Lip gloss has been around for about ninety years, and Max Factor is often credited with an early commercial one called X-Rated in 1932. The new generation is less sticky, more tinted, and built to sit on top of a bare face. This is how to choose, layer and wear it.
Lip Gloss Is Back, and It Is Not the Sticky Kind
A shine with a long history
Lip gloss feels like a 2000s invention, but it is much older. Max Factor is commonly credited with an early commercial gloss, called X-Rated, in 1932, although the sources on that date are lighter than I would like, so treat it as a likely story. After a long run of matte liquid lipsticks that dried your mouth to dust, shine is the relief. A good gloss makes lips look healthy, and it is the easiest way to add a little polish to a tired face.
Gloss, oil or plumper
There are three families. Classic glosses, like Lancome Juicy Tubes and M.A.C Lipglass, give a high shine and a little color. Lip oils, like Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil, are lighter and less tacky. Plumping glosses from Charlotte Tilbury and Dolce and Gabbana add a tingle and a fuller look. For daily wear, a lip oil is the most comfortable. For evening, a classic gloss over lipstick gives more drama. Test the texture on the back of your hand. If it feels like glue, skip it.
Layer like a professional
The trick to wearing gloss is to apply it only on the center of the lips, then press your lips together. This keeps the shine concentrated and avoids the sticky edge. Over a lip liner in a similar shade, gloss turns into a full look. Over a matte lipstick, it makes the color look wet. Picture her stepping out of a cab in a black coat, a quick swipe of clear gloss from her bag and she is ready. Keep hair away from your mouth in the wind.
Pick a shade
A clear or sheer pink gloss goes with everything. A warm brown gloss looks good with a cream knit. A cherry or berry gloss gives a stained lip effect. In our fashion dreams she wears a glossy brown on a rainy morning with a gray scarf, and her whole face looks lit from within. Chanel, Hermès and Chantecaille make glosses with a more refined finish. I have not verified every shade at the product page, so check the color name before you buy.
What I would skip
I would skip glitter glosses unless you want a party effect. I would skip very sticky formulas that grab your hair. And I would skip plumping glosses if you have sensitive skin, since the tingle can irritate. Keep a tissue in your bag to blot the excess, and always wipe your lips before you reapply.
