Our Favorite Lip Glosses You Need in Your Purse This Summer

As the seasons shift and sunlit days return, winter’s heavy foundations and sculpting contour sticks take a backseat to breezy skin tints and soft peach powders. Yet one beauty staple remains timeless through every seasonal swap: a range of juicy, high-shine lip glosses.

The beauty aisles are packed with lip glosses, ranging from dollar store buys to luxury splurges, but not all glosses are created equal. So, what actually makes a lip gloss great? After swiping on just about every formula under the sun, a few key components consistently set the standouts apart.

• Hydration – Powered by hyaluronic acid and other nourishing ingredients, the right gloss keeps lips soft and supple for hours.
• Comfortability – Say goodbye to hair-catching formulas and corner gunk. A good gloss feels like silk, not glue.
• Glass-level shine – The kind that catches the light (and compliments) without overpowering your look.
• Staying power – No constant reapplying here. One swipe should last you through coffee breaks and conversations.
• Bonus Points: A yummy, but no overpowering flavor

Based on the components above, we’ve curated a list of some of our favorite lip glosses you need in your purse this summer.

Top Pick Lip Glosses

ColourPop: Fresh Kiss Glossy Lip Balm ($10)

ColourPop’s Fresh Kiss Glossy Lip Balm hits all the points on our list. Formulated with peptides to soften and hyaluronic acid to deeply moisturize, the balm provides a long-lasting, glassy shine with your choice of eight tasty flavors from watermelon to blackberry. At $10 each, it’s hard to beat. 

Rhode: Peptide Lip Tint ($18)

Echoing the sentiments of social media, when Rhode’s Peptide Lip Tints are good, they’re great. However, when you pull the short stick, you end up with one of the grainy misfits. Since being brought to the brand’s attention, it seems there’s been a decrease in these unlucky finds, so for now, let’s focus on the good. The sheer, buildable color glides on effortlessly, acting as the finishing touch to any look. Infused with shea butter and peptides, the formula delivers a rich, creamy texture that nourishes as it shines.

ESW Beauty: Smoothie Lip Treatments ($11.99)

A treatment and gloss all in one. ESW Beauty’s Smoothie Lip Treatments have been a favorite for Kourtney Kardashian and Kyle Richards – and rightfully so. The treatments blend fruit antioxidants with hyaluronic acid and shea butter to lock in moisture. What was originally a 3 shade lineup has expanded into six with their new Berry Kisses line. 

Buxom: Plump Shot Peptides Lip Serum ($29)

It was the OG in high school for a reason. Buxom’s Plump Shot is a silky, buildable gloss infused with shea butter and peptides. This creamy formula glides on effortlessly for a nourishing finish that completes any look.

Tower28: ShineOn Lip Jelly ($16)

Tower28’s ShineOn Lip Jelly has the shine of a gloss, the comfort of a balm, and just the right hint of color—this non-sticky, ultra-moisturizing formula delivers everything you love about lip gloss, minus the mess. It’s your go-to swipe for effortless, everyday glow.

Maybelline: Lifter Gloss ($10)

Perfect for those full glam days, Maybelline’s Lifter Gloss, infused with hyaluronic acid, drenches lips in hydrating shine for a plump, lifted look. One swipe delivers high-impact gloss and all-day moisture, no filler needed.

As you make your way through the shelves, we hope this list helps you snag the perfect gloss (or three) to keep your lips shining all season long.