The glossary: Your complete guide to the most talked-about lip glosses
Lip gloss is having its moment and this time, it’s not about glitter overload or middle school nostalgia. The glosses we’re seeing (and swiping) now are more refined, more wearable, and way more impressive than the ones that used to roll around in the bottom of your school backpack. Today’s formulas are equal parts lip care and shine—combining skincare-level ingredients with just the right amount of color and gloss to make you feel instantly polished.
What makes a gloss worth adding to cart these days? It needs to hydrate, feel smooth (never sticky), and give your lips that “I drink water and mind my business” glow. It should look equally good on a bare face as it does layered over lipstick.
From buttery balms that melt into your lips to juicy oils that double as treatment, this is your go-to guide for the glosses that are actually worth talking about—and gifting to your friends (or keeping for yourself).
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm (₱2,200.00)
This one’s for the girl who loves her skincare just as much as her glow. Summer Fridays took its cult-favorite balm and gave it a glossy finish—and the result is buttery, hydrating, and unbelievably flattering. It smooths lips instantly while adding a healthy, plush shine like your lips, but softer, juicier, and slightly tinted (brown sugar and pink sugar are total staples).
The texture is creamy without being slippery, the scent is like warm vanilla cake, and the finish makes you look like you’ve got your life together even if you’re only stepping out for a quick errand. It’s the kind of gloss you keep in every bag and reapply just because it feels that good.
Laneige Lip Glowy Balm (₱899.00)
A glossy, daytime take on the cult-favorite lip sleeping mask, this balm-gloss hybrid is lighter, glossier, and made for swiping on anytime. It’s lightweight, juicy, and just sheer enough to enhance your natural lips without making it obvious. The shine is soft, never sticky, and the fruity scents like berry and peach are unexpectedly delightful.
This is the kind of gloss you throw in your bag, forget about, and then fall in love with all over again every time you swipe it on. It’s low-maintenance, high-reward, and gives “clean and cute” in the best way.
OLEHENRIKSEN Pout Preserve Peptide Lip Treatment (₱1,710.00)
This one flies under the radar, but once you try it, it’s game over. OLEHENRIKSEN’s Pout Preserve is like a lip mask you can wear all day, but with a hint of shine that makes it perfect for real life. The formula is rich with peptides and cloudberry oil, so it actually helps improve lip texture while making them look fuller and smoother.
The finish is soft, pillowy, and quietly pretty. It’s ideal for those “I don’t want to wear lipstick but still want to look like I care” days. Definitely one to keep in your desk drawer or throw on before Zoom calls.
Tower 28 LipSoftie Tinted Lip Treatment (₱932.32)
Tower 28 always gets it right when it comes to clean, skin-loving makeup—and LipSoftie is no exception. It hydrates like a balm, shines like a gloss, and looks as good as it feels. The texture is light but comforting, the finish is dewy without being sticky, and the tints are sheer in the best way.
Shades like shake and sips give that my-lips-but-better flush that looks amazing with glowy skin and brushed-up brows. Plus, it’s packed with ceramides and hyaluronic acid, so your lips get a little love with every swipe. It’s like your favorite lip balm went to beauty school.
Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment (₱2,599.00)
The one that broke the internet and actually lives up to the hype, Rhode’s Peptide Lip Treatment is that girl. It’s ultra-glossy, deeply moisturizing, and makes your lips look like you’ve just had a facial for your mouth. The tinted versions (toast, ribbon, raspberry jelly) are subtle but stunning, and the formula is rich enough to double as a nighttime treatment.
This isn’t just a celebrity brand doing the bare minimum. It’s a genuinely great product that looks chic, feels amazing, and makes you want to collect every single flavor.
Glossier Balm Dotcom (₱1,100.00)
The cool-girl essential, revamped. Glossier updated its cult-favorite balm with a new vegan formula and better applicator, and the result is a glossier, smoother, more wearable finish that still nails that signature effortless vibe.
Whether you go for wild fig or mango, the tinted versions add just enough flush to your lips, while the balm itself works overtime to keep things hydrated and happy. It’s equal parts nostalgic and still very much a beauty editor staple for a reason.
