Glossy Goals: Is the Careline Gloss Boss Lip Treat Worth the Hype?
Product photography by Perkin Gotohio
I have a soft spot for lip gloss. Maybe it's the early 2000s teenage girl in me, but there's just something pure about a glossy pout. It feels fresh, youthful, a little flirty even. I haven’t been wearing that many mattes these days since I find them too drying and, okay, aging, so it’s usually a glossy lip of me. That’s why I was immediately intrigued when Careline launched their Gloss Boss Lip Treat (P275 / 12 g). A gloss that promises not just shine, but serious hydration too? Yes, of course!
First off, these glosses are surprisingly generous since you get 12 grams in there. The tube is a typical gloss tube that you squeeze, and the solid plastic applicator gets out just the right amount of product. Careline describes this as a hybrid between a lip serum and a gloss, packed with jojoba oil and vitamin E. In theory, you get the skincare benefits of a balm or oil, but with the juicy finish of a gloss. In practice? It's pretty close. I find this truly moisturizing and without the plasticky feel of old school gloss.
Let’s talk texture. This isn’t the sticky, gluey gloss of our high school days. It glides on smoothly and sits comfortably on the lips. It feels plush, cushiony, even. The gloss factor is there, for sure: lips look shiny but not wet to the point of dripping. It's more expensive glassy than mirror glaze donut, if that makes sense.
I tried several shades, and my absolute favorite one would have to be Invincible. This is a color changing gloss that starts of clear and gets pink after a minute. I love how nice the shade is, as it doesn’t go into neon territory (some color adapt products tend to do this!). It also stains, so I can expect some color to be still on my lips after a meal.
My other top shades would have to be Big Drip, a nice nudey brown, and Untouchable, a deep winey berry. These glosses are quite pigmented so you don’t really need to use lip liner or lipstick beforehand; use them alone and they’ll be quite opaque. I find they look best when blotted once as the colors can be too bright.
Now, let’s manage expectations. It’s a gloss, so naturally, it will transfer. Like most glosses, eating or drinking means you’ll need to reapply. But even after the shine wears off, your lips still feel soft. That’s where the serum part really comes through. You can also expect some color left over after a meal since the shades are quite intense.
Overall
For the price and performance, I’d say the Careline Gloss Boss Lip Treat is a really good buy. I love that it’s moisturizing so my lips always feel nice after wearing these; I don’t need to use a separate balm! Invincible for me is a must-have. Now I always have it in my line of sight at my vanity - that’s how good it is.
If you love glosses or want a lip product that does more than just look cute, then yes, this is one worth tossing into your everyday kit.
