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The Ultimate Drugstore Lip Gloss Review

The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at PSU chapter.

When going out, lip gloss is necessary in either your pocket or your purse.

A little lip color goes a long way. It completes the look, so it’s always on hand. 

Whether you’re a lip gloss or lipstick wearer, we can agree on one thing. Finding that perfect product, especially on a budget, is so hard. Finding a good lip gloss with good color, long-lasting wear and doesn’t dry out your lips sounds impossible. 

My friends and I have tried almost every drugstore lip gloss in our group and I have compiled a list of their most used lip glosses to help you find the perfect fit! 

Maybelline Lifter Gloss

Maybelline Lifter Gloss is one of my personal favorites. It’s shimmery and it plumps your lips. It is more on the sticky side. 

When I buy this gloss, I typically choose a clear one or one that is closer to my lip color. I don’t know why, but this gloss works best when applied over my lip color.

These glosses are great paired with a trusty lip liner to really make your lips pop.

NYX Butter Lip Gloss

Another one of my personal favorites is the NYX Butter Lip Gloss. It has a creamy formula that applies very nicely.

They have an amazing shade range, so whether you’re looking for a color close to your lip or a bolder color, they have it. 

I don’t have to reapply this one very often unless I am eating or drinking a lot and it usually lasts a decent amount of time. 

Milani Keep It Full Nourishing Lip Plumper

Milani Keep It Full Nourishing Lip Plumper is another one of my favorites. It is glossy but not super sticky and it plumps your lips. 

They have a small shade range but cover all the classic pink hues. They also have many shimmery glosses to add a little more pizazz to your look.

NYX Fat Oil Lip Drip

Lip oils are in!

We all don’t have the budget for the trending Dior Lip Oil that is all over social media so I recommend the NYX Fat Oil Lip Drip. It is a little sticky but gives your lips a nice shine with a hint of color.

It makes your lips looks hydrated and plump and like the Maybelline, can also be paired with a nice lip liner to complete the look.

E.l.f Glow Reviver Lip Oil

The new e.l.f Glow Reviver Lip Oil is another great lip oil.

It is not as sticky and can be applied more like a gloss. But it is a good in-between if you want a gloss and lip oil mix. It still gives that nice shine without being as sticky as other lip oils tend to be. 

Covergirl Clean Fresh Yummy Gloss

Covergirl Clean Fresh Yummy Gloss is one of my least favorites. It is very tacky to the point where the application is annoying and does not last very long. One positive to the gloss is that is does taste and smell “yummy.”

I used it for a weekend and hated having to reapply it so frequently. This was over the summer, so maybe the hot and sticky weather made the sticky gloss even more annoying.

Either way, I would not recommend this product. 

E.l.f Hydrating Core Lip Shine

The e.l.f Hydrating Core Lip Shine is a highly recommended product. Some people might even call it a dupe for the Clinique Black Honey lipstick.

For me, it was okay, nothing extremely special. It hydrated my lips but it smelled funny. I also had to reapply a lot. 

NYX This Is Juice Gloss

NYX This Is Juice Gloss is another one that I don’t particularly like. It is very thick and sticky upon application. It also comes in scents, not just colors. I wanted a new clear gloss that was not shimmery, and this was what was available. The scent was coconut, not my favorite. 

I might have liked it more if the colors did not correspond to scents. However, the stickiness and the scent push it down the list of favorites. 

Essence Extreme Shine Volume Lip Gloss

Essence Extreme Shine Volume Lip Gloss is another good one.

It is not my favorite, and I don’t use it every weekend like the Maybelline Lifter Gloss or the NYX Butter Gloss. However, it offers a nice shine and has a pretty nice scent. 

It is on the cheaper side and is a very good gloss for the price. 

This isn’t a comprehensive list of every glass you’ll see at the drugstore But if you are looking for a change or just tired of your current lip gloss, this list will hopefully help you make that decision! 

Olivia Pettyjohn is a fourth-year journalism major at Penn State, planning to graduate in 2024.