Like many people, I use lip balm every day. Sure, I have my favorite formulas—a few tried-and-true and editor-approved lip balms—but I’m also constantly testing new tubes. I mix and match tinted and untinted, flavored and unflavored… You get the idea. There’s only one characteristic that stays consistent: the finish. You see, I collect shiny, glossy, glass-lips-giving lip balms.
It’s not like I’m averse or opposed to matte lip balms. I just prefer using glossy ones during the day because they 1) replace sticky, goopy, and short-lived lip glosses and 2) still moisturize, smooth, and plump my lips. My current collection clocks in at an embarrassing number, but I thought I’d share my top 10 go-to formulas. These are hands down my favorite ones. Keep scrolling!
#1: Laneige Lip Glowy Balm
LANEIGE
Lip Glowy Balm in Vanilla
Lighter-weight than the brand’s iconic Lip Sleeping Mask ($24) yet just as hydrating, these glossy lip balms are packed with shea and murumuru seed butter for soft, smooth, and plump lips. There are so many good flavors, but I like classic vanilla, blueberry, or mango best (each one smells delicious).
While there are so many good glossy lip balms on this list, these earned my top spot. Why? Let me count the ways. They’re glossy. They’re moisturizing. They smell amazing. Best of all, people ask what lip gloss I’m wearing when I apply these.
#2: Ole Henriksen Pout Preserve Hydrating Peptide Lip Treatment
OLEHENRIKSEN
Pout Preserve Hydrating Peptide Lip Treatment in Crème Brûlée
I love this lip balm’s sleek, shiny finish, but I love its anti-aging ingredients even more. It contains lip-plumping peptides and moisturizing kokum butter. Over time, it smooths fine lines and boosts collagen for more plumpness and elasticity. Just like the Laneige lip balm, there are multiple flavors worth trying, but my favorite is the new Crème Brûlée one. It has a beige-nude tint and the most incredible vanilla brown-sugar scent. It makes me feel like I’m people-watching at a Parisian café while sipping a coffee and nibbling a delectable dessert. In other words, it’s a vibe.
#3: Eadem Le Chouchou Exfoliating + Softening Peptide Lip Balm
EADEM
Le Chouchou Exfoliating + Softening Peptide Lip Balm in Bissap Glaze
This three-in-one balm is low-key incredible. It fulfills the role of a traditional lip balm by moisturizing the lips with Brazilian açaí and African mongongo butter. It fulfills the role of lipstick by tinting the lips with an array of five flattering colors. (My favorite is this deep berry color.) It even replaces the need for a lip exfoliant by resurfacing the lips with hibiscus enzymes and lactic acid. As if that’s not enough, it contains collagen-boosting peptides to achieve a plumper pout over time.
#4: Rhode Peptide Lip Tint
rhode
Peptide Lip in Tint Ribbon
A classic. An icon. *The* moment. What else can I say about Rhode’s Peptide Lip Treatment that hasn’t already been said? I love the original untinted versions (Watermelon Slice will be in my bag until the day I die), but lately, I’ve been using the tinted versions. This sheer pink shade, called Ribbon, is my current fave. It feels so hydrating and looks so shiny without being heavy or sticky. To put it simply, it’s just as good as the untinted versions.
#5: Naturium Phyto-Glow Lip Balm
Naturium
Phyto-Glow Lip Balm in Jam
Naturium’s Phyto-Glow Lip Balm is perhaps less known than the Rhode Peptide Lip Treatments, but I think it deserves just as much hype. Not only does it give my lips a lacquered shine and highly pigmented color, but it also moisturizes as well as many lip masks I’ve tried. It’s thanks to a powerful formula containing phyto-derived esters, shea butter, cupuaçu butter, and plant squalane.
#6: Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm
Summer Fridays
Lip Butter Balm in Iced Coffee
As if I would leave out this TikTok-viral lip balm… Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm is just as good as everyone says it is. It’s lightweight, delivers cushiony moisture, and smells amazing. (You might reapply it just to catch a whiff like I do.) There are so many can’t-miss versions, but lately, I can’t stop reaching for Iced Coffee, which is a lovely brown-nude shade.
#7: Topicals Slick Salve Glossy Lip Balm
Topicals
Slick Salve Glossy Lip Balm
This lip balm is one of the most hydrating ones I’ve ever tried. A combination of hyaluronic acid, ceramides, rice bran wax, and glycerin replenish moisture and strengthen the skin barrier to keep it there.
#8: Nudestix Hydrating Peptide Lip Butter
NUDESTIX
Hydrating Peptide Lip Butter in Dolce Nude
Peptides, vitamin A, and vitamin E make this lip balm a hydrating, lip-protecting superpower. The addition of avocado butter makes it ultra soft and smooth. Add a pretty caramel tint and a high-shine finish, and I’m sold.
#9: Tower28 LipSoftie Hydrating Tinted Lip Balm
Tower 28 Beauty
Lipsoftie Hydrating Tinted Lip Treatment Balm in Dulce De Leche
I love Tower28, and this glossy lip balm is no exception. It’s non-sticky, delivers lip mask-level moisture, and coats the lips in a sheer tint of color with food-grade flavor. Translation: It’s safe for even the most sensitive lips.
#10: Mara Sea Silk Lip Balm
MARA
Sea Silk Lip Balm in Clear
For lips that are equally as silky as they are shiny, I reach for this algae-spiked lip balm. The hero ingredient plumps the lips, improves fullness, and smooths lines and wrinkles. The addition of natural seed butter and vegan wax locks in hydration.
