Gen Z has had an affinity for millennial aesthetics lately. (See cloud skin and latte makeup.) However, one thing the generation seems to be set on is lip glosses. Whereas millennials tended to prefer a matte lip as a staple of late 2010s makeup, you’ll probably see Gen Z on TikTok reaching for lip glosses.
According to Glossy, a recent report from Circana found that 70% of Gen Z-ers who wear makeup said they use gloss, as opposed to 48% who said they wore lipstick. In contrast, the Circana report found that those preferences were switched for the other generations, with a higher percentage saying they wore lipstick and a lower percentage saying they used lip gloss.
Whether you’re a part of Gen Z and looking for a new gloss to add to your collection or part of another generation and trying to understand this new trend, finding a great lip gloss can be hard. Luckily, the editors here at Teen Vogue have tried plenty of lip glosses throughout the years, and it’s safe to say we each have a go-to. These are tried and true products that we recommend to our family, friends, and you Teen Vogue readers! Here are our editor’s favorite lip glosses.
Karissa Mitchell, Senior Fashion & Beauty Editor
I can't be the only one who uses Laneige Sleep Mask regularly. They say it's an overnight mask, but how am I supposed to keep that shine to myself? You can't beat it. Anytime I wear it, I'm constantly asked what's on my lips. The consistency is perfect; it's creamy and thicker than a lip oil, with a shine that lasts.
And let's not forget, because it's an actual mask, my lips receive intensive care all day long. It's complete with moisture, antioxidants, and Vitamin C from shea butter, coconut oil, and Murumuru seed oil. Laneige Sleep Mask is my go-to lip 'gloss'.
Claire Dodson, Senior Entertainment Editor
Bobbi Brown's Crushed Oil-Infused Gloss in “Force of Nature” is my holy grail lip gloss — the brownish pink tinge gives my lips a similar color to the iconic Clinique Black Honey but with a better (IMO) applicator. The Bobbi Brown gloss is perfect for when you want a lower-key shine that is peak “your-lips-but-better.” I want to wear this all the time. I want to sleep in it.
That said, I also have a second favorite. For the price, Tower28 is nearly unbeatable — a high-quality gloss with a strong tint that feels substantial without being too too heavy. I run through these regularly since the lip feel is so plush I end up applying them whenever I'm bored. The shade "Fire" is an old favorite for its orangey glow, but lately, I've been into "XOXO" — a nod to Barbie pink that gives off a certain sweetness without overpowering my day-to-day look.
Shauna Beni, Commerce Editor
Let me tell you all something: MAC’s clear lipglass is that girl when it comes to clear glosses. The number one trait I look for in a lip gloss is the staying power — constantly having to reapply lip gloss is just not fun for me. When I first tried out this lip gloss, I was shocked at how long the formula lasted on my lips. It glides on smoothly while leaving behind a thick layer of gloss that gives off a mirror-like shine (hence the name lipglass).
You also won’t have to worry about it drying out your lips because it’s crafted with jojoba oil, a plant ingredient that conditions the skin. Pair it with a lip liner, or apply it over your favorite lipstick. No matter what lip glam you go for, this gloss will be the cherry on top!
Allison Hill, PR Associate
I’ve been using the Pat Mcgrath Lust Gloss in "Divine Rose" for over a year now, and it’s the perfect gloss to add an extra shine to your lip. I’m a big fan of Pat (I’m wearing her blush Divine Rose on my cheeks in the pic above) and love that you can create monochromatic looks with her products. Gloss is perfect for the girls looking for a glossy that isn’t too sticky and has a smooth feel.
With most lipgloss, the applicator can get clumpy and sticky over time. I’m on my second tube, and with both products, I saw the applicator was as good as the day I purchased it. I’ll admit, I’m a little bad at remembering to reapply during the day (especially during events), so I love lip products that have durability and keep me looking fabulous all the time.
Sara Delgado, Editor-at-Large
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m more of a Vaseline girl than a lip gloss girl on a daily basis, but sometimes you do need an extra oomph and shine. During those days, I always reach for Tower28’s ShineOn Lip Jelly in the clear shade, called Chill.
While this lip gloss looks amazing on its own if you are after a more understated look, I tend to layer it on top of either a lip tint (the one I’m wearing in this pic is the Etude House Dear Darling Water Gel Tint in Dracula Red) or some sort of stain (Milk Makeup’s Lip + Cheek in Quickie is always in my purse.)What I love about this lipgloss the most is that the formula is not sticky (nobody wants pesky hairs getting in the way) and that it doesn’t have any funky smells that could trigger any allergies. Plus, it also feels surprisingly moisturizing on the lips, so in my mind, it’s just the natural step-up from Vaseline.
Aiyana Ishmael, Associate Editor
As someone who grew up on the King Kylie (Jenner) internet, over-lining and full lips have unfortunately become my goal. I love a plumped, nude lip, and finding something that meets all my needs is hard. I don't love anything too pigmented, mostly because I do love my natural two-tone lip color. Second, I can't take anything that's too sticky and has my hair getting caught in it. I also love a plump, but not a burn, so I avoid glosses that are painful. (I'm a firm believer that beauty should not be painful.)
Stila was a brand I wasn't too familiar with before I went on this hunt for the best plumping glosses, but I’m leaving with it as my number one choice. Its peppermint base is the perfect feeling for a plumping gloss; I prefer it a million times over anything extremely heated. It also looks so great applied and is a perfect all-day gloss. The only downside is the application brush tool isn’t my personal favorite, but I've learned to get past it because of how nice the actual product is. I can wear this alone (as I am in the picture) or on top of some lip liner, and it all looks great. This has become my go-to gloss the last few months, and I'm sadly watching the container get more and more empty, which I guess is a sign that I use it often!
Donya Momenian, Fashion & Beauty Associate Editor
I'm not exaggerating when I say I've been using this NYX Butter Gloss since I was 14 years old. As a high school freshman on a budget, I bought my first tube at a convenience store and never looked back. I've worn Crème Brulee (my personal favorite bunny tongue lip gloss) and many other shades of the gloss ever since. It stays in my beauty bag as one of my go-to lip products.
This is the epitome of small but mighty. At only $6, this lip gloss exceeds expectations. The formula has great pigmentation and is buildable, so you can adjust according to your mood. It also has the classic glean of a lip gloss without being too thick or sticky. It's light and airy, so after you apply it, you don't have to think about it, especially because you won't have to be worried about reapplying since it lasts so well.
The tube might look small, but since you typically only need a few swipes, it will last you a long time. Honestly, if you're like me, you'll probably lose it before you run out! But it's fine because they're so easy to replace.
