Gloss Goss

Despite the increasingly disturbing amount of lipstick I have, I'm not a huge lip gloss girl. It's just not something I reach for or feel like I want to use all that much. The main reason is I don't quite get the appeal. If I want some colour on my lips, I'll reach for a lipstick. If I want some hydration, I'll reach for a balm. What I don't find myself wanting a whole lot is shiny lips. Especially when said shiny lips attract stray hairs that later stick on your face or glasses. Every now and then (most crucially, when I'm not exposed to wind or my hair is up), I'll whip out a lip gloss and wear it for fun. Something about the colour, or glossiness, or mintiness, or smooth and lush feel of them will redeem my opinion. Here are five of my favourites.

l-r: PK 24, Red Riot, Mauve Pout, Jammy, Who Are You Wearing?

VOV Hi-tech Lip Polish in PK 24
This is the prettiest light pink that just seems to work with the natural pigmentation of my lips. It feels smooth and luxurious when applied (I'm not sure if it's something to do with the sponge applicator or the formulation, or both) and smells of juicy strawberry candy. It's glossy but not in a shiny way, and moisturising without being too sticky or liquid.

CoverGirl Wetslicks AmazeMint in Red Riot (630)
It looks like the most incredible red in the tube, but is actually very sheer. On the lips, it gives the slightest cherry red tint but the colour is barely there. I actually like the fact it's not very pigmented, as it feels light and fresh on. Something easy to just slick on for a bit of understated gloss and tint to the lips. I absolutely love the sweet mint smell and the cooling, tingling sensation it leaves when applied.

Revlon Super Lustrous Plumping Lipgloss in Mauve Pout (07)
Probably the most pigmented lip gloss that I have, I appreciate that it's pure colour and contains no shimmer (so there's no grittiness). I'm not sure why the shade is called Mauve Pout as I don't detect any purple whatsoever. It looks more like a dark rosy pink with brown and coral tones. The formulation is excellent and feels like that of a higher end brand. Super smooth, high colour, glossy, a little on the thick side, but very comfortable on the lips.

Rimmel Sweet Jelly Sheer Lipgloss in Jammy (050)
I've almost used up my tube and repurchased this gloss a few times before it was discontinued. I believe that they were replaced with Royal Gloss Delicious Lipgloss, which I have in Yummy (121). Both are very similar, but I still infinitely prefer Sweet Jelly. Like the CoverGirl Wetslicks, these are very sheer and not very pigmented. While I find the scent of the Royal Gloss cloying and overpowering, Sweet Jelly has more of a juicy fruity smell. Additionally, Sweet Jelly literally has a sweet taste. Not that I make a meal of my lip gloss, but from experience, most lip glosses either taste like nothing or are unpleasant to inadvertently digest. Not Sweet Jelly. There may have been the odd occasion where I found myself licking my lips a little more often when I had this on.

Benefit Her Glossiness in Who Are You Wearing?
I forgot I had this lip gloss for the longest time, it's embarrassingly ancient and I was debating whether or not to include it in this list as it has its flaws. I'm not a fan of the artificial, sickly sweet scent and I find it slightly stings my lips. But the colour is everything. I wish I could find a lipstick equivalent. It's a hot pink but due to its consistency and sheerness, it applies like a warm, slightly brightening but still natural pink. As a gloss, it cancels out the purple of blue-based pinks and adds pigmentation to paler pinks.