I Never Leave for Vacation Without This $6 Lip Jam for a Gorgeous Glow: A Self-Proclaimed Lip Gloss Expert Shares Her Secret

Though I see myself as a makeup beginner, one area I pride myself on is lip gloss. My obsession dates back years, featuring brands like Lip Smackers, Baby Lips, and Expressions—I’ve had them all! This passion has carried into my adult life, and I always have at least four glosses in my handbag. I take pride in being the go-to friend for a quick lip refresh. This routine even follows me on vacations with my close friends, where I particularly enjoy dressing up my makeup. One essential in my travel beauty kit is the SheGlam Hydra Jelly Pocket Lip Jam ($6).

SheGlam Hydra Jelly Pocket Lip Jam

From

$6

$6 at SHEGLAM

As someone who typically doesn’t wear lipstick, discovering a new lip gloss that complements my makeup routine is a pleasure. After applying my standard base of foundation, concealer, setting powder, bronzer, and blush, I tried the Hydra Jelly Pocket Lip Jam. Instantly, I was hooked. My lips were incredibly hydrated without the sticky sensation found in other glosses. I opted for the “Choco Cream” shade, which imparted a luscious, bronzy shine—so much so that I skipped the clear gloss altogether. I was pleasantly surprised by the longevity of the jam; it stayed put even after a meal. Plus, applying it with the swirling wand is a delightful experience.

As a person who believes in keeping multiple choices handy, I can’t overlook my core lip products. I’ve grown fond of lip liners (even on casual outings to the pool)—the L.A. Girl Perfect Precision Lip Liner ($4) in “Chocolate” and NYX Slim Lip Pencil ($5) in “Espresso” being among my top picks. For my base, I prefer darker shades, while I lean towards lighter tones for my gloss, like the Lawless Beauty Forget the Filler Lip-Plumping Line-Smoothing Gloss ($26) in “Strawberry Shortcake” and the Kylie Cosmetics Supple Kiss Lip Glaze ($11, originally $20) in “Rose Bloom.” For a single product that gives my desired color, I turn to glosses that provide the perfect color and shine: Laneige Glaze Craze Tinted Lip Serum ($22) in “Chocolate Frosting,” Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer ($22), and The Lip Bar Gloss Up Sheer Finish Gloss ($15).

L.A. Girl Perfect Precision Lip Liner

From

$4

$4 at Ulta

NYX Slim Lip Pencil

From

$5

$5 at Amazon

Lawless Beauty Forget the Filler Lip-Plumping Line-Smoothing Gloss

From

$26

$26 at Lawless Beauty

Kylie Cosmetics Supple Kiss Lip Glaze

From

$11

$20
Now 45% off

$20 at Kylie Cosmetics

Laneige Glaze Craze Tinted Lip Serum

From

$22

$22 at Amazon

Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer

From

$22

$22 at Sephora

The Lip Bar Gloss Up Sheer Finish Gloss

From

$15

$15 at The Lip Bar

Naomi Parris is an assistant shopping editor at Popsugar, stationed in New York. With over eight years of experience and past roles in the brand’s Beauty and Operations teams, she relishes weaving stories that connect fashion, beauty, and Black culture. Naomi has also contributed her expertise to Essence Girls United, Elle, Bustle, and Elite Daily. When not working on product roundups or striking features, you can find Naomi on her blog “Eli-Nay,” where she shares style guides, cultural pieces, and innovative content on her Instagram.