Lip Gloss vs. Lip Glass — What's the Difference?

Lip gloss is a versatile cosmetic product designed to add a glossy, sometimes tinted, finish to the lips. Its formulations can range from sheer and lightweight to more pigmented versions, often enriched with moisturizing ingredients like oils and butters to hydrate the lips. Lip glosses are known for their ease of application, coming in tubes with applicator wands, squeeze tubes, or pots. They provide a range of finishes from subtle shine to sparkly glitter, making them suitable for various occasions and preferences.

Lip glass is a specific type of lip gloss offered by MAC Cosmetics, characterized by its high gloss, glass-like finish that aims to mimic the appearance of glass on the lips. It is distinguished by its thicker consistency and higher pigmentation compared to standard lip glosses, providing more intense color coverage while still delivering the high shine expected of a gloss. Lip glass is often favored for its longevity and the dramatic effect it can achieve, making it a popular choice for both everyday wear and special occasions.

Both products serve to enhance the lips with a glossy sheen, while the key differences lie in their consistency, pigmentation, and the finish they provide. Lip gloss, being a broader category, offers a wide variety of options in terms of coverage, hydration, and shine. Lip glass, as a product line, focuses on delivering a specific, high-shine, glassy finish with more pronounced color intensity, catering to those looking for a bolder, more dramatic look.

All lip glasses can be considered a form of lip gloss, but not all lip glosses achieve the distinctive glass-like finish and intense coloration of a lip glass. The choice between the two depends on the desired finish, level of pigmentation, and the effect one aims to achieve with their lip makeup.