Beauty testing: 17 favourite lip glosses

Shine: 6/10
Stickiness: 7/10
Moisture: 9/10

Tester says: "The sheer red wine colour of this gloss is trendy, flattering and dramatic. It has a tiny bit of sparkle, which is perfect for me -- too much sparkle is not kind to aging skin. It's very shiny after applying but over time, the shine fades, although the colour lasts longer, more like a lipstick. The applicator is a lip brush on the end of a wand, which I need to apply in front of a mirror. Like many glosses, this product has a low kissability rating, so go for something more subtle if there are smooches in your immediate future. This gloss kept my lips soft and moisturized -- it's going in my purse for sure."

Available at drugstores

Shine: 9/10
Stickiness: 5/10
Moisture: 10/10

Tester says: "I love the colour, a chocolatey mocha with a touch of pink -- it suits my skin tone and is perfect for a gloss. There's no smell or taste, which is good in my opinion, and it lasts for a couple of hours without reapplying. It's really easy to apply and has a fantastic applicator, a built-in lip brush -- you squeeze the tube to release the gloss through the bristles. Overall this is a really great lip gloss, with a really good balance between its moisturizing qualities and how long it lasts, without the stickiness you find too often in other glosses."

Available at select stores and sephora.com; visit cargocosmetics.com for retailers

Shine: 8/10
Stickiness: 4/10
Moisture: 9/10

Tester says: "I like the soft minty taste -- it's not overpowering, just enough to make my lips tingle a bit. It lasts about an hour, if I don't drink or eat anything, and after the shine fades, I'm still left with a bit of shimmer. I like its standard sponge applicator, which allows for easy distribution. Sangria is a shimmering sheer pink that should suit most skin tones. It makes my lips look like they have a hint of colour, which makes it a perfect daytime look."

Available at select Bay locations and at origins.com

Shine: 10/10
Stickiness: 10/10
Moisture: 7/10

Tester says: "This clear, tasteless gloss is great for adding over lipstick. It's easy to apply -- the sponge tip applicator means it doesn't goop on too much -- and lasts about an hour. It's super high-shine, so if you like that kind of drama, it's perfect, although perhaps a bit much for everyday. I would use it for a night out with some red lipstick to make my lips shine!"

Available at drugstores

Shine: 9/10
Stickiness: 2/10
Moisture: 9/10

Tester says: "The colour is a light rose pink -- I love it! It's a very subtle hue that keeps your look natural. The yummy formula smells like honey, and it lasts for hours -- I only had to reapply after a meal. It has a nice sheen without being too glossy, and leaves your lips moisturized and glossy without any gumminess or stickiness. This gloss is perfect for daywear."

Available at select cosmetics counters and sephora.com; visit benefitcosmetics.com for stores

Shine: 7/10
Stickiness: 3/10
Moisture: 6.5/10

Tester says: "Berry is a wine colour that goes on semitransparent. It smells like cake -- delicious! It's rare to find a gloss that tastes and smells this good, and putting something on my lips that doesn't feel or smell chemically or fake is important to me. Unfortunately, it doesn't last long because it makes me lick my lips too much! The sponge applicator is easy to use and I have to reapply about once an hour. This gloss is not goopy, looks natural and has a luxurious feel."

Available at select stores; visit drhauschka.ca for retailers

Shine: 8/10
Stickiness: 5/10
Moisture: 7/10

Tester says: "Juneberry is a little pinker than I would normally wear, but it's a nice light shade for summer. The taste and smell are almost medicinal, but not in a bad way. It's definitely not a fruity-smelling lip gloss. It's got a bit of a minty taste and leaves your lips tingling. It lasts for a long time, although I definitely had to reapply after a meal. I like the applicator, a squeeze tube -- the gloss goes on smoothly and it's easy to apply and keep it within the lines of your lips."

Available at Aveda Experience Centers; visit aveda.com for locations

Shine: 7/10
Stickiness: 9/10
Moisture: 7/10

Tester says: "I love the neutral yet extremely flattering colour of this gloss, and the level of shine is perfect for me -- I don't go for ultra-high-shine lips. It's a bit sticky for my liking, so it's a better look with ponytails and updos than with long, flowing hair, especially on a windy day. The brush applicator means you're better off applying in front of a mirror, but it lasts long enough -- a couple of hours plus, depending on how well you leave it alone -- that it's not an inconvenience. And even as the gloss fades, it leaves behind a subtle colour and moisturized look that are miles ahead of bare lips."

Available at department stores and Guerlain boutiques across Canada

 
Did we miss your favourite gloss? Do you agree or disagree with our reviews? Share your feedback in the comments.

Read more:
• Beauty testing: 19 best eyeshadows
• Beauty 101: How to wear blush
• Lipstick reviews: 16 best lipsticks

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