Lipgloss aka ectoplasm for the lips, is a bit like marmite: you either love it or hate it, and if your hair gets stuck in it then you’re going to end up eating your own hair.
Thing is, it’s having a bit of a moment. So much so that e nmnnven myself, a die-hard matte fan, found myself side-eyeing a tube of clear gloss the other day. Sure, I ignored my cravings and went for the mattest lipstick imaginable to reassure myself, but it still happened.
So here’s the best lipgloss on the high street, and the high-end street, tested on my face using the three all important criteria:
**1. Does it look good? **
**2. Does it taste and feel nice? **
**3. When I headbang, how much of my hair sticks in it? **
Onwards.
REVLON Ultra HD Lip Lacquer in pink ruby
Price: £7.99
1. Does it look good?
This was the best looking one of the bunch - really colourful and, y’know, fun (I sound like an aunt). But seriously, it also went on the easiest thanks to a cool paintbrush rather than your usual Spongy Thing that can be tricky to work.
2. Does it taste and feel nice?
It tasted a little of plasticky nothing, which is disappointing considering that the stuff down the market when I was 12 tasted amazing.
**3. When you head-bang, how much hair sticks on it? **
Because it’s pigmented, it gets onto the hair and wipes across your face (as you can see in the vine) so be wary when you’re dancing that this is a hazard. It’s not overly sticky though.
Soap and Glory Sexy Mother Pucker in Doughnut
Price: £5
** 1. Does it look good? **
Yes, although you’d probably want a doughnut coloured lipstick underneath this if you wanted more colour. It’s a bit shimmery too, and genuinely does make your lips look bigger which was a thing I didn’t know I wanted and now really, really do.
2. Does it taste and feel nice?
Yeah, it’s menthol-y, tingly and I’d imagine feels very singular when faced with a very cool open breeze. It tastes like glacier mints. I’d probably drink it if I was a bit pissed.
3. When you head-bang, how much hair sticks on it?
Loads. This was the stickiest one I tried, so only wear if you’ve got your hair tied up in a bun like a ballerina.
NYX Butter Gloss in Peach Cobbler
Price: £5
**1. Does it look good? **
Not too pigmented, but not nothing-y, basically quite subtle. And really nice. Good for someone who is a bit worried about wearing lipgloss (me), this went on really easily too.
**2. Does it taste and feel nice? **
Tastes a bit meh, but it felt really luxurious. Which is good because it's relatively cheap, in comparison to the actual fancy luxury brands.
**3. When you head-bang, how much hair sticks on it? **
Quite a fair bit, which means it's very sticky. Not that that this is a deal breaker, and yep, I did pop this in my makeup bag rather than leave it at the Debrief beauty cupboard (sorry guys) which says a lot
Charlotte Tilbury lipgloss in Sweet Stiletto
Price: £16.50
**1. Does it look good? **
This was my favourite, as it was really subtle and not too market-place glossy. High gloss is something only very few can pull off, but moisture-rich lips is a lot easier to do. This was the latter. It also looked nothing like a sugared shoe, as the colour hints, which was great news all round.
**2. Does it taste and feel nice? **
Doesn't really taste of anything, not even a shoe (c'mon Charlotte! Throw some berries in there!) but it felt as luxurious as you'd imagine a Charlotte Tilbury product to feel. As in, a lot. A very smooth, even consistency.
**3. When you head-bang, how much hair sticks on it? **
Barely any which is a real win. You can wear this with your hair fully down and not be worried about having a hairy face. A real plus.
Poundland Dare To Bare lipgloss in Scarlet (available in Poundland shops)
Price: £1
**1. Does this look good? **
When applying, this tends to shoot out and cover your lips in a very thick layer. So thick that it gloops off your lips. But if you go easy, this is high shine and actually looks very pretty without being over the top. No pigment to speak of, mind.
**2. Does it taste and feel nice? **
It tastes really artificial, no actual flavourings, just really slimy and like plastic. It also feels exactly as you'd imagine a £1 lipgloss would feel: absolutely fine. A bit watery, a bit too 'much', but nothing out of the ordinary.
**3. When you head-bang, how much hair sticks on it? **
Not that much! It's not hugely sticky, so you can wear this with your hair down which is a real plus. For a quid, Poundland have come up with something that's actually really good value.
Yves Saint Laurent Gloss Volupte in 19
Price: £22
**1. Does it look good? **
Yeah it looks lovely, although sparkles aren't my thing (and this is sparklier than most), and has a subtle sheen rather than and in-yer-face gloopy gloss. The applicator is also fun and like a diamond shape. If that's your thing.
**2. Does it taste and feel nice? **
It smells amazing and it tastes delicious. Like a holiday if you went on holiday to a big tube of this particular lip gloss.
**3. When you head-bang, how much hair sticks on it? **
The least amount of all of them - this is totally non sticky. Wear it on your face with your hair down. Wear it on your face while someone else rubs their hair all over you. Put it on your dog (don't do this)
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Follow Stevie on Twitter: @5tevieM
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.