Glossy, glass-like shine vs. soft-matte mousse: new summer lip launches to try — which shade is meant for you this season?

As we head into the height of summer, it’s time to give your makeup bag a refresh. This season, major beauty brands are rolling out new releases, from ultra-hydrating, glass-like shine to featherlight, airy soft-matte mousse. Which one is most worth trying? POPBEE’s editors have rounded up summer lip launches from 7 brands to help you find the lip shade that’s meant for you.

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Lip pick 1. Hydrating mirror shine: CHANEL ROUGE COCO Lip Blush & Shine Hydrating Tinted Gloss

This summer, CHANEL draws inspiration from “Radio of Style” for its new ROUGE COCO Lip Blush & Shine Hydrating Tinted Gloss (HK$ 350). Combining enhanced lip-care benefits with a comfortable feel, the formula contains up to 85% hydrating ingredients, including Camellia Ceramides and a Water Peptide Complex, to provide up to 24 hours of hydration. Its classic hugging applicator creates an intensely reflective, glass-like shine in a single swipe, with a fresh, nonsticky feel. Available in 18 radiant shades, it can be worn alone or layered over lipstick to create your own glossy look.

Lip pick 2. Girl-group-worthy glow: M·A·C Lustreglass Water Glow Mirror Shine Longwear Tint

If you’re looking for the perfect glossy lip, don’t miss this. M·A·C has launched the new Lustreglass Water Glow Mirror Shine Longwear Tint, the “Glass Glow Stick” (HK$ 300), featuring girl-group-worthy 3D glassy shine. The brand also introduces its exclusive “3S Lip Art Formula” – Shape, Shade, and Shine – which, paired with the new Icy Crystal Lip Liner, creates an ultra-plump, dewy finish in one swipe.

Lip pick 3. Soft-matte mousse: Huda Beauty Liquid Matte Mousse Liquid Matte Lipstick

For those who prefer a matte finish, take note. Huda Beauty has completely revamped the classic Liquid Matte Lipstick that shook up the beauty world a decade ago, introducing the new Liquid Matte Mousse (HK$ 225). Its dense yet airy, cream-like mousse texture comes in a convenient tube with an angled applicator, gliding on smoothly to blur lip lines and create an exceptionally comfortable soft-focus matte finish. The collection includes 8 essential nude shades designed for different skin tones. Paired with the Lip Contour 2.0 Matte Lip Pencil (HK$ 230), it creates a refined lip look with softly diffused edges. It will be available exclusively at Sephora Hong Kong starting in July.

Lip pick 4. Triple lip care: Anastasia Beverly Hills Kiss Theory Lip Gloss Balm

No more compromising between color payoff and comfort. Anastasia Beverly Hills has launched the new Kiss Theory Lip Gloss Balm (HK$ 145), an innovative “gel x balm” hybrid that combines lipstick, lip gloss, and lip balm in one. Formulated with hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and candelilla wax, it provides lasting hydration while softening lip lines, delivering rich, dimensional glassy shine in a single swipe. The compact mini packaging is convenient to carry, and the 14-shade range runs from soft nudes to bold, vivid hues. It is now available exclusively on Sephora Hong Kong’s website and in stores.

Lip pick 5. Velvet-soft matte: Hourglass Phantom Blur Balm Powder Lipstick

This season, Hourglass teams up with Grammy Award winner Olivia Dean for its new “After Hours” campaign, introducing the captivating Phantom Blur Balm Powder Lipstick (HK$ 330). The breakthrough formula contains hyaluronic acid and skincare-grade moisturizing ingredients, combining the plumping hydration of a lip balm with the soft-matte color payoff of a lipstick. One swipe leaves a fine, velvety finish that softens lip lines while nourishing lips all day. The collection features 5 MLBB shades designed for natural lip tones. Paired with the new Shape & Sculpt Lip Liner (HK$ 260), it makes it easy to define a full lip shape with your own personal style. It is now available at Hourglass counters across Hong Kong.

Lip pick 6. Dramatic sculpting: KANEBO ROUGE STAR DRAMA Lