The 10 Best Sheer Lip Products For A Subtle Pout

From stains and tints to glosses and oils, sheer lip products allow for a subtle wash of color that plumps for the perfect pout. A more translucent finish also means you can get away with a no-mirror application, which is ideal for on-the-go babes and slightly more laissez-faire reapplications throughout the day. Sheer lip products typically have a wetter consistency and a higher oil content, meaning their soft, gentle glow is also hydrating and nourishing. What's more, sheer sheens almost give a three-dimensional effect that can give the illusion of fuller lips — a clear bonus in our eyes. Plus, these ethereal sheer hues allow for much of your natural lip coloring to peek through.

When choosing a sheer lip gloss or tint, you'll want to consider whether or not the product is hydrating and if it requires an application of lip balm underneath. The price point, how long the application lasts, and, of course, whether or not the product is sticky also top the list of criteria. If your hair is getting caught on your lip gloss nonstop, then even the most alluring glossy sheen can become a bit of an annoyance. The vibe of your sheer lip should be effortlessness and ease. A natural, dewy glow that yields a subtle pout is what we're after here, so we rounded up our top sheer picks for a subtle pout. 

This ultimate stand-alone is our sheer lip product pot of gold. The buildable color and moisturizing formula of Glossier's Ultralip have some lip lovers stowing away one in each purse. Touted by Glossier as the "cashmere sweatpants" of lipsticks, the Ultralip is a comfort product. It nails the subtle pout and gives an instant mood boost with its easy, no-mirror application. Glossier's Ultralip comes in 11 shades and vows to leave lips feeling velvety smooth. This popular pick emanates a sheer, healthy glow and has become a ride-or-die product for many, with one user raving, "If you are looking for a hint of color that is moisturizing but not sticky and/or greasy, this is it!"

Purchase the Ultralip at Glossier for $18.

This easy-to-find classic has long stuck around — and for good reason. The delicious shades and nourishing formula of Burt's Bees' Tinted Lip Balms continue to wow, all at under $5. As easy to apply as a chapstick and sheer enough to know you won't be drawing outside the lines, this tinted lip balm has a translucent glow -– but with enough color to feel as though you aren't totally makeup-free. Some have even noted in their product reviews that they've been loyal fans of shades like Rose and Red Dahlia for upwards of a decade. Red Dahlia is also said to be an affordable dupe of the beloved Black Honey Lipstick by Clinique.

Purchase the Tinted Lip Balm at Burt's Bees for $4.99.

A thick, glossy lip oil made to glisten, the Balmy Gloss Tinted Lip Oil from Ilia comes in six subtle shades and provides a perfect pout. We're getting mermaid vibes from the high shine of this product, and users adore its silky, long-lasting formula. The lip oil creates an enviable sheen but doesn't draw attention to fine lines and wrinkles. "Absolutely adore this lip gloss/oil," one reviewer who noted that they have "exceptionally dry lips" wrote on Ilia's site. "It definitely plumps and moisturizes as advertised." A holy grail when it comes to a tint that's neither too bold nor too dull, Ilia has users beyond pleased with this one.

Purchase the Balmy Gloss Tinted Lip Oil at Ilia for $26.

A balm and gloss in one with a hint of sheer color, the Urban Decay Vice Plumping Shine Balm gives luminosity and all-day hydration. This balm has a slight tingle as it plumps, and you aren't likely to need a reapplication as you go throughout your day, though you may want to thanks to its vanilla-mint scent. Its wide wand and the non-tacky texture are sure to please, and with shea butter and passion fruit oil, you can apply with ease knowing nourishment is at play. As one user simply put it, "[B]eautiful subtle color, perfect feel. [P]lumping, but not in a weird way." We'll take it!

Purchase the Vice Plumping Shine Balm at Urban Decay for $20.

Finding a satisfying sheer lip tint or balm that also has a high SPF is easier said than done, but Well People has taken care of this dilemma with its Lip Butter, which contains SPF 15 and provides deep moisture and nourishment at the same time. With a sheer tint of color and a light shimmer, this product doesn't leave traces of white at the inner edges of the mouth (as is common with SPF lip balms). It's suitable for sensitive skin and doesn't stick to teeth, either. "Love the color, love the feel of it, love that it is not full of chemicals," one thrilled user wrote on the brand's site.

Purchase the Lip Butter at Well People for $15.