Thanks to Pat McGrath and Kylie Jenner, the beauty industry is having a love affair with bold lip colors. And let’s not forget the latest Instagram lip art trend of the month. But choosing the right look-at-me neon or gleaming metallic lipstick is only part of the fun. Beauty brands are offering a variety of lip top coats to help you get that next-level lipstick look.
Lip top coats are very much like nail polish top coats, you apply the product on top of your lipstick. The difference is that lip top coats aren’t limited to simply adding shine or prolonging the wear of your lip color. Lip top coats can turn a matte lipstick into a dazzling metallic or give your pout some major sparkle. They can even change the shade of a lipstick without the need for custom blending different products. And there is no rule that states you have to apply a lip top coat on top of lipstick, you can also experiment wearing it over a balm, lip stain or even bare lips.
Take a look at some of the best lip top coats to pick up on your next makeup shopping spree.
10 Next-Level Lip Top Coats
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10 Next-Level Lip Top Coats #1
The new breed of lip top coats are here to transform your lip look.
Image: Fendi Spring 2017; Imaxtree
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Gimme Glitter
Even soft pink and neutral lip colors will look dazzling when you swipe on a bit of this sparkly top coat. The formula has a translucent pink finish, so your base lipstick shines through.
Stila Glitterati Lip Top Coat in Transcend, $22 at Sephora
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Top It Off
Take matte lipsticks up a notch by applying this shimmering lip top coat. It comes in four multifaceted shades, including this trendy rose gold. You can even wear it on its own for an understated shine.
Jouer Cosmetics Long-Wear Lip Topper in Rose Gold, $16 at Jouer Cosmetics
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Looks Are Deceiving
This magical lip transformer can be worn over or under the lipstick of your choice to brighten the shade. Layer it to dial up the intensity.
The Estée Edit Lip Flip Shade Transformer in Turn Up, $22 at Sephora
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Make It Matte
Give any traditional lipstick a matte finish thanks to this lip topper.
Smashbox Insta-Matte Lipstick Transformer, $24 at Nordstrom
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Low Commitment
This wallet-friendly gloss gives you as much glassy shine as products four times its price. And there's nothing sticky about the long-lasting formula.
Bitzy Long Lasting Lip Gloss Iridescent Top Coat, $1.69 at Sally Beauty
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Lady Is a Vamp
What looks like a chubby black lip pencil is actually a transforming lip top coat. It turns pastel lipsticks into deep, moody shades. And it moisturizes lips as it works its color-changing magic thanks to vitamin E and shea butter.
NYX Cosmetics V'Amped Up! Lip Top Coat, $6 at NYX Cosmetics
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Special Effect
No matter which one of the rainbow shades you choose, you'll end up with a prismatic finish that will last. The water-resistant formula seals in the color of your lipstick base and the top coat, so you don't have to worry about smudging.
Urban Decay Vice Special Effects Long-Lasting Water-Resistant Lip Topcoat in Ritual, $18 at Sephora
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Layer On
You may already love your cream and matte lipsticks, but you'll like them even more with a layer or two of this lip top coat. The golden shade will help brighten up the darkest of lipsticks as it hydrates your lips.
Chanel Rouge Coco Gloss Top Coat in 774 Excitation, $30 at Chanel
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Perfect Pair
This dual-sided lipstick takes away all the guesswork. On one end is a pigmented lipstick, on the other, a coordinating glittery top coat.
Touch In Sol Metallist Liquid Foil Lipstick Duo in Lucy, $25 at Sephora
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Dazzling Diamonds
This prismatic topper may be heavy on the sparkle, but it will feel like nothing on your lips thanks to the water-based formula.
Lime Crime Diamond Crushers Iridescent Lip Topper in Black Unicorn, $18 at Lime Crime
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Lip Lock
Turn any lipstick into a long-lasting formula with this top coat. Swipe on the shellac to prevent transfer and make your lip look last all day long.
FACE Atelier Lip Lock, $24 at FACE Atelier
