When Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer launched in 2017, it instantly became the lip gloss everyone was talking about. A lip gloss by Rihanna was always going to grab attention, and the original shade, Fenty Glow, quickly turned into a favourite. It helped put Fenty Beauty’s lip products on the map and reignited excitement around glossy lips, with countless beauty brands releasing their own glosses in the years that followed. Since then, the Gloss Bomb lineup has grown to include Diamond Milk, Fu$$y, cream formulas, plumping glosses, lip oils, and gloss sticks, turning what started as one lip gloss into an entire franchise.
Almost a decade later, the original Gloss Bomb is still on Sephora shelves, even as hundreds of new lip glosses have entered the market. As a freelance beauty editor, I get to test a lot of beauty products, from the latest launches to long-standing bestsellers, so I wanted to go back to one of the most talked-about lip glosses of the last decade and see how it holds up today.
How It Wears:
The Fenty Beauty Gloss Bombs has a comfortable, non-sticky formula that gives the lips a healthy glossy finish. While it definitely adds shine, I wouldn’t describe it as the ultra-reflective, glass-like gloss I usually gravitate toward. Compared to some of the other lip glosses in my collection I find the finish a little more subtle than I personally prefer.
The formula is infused with shea butter, so it feels smooth and comfortable on the lips, and I actually enjoy wearing it layered over lipstick to add a bit of shine without feeling heavy. My favourite shade is Fu$$y, which is a shimmery pink.
That said, these aren’t the lip glosses I reach for most often anymore. If I had to choose a Fenty lip product, I’d actually pick the Gloss Bomb Stix High-Shine Gloss Stick—it’s one of my favourite lip launches from the brand and the formula really impressed me.
My biggest complaint is the packaging. The diamond-shaped tube is recognizable, but it’s also a little bulky. It doesn’t fit well in most lipstick organizers or lip gloss holders, and I’ve found it doesn’t fit into smaller handbags when I’m on the go.
Who Would Like This Product?
I think anyone who enjoys lip gloss would appreciate the Fenty Beauty Gloss Bombs. It’s a reliable everyday gloss that adds shine, feels comfortable on the lips, and layers well over lipstick. If you’re looking for an ultra-glassy, mirror-like finish, there are other formulas that deliver more shine, then you might not like this lip gloss.
It’s also a great pick for anyone who loves Rihanna or enjoys collecting products from Fenty Beauty. The Gloss Bomb is one of the brand’s most recognizable products and has become a staple in its lineup over the years.
Is It Worth The Money?
At $31.50 CAD, I don’t personally think the original Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb is worth the price. That’s less about the quality of the product and more about my personal preferences—I tend to reach for lip glosses with a more ultra-shiny, glass-like finish.
If I’m spending that much on a lip product, I’d actually recommend the Fenty Gloss Bomb Stix High-Shine Gloss Stick instead. It’s one of my favourite lip launches from the brand and a formula I’d happily repurchase.
If you’re simply looking for a great everyday lip gloss, I’d save the money and go with the NYX Butter Gloss. At around $11 CAD, it gives a beautiful glossy finish, comes in a huge range of shades, and it’s the lip gloss I find myself reaching for more often.
Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Gloss Luminizer, $31.50, sephora.ca
Disclosure: This product was gifted, but I am under no obligation to share a positive review. All opinions are entirely my own and based on my honest experience. This post also contains affiliate links; if you choose to purchase them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support the content I create. Thank you for your support!