The 10 Best Sheer Lip Products For A Subtle Pout

From stains and tints to glosses and oils, sheer lip products allow for a subtle wash of color that plumps for the perfect pout. A more translucent finish also means you can get away with a no-mirror application, which is ideal for on-the-go babes and slightly more laissez-faire reapplications throughout the day. Sheer lip products typically have a wetter consistency and a higher oil content, meaning their soft, gentle glow is also hydrating and nourishing. What's more, sheer sheens almost give a three-dimensional effect that can give the illusion of fuller lips — a clear bonus in our eyes. Plus, these ethereal sheer hues allow for much of your natural lip coloring to peek through.

When choosing a sheer lip gloss or tint, you'll want to consider whether or not the product is hydrating and if it requires an application of lip balm underneath. The price point, how long the application lasts, and, of course, whether or not the product is sticky also top the list of criteria. If your hair is getting caught on your lip gloss nonstop, then even the most alluring glossy sheen can become a bit of an annoyance. The vibe of your sheer lip should be effortlessness and ease. A natural, dewy glow that yields a subtle pout is what we're after here, so we rounded up our top sheer picks for a subtle pout. 

Sheer lip products that nourish and moisturize are a staple in any makeup bag. Full-coverage lip color may be an everyday look for some, but having an easy, casual go-to sheer lip oil or stain on hand can be a game-changer for those seeking a quick and gentle glow. In order to find the best sheer lip products out there today, we sifted through customer ratings, user reviews, popularity, and price points. Furthermore, we examined ingredients, versatility, and shelf life. 

We narrowed down the plethora of sheer lip products available to illuminate those that have makeup users over the moon and continually stocking up for more. Because consumer needs and desires vary, you'll want to account for your lifestyle, skin tone, and budget when choosing sheer lip products. Ultimately, we think this roundup will ease the process for anyone ready to add a sheer and healthy glow to their daily makeup routine.

This ultimate stand-alone is our sheer lip product pot of gold. The buildable color and moisturizing formula of Glossier's Ultralip have some lip lovers stowing away one in each purse. Touted by Glossier as the "cashmere sweatpants" of lipsticks, the Ultralip is a comfort product. It nails the subtle pout and gives an instant mood boost with its easy, no-mirror application. Glossier's Ultralip comes in 11 shades and vows to leave lips feeling velvety smooth. This popular pick emanates a sheer, healthy glow and has become a ride-or-die product for many, with one user raving, "If you are looking for a hint of color that is moisturizing but not sticky and/or greasy, this is it!"

Purchase the Ultralip at Glossier for $18.

Comparable to a lip serum, this sheer, glossy, and ultra-hydrating lip product feels like a moisture mask but looks like a high-shine gloss. Full of moisturizing ingredients like liquid lanolin and hyaluronic acid, Lano's Lip Water leaves a glistening sheen while also penetrating deeper layers of the skin to provide nourishment. Essentially, this is the key to looking like you just rose from a refreshing tide pool at dusk. A hidden gem, the Lip Water has become a go-to for those who've tried it all, with one user writing, "Love the way this effortlessly glides onto your lips and stays for a shine that lasts."

Purchase the Liquid Lanolin Lip Water at Lano for $17.

This easy-to-find classic has long stuck around — and for good reason. The delicious shades and nourishing formula of Burt's Bees' Tinted Lip Balms continue to wow, all at under $5. As easy to apply as a chapstick and sheer enough to know you won't be drawing outside the lines, this tinted lip balm has a translucent glow -– but with enough color to feel as though you aren't totally makeup-free. Some have even noted in their product reviews that they've been loyal fans of shades like Rose and Red Dahlia for upwards of a decade. Red Dahlia is also said to be an affordable dupe of the beloved Black Honey Lipstick by Clinique.

Purchase the Tinted Lip Balm at Burt's Bees for $4.99.

Certified organic and rich with nourishing ingredients, Ogee Luxury Organics' Tinted Sculpted Lip Oil takes the cake when it comes to clean beauty and non-toxic sheer lip products. GMO-free and made in the United States, this lip oil is infused with peppermint essential oil and provides a glowy sheen that's both effortless and artistic. Customers feel great about the purity of the ingredients and note the ultra-moisturizing formula keeps their lips plump and shiny all day. With a convenient applicator, building layers of the product is a breeze.

