If you are struggling to put together your makeup collection, hold on one second. Ask yourself this question: do you have a go-to clear lip gloss? If the answer is yes, you’re ahead of the game. If it’s no, you seriously need to look into getting one!
There are a few products that everyone should have in their makeup collection, and clear lip gloss is one of them. A great clear lip gloss is perfectly glossy without being too sticky… because we’ve all had that moment where our hair keeps getting stuck to our lips – not fun. Also, if you’re not into bold lips, a clear lip gloss can be just what you need to pull a whole makeup look together.
Here are a few of our favorites:
- Glossier Clear Lip Gloss – Our Pick
- e.l.f. Clear Lip Lacquer
- Tower 28 Beauty ShineOn Jelly Lip Gloss
- Essence Shine Shine Shine Clear Lip Gloss
- Lime Crime Wet Cherry Lip Gloss In Extra Poppin’
- MAC Clear Lipglass
What makes a clear lip gloss better than another one?
Many people think all clear lip glosses are the same. This couldn’t be farther from the truth.
First of all, the main issue people have with clear lip glosses is that they are too sticky. No one wants to wear a sticky lip gloss because it gets on everything. Also, everyone’s experienced getting their hair stuck in their lip gloss which is totally not fun. So, a good clear lip gloss is going to still be very glossy but not sticky.
Another thing to look for in a good clear lip gloss is how long it lasts. You don’t want to keep reapplying your lip gloss throughout the day. So having a long-lasting lip gloss is essential.
The Best Clear Lip Glosses
Clear lip gloss seems so unnecessary to a lot of people. But it can be such a game-changer! This underrated and transformational product should be in everyone’s makeup bag. That’s why we’ve found the best clear lip glosses out there right now. Our favorite is the Glossier Clear Lip Gloss!
Glossier Clear Lip Gloss
Best Overall
A comfortable, long-wearing lip gloss with a glassy finish.
Glossier has one the bestselling clear lip glosses out there. After personally trying it out, it makes complete sense why it’s so highly raved about.
The Glossier clear lip gloss is so popular because it gives such a shiny look without being sticky. This makes it super comfortable to wear throughout the day. Also, it is long-lasting, so you won’t need to reapply it a ton. The formula has Vitamin E and jojoba oil in it which makes it feel hydrating on the lips. The fuzzy doe-foot applicator makes it super easy to apply to the lips. Also, Glossier is certified as being cruelty-free and this product is vegan!
Compared to other clear lip glosses, the Glossier one is on the more expensive side. So, it may be out of some people’s budget.
Pros:
- Not sticky
- Easy to apply
- Long-lasting
- Has Vitamin E and jojoba oil
- Cruelty-free and vegan
Cons:
- Out of some people’s budget
Where to buy it: Glossier
E.L.F. Clear Lip Lacquer
e.l.f. Clear Lip Lacquer is shiny and glossy while not sticky and it’s infused with Vitamin E which hydrates your lips.
e.l.f. Cosmetics is known for being one of the most popular brands at the drugstore. Their products are of high quality for being at the drugstore and unbelievably affordable! One of their bestsellers is their Clear Lip Lacquer!
This lip gloss is super shiny and glossy while not being sticky. it’s infused with Vitamin E, so it’s very hydrating on the lips. As the product description states itself, this lip gloss is perfect on its own or applied over another lip product. It is super long-lasting, so you won’t need to reapply it much throughout the day. Also, e.l.f. Cosmetics is cruelty-free and vegan!
There isn’t a lot of product in one container. If you wear makeup every day, this product might not last you long. Also, the applicator is a little bit too flimsy.
Pros:
- Not sticky
- Vitamin E makes it super hydrating
- Good on its own or layered with another lip product
- Long-lasting
- Affordable
- Cruelty-free and vegan
Cons:
- Not a lot of gloss in one container
- Applicator is flimsy
Where to buy it: Amazon
Tower 28 Beauty ShineOn Jelly Lip Gloss
Tower 28 Beauty ShineOn Jelly Lip Gloss is formulated with Apricot Kernel Oil and Rosehip Oil to be moisturizing on your lips.
Not many people have probably heard about Tower 28 Beauty, but their Jelly Lip Gloss is one of the best clear lip glosses out there! It definitely deserves a lot more hype.
