The cult of glossy lip balms and where to find them

The internet told you first: Lip gloss is back and better than ever. In the new and improved era of lip gloss, we’ve been able to discover that these products don’t need to have that gross, sticky feel to make your pout look plumper. Sure, you can just swipe on your old faithful chapstick or Vaseline to combat the seasonal stressors, but we’re looking for a bit more. We not only want a soft and hydrated kisser, but we also want shine. Enter glossy lip balms.

These new balms are ultra-reflective and make lips glisten while offering the same comfort and moisture as the traditional lip balms. Recently, glossy lip balms were everywhere: in our friend’s makeup bags, at events and all over our For You page. Their popularity is a sea change for the category, which hasn’t been this exciting since the EOS era.

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Glossy lip balms are one of the most versatile items in a makeup bag, considering you can wear them anywhere and everywhere. Even when leaving the house with nothing on, you can casually pop a little gloss-balm on the lips for that ‘your lips but better’ effect. Some of the most viral products have been some variation of the category, from Fenty Beauty’s Gloss Bomb to Tarte’s cult-favorite Maracuja sticks.

It also seems like one of the best ways to understand the inner workings of the people around us (or those we follow online) is to know the brand of glossy lip balms they buy into. Perhaps because, unlike the majority of our items, we cart the balms around with us – from handbag to bedside – like a hydrating, shiny life source; an extension of our being. Like, who doesn’t have at least two hanging out in their desk drawers?

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In celebrity circles and among beauty enthusiasts alike, everyone is especially talking about Hailey Bieber’s Rhode peptide lip tints and treatment. While all the products have had their moment in the sun, the runaway success is by far her glossy lip balms – both tinted and untinted – which are in the bag of every cool girl we know and are often sold out for months. And as always, Hailey is one step ahead, as she recently announced the launch of the Rhode Lip Case to make sure her lip treatment is always within reach.

To help you navigate which lip products to buy – even if you already have enough, scroll down to discover the glossy lip balms we’re calling on now.