acid to smooth, hydrate, and plump the lips.

I mean, if you’re wearing lip gloss versus a lipstick or a stain, you’re probably looking for some shine. Well, you’re going to get a lot of that with this gloss from Charlotte Tilbury. It has a mirror-shine finish that’s three-dimensional so your lips look fuller.

I love Kosas’s lip gloss because it’s like a mix of a gloss and an oil, so it glides on so smoothly and isn’t sticky at all. Ingredients include hyaluronic acid to lock in hydration; peptides to plump; and evening primrose oil. to protect.

Milani’s gloss has lip-plumping properties (thanks to peptides) so your lips will look so full and glossy. The formula has a sheer tint and also contains hyaluronic acid.

This one is like a cross between a lipstick, gloss, and balm. And the hyaluronic acid in the formula can leave your lips hydrated for up to 24 hours. Plus, the Ballet Pink shade is just a pretty, everyday hue.

This shade is perfect if you want some sparkle but don’t want it to be *extra,* as it has a subtle iridescent shine. It’s also infused with nourishing oils like rosehip seed, castor seed, and sunflower seed. 

Buxom’s gloss is one of my go-tos because when it’s serious business when it comes to plumping. Honestly, my lips seem to double in size when I wear it. I also love the tingly feeling it leaves on your lips after applying.

This shade is giving me Barbie pink vibes. The gloss has sheer yet vibrant color and is long-lasting.

While this is more of a lip oil, it does have glossy properties, too. In addition to delivering amazing color, the gloss also nourishes the lips with hyaluronic acid, salicornia herbacea extract, and meadowfoam seed oil. Next: Any Time Someone Compliments My Lips, It’s Because of This Lipstick Equation