5 Best Drugstore Lip Glosses for Non-Sticky Shine
Looking for the best drugstore lip gloss? Check out my roundup of the 5 Best Drugstore Lip Glosses for non-sticky shine, long-lasting hydration, and beautiful color.
5 Best Drugstore Lip Glosses for Non-Sticky Shine
If you love the current lip gloss trend and you’re on the hunt for the best drugstore lip glosses that won’t break the bank, then you’re in luck!
Today I’ve rounded up the 5 Best Drugstore Lip Glosses for adding non-sticky shine to the lips, and as always all of these lip glosses are super affordable and budget-friendly.
I’m also including some of my best tips for how to find the best lip gloss, helpful application tips for making your lips look fuller, and ways to make your lip gloss last all day long.
How to Find the Best Drugstore Lip Gloss For You
It’s no secret I’m a lipstick lover, but I also share an equal love for lip glosses and have been rocking them for YEARS.
To me, lips simply look 1000 times better with a touch of lip gloss on them and I love how a great lip gloss can add, shine, hydration, and make your lips appear more full and luscious.
But as with anything, not all lip glosses are created equal and if you want a lip gloss that’s going to not only look amazing but feel amazing on the lips, follow my guidelines below.
1. Select a Lip Gloss Shade that Complements your Skin Tone
Lip glosses come in a range of finishes and shades, but like any lip product it’s always important to be mindful of your skin tone when selecting lip gloss colors.
Too light of shades can wash you out, while too dark of shades can look too harsh.
You want your lip gloss to complement both your skin tone as well as your entire makeup look, which is why clear or neutral toned shades are always a great choice for pairing with your favorite lip stick shade.
These type of lip glosses will also provide more versatility and can easily be paired with your favorite lip sticks.
If selecting colored lip glosses, keep in mind that bright lip glosses tend to look better on fair and light skin tones, warmer, medium shades are better suited for medium to dark skin tones, and deeper berry and chocolate shades look great on deeper complexions.
MORE DRUGSTORE LIPSTICKS YOU’LL LOVE:
- Best Nude Drugstore Lipsticks
- Best Red Lipsticks for Fair Skin
- Best Pink Drugstore Lipsticks
- Best Fall Drugstore Lipsticks
2. Look for Hydrating + Nourishing Ingredients
When it comes to selecting the best drugstore lip gloss (or any lip product, really) it’s important to be mindful of the ingredients, since you will be directly wearing them on your lips.
I always recommend looking for lip glosses with moisturizing ingredients like shea butter, vitamin E, and other oils that will hydrate and nourish the lips.
Another great ingredient if you want to boost hydration is hyaluronic acid.
Lip glosses with nourishing ingredients also tend to be more long-lasting and are less likely to have a “sticky” feel to them.
3. Choose a Finish That’s Best for You
The finish you choose ultimately comes down to personal preference, what type of look you are going for, and the level of color/coverage you want to add.
Lip glosses typically come in one of 4 finishes including sheer, pigmented, shimmer, and glitter.
- Sheer Lip Gloss – Clear or light wash finish. Can be worn alone to add a shine to the lips or over top your favorite lipstick.
- Pigmented Lip Gloss – Color finish and free of shimmer. Can be worn alone or on top of lipstick.
- Shimmer Lip Gloss – Fine-milled shimmer finish. Adds a beautiful sparkle + color to the lips and is beautiful worn alone or as a topper.
- Glitter Lip Gloss – Unlike shimmer, glitter lip glosses contain chunkier glitter/sparkle in the formula and are generally clear or light in color. These are the most sparkly of all lip glosses and are a fun choice for parties.
5 Best Drugstore Lip Glosses
If you’re looking for the best of the best drugstore lip glosses, then look no further!
Today’s roundup of the best drugstore lip glosses includes beautiful, high shine lip glosses, buttery smooth lip glosses, glitter gloss, hydrating lip glosses, and non-sticky drugstore lip glosses that look gorgeous on the lips.
I’ve also included swatches of each drugstore lip gloss so that you can see the beautiful shine and color that each lip gloss adds to the lips.
Shop the Best Lip Glosses by Category:
- Best Non-Sticky Drugstore Lip Gloss
- Best High-Shine Drugstore Lip Gloss
- Best Hydrating Drugstore Lip Gloss
- Best Long-Lasting Drugstore Lip Gloss
- Best Buttery Drugstore Lip Gloss
- Best Glitter Drugstore Lip Gloss
- Best Clear Drugstore Lip Gloss
Best Non-Sticky Drugstore Lip Gloss
Loreal Paris Glow Paradise Lip Balm-in-Gloss (shown in Rosy Utopia)
If you want a non-sticky lip gloss that looks and feels amazing on the lips, this is my #1 pick!
This tinted lip gloss has the hydrating feel of a lip balm with a natural-looking, glossy finish that’s absolutely beautiful.