Like the others on this list, this gloss is not sticky at all. But, it still has a glossy finish. Formulated with Apricot Kernel Oil and Rosehip Oil, the formula is very moisturizing on the lips. Since it has so many amazing ingredients in it, it soothes the lips and prevents them from drying out, cracking, or peeling. This gloss is super comfortable to wear throughout the day. Also, it is cruelty-free and vegan!
The only big complaint that people have about this product is that it doesn’t stay on for very long. So you do have to reapply it multiple times throughout the day.
Pros:
- Not sticky
- Moisturizing
- Prevents lips from drying out, cracking, or peeling
- Comfortable on the lips
- Cruelty-free and vegan
Cons:
- Not long-lasting
Where to buy it: Sephora
Essence Shine Shine Shine Clear Lip Gloss
Essence Shine Shine Shine Lip Gloss gives your lips an incredible shine, leaving them with an amazing light-reflecting wet-look finish.
Essence is another amazing drugstore makeup brand that makes good quality makeup for an affordable price. Their Shine Shine Shine Clear Lip Gloss is the perfect clear lip gloss.
Hence the name, this lip gloss is very shiny, but it isn’t sticky. It gives a “wet” finish that is reflective and glassy on the lips. The heart-shaped applicator makes it super easy to apply to the lips and get the perfect finish. It is pretty long-lasting, so you shouldn’t need to worry about reapplying it too often. Also, Essence is 100% cruelty-free!
This lip gloss is pretty heavily fragranced which you normally wouldn’t want in a lip gloss. Also, it can feel too heavy if you apply too much.
Pros:
- Not sticky
- Easy to apply
- Long-lasting
- Cruelty-free
- Very affordable
Cons:
- Heavily fragranced
- Feels heavy if you apply too much
Where to buy it: Amazon
Lime Crime Wet Cherry Lip Gloss in Extra Poppin’
Lime Crime Wet Cherry Lip Gloss makes sticky, heavy formulas seem stuck in the past
Lime Crime is well-known in the makeup community for producing high-quality, colorful makeup for creative, extravagant looks. But, don’t look past their clear lip gloss! It’s definitely worth the buy.
The Lime Crime Wet Cherry Lip Gloss in Extra Poppin’ is clear with the tiniest bit of shimmer in it. It doesn’t feel sticky at all. Instead, it feels super glossy and lightweight on the lips. The doe-foot applicator makes it super easy to apply a good amount of product to the lips at once. It has a plumping effect without tingling or stinging the lips. For the price, the bottle comes with a good amount of product in it. Also, Lime Crime is cruelty-free and vegan!
Unfortunately, this is one of the more expensive lip glosses on this list. So it may be out of some people’s budget. But, we believe it’s definitely worth the price. Another downfall of this product is that it is heavily fragranced.
Pros:
- Not sticky
- Feels lightweight and comfortable on the lips
- Easy to apply
- Plumps the lips
- Comes with a lot of product
- Cruelty-free and vegan
Cons:
- Not affordable
- Heavily fragranced
Where to buy it: Amazon
MAC Clear Lipglass
MAC Clear Lipglass is available in a wide variety of colors that can create a high-gloss, glass-like finish, or a subtle sheen.
MAC Cosmetics is one of the most well-known makeup brands out there – it’s a classic. One of their bestsellers is their Clear Lipglass.
As stated in the product’s name, this lip gloss gives a very glassy effect, but it’s not sticky at all. The formula contains jojoba oil in it which makes it super moisturizing on the lips. You can wear this gloss on its own or with another lip product. It is super long-lasting, so you probably won’t have to reapply it too much. Also, it is super versatile. You can either add a little bit just to have something on your lips or you can apply a whole bunch for a dramatic 90s look!
Although this product is so raved about, it does have its downfalls. This product is a bit expensive. So it may be out of some people’s budgets. Also, MAC Cosmetics is not cruelty-free or vegan.
Pros:
- Not sticky
- Super moisturizing
- Long-lasting
- Versatile
Cons:
- Out of some people’s budgets
- Not cruelty-free or vegan
Where to buy it: Amazon
Final Thoughts
We can’t tell you enough how important it is to have a clear lip gloss in your makeup collection. Although it may seem simple and maybe even irrelevant, it can seriously pull your whole makeup look together. Our favorite is the Glossier Clear Lip Gloss. But if you’re looking for something more affordable, go for the Essence Shine Shine Shine Lip Gloss. No matter which lip gloss you choose from this list, you won’t regret it!