10 lip glosses that deliver beautiful shine without the stickiness

Reach for this one if you’re after a luxurious clear lip gloss, lip balm and plumping formula all in one. You get that glossy sheen along with pout-enhancing volume and the unique formula responds to your lips’ unique chemistry, turning a subtle tint that boosts your lip’s natural colour.

The review: “This plumping gloss is very moisturising and feels really nice and non-sticky to wear. Although it’s a clear gloss, it has some kind of cool technology in it that means the formula responds to your lips, giving them a light tint. It’s perfect for days when you can’t be fussed wearing a coloured lip product but want a little something on your lips!” Isobel Larkin, Beauty Crew’s Junior Beauty Writer

Cost: $48

Talk about a massive colour range - this lip gloss comes in 32 shades, with a selection of High-Shine, Shimmer and Glitter lip gloss finishes. Each one is translucent, yet eye-catching. The formula delivers 3D shine to lips while the oil-enriched formula pampers lips.

The review: “Pat McGrath Lust Lip Gloss is my current favourite because the lip gloss feels lightweight and nourishing on my dry lips. It doesn’t feel sticky on lips and it gives the right amount of shine. I can apply a few layers on my lips without feeling too sticky or uncomfortable, which is a winner for me.” Helen, SUPERcrew member

Cost: $51

Expect non-sticky shine and buildable colour coverage from this lip gloss. It comes in sheer and cream shades and the formula is free from sulphates SLS and SLES, parabens, and phthalates. The moisturising gloss lasts a good few hours, too.

The review: “This superb gloss is the perfect product to complete your everyday lip routine. When I use this lip gloss it completely melts onto my lips while plumping and hydrating them. It isn’t cheap, however I have an amazing product in my hands with the highest quality ingredients and I absolutely love it. This is my favourite lip gloss that I recommend to everyone. It really gives you more juicy and moisturised lips. It is the perfect go-to lip gloss for just about any occasion.” Rebecca, SUPERcrew member

Cost: $52

Rated 4.5 stars by our Review Crew® and made with 100 per cent natural ingredients, what we love about this lip gloss from the Australian brand is its range of neutral tones, from ultra sheer and natural shades to bolder versions of your natural lip colour. The moisturising formula cares for your lips while feeling weightless, and imparts a beautiful subtle sheen that’s perfect for daily wear.

The review: “Nude By Nature Moisture Infusion Gloss - 05 Blush Beige is a pretty soft pink which can be used on its own or over lipstick and works well for both hydration and shine.” Kylie, SUPERcrew member

Cost: $21.95

Recently spotted in the hands of royalty (Kate Middleton was seen swiping this on at Wimbledon), if you want to enhance the natural look of your lips with a little more shine and a touch of colour, this one will quickly become your new handbag staple. There are eight shades in the range, with something to suit every skin tone.

The review: “Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector is my go-to for a soothing, moisturising gloss with just a hint of subtle colour. Perfect for ‘no makeup’ days and for when my lips are crying out for moisture but need colour as well. It can also be used as a touch of gloss over a stronger lip colour  that nourishes at the same time. The sweet, caramel-like scent is an added bonus that makes it a pleasure to wear. One small squeeze dispenses enough gloss onto the velvety applicator and it glides so easily over your lips – no need for sticky fingers when applying. It’s easy to understand why this little gloss continues to be a classic favourite.” Anne, SUPERcrew member

Cost: $32

This BECCA lip gloss truly delivers the benefits of a lip balm - softening lips with vitamin E, shea butter and murumuru butter - along with the glimmering sheen of a gloss that’s packed with light-reflecting pigments. If you love the glow that BECCA’s cult-favourite Shimmering Skin Perfector formulas impart, then snap this one up.

The review: “Chrissy Teigen and Becca managed to create my ideal deep pinky nude with the BECCA x Chrissy Teigen Glow Gloss in Malibu Soleil (a limited edition version of the brand’s iconic Glow Gloss). It’s ultra-hydrating without being sticky and keeps my lips looking plump and juicy with minimal touch-ups during the day. Plus, bonus, it tastes like peppermint, yum.” Briar Clark, Beauty Assistant

Cost: $33

One of NYX’s best-selling products (and let us tell you - their stuff has cult status so for this to top their list, you know it must be good), the Butter Gloss is creamy and non-sticky, and yet it stays put. And it offers the perfect amount of shine - not too little, not too OTT.

The review: “Call me retro, but I’m a big, BIG fan of gloss! One that I go back to time and time again is this one from NYX – it’s the perfect consistency that’s not too sticky and not too slippery, and the colour is to-die-for. You know that ‘your lips but better’ colour that everyone raves on about? That’s what Tiramisu is for me – it’s the perfect balance between rosy and neutral.” Iantha Yu, Beauty Crew’s Beauty Editor

Cost: $9.95

If it’s super shine and a touch of plumping you’re after, this one delivers. Its shade range includes nude lip gloss hues for a sheer wash of colour as well as brighter shades that are vibrant but not as opaque as a liquid lipstick. The formula is also lovely and hydrating, thanks to avocado oil, shea butter and hyaluronic acid.

The review: “This gloss from Hourglass is one of the many in the new generation of lip glosses – i.e. pigmented, shiny and moisturising without feeling sticky or tacky. I love how easily this glides onto lips to give a mirror-like finish, and the shade Canvas is that ‘your lips but better’ shade that’s perfect for everyday wear (and easy for on-the-go applications). It also has a slight tingling sensation on application, which helps naturally plump lips a teeny bit.” Carli Alman, Beauty Crew’s Editor

Cost: $44

Ticking all the boxes for rich colour, super shine and a plumping effect, this drugstore lip gloss glides easily over lips without a hint of stickiness. There’s micro-crystalline waxes in the formula for a glossy finish and vitamins C and E for up to eight hours of long-lasting moisture.

The review: “I often find that most lip glosses are too sticky and don't have deep, rich colours, which in the past has made me steer clear of them. However I adore this one from Bourjois! Lovely colours with great pigment, smooth and sleek without that stickiness, and no dried lips (these are very moisturising!). Makes my lips look bigger, too!” Georgia, SUPERcrew member

Cost: $22

This lip plumper gloss has everything you could want out of a lip gloss: it gives lips a wet-look shine with a translucent wash of pigment and a volumising effect. Lips feel nourished all day long and that glossy finish and plump lip look lasts.

The reviews: “Dior Addict Lip Maximiser is fabulous, it not only adds definition and volume, but has a nice minty taste, and is not thick or sticky.” Ariane, SUPERcrew member

“My best lip gloss pick is Dior Lip Maximizer. I like the shine it gives and a bonus is its lip-plumping ingredients. I also like the fact that it can be layered on any lipstick.” Anita, SUPERcrew member

Cost: $49