Some lip products are mostly about colour, others are there purely to rescue dry lips.

These four sit somewhere in the middle: glossy enough to replace a lip gloss, comfortable enough for everyday wear, and nourishing enough to keep coming back to throughout the day.

1. Rhode Peptide Lip Tint

Price: €26

Rating: 10/10

Rhode Peptide Lip Tint is the choice for anyone who wants noticeable colour without giving up that plush balm feeling. The formula gives a sheer, buildable tint with a glossy finish while peptides, shea butter and vitamin E help keep lips soft and moisturised.

The texture feels smooth rather than overly sticky, and the deeper brown tone shown here makes it especially pretty for neutral everyday makeup. It adds enough pigment to define the lips but still keeps the result relaxed and effortless. The updated formula is also unscented, which is a nice detail if heavily fragranced lip products are not your thing.

2. Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm

Price: €26

Rating: 11/10

Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm earns the highest score of the group for one simple reason: it gets the texture almost exactly right. It feels buttery, smooth and cushiony without turning into a thick sticky layer. The Brown Sugar shade adds a warm brown tint that works beautifully with nudе lip liners or completely on its own.

It is the kind of balm you can apply without a mirror and still end up with polished-looking lips. The colour remains soft and wearable, while the scented formula gives it a slightly more indulgent feel. If you love glossy lips but dislike traditional gloss textures, this is an easy one to understand.

3. Ole Henriksen Pout Preserve Peptide Lip Treatment

Price: €22

Rating: 10/10

Ole Henriksen Pout Preserve Peptide Lip Treatment is the glossiest of the four. The formula combines lip-specific peptides with nourishing butters and oils, creating a rich treatment designed to smooth, soften and hydrate dry lips.

Visually, it gives that almost glass-like shine that instantly makes lips appear fuller. The colour shown here is warm and flattering, while the scent is noticeably sweeter than the Rhode option. Despite the intense shine, it still feels like skincare rather than a basic cosmetic gloss.

4. Laneige Lip Glowy Balm Vanilla

Price: €22

Rating: 10/10

Laneige Lip Glowy Balm Vanilla is the uncomplicated clear option of the group. It combines the comfort of a balm with the polished shine of a gloss and is intended for keeping lips hydrated throughout the day.

The Vanilla version has only a light scent, making it easy to wear repeatedly without the fragrance becoming overwhelming. Its smooth texture makes lips look instantly healthier and more polished, yet there is no colour to think about. It is particularly useful when you already have lip liner or lipstick underneath and simply want to add softness and shine.

For colour and a modern glossy finish, Rhode is the easiest everyday option. Summer Fridays wins on buttery texture, while Ole Henriksen is the one to choose when maximum shine is the goal. And for a simple clear balm that works with absolutely everything, Laneige remains difficult to beat.