Thrive Causemetics EmpowerGloss Lip Serum Review

It’s that time of year when the moisture is totally sucked out of my lips, and I’m applying lip products constantly. I’m picky, too, because there are plenty of formulas that do more harm than good, leaving lips even drier. (How frustrating!) When I find a product that keeps my lips hydrated and moisturized while also giving major shine and beautiful color payoff, it feels like a big win. The new Thrive Causemetics EmpowerGloss Ultra-Glossy Lip Serum ($28) meets those criteria and more, and I’ve been singing its praises to friends and family this month. Here’s my honest review.

Why I Love This Lip Serum

Is it a serum? A gloss? Let’s call it a mix of both, which is exactly why I love it. You get the lip-care benefits of a serum, but the high shine of a gloss. The moisturizing payoff comes from a blend of jojoba oil, vitamin E, shea butter and other nutrient-rich seed oils, giving the formula a super-buttery slip on my lips. It’s not sticky, either, which I always appreciate in a gloss.

The brand also promises 24-hour hydration via its proprietary Revitalizing Lip Quench Technology, which “deeply hydrates, nourishes and supports skin’s natural repairing process while enhancing lip fullness, smoothness and long-lasting moisture.” While the glossiness itself doesn’t last a full 24 hours (no gloss does), the skin-care benefits linger, keeping my lips soft and comfortable throughout the day.

I’m also a fan of the pigment payoff, which is buildable: one layer delivers a sheer hint of color, while a couple more give you a bolder, more opaque look. My favorite shade from the eight-piece lineup is Jo, a pinky mauve that reads very “your lips but better” on me. If you’re already a fan of the brand’s EmpowerMatte Precision Lipstick Crayon, you’ll notice Jo is one of the two shades available across both products—the other is Ragan, a warm plum. If you like the Black Honey lip look, Hilda is the shade to try. Sometimes I like to layer EmpowerMatte and EmpowerGloss as well for more color and longer-lasting wear.

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Another bonus is that the lip serum is vegan and free of synthetic fragrance, though you’ll notice a subtle hint of vanilla. A quick scan of the ingredient list shows vanillin, a food-grade compound with GRAS status from the FDA (meaning it’s generally recognized as safe). One more thing worth noting: The packaging is a non-retractable “pen,” so once you twist it up, that amount of product stays exposed—you can’t twist it back down. That said, consider this your reminder not to go overboard; a little twist goes a long way.