Lip Gloss Lament

October 19, 2006

As you know, I love lip gloss, but the addiction is also the source of one of my biggest pet peeves: leaky lip-gloss caps. This is a vexing problem that plagues one of my favorite products: the shimmery nude NARS Lip Gloss in Sandpiper, which is available for $23 here. No matter how much I wipe off the excess lip gloss before applying it, a little bit of it always oozes out when I put the cap back on, turning the tube into a smeary mess. Back in my make-up bag, the lip gloss ends up getting pink sparkly goo all over everything.

But really, when I'm paying more than $20 for a tiny tube of lip gloss, it is too much to ask for a cap that doesn't leak? It's so much trouble to contain the mess I'm considering ditching the gloss, but I love the color oh so much! Do you guys have this problem? If so, share your own lip-gloss gripes below.

Lip Gloss Nars

20 Comments

outlawd98 6 years 7 weeks

I've been having the exact same problem. I've ruined one makeup bag and have had to wipe off everything it comes in contact with. You would think there would be a simple solution to the bottle or the applicator to correct the problem.

Glossgirl692 6 years 11 weeks

i luv my smashbox lip glosses, and they've never leaked. also plumping lip glosses by the balm are pretty good, the make my lips tingle for a sec but after that they're great. ALSO, the scott barnes lip slicks are pretty good. i love the packaging, but the top broke a little bit after a while. it still works fine though and you can't tell at all. ALSO ALSO my stila "it gloss" is wonderful! i know i have too many lip glosses, i just like them too much....

caterpillarpie 6 years 31 weeks

i hate it when you've got your lipgloss perfect and the wind whips your hair into it... leaving you gooey hair and smudged lipgloss.

la_clique 6 years 31 weeks

The Lip Polishes and sugar glosses do this too! Pink and sticky and glittery everywhere! And too expensive to replace everytime it gets on my stuff. GRRRRR. I have been using the revlon gloss, too, BeachBarbie. I like Cherries in the Glow. I've never had it leak, and you can get almost all of it out of the tube.

AtlantaNoleGirl 6 years 31 weeks

I love the Flirt! line lipglosses from Kohls. They are in a squeeze tube, not this kind- I hate wands. And when I don't need color, I use Lip Venom Flash. Never had leaking problems with either one. ----------- “Buy me a dream: Shopping for clothes isn’t about the things you need, it’s about the woman you’ll become when you wear them.”

Foxy4286 6 years 31 weeks

The new Color Fever gloss from Lancome is AMAZING. It comes in really hot colors and the applicator is so soft.

bessa 6 years 31 weeks

I have had this happen with two Mac LipGlasses. One broke open (the bottom) in my makeup bag and ruined several of my brushes. The lipglass is so sticky you can't even get it off with soap. Mac sent me a new Lipglass, but I won't travel with it. Even at home in my bathroom, though, it oozes out the cover on top. I've had the same problem with Revlon tubes. I haven't had that problem with my Nars - but it's lip stain so less sticky. I haven't had a problem with my Prescriptives lipgloss (same shape as above) or Too faced or Mac in the bottle shaped like above (just problems with the tube). I HATE LEAKY GLOSS!

fashionistanyc 6 years 31 weeks

I agree totally. I have the same problem with my foundation (Bobbi Brown). Love the foundation but it always leaks into my makeup bag. I have found that some of the square shaped lip glosses I have (like LipFusion and Chanel Glossimers) leak less, but I have no idea why and it doesn't look like the same is true for NARS.

audreystar 6 years 31 weeks

no it isn't too much to ask. for that cost i feel every drop should be used on your lips and not painting the lining of your purse.

JennaV 6 years 31 weeks

Oh, and I have a tube of Maybelline juicy-licious and it *does* have this problem as well.

jennifer76 6 years 31 weeks

BlondeSugar - Its my FAVORITE! It doesn't last as long as Lancome's Juicy Tubes. But I hate using the tube applicator that Lancome has. I can't wait to try their new one with the sponge applicator.

BlondeSugar 6 years 31 weeks

Jen I got that Estee Lauder one as a free sample, and I love it! I also use Giorgio Armani Lip Shimmer. SO GOOD!

jennifer76 6 years 31 weeks

I've never had this problem. Mang, now I feel like I'm due. I use Estee Lauder Pure Color Gloss (which is shaped like the one above) and Lancome Juicy Tubes pretty much exclusively.

JennaV 6 years 31 weeks

Nars is the only brand I have this problem with. I also use Benefit the gloss and MAC lipglass and I never have an issue.

Le Luxe 6 years 31 weeks

I have the same Nars lip gloss in Orgasm, and I dont have this problem, BUT I do have a gripe that it seems to dry out way to fast and get sticky. When I first bought it, it was nice, but now its disgusting and feels like it dries out my lips- yuck!

BeachBarbie 6 years 31 weeks

Yes, I have had this problem and it drives me batty. I switched to Revlon Lip Glide, and I try to keep the tube upward in my purse. It always falls over but, I've gone through at least 5 tubes and none have leaked. :)

skinny fat 6 years 31 weeks

Stila lip glaze is the best. I gave up on all lip glosses because they're sticky, the tubes leak and I hate those wand applicators. Brushes are best for lips.

lil_bit_edgy 6 years 31 weeks

benefit lip gloss does this and while i loved the blue clear that is not discontinued, it leaked everywhere. i just threw it away, i couldn't handle everything in my make-up case sticky. i'm a stila girl and their lip glazes are in a different tube, so no leaks. :)

creamytofu 6 years 31 weeks

yea..tat happened quite often for me before. i remember having my lip gloss inside my LV bag and it stained the interior of the bag. I was so bummed. I could not get it clean, cuz the interior was suede. I have moved on, there are some lip gloss that dont have that problem. You should try Dior and Mac. They don't have this problem.

EllasMom 6 years 31 weeks

FYI, Estee Lauder Pure Color Gloss in Praline is EXACTLY the same color, smells yummy, and has a good tight cap. I have worn it for a couple of years and have never had a leak issue.

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