I Exclusively Wear Brown Lip Gloss—These 7 Formulas Are Always in My Makeup Bag
Our take
## Our Take: The Quiet Rise of Brown Lip Gloss and the Evolving Beauty Landscape
The resurgence of lip gloss, a trend we’ve been observing with interest, continues to unfold in fascinating ways. It’s no longer simply about shimmering, sugary sweetness; the current iteration favors a more sophisticated, nuanced approach. This article, detailing a preference for exclusively brown lip gloss, speaks volumes about a broader shift in beauty preferences – one moving away from the overtly playful and towards a more grounded, subtly luxurious aesthetic. The author’s dedication to a single shade family highlights a desire for consistency and intentionality, mirroring a wider cultural embrace of “clean girl” aesthetics and minimalist routines. We’ve seen this echoed in other trends, like the strategic fall beauty swaps discussed in I'm Making 5 Strategic Fall Beauty Swaps—Here's Every Single One, where a curated selection of high-performing products takes precedence over a sprawling collection. The focus is less on quantity and more on quality, a philosophy that resonates strongly with our audience. Even the search for affordable alternatives, as explored in The 5 Best Drugstore Lip Liners Rival My Favorite Designer Formulas for Under $10, demonstrates this desire for considered choices, proving that luxury doesn't always necessitate a hefty price tag.
The dominance of brown gloss, in particular, signifies a departure from the pink and berry hues that traditionally reigned supreme. It’s a color that evokes warmth, earthiness, and a certain quiet confidence. It aligns perfectly with the “quiet luxury” trend sweeping fashion and lifestyle, where understated elegance and impeccable quality speak louder than ostentatious displays. The mention of brands like Rhode and Dior further reinforces this positioning, associating the trend with established, high-end brands known for their refined aesthetics. This isn't about following a fleeting fad; it’s about adopting a signature look that feels inherently personal and effortlessly chic. The article’s focus on specific formulas and the author’s curated selection reinforces the idea that beauty is about more than just application; it’s about discovering products that genuinely enhance one’s individual style and contribute to a feeling of well-being. The subtle nod to Hailey Bieber's lip liner choices, as featured in When She's Not Using Rhode, Hailey Bieber Uses *This* Kylie Jenner–Approved Lip Liner, further demonstrates how celebrity influence continues to shape beauty trends, but in a more sophisticated and aspirational way.
This shift also reflects a growing awareness of the power of subtle beauty choices. In a world saturated with hyper-filtered images and constantly evolving trends, there’s a refreshing appeal in embracing simplicity and authenticity. Brown lip gloss, with its understated elegance, allows for a focus on natural features and a more holistic approach to beauty. It’s a statement that’s made not through volume or vibrancy, but through careful selection and confident application. The move away from overtly “girly” aesthetics and towards more neutral, earthy tones speaks to a broader cultural conversation about femininity and self-expression—one that prioritizes individual style and inner confidence over prescribed beauty standards. It’s a beauty narrative that’s both empowering and enduring, suggesting a move away from fleeting trends and towards a more timeless and considered approach.
Looking ahead, it will be interesting to see how the brown lip gloss trend evolves. Will it diversify into a wider range of brown shades, or will it remain a relatively monochromatic preference? Will other beauty categories adopt a similar approach to color palettes, favoring understated elegance over bold experimentation? More importantly, will this trend contribute to a broader shift in the beauty industry towards a more sustainable, mindful, and authentic approach to self-expression, one that values quality over quantity and inner confidence over external validation? The quiet rise of brown gloss might just be a harbinger of a more sophisticated and self-aware beauty landscape.
Lip gloss has been a part of my beauty routine for as long as I can remember. Even before I was introduced to the world of foundations, bronzers and blushers, I have memories of swiping an overly glittery and extremely sticky gloss on my lips before I went out. Now, you’ll be pleased to know that lip gloss formulas have come a very long way since then, and so have my makeup preferences. Nowadays, I much prefer natural-looking, glowy makeup looks, especially when it comes to my lip products. And for me, as someone with dark skin, no gloss colour looks quite as natural as brown.
