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Lip gloss being applied with a retractable lip brush

Lip gloss is a cosmetic product used primarily to give lips a mildly glossy lustre and sometimes subtle color. It is distributed as a liquid or a soft solid (not to be confused with lip balm, which generally has medicinal purposes). It can be completely clear, translucent, or various shades of opacity, including frosted, glittered, and metallic looks.

The first commercially available lip gloss was Max Factor's X-Rated, launched in 1932. The original formula was sold up until 2003, when Procter and Gamble retired the product.

Lip gloss in a tube and wand applicator format

Like lipstick, lip gloss comes in a variety of forms and may be applied in different ways. It can be contained in a small cylindrical bottle and applied with a rounded or sloped applicator wand (known as a deerfoot applicator), be applied with a built in lipbrush, or a small tube designed for application with the fingertip. Solid glosses come in boxes and tubes, sometimes blurring the distinction between lip gloss and lip balm.

Lip gloss is usually used as a cosmetic, however, some offer moisturizing benefits or protection from the elements and other natural causes. Lip gloss containing sunscreen was first advertised by actress Lillian Gish.^{citation needed}. Bonne Bell introduced the first flavored lip gloss, Lip Smackers, in 1973. BORBA cosmecuticals and Tarte cosmetics were the first to introduce nutraceutical lip gloss to the market in 2005 providing antioxidents benefits to nourish lips as a nutritional supplement.

Overall presentation is a chief part of the marketing and selling of lip gloss. Different packaging is designed for different age groups. A packaging with bright colors and illustrations would be suited for younger customers, whereas medical lip gloss is presented in a simple manner and would be more popular with those of teenagers and adults.

Recently, lip gloss has been linked to greater rates of skin cancer in women, due to the magnification of the sunlight on them. Lip glosses with SPF added are said to be safe.^{citation needed}

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