Glossy lips are back, baby! Seriously, every time I scroll through Instagram or TikTok, it’s like everyone’s just ditched the matte look and gone straight into full lip-gloss obsession mode. And I’m LOVING it. Not saying matte lips are dead or anything, but the shiny, glossy, juicy lip trend is thriving!
Like, if you’re part of the Gen Z squad (or basically live on TikTok like me), you’ve probably noticed that matte lips have lowkey taken a backseat to that super glossed-up lip look. I don’t know about you all, but the glossy vibe just feels more fun, fresh, and let’s be real—it looks good from every angle. So, why are we all ditching matte? Let’s talk about all that glossy goodness, why it’s taking over 2023, and how YOU can absolutely kill it with some shiny, sparkly lips.
The Flashback: Matte’s Era Feels Like Forever Ago
Okay, so quick memory lane stroll: remember back in, like, 2016-2019, where ya couldn’t even THINK about stepping out of the house without (cue dramatic music) a liquid matte lipstick? It was non-negotiable. Kylie dropped her Lip Kits, and the whole world collectively lost it. Bold, matte lips were IT. Every makeup guru, beauty influencer, and your BFF got onboard.
Matte lips just had that perfect insta-ready feel. Super pigmented, long-lasting… They looked amazing in selfies too. But honestly? Fast forward to today, matte lips feel kinda… serious, right? And let’s not forget yikes, how drying it could get (I could almost hear my lips screaming for chapstick while I was reaching for my matte lipstick 😂).
But now? It’s all about lightweight, comfy feel and hydration, which is why gloss is so iconic right now.
Why Gloss is Having This Major Comeback
Alright, let’s get real here for a sec… how many of you used that crusty, old half-dried lip gloss we all had hidden in our awkward middle school secret stash? 😅✋The ones we bought from that mall kiosk?? It was THE thing, but then we moved on for a while.
Now, gloss has made this huge glow-up and is back better than ever. The 2023 version of gloss is sleek, fresh, and totally modern. And literally EVERY brand out there has upped their gloss game hardcore! I’m talking glosses that aren’t sticky, last a long time, and give you that wet-look shine without making you feel like you just ate oil-covered fries.
Gloss used to be all about the sticky struggle, but today’s glosses are pure magic for your lips.
Let’s break it down: brands like Fenty Beauty (bless Rihanna) with their Gloss Bombs literally flipped the script and made glosses sexy again. Lip gloss today is less about sticky goo and more about that glossy perfection that looks bomb on IG Live and in selfies.
Plus, this whole dewy, fresh-faced makeup trend (insert Hailey Bieber’s glazed-donut skin moment) lines up perfectly with glossy lips. They just fit into the whole natural-but-put-together vibe. And, let’s be real, after the pandemic lockdown, we’re ALL about comfy beauty these days. Glosses are hydrating, juicy-looking, and give off a more chill, laid-back aesthetic, especially when paired with minimal makeup.
Matte Vs. Gloss: The Defining Difference
I’m not even trying to roast matte lips here—seriously, there’s a time and place for that dramatic, powerful matte moment. For when you need to feel like a walking badass. But here’s a quick rundown without making this too deep:
| Matte Lip | Glossy Lip |
|---|---|
| Full, no-shine coverage | Reflective, high-shine finish |
| Lasts (like forever) | Might need touch-ups |
| Can get drying | Super hydrating vibes |
| Bold and statement-like | Fun, flirty, fresh |
| Use for drama | Use for a natural, juicy look |
So, while matte lips are great for going full glam, gloss is here for your “Imma look effortlessly cute” moments. Wear what gives you life, but note: gloss is where it’s at in 2023.
The TikTok Gloss Craze
One reason glossy lips are dominating is because of TikTok beauty trends. Like, I’m sure y’all already know that everything beauty-related gets influenced on TikTok. Beauty hacks? TikTok. Product reviews? TikTok. Celebrity-inspired makeup trends? Duh—TikTok.