Elegant and versatile, with that ‘90s vibe we all adore, a brown lip gloss is a flattering product that enhances your natural complexion without looking overdone or taking you too out of your comfort zone. This sophisticated gloss colour also works well with every type of makeup look, from a full face to "no-makeup" makeup. Not to mention that the shade feels perfect for the upcoming season, especially if you opt for a deeper, moodier iteration.
As someone who has tried a lot of brown glosses in her time, I have a pretty good idea of which formulas are actually worth the investment. And after testing what feels like hundreds, I’ve narrowed it down to seven of the very best. So if you’re on the market for a brown lip gloss this season, keep scrolling to shop my top picks.
Shop the Best Brown Lip Glosses
- Best Overall Brown Lip Gloss: Refy Lip Gloss, £16
- Best Luxury Brown Lip Gloss: Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil, £34
- Best Affordable Brown Lip Gloss: NYX Fat Oil Lip Drip, £8
- Best High-Shine Brown Lip Gloss: Vieve Lip Dew, £22
- Best Shimmery Brown Lip Gloss: Fenty Gloss Bomb Lip Luminizer, £20
1. Refy Lip Gloss
Best Overall Brown Lip Gloss
Key ingredients: Jojoba seed oil, hyaluronic acid, shea butter, vitamin E
Brown shades in the range: Taupe, Fawn, Suede, Sepia
I found the perfect brown lip gloss from Refy a while back, and I’ve been hooked ever since. It has a high-shine, glass-like finish that I adore, but if you prefer a more natural lip, you can also create a more blurred finish with this. There are four brown shades in the range, but my personal favourites are Fawn (a medium cool-mauve brown that acts as the perfect nude for my deeper skin tone) and Sepia (a cool-toned chestnut brown that I use for those more dramatic lip combos I love). However, I can wear all four shades on their own, which earns this gloss major points from me, as many other brands shy away from deeper brown hues, meaning I need a lip liner to get my perfect shade. The only setback for me is that you need to be super careful with putting the cap back on, as this product can easily leak in your handbag or pocket.
Pros
- Provides a high-shine, glass-like finish
- Has a wide range of brown shades that will suit all skin tones
Cons
- Product can leak if you're not careful with the packaging
2. Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil
Best Luxury Brown Lip Gloss
Key ingredients: Cherry seed oil, peppermint oil, vitamin E, seaweed extract
Brown shades in the range: Latte, Mocha, Spicy
I love a bargain beauty buy as much as the next person, but sometimes spending that little bit more is actually worth it, and Dior’s Addict Lip Glow Oil has been a favourite of mine even before they launched several brown shades. Not only is the packaging extremely chic, but the clever formula reacts with the lip’s unique pH for a custom, natural-looking tint that flatters your complexion. At £34, this gloss sits at a significantly higher price point than others on the market; however, if you love an ultra-glossy product that won't dry out your lips, I cannot recommend this luxury formula enough.
Pros
- Provides a high-shine, glass-like finish
Cons
- More expensive than other brown lip glosses on the market
3. NYX Professional Makeup Fat Oil Lip Drip
Best Affordable Brown Lip Gloss
Key Ingredients: Cloudberry oil, raspberry seed oil, squalane, avocado oil, vitamin E
Brown shades in the range: Splash of Cream, Livin' the Cream, Losin' Cone-Trol, Inside Scoop, Scrollin, Status Update, Sprinkle Sprinkle
Finding an affordable lip gloss that actually lasts can be difficult, so when you do find one, you stick with it. And if you haven’t tried NYX Professional Makeup‘s Fat Oil, I cannot recommend it enough. With seven different brown hues to choose from, I don’t think I’ve seen such an extensive shade range in a very long time, especially for the price. Infused with squalane, cloudberry oil and raspberry oil, it feels plush and cushiony without feeling sticky. Not to mention that the large, extra-soft doe-foot applicator feels super luxurious. I already own the shades Livin' the Cream and Inside Scoop, but at £8, I can see at least two of the other brown shades making their way into my makeup bag very soon.