What’s to Love:
- Comes in 12 Dewy Shades
- Nourishes and Hydrates with Hylauronic Acid + Pomegranate Extract
- Dermatologist Tested & Great for Sensitive Lips
Best High-Shine Drugstore Lip Gloss
Revlon Super Lustrous The Gloss (shown in Pink Obsessed)
If you want a lip gloss that boosts hydration, plumps, and adds the most gorgeous high shine finish to the lips, this is it!
Best of all, the formula has a silky, velvet-soft feel to it that’s non-sticky and long-lasting.
Also, how gorgeous is this bright pink shade?!
What’s to Love:
- Comes in 12 gorgeous shades
- High-shine gloss with non-sticky, dewy finish
- Ultra-moisturizing with agave, moringa oil, and capuacu butter
Best Hydrating Drugstore Lip Gloss
Maybelline Lifter Gloss (shown in Silk)
I’ve tried a lot of lip glosses over the years and hands-down this has to be one of my absolute favorites at the drugstore.
The hydrating, non-sticky formula feels so nice and luxuriously silky on the lips and I love how my lips always look instantly smoother and fuller whenever I wear it.
I would definitely rate this lip gloss above a lot of high end lip glosses I’ve tried, and it comes in a range of beautiful colors and finishes.
What’s to Love:
- Available in 20 gorgeous shades in variety of finishes
- Has an XL wand for easy application
- Ultra moisturizing formula with hyaluronic acid
Best Long-Lasting Drugstore Lip Gloss
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Lip Shine (Shown in Soft Blush)
If you tend to have dry lips, this hydrating lip gloss is a total must-have and adds beautiful color and shine while boosting moisture.
This hybrid lip gloss + lip balm nourishes, conditions, and soothes dry lips and leaves the lips feeling hydrated for up to 24 hours.
What’s to Love:
- Comes in 14 beautiful shades
- Provides the color of lipstick, shine of lip gloss, and conditions like a lip balm
- Formulated with hyaluronic acid for boosted hydration
Best Buttery Drugstore Lip Gloss
NYX Butter Gloss (shown in Merengue and Creme Brulee)
One of my absolute favorite drugstore lip glosses and top recommendations for a buttery soft, hydrating lip gloss is the classic NYX Butter Gloss.
The butter gloss formula is super soft and silky on the lips and has a buildable formula for sheer to medium coverage.
It comes in SO many gorgeous shades and looks beautiful worn alone or paired with your favorite lipsticks.
Oh and did I mention it’s only $5?!
What’s to Love:
- Comes in 24 Shades
- Smooth & Creamy Formula (Never Sticky)
- Affordable Price
Best Drugstore Glitter Lip Gloss
Revlon Super Lustrous The Gloss (shown in Sandstorm)
Wanna add some sparkle to the lips? Then this drugstore glitter lip gloss is the perfect choice!
This lip gloss has the most pretty silky, high shine finish for dewy, luscious looking lips, while the glitter/shimmer adds the perfect touch of sparkle without being over the top.
As you can see in the photo below, it’s beautiful worn alone or looks gorgeous over top your favorite lipsticks.
What’s to Love:
- Comes in 12 gorgeous shades
- High-shine gloss with non-sticky, dewy finish
- Ultra-moisturizing with agave, moringa oil, and capuacu butter
Best Drugstore Lip Gloss Swatches
Shop by Shade:
Best Drugstore Lip Gloss FAQ’s
What should I look for when buying lip gloss?
I recommend looking for lip gloss that adds hydration, is a neutral, versatile color, and is in a finish that you’ll love.
If you don’t like glitter then stick with a clear or pigmented lip gloss vs. if you want to add some sparkle go with a shimmer or glitter lip gloss instead.
How do you keep lip gloss on all day?
Do you put lip gloss over lipstick?
Is lip gloss good for dry lips?
What is the most hydrating lip gloss?
What is the best clear lip gloss that isn’t sticky?
My two personal favorites are Revlon The Gloss in “Crystal Clear” and NYX Butter Gloss in “Sugar Glass”.
Both are gorgeous and perfect for adding a beautiful shine to the lips, but the Revlon one has more of a high shine gloss look to it, while the NYX Butter Gloss has a more natural-looking gloss finish.
2. Placement is key
Lip glosses are a great way to add shine and make your lips appear fuller, but placement is key.
If you are just wanting to add shine or shimmer to the lips, then it is best to apply lip gloss all over the lips.
If you are wanting to make your lips look fuller, then I recommend only applying in the center of both the top and bottom lips.
You can also pair this with a lighter shade of lipstick applied strategically in the center of the lips.
This will help create a shiny reflection on the fullest part of the lips and creates a nice “pout”.
I also recommend opening your mouth and pushing your lips out in a pucker/pout position when applying lip gloss so that the product applies more evenly.
More Drugstore Makeup Recommendations:
- 25 Drugstore Makeup Must-Haves
- Best Drugstore Mascaras for Lengthening
- Best Drugstore Blushes
- Best Drugstore Highlighters
- Ultimate Drugstore Makeup Kit for Beginners
- Best Drugstore Makeup on Amazon
I loooove the glow paradise one!
Thanks, Chelsea – me too!