Best Lip Color for Dry Lips: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Lip Shines

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This season has been drier than ever, and my skin is protesting. I’ve been getting dry patches all around my face, and my lips especially have been irritated and rough. I’ve been exfoliating and moisturizing, but I’m still not quite jumping to apply any liquid lipsticks on top of them. Instead, I’ve been wearing glossier lip products that feel hydrating and that look smooth, even if my lips aren’t.

Now, I haven’t always been a lipgloss fan, because “back in my day” lipgloss was sticky, thick and sickly sweet. I wore them a lot in adolescence but grew out of my faves from Hollister and Victoria’s Secret. But in an effort to find products that look good on top of my dry lips, I’ve re-discovered Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Lip Shines. You might remember these from their Hydro Boost launch a couple years ago. These glosses have the color of lipstick, shine of a gloss and conditioning of a balm with their hyaluronic acid formula.

I find this lipgloss to be the best lip color for dry lips and the most comfortable to wear when your lips are feeling rough. The formula just kind of smooths out any texture and fills in fine lines for a plump effect. They have a cushy feel that reminds me of Aquaphor, which I constantly put on my lips during dry seasons. In fact, sometimes I forget I have a colorful gloss on at all and mindlessly mush my lips together because it feels nice.

There are fourteen shades of Hydro Boost Hydrating Lip Shines. Here’s a closer look at each one.

True Nude

True Nude is a subtle beige shade that barely shows up on my lips, so I guess it lives up to its name.

Soft Blush

Soft Blush is another barely-there color but with a noticeable pink hue.

Berry Brown

Berry Brown is sort of my personal your-lips-but-better shade. It’s a dusty neutral pink that is super versatile.

Ballet Pink

Ballet Pink is a soft pink that’s perfect for a light wash of color.

Almond Nude

Almond Nude is a soft brown for a naturally darker lip appearance.

Pink Sorbet

Pink Sorbet is a light pink with almost a frosty vibe to it.

Radiant Rose

Radiant Rose is a beautiful pink rose shade that has even and smooth color payoff.

Pink Mocha

Pink Mocha is my favorite in the collection, a mauve dusty rose shade.

Bright Poppy

Bright Poppy is a sheer orange that gives the appearance that you’ve just eaten a popsicle.

Deep Cherry

Deep Cherry is a beautiful juicy red.

Flushed Coral

Flushed Coral reminds me of flamingos. It definitely leans more pink than orange for a coral, in my opinion.

Soft Mulberry

Soft Mulberry is a sheer deep berry color.

Radiant Raspberry

Radiant Raspberry is a pigmented yet glassy fuchsia.

Velvet Wine

Velvet Wine is a sheer brick red.

As you can see, some shades make louder statements than others, but they all have this beautiful high-shine finish that makes the lips look and feel healthy and hydrated. I’ve been reaching for these more often than traditional lipstick or liquid lipstick because I can finish the look with color on the lips while also nourishing them with the non-drying formula. I would go as far as to say that the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Lip Shines can take the credit for making me a “gloss girl” again.

Now obviously, being a gloss, the color isn’t going to last forever and you’re definitely going to get transfer while drinking and eating. If you’re looking for something with a little more staying power, check out these lip tints.

You can find the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Lip Shines in drugstores for $8.99.