Can’t Choose Between a Balm and a Gloss? With “Bloss,” You Don’t Have To

What Is Bloss?

Bloss brings together everything you love about a balm and a gloss. “You’re getting that really juicy, glass-like shine of a gloss, but with the hydration and comfort of a balm. It gives the lips that healthy, plump, almost wet-looking finish without feeling like you’re wearing a heavy lip product,” says makeup artist Ash K Holm.

What sets bloss apart is that it takes the choice between balm and gloss out of the equation, points out makeup artist Shalonda Peguero. “A bloss gives you hydration, comfortable color, and high shine in one product. It can also create the appearance of wearing lip liner, lipstick, and gloss without needing three separate products.”

Why Is Bloss Trending Right Now?

As makeup becomes more minimal, a hybrid lip product feels like the natural progression. Bloss also fits neatly into the current appetite for multitasking makeup that can streamline a routine without sacrificing the finished look. “Makeup is really moving in a ‘less is more’ direction, with people embracing fresh skin, natural textures, and products that enhance rather than cover. That’s why bloss fits so naturally into that shift—it gives you that effortless, polished finish while still caring for your lips,” shares makeup artist Jenna Bellhouse.

How to Get the Bloss Lip Look in 3 Steps

Step 1: Exfoliate Your Lips

If your lips are feeling dry or flaky, Peguero likes to start with gentle exfoliation to help create a smoother canvas. Try the DR. BRANDT SKINCARE Microdermabrasion Smoothing Lip Exfoliator.

Step 2: Define With Lip Liner

The experts recommend softly defining your lips with liner, whether you choose a shade close to your natural lip color or go slightly deeper for added dimension. “I like to focus the liner around the Cupid’s bow and outer corners and then blend it inward so there aren’t any harsh lines,” notes Holm.

Bellhouse recommends the TANIELLE JAI Stayliner and MAKE UP FOR EVER Lip Liner because “they’re long-lasting and perfectly define your lips.”

Peguero shares some additional lip liner tips: “For a fuller appearance, slightly define the Cupid’s bow and the center of the bottom lip with liner rather than heavily outlining the entire mouth. Choose a liner one shade deeper than the bloss for added dimension and the glossiest layer in the center, where it naturally catches the light.”

Step 3: Add Your Balm-Gloss Shine

Whether you’re applying a balm and a gloss separately or a standalone bloss product, you can go ahead and swipe the product directly onto your lips. For a hybrid product, Holm recommends the YSL BEAUTY Candy Glaze Lip Gloss Stick.

The key is to concentrate the shine at the center of your lips. “It catches the light beautifully and instantly creates the illusion of fuller lips while also helping the gloss wear better and last longer without moving around the edges of the lip,” notes Bellhouse.

The Best Products to Get the Bloss Look

YSL BEAUTY YSL Loveshine

Bellhouse loves the YSL BEAUTY YSL Loveshine products because they “give the lips that beautiful, juicy shine while still feeling comfortable and hydrating.”

YSL BEAUTY Candy Glaze Lip Gloss Stick

Holm says that this “is one of my favorites for this look because it gives you that beautiful glassy shine while still feeling really hydrating and comfortable on the lips. I love pairing it with a creamy lip liner that’s slightly deeper than the natural lip tone and then layering Candy Glaze on top. It gives you that perfect juicy, plump-looking finish without feeling sticky or heavy.”

MAYBELLINE Lifter Gloss®

Bellhouse is also a fan of the MAYBELLINE Lifter Gloss® because it is “such a great affordable option and comes in a really beautiful range of shades.”

CHARLOTTE TILBURY Lip Cheat

Peguero emphasizes that lip liner can help define the look. “A smooth lip liner in a complementary tone can add definition without taking away from the effortless quality of the look.” That’s why she recommends the CHARLOTTE TILBURY Lip Cheat pencils.

MAKEUP BY MARIO Ultra Suede® Sculpting Lip Pencil

Another recommendation from Peguero, the MAKEUP BY MARIO Ultra Suede® Sculpting Lip Pencils are her pick because they “combine hydration, buildable color, and shine without feeling sticky.”

Is the Bloss Lip Trend Worth Trying?

“Bloss is really about making your lip routine easier while still making you feel put together,” raves Peguero. “I also love that there’s truly something for everyone, whether you prefer a sheer everyday tint or a richer pop of color.”

Holm also admires this aspect of the lip trend, noting, “You can do it with a barely-there makeup look or a full glam, and you can completely customize it to your lip shape and skin tone. For me, the best version is when your lips still look like your lips—just smoother, fuller, hydrated, and extra juicy.”

In other words, bloss is less about following a rigid lip formula and more about getting that juicy, comfortable shine however you like it. Balm, gloss, liner, or all three? Consider the choice officially yours.