Pros
- Has a wide range of brown shades that will suit all skin tones
Cons
- Bulky packaging
4. Vieve Lip Dew
Best High-Shine Brown Lip Gloss
Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, camellia oil, raspberry seed oil extract, green tea extract
Brown shades in the range: Supermodel, Socialite
If you’re looking for a brown gloss with a very high level of shine, look no further than Vieve’s Lip Dew. The hybrid gel-oil formula coats the lips in a glassy sheen that feels incredibly plush and cushiony without a hint of stickiness. Formulated with green tea extract, vitamin E and raspberry seed oil, this gloss melts in seamlessly to deeply condition and plump the lips. The shade Supermodel is the ‘90s shade of dreams, providing the lips with a deep neutral brown hue, but if that feels too intimidating for you, you could also opt for Socialite, a very light rose-brown.
Pros
- Provides a long-lasting high-shine finish without feeling sticky
Cons
- More sheer than other brown lip glosses on the market
5. Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer
Best Shimmery Brown Lip Gloss
Key ingredients: Shea butter, vitamin E, peptides
Brown shades in the range: Hot Chocolit, Hot Chocolit Fantasy, Rose Amber, Gimme Space
If there’s one thing Fenty Beauty knows how to do, it’s create shades that work perfectly on dark skin. And the brand’s Gloss Bomb in Hot Chocolit is adored by almost every woman in my family. It’s a shimmery, rich brown that gives the lips a bolder edge without being too glittery. Not to mention it’s well regarded in the industry as one of the glossiest glosses you can invest in. Since investing in Hot Chocolit a few years back, I recently decided to purchase Rose Amber, a sparkling cool brown that’s perfect for my slightly edgier makeup looks. It's worth noting that it does come with a peach-vanilla scent, which I personally love, but it might be too strong for those who are sensitive to fragrance.
Pros
- Deeply hydrating and non-sticky formula
Cons
- Peach-vanilla scent might be too strong for those who are sensitive to fragrance
6. Rhode Peptide Lip Tint
Best Brown Lip Treatment
Key ingredients: Peptides, shea butter, vitamin E
Brown shades in the range: Espresso, Macadamia Butter, Honey Mango, Colada, PBJ
Rhode’s Peptide Lip Tint not only provides me with the ultra-glossy finish I love, but it also doubles as a hydrating treatment. Packed with peptides, this gloss blends in easily and keeps my lips looking and feeling plump all day. I’ve been using the shade Espresso since it launched back in 2023, but the new limited-edition shades have fast become my favourites since I got my hands on them. I love that I can apply a light layer for a sheer, everyday look, but also build the product up and pair it with my lip liner for evenings out.
Pros
- Deeply nourishing formula with added skincare benefits
Cons
- Does not last as long on the lips as other brown lip glosses on the market
7. Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm
Best Brown Lip Balm
Key ingredients: Shea butter, murumuru seed butter, plant-based lipid complex, sodium hyaluronate (hyaluronic acid)
Brown shades in the range: Vanilla Beige, Iced Coffee, Brown Sugar, Hot Cocoa
The most common complaint you’ll hear about a lip gloss is how sticky it feels, and if you also have this problem, might I suggest a lip balm that provides the brown pigment without any of the stickiness from a traditional gloss formula? My personal favourite is the Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm, a product that has been loved by editors for many years now due to its ability to condition dry lips whilst also providing a wash of colour and high-shine finish. With four brown shades on offer, everyone is sure to find something they love in this range.
Pros
- Deeply nourishing formula with added skincare benefits
Cons
- Product can leak if you're not careful with the packaging
How I Tested
I've been using most of these brown lip glosses for years, and the newer formulas for months, so I've put each one through its paces. I tested each gloss on my lips to see how easily they apply, as well as how long they last throughout the day before requiring reapplication.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
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