Lip Gloss 101 | Charlotte Tilbury (2024)

Darlings, lip gloss is a makeup-lovers essential! But what is lip gloss, what is it made of, and which is the best lip gloss for you? Glossy lips are all over social media and are taking the red carpet by storm, with celebrities and stars opting for glowing lip gloss formulas that make lips appear fuller and more voluptuous. In this guide, I’m answering all of the lip gloss questions on everyone’s glossy lips!

What is Lip Gloss?

Lip gloss is a pout-perfecting makeup product that helps to create the illusion of fuller, plumper-looking lips. Generally, lip gloss is less pigmented than other lip products like lip liners, lipsticks and liquid lipsticks; they can be sheer, tinted or opaque, and can be found in a range of glowing, shimmering and vinyl finishes.

Applying lip gloss is the key to dousing the lips with moisture and shine! In your makeup routine, lip gloss can be applied over the top of lip liner and lipstick to transform your lip look with a high-shine finish, or worn alone to give the lips a well-hydrated, glossy look that glimmers and glows.

What is Lip Gloss Made Of?

Most lip glosses are made using wax or petroleum jelly to create an emollient base with plenty of slip that helps them to glide across the lips. Other ingredients such as fragrances, oils and pigments are added to lip gloss to alter its scent, texture and colour, creating a unique shade and finish.

When creating a lip gloss, I always strive to create a formula with a high-shine finish that feels comfortable and moisturizing on the lips, without feeling sticky or tacky. I always choose hydrating, smoothing-effect ingredients including plumping-effect marine collagen, (found in Collagen Lip Bath), antioxidant-rich lotus flower extract (found in Lip Lustre lip gloss) and hydrating hyaluronic acid (found in my Jewel Lips). Every lip gloss in my collection is made to moisturize and nourish your lips while giving them the sensational shine that you’re looking for.

Discover My Lip-Perfecting Lip Gloss Formulas

Darlings, I’ve created lip gloss formulas for everyone, everywhere! Do you like a subtle slick of tinted gloss or an impactful, pigmented gloss that pairs beautifully with lipstick? Maybe you prefer a clear lip gloss or a lip gloss that’s full of high-shine sparkle! From plumping lip gloss to silky-smooth gloss, discover my dreamy formulas that make the lips shimmer, sparkle and shine…

My Best Clear Lip Gloss

A clear lip gloss belongs in every makeup bag, darlings! Gliding a coat of transparent gloss onto the lips can create a gorgeous, natural-looking gloss look or add sensational shine over the top of any lipstick.

My best clear lip gloss is Collagen Lip Bath in Refresh Rose, a plumping-effect lip gloss for healthy-looking high shine! The formula is infused with coconut oil to nourish and soften the look of your lips, as well as plumping agents that help lips to look fuller and poutier. The clear shade delivers crystal-like shine without tinting the lips, making it a perfect choice for more minimal makeup looks. It’s also fabulous for transforming the look of matte lipstick shades without distorting their colour, giving them a magical, mirror-shine finish.

Darlings, what is lip gloss? It’s a lip-enhancing beauty secret for everyone, everywhere! Now that you’ve discovered what lip gloss is made of and the fabulous finishes that are available, find your perfect shade in my beauty wardrobe and get the glossy look!