Purchase the Tinted Sculpted Lip Oil at Ogee Luxury Organics for $32.

A thick, glossy lip oil made to glisten, the Balmy Gloss Tinted Lip Oil from Ilia comes in six subtle shades and provides a perfect pout. We're getting mermaid vibes from the high shine of this product, and users adore its silky, long-lasting formula. The lip oil creates an enviable sheen but doesn't draw attention to fine lines and wrinkles. "Absolutely adore this lip gloss/oil," one reviewer who noted that they have "exceptionally dry lips" wrote on Ilia's site. "It definitely plumps and moisturizes as advertised." A holy grail when it comes to a tint that's neither too bold nor too dull, Ilia has users beyond pleased with this one.

Purchase the Balmy Gloss Tinted Lip Oil at Ilia for $26.

For a sheer lip splurge in jaw-droppingly gorgeous packaging, Dior's Addict Lip Glow is luxury embodied. A nourishing formula in 28 shades, this lip glow has the accessibility of a lip balm with the sheer shine of a top-quality gloss. Its durable case is worth noting, though you likely will handle a product at this price point with care anyway. You'll also likely find yourself pulling this stunning case out of your purse at your favorite high-end restaurant and applying the nourishing lip product with casual confidence while sitting at your table. Some aren't as impressed as they'd like to be with the high cost of this luxury product and find it comparable with more basic tinted lip balms, but it can't be denied that it looks beautiful on the vanity.

Purchase the Addict Lip Glow at Dior for $40.

A balm and gloss in one with a hint of sheer color, the Urban Decay Vice Plumping Shine Balm gives luminosity and all-day hydration. This balm has a slight tingle as it plumps, and you aren't likely to need a reapplication as you go throughout your day, though you may want to thanks to its vanilla-mint scent. Its wide wand and the non-tacky texture are sure to please, and with shea butter and passion fruit oil, you can apply with ease knowing nourishment is at play. As one user simply put it, "[B]eautiful subtle color, perfect feel. [P]lumping, but not in a weird way." We'll take it!

Purchase the Vice Plumping Shine Balm at Urban Decay for $20.

Texture can make or break a lip product, and when it comes to non-sticky sheer lip products, Fenty Beauty's Cherry Treat Conditioning Strengthening Lip Oil garners ample applause from users. With a nourishing glow and a clear, non-sticky formula, this one wows in more regards than one. Earth-conscious packaging, clean ingredients, and a fresh cherry scent make this lip oil, which provides all-day moisture and strength, a treat. Do note, though, that a little goes a long way, but chances are you'll be restocking once you make your way through this hydrating lip oil. "Love this! Just wish it was BIGGER so it could last longer," echoed one user.

Purchase the Cherry Treat Conditioning Strengthening Lip Oil at Fenty Beauty for $16.50.

Finding a satisfying sheer lip tint or balm that also has a high SPF is easier said than done, but Well People has taken care of this dilemma with its Lip Butter, which contains SPF 15 and provides deep moisture and nourishment at the same time. With a sheer tint of color and a light shimmer, this product doesn't leave traces of white at the inner edges of the mouth (as is common with SPF lip balms). It's suitable for sensitive skin and doesn't stick to teeth, either. "Love the color, love the feel of it, love that it is not full of chemicals," one thrilled user wrote on the brand's site.

Purchase the Lip Butter at Well People for $15.

A multipurpose product that can easily be applied mirror-free to both the cheeks and lips? We're sold. The Lip & Cheek Stain from Fat and The Moon is beautifully sheer, non-toxic, and ideal for sensitive skin. What's more, its formula has rose geranium essential oils to ease nervousness. With a smooth, appealing texture, this stain is easily applied with just your fingertips and fades gradually throughout the day for a natural, blushing effect. "Smells so good and is a perfect amount of color, I use this daily," one happy user wrote on the brand's site. The product's shelf life is listed as six months, but with daily use and how good it's touted as being, it definitely won't last that long.

Purchase the Lip & Cheek Stain at Fat and the Moon for $20.