Anyone who knows me can attest to my love for the Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer in “Fenty Glow” ($27). The shimmering rose nude gloss has remained a staple in my makeup routine for years because it complements my skin in a way that—if I’m being honest—I haven’t been able to find in any other lip gloss. (Also, it makes my lips look so rose pink and plump, à la Selena Gomez in her "Fetish" video.) So, when I came across a TikTok video that claimed the Maybelline Lifter Gloss with Hyaluronic Acid in “Topaz” ($9) was an affordable dupe, I had to try it for myself. To compare the two lip glosses, I wore both of them for an entire day (on separate occasions, of course) and looked for the key differences between them. Spoiler alert: I definitely noticed a huge difference in the consistency and longevity of the formulas. Did I find a new fave? Or did my staple gloss reign supreme? Read on to find out.
We Pitted Fenty Gloss Bomb Against the Maybelline Lifter Gloss: Here’s Which One Will Give You Selena Gomez-Level Shine
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How I Tested the Lip Glosses
Since I have a hybrid work schedule, I decided to wear both glosses on days that I would be out and about—so, I could see how long they lasted on my lips during a day filled with train rides, running errands, meetings and meals. For each wear test, I jotted down a few things I noticed throughout the day when it came to the formula, longevity, texture, scent and pigment.
My Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Review
- Price/Value: 18/20
- Formula: 20/20
- Longevity: 19/20
- Pigment: 19/20
- Scent: 19/20
- Total: 95/100
When I first applied the Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb, I noticed it had a thick and creamy consistency, which allowed it to go on smoothly without feeling sticky or clumpy on my lips. The color was the perfect shade of pink and I loved how the product made my lips look so shiny and healthy. But what I really loved about the Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb was the smell. The scent reminds me of a bubblegum pop flavor, which instantly brought me back to my middle school days, when I would purchase similarly sweet $6 glosses from the local beauty supply store.
Throughout the day, I reapplied the product on my lips every couple of hours. Whenever I would put my mask on, take a sip of water or eat some food, the gloss would come off easily, so I found myself having to do a little touch-up each time. I tend to rub my lips together a lot though, so keep that in mind. Also, I didn’t mind reapplying the gloss because it made my lips feel super hydrated.
My Maybelline Lifter Gloss Review
- Price/Value: 20/20
- Formula: 18/20
- Longevity: 17/20
- Pigment: 17/20
- Scent: 18/20
- Total: 90/100
The first thing I noticed about the Maybelline Lifter Gloss was that the formula wasn’t as thick or as pigmented as the Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb. The Maybelline gloss is a lighter, softer pink, whereas the Fenty Beauty gloss is a much more vibrant shade of rose pink. From my experience, if you want to go for a more natural makeup look (or skip makeup altogether for the day), the Maybelline Lifter Gloss is a better choice because it subtly tints your lips.
I also loved that the Lifter Gloss wasn’t sticky at all. It includes hyaluronic acid in it, too, which made my lips feel so plump and hydrated—at least initially. Unfortunately, when the product dried down, it left my lips feeling chapped and parched. Furthermore, I found myself reapplying the gloss more often because the product would dry out so quickly—as a result, I ended up using a lot of product in just one day. As for the scent, the Maybelline Lifter Gloss had a nice coconut flavor, which wasn’t too overpowering or heavily fragranced.
Fenty Gloss Bomb vs. Maybelline Lifter Gloss: The Final Verdict
Final thoughts? Overall, I think the Maybelline Lifter Gloss is a pretty solid dupe for the Fenty Gloss Bomb (especially if you don’t want to spend $27 on a lip gloss). At $9 a tube, the Maybelline Lifter Gloss is definitely a decent lip gloss. It has a nice consistency, pigment and scent to it and is non-sticky. Will I be replacing the Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb with it? No, the gloss gives me everything I could ever ask for: the perfect shade of pink, shine, consistency and hydration.
The Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb will always have a place in my makeup bag. But, hey, Maybelline? There’s a spot for you now, too.
