Glossier's Ultralip Review: The Sweatpants of Lipstick

If you're a Glossier fan, you know that the "skin first, makeup second" beauty brand boasts a range of cult-favorite lip products. First, there was Generation G, then Balm Dotcom, and now: Ultralip—or what the brand describes as the “ultimate lip product.” It combines the buildable color of a lip tint with the sheen of a gloss and the hydrating moisture of a balm—basically, it was designed to be the only lip product you ever need.

First, pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo was seen swiping on a previously unannounced Glosser lip product in a Vogue Beauty Secrets video, immediately setting the beauty world aflame. Then, Glossier CEO Emily Weiss added fuel to the fire when she shared a clip of Rodrigo’s shoutout on Instagram. In the caption, Weiss teased that the brand’s “most exciting lip product ever” was on its way—and we’ve been eagerly refreshing the Glossier website ever since. 

Read on to learn more about the new Glossier must-have, and see which shade our editors love most.

Pros

• Lightweight and long-wearing
• Hydrating formula
• Smooth, even texture
• Extensive shade range
• Vegan

Cons

• Packaging could be improved (e.g. lid needs better securement)

Glossier Ultralip $18.00

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Ingredients: Good for skin

Ultralip is formulated with ingredients you’d traditionally find in a skincare product, like Meadowfoam seed oil, watermelon seed oil, jojoba seed oil, and 4HA—a Glossier-exclusive blend of four different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid. This amounts to a lip product that isn't over-drying, but instead, super hydrating so that color applies evenly and smoothly.

How to Apply: Swipe once, twice, or thrice

Glossier is known for that effortless "no-makeup makeup" look and its Ultralip launch makes it even easier to achieve. Dubbed the “sweatpants of lipstick,” Ultralip is designed to feel plush, comfortable, and smooth on lips. To apply, simply swipe onto lips. The color is buildable so a single shade can work as both a sheer lip tint or highly-pigmented color—depending on how many times you swipe. “I love the natural color of my lips, and this just accentuates that,” notes Rodrigo in the Vogue video. “It doesn’t try to cover it up or put a new color on top of it. It just emphasizes what you got.”

The Results: A splash of color and shine

Chinea Rodriguez, News Writer

I’ll admit I was a little afraid of the sheer finish at first, when I’m not wearing glosses and lip oils, I tend to reach for opaque, matte lipsticks. "Sheer" and "buildable" are words I really only prefer to describe my foundation. However, Ultralip offered way more coverage and moisture than I was expecting. After thoroughly exfoliating my lips to prep, the shades I applied went on smoothly and were easy to build up. The results weren’t the opaque finish I usually go for, but the shades added a sheer color without looking blotchy and uneven. I was expecting Ember, a deep mauve shade to be my favorite, but it turns out Cachet, a walnut brown, took that spot. It was definitely my shade. Fête was the biggest surprise, I don't usually go for red shades but it had the most vibrant coverage out of all the shades I tried. I love that it wears and feels weightless like a lip balm too.

Karli Bendlin, Senior Editor

Like Chinea, I didn’t expect Cachet to be my favorite shade, since I tend to go for lighter hues that are closer to my natural lip color. However, as soon as I swiped it on, I was immediately impressed—it looked exactly like what I think my natural lip color should be in my head (spoiler: it’s not). I love how Ultralip makes my lips look extra glossy, but stays way longer than any traditional gloss I’ve tried. While I’m also a big fan of Coupe (the blood orange) and Villa (the dusty rose), Cachet is far and away the winner for me.

The Value: Worth it

Not a drugstore buy but not quite luxury either, Glossier's Ultralip falls somewhere in between the two. Depending on how sheer or opaque you like your color to be will determine how long this stick lasts you. But for $18, the 3-in-1 balm-gloss-tint is a high-quality lipstick without the splurge.

Similar Products: You've got options

• Milk Makeup Lip Color ($24): Although this lip product is marketed as "matte," we liken it to more of a demi-matte finish that's comparable to Ultralip. Coming in seven shades, it's also hydrating on lips. Just one swipe will give you full-on color, so a little goes a long way.
• Kosas Kosasport LipFuel Hyaluronic Acid Lip Balm ($18): This tinted lip balm moisturizes, plumps, and colors lips. Like Ultralip, one swipe will give you a sheer finish but you can build from there if you like. However, with only four available hues (one of which is clear), it's lacking in the shade department.
• Ilia Beauty Balmy Tint Hydrating Lip Balm ($28): Hydration meets color in this lip offering by Ilia. With nourishing ingredients, eight shades, and a flat top that makes for easy application, it's head-to-head with Ultralip. But when it comes to affordability, Ultralip gets a leg up.