One recent Monday morning I was dragging my feet getting into work, trawling the makeup aisles at Target. Maybe it was the recent stretch of summer heat, or the piles of admin I had waiting at my desk, but my little brain was on the hunt for a dopamine boost. So, I gave it to her in the form of a fun homework assignment: Match drugstore lip glosses to our bestselling book covers. 

That’s the origin story for how I found myself testing (and expensing to my business) nearly a dozen lip glosses. It was frivolous, fun, and oh so satisfying. I found my new favorite lip gloss! And reviewed some top book picks from the store in the process, too. 

Read on to see a ranking from worst to best drugstore lip glosses. Here’s the full report:

The Women by Kristin Hannah - #6 Bestseller 
From the beloved bestselling author of The Nightingale and The Four Winds. Hannah’s latest, The Women, is an intimate coming of age story taking place during the Vietnam War. An epic story about idealism, friendship, and patriotism.

L’Oréal Infallible Pro Gloss Plump in Ruby Sheen

I was hoping for a bold lip for a bold book. Strong women! The bright red cover! But this lip gloss let me down. The floral scent was chemical-y and strong, it reminded me of old potpourri. The deep red color in the tube was completely different than how it came out, too, more of a purple tone than red. 

Also this gloss is icky sticky! Like dare to wear it with a white shirt … it will go everywhere. At $14 it was also the most expensive of the group, so unfortunately our last place winner is this one! 

Smell: 1

Feel: 1

Match: 2

Price: 1

———————

Total Score: 5 

Sandwich by Catherine Newman - #3 Bestseller 

Hilarious and heartfelt, I just adored this book. The protagonist of Sandwich is just that - sandwiched in midlife between her adult kids and aging parents. The book is full of funny observations of family dynamics that will make you laugh in recognition. The writing is spot on. The narrator's voice and the whole bittersweet, longing tone of it, is just a joy to read. 

Maybeline Lifter Gloss in Peach Ring 

A velvety, not at all sticky gloss that feels moisturizing. The peachy smell is pleasant, not overpowering. It looks orange in the tube but has a nicer tone when on. Not a ton of color on but a good shine, if that’s your thing. 

At $11 it’s on the pricey side compared to other picks, which brought it down in rank. That plus the tingly “plumping” it gives made this one of my least favorites. And you sort of have to squint to see the match to the cover? All in all a nice still a very nice option if you like a classic shiny gloss with a fruity smell. 

Smell: 3

Feel: 4

Price: 3

Match: 2

———————

Total Score: 12

All Fours by Miranda July - #4 Bestseller

All Fours is a mind-bending book about art and identity. It deals with self-expression, desire, and growing older on your own terms. It’s at turns irreverent, funny, and tender. I personally really enjoyed it, in all its weirdness.

NYX Fat Oil Lip Drip in Follow Back

This gloss matched the golden brown on the book cover so nicely. When applied it had a mildly sheer sparkly look that was fun without being too flashy. 

The scent reminded me of Mamba candies, tropical fruit that was a little overpowering. The texture was tacky but not too sticky. 

Smell: 4

Feel: 4

Match: 4

Price: 3

——————

Total Score: 15

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez - #9 Bestseller

A slow-burn romance featuring a couple down on their dating luck. They get together under the premise of breaking their curse - and real romance ensues. 

Covergirl Clean Fresh Yummy in Sugar Poppy

This one came as a surprise to me, a 40 year old adult woman. It was glossy, and fruity, and shiny, and smelled like a spray tan and ….I love it? Maybe it’s my nostalgia for early 2000s Bath and Body Works scents at work, but this one was one of my favorites. It was super shiny but not sticky! It smelled like candy. Like the romance cover it matches, it’s fun and sweet! 

Smell: 3

Feel: 5

Match: 5

Price: 3

——————

Total Score: 16

Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner

This top seller from store favorite and author of Fleishman is in Trouble focuses on intergenerational family drama and trauma with a large cast of characters. A big and bold social satire that’s wickedly, smartly funny, for fans of Succession. 

Covergirl Clean Fresh in Made for Peach

The orangeish lettering on the book cover matches perfectly to this more balm-like lip gloss. It has an amazing texture, smooth and not at all sticky. I saw this one on social media recently. Yes I was influenced - and was not let down! It lives up to the hype of being buildable and smooth, has no smell, feels nourishing, and at a great price point. So, a winner all around. 

Smell: 4

Feel: 5

Match: 4

Price: 4

————————

Total Score: 17

God of the Woods by Liz Moore -  #1 Bestseller 

If you haven’t read this yet - one of the hottest books of summer! - I highly recommend giving it a try on audiobook. The summer camp setting with a slow burn mystery makes it a perfect vacation pick. The sales ranking speaks for itself, too - we can hardly keep it in stock. Literary thrillers are a summertime mainstay, and this one doesn’t disappoint.

Makeup Revolution Pout Balm in Pink Shine 

I was delighted when I came across this bright lip color, it’s a perfect fit for the pink drip going down the cover of The God of the Woods. That said, I didn’t have high hopes of it being a fit for me. Too loud, too saturated. I’m more of a classic gloss girlie. 

But - plot twist! - this one was a top pick for me. The smell is sort of like old school Carmex, minty and fresh. It was also super moisturizing, not at all sticky, and the shade was buildable so I could layer it to suit my own preferences. 

The price point at $6 made this one an all around winner, so much so I’m going to try out some other shades soon! 

Smell: 5

Feel: 4

Price: 4

Match: 5

———————

Total Score: 18

Let me know if you give any of these books or lip glosses a try. Give it a go! Because one thing they all had in common? Instant mood boosters, the whole lot of ‘em. 

SEE ALSO: Outfits Inspired by Book Covers