People are all about lip combos these days too. If you’ve been living in the “Lip Combo TikTok” corner of the internet, you probably know what I’m talking about! Add to that everyone’s obsession with juicy, plump, and hydrated-looking lips, and boom! Gloss is ruling the For You Page.
Here’s the usual drill people are doing:
- Line your lips. Softly or go crazy with an overline—no rules anymore.
- Lipstick or lip tint (some people love using brown-toned nudes these days).
- Top it off with gloss. And don’t be shy—go heavy on the gloss for max shine.
Honestly, it’s like the hotter the gloss, the shinier the trend! I swear Fenty’s Gloss Bomb is the reigning queen on all these vids. The crazy spike in sales for glosses right now? Definitely no coincidence.
Layer It Up Like a Pro
Ok, let’s get into some REAL tips for amping up your gloss game, because applying lip gloss can actually be trickier than it looks, especially if you want it to stay on all day (and NOT end up on your teeth or hair). But no stress—I’ve got some tips to keep your gloss looking cute from morning coffee to late-night selfies.
Exfoliate!
No joke, gross, dry lips + gloss = not a vibe. Gloss is meant to show off that soft, smooth, juicy finish, and if your lips are super chapped, it’ll just show through the shine.
I recommend using a little lip scrub, or if you’ve got no time for that, just grab a clean toothbrush and gently scrub your lips to get rid of any dead skin. Then, slap on some lip balm while getting ready, so you’ve got that soft canvas before glossing up.
Layer, Don’t Just Slap On
Okay, there’s an absolute art to layering your gloss so it doesn’t slip, slide, or disappear in two seconds:
- Start with a lip liner. Line your lips with a shade close to your natural lip color or slightly darker for that contrast.
- Apply a thin layer of lipstick or a tinted balm for a little extra base. (Brownish nudes are what EVERYONE is gushing over on TikTok right now!)
- Then, finish with the gloss. Just swipe it over everything to add maximum shine.
Another secret? Don’t leave all the gloss in just the center of your lips. Gently spread it out a bit so that shine stays even. Gloss on just the center can make things look patchy. But we want that consistent juicy look, ya know?
Post It on Instagram (Basically Mandatory)
Once you’ve got that perfect lip look going, uh… it’s kinda the law to do a quick selfie or IG story, right? Tag me in them so we can fangirl over your glossed-up lips together 😍. We’re all here for cute lip inspo and some solid likes.
Glosses You Absolutely NEED in Your Arsenal
Ohhhh, now this is the fun part. If you need to elevate your lip game, here’s a mini-list of some fire glosses that you’ll thank me for later (you can never have too many, right?):
- Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb – I’ve already mentioned this one because it’s seriously THE buzz everywhere and comes in multiple colors. Plus, it’s not sticky!
- NYX Butter Gloss – Affordable and it glides on like, well… butter.
- Tower 28 ShineOn Lip Jellies – For that juicy, jelly-like finish.
- Buxom Full-On Plumping Lip Cream – Gives you that slight plump without the over-tingle. FYI: shiny + fuller lips = power duo.
- Glossier Lip Gloss – If minimal and sleek are your thing, this one’s just… chef’s kiss.
Gloss is all about the shine AND the hydration, babe! No more crusty matte lips here!
But seriously, if I have ONE recommendation? Fenty Gloss Bomb across the board. It’s just a glossy-game-changer, PERIODT.
Don’t Gloss Over This Trend (LOL)
Alright, so, moral of the story: matte lips are cool and all, but glosses have stolen the show right now, and let me tell you—it’s not just a trend, it’s a whole vibe. Whether you’re chilling at home, going out with friends, or just feeling yourself for a mini-photo shoot, gloss will get you there.
Plus, your pout’ll thank you for all that hydration.
So hit up your fave beauty store, grab a bomb gloss (or, like, 3–let’s be real), and glow-up those lips with that sparkly, shiny goodness. Shuuhuu! I’ll be checking my stories for all your glossy looks. 😘
