How To Get Glass-Like, Glossy Lips in 4 Easy Steps

Dewy makeup has been having a moment these past few years, with numerous beauty trends (looking at you, glass skin) centered around the luminous, natural look. Lip makeup, unsurprisingly, is no exception—right now, glossy lips are back in a major way. And while there are plenty of ways to rock a shiny pout, there’s no better way to lean into the trend than with slick, shiny-looking glass lips.

If you’re not sure how to achieve the mirror-like shine characteristic of glass lips, keep reading. Ahead, we’ll explain how to make your lips glossy and share a look at some of our favorite products for a lustrous and on-trend glossy lip look.

What Are Glass Lips?

The term “glass lips” refers to a makeup trend centered around ultra-shiny, almost wet-looking lips. Achieving the look typically involves the use of a high-shine lip gloss or lip oil. Depending on your desired look, you can also apply lip color—using lip liner and lipstick—before layering on your shiny topcoat.

Because this glossy lip look is so shiny, it’s usually paired with natural-looking skin and subtle eye makeup. With that being said, you can rock glossy lips with whatever makeup look you choose—at the end of the day, your preferences are what matter most.

How To Get Glossy Lips in 4 Easy Steps

Achieving flawless-looking glass lips doesn’t require much—just a little bit of prep work and the right lip products. Keep reading to learn how to make your lips shiny-looking and luscious with drugstore staples you (probably) already have on hand.

1. Prep your lips

In order to nail the smooth, glassy finish characteristic of this shiny lip look, you’ll need to prep your lips properly. Start by using a damp towel or lip scrub to lightly exfoliate your lips. Gently buffing away dry, flaky skin helps create a smooth surface, making it easier for lip products to apply evenly (and last longer).

After exfoliating, swipe on a nourishing lip mask, oil, or balm to help lock in moisture and keep your lips feeling hydrated and soft. Allow your chosen formula to sink in completely before continuing on with your glossy lip routine.

2. Line your lips

Next, decide what color you want your lips to be. The glass lip look pairs beautifully with both nude and saturated lip colors, so feel free to choose whichever suits your needs best. Once you’ve formed a plan, grab a creamy lip liner in a shade that corresponds with your chosen lip color. We love the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Lip Liner, as it boasts a vitamin E-infused formula that glides on easily and won’t feather. Use the precise tip to outline your lips, then use your finger to blur the liner slightly for a soft, diffused effect. This will help ensure that there’s no harsh or obvious outline when you swipe on your lipstick and gloss.

Editor’s tip: If you want to overline your lips, take care not to extend the line too far fast your natural lip line, as doing so can result in an unnatural look.

3. Apply your lip color

After lining your lips, you can go ahead and apply your chosen lip color. And here, you have plenty of options to choose from.

If you’d like a sheerer, lighter lip look, we suggest using one of the shades in the L’Oréal Paris Glow Paradise Balm-in-Lipstick with Pomegranate Extract lineup. This lightweight lipstick helps hydrate and nurture the lips for a noticeably softer, smoother-feeling pout over time. Plus, the buildable lipstick boasts a soft luminous finish that serves as the perfect base for a glossy lip look.

For a more pigmented glass lip, try a satin-finish lipstick instead. The L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Satin Lipstick comes in a diverse range of satiny shades that won’t smudge, bleed, or feather, from soft pinks and nudes to bold reds and vampy burgundies. Swipe your chosen hue onto your lips straight out of the tube—since it delivers vibrant, one-swipe color, you won’t have to go in with multiple layers.

And if you’d prefer to skip the lipstick altogether, reach for a pigmented lip gloss that provides color and shine. We love the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 8 Hour Pro Lip Gloss—it’s available in several gorgeous shades, applies evenly, and wears for up to eight hours without fading, feathering, or migrating.

4. Layer on a sheer lip gloss or oil

Once your lipstick is on, it’s time to layer on the glossiest lip gloss you own.

For an added hint of color and shine, try the L’Oréal Paris Glow Paradise Lip Balm-in-Gloss with Pomegranate Extract (it pairs perfectly with the balm lipstick). The silky formula contains pomegranate extract and hyaluronic acid and gives the lips a glossy finish without a sticky feel. Or, try a tinted lip oil, like the L’Oréal Paris Paradise Plump Ambition Hyaluron Lip Oil. The lightweight, non-sticky oil provides up to 24 hours of hydration and leaves the lips looking plump and juicy. Select your favorite shade—there are 10 to choose from—and use the cushiony pillow applicator to swipe the volumizing formula onto your top and bottom lips for a high-shine, glossy lip look.

Alternatively, you can use a clear high-shine lip gloss like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro Gloss Plump in Mirror, which instantly makes lips look fuller, plumper, and of course, shinier. While this gloss is ultra-long lasting, that may not be the case for all glosses—so if you want to keep your shiny lip look going strong all day, we suggest stashing your chosen lippie in your bag for touch-ups.

Glossy makeup has been having a moment these past few years with numerous beauty trends centered around the slick look. K-Beauty’s buzzy glass skin and glazed donut skin are only two of the many popular beauty looks that put pristine and dewy complexions at the forefront of makeup trends. Shiny (non-oily) skin is just a toe dip into the glossy makeup look with glass hair, vinyl oil-slick eyeshadow, and glass-like lips embracing the trend. 

When it comes to the latter, glossy lips that resemble clear glass are a welcoming trend during the cold winter months where some shine is appreciated. Or even during the summer when a dewy look is expected with rising temperatures. Regardless of the time of year, glass-like glossy lips are a makeup trend that anyone can easily recreate and get stunning results. 

Keep reading to learn more about glass lips, how to get gorgeous, glossy lips in just four simple steps and the best drugstore lip products you’ll want to stock up on. 

What Are Glass Lips?

This makeup look is an aesthetic trend that gives a wet look that often mimics the appearance of clean glass. When done right, glass lips make your pout look as though you coated them with a magic non-dripping oil for soft-looking lips. 

Glass lips are like the ultimate glossy lips that relies on neutral colors to match your natural lip color and a non-sticky long-lasting gloss that won’t disappear through the day. With the right lip product, you can achieve the look without the need to re-apply for effortless glossy lips.

Next Up: How To Apply Lipstick: Tips, Tricks, and Techniques To Try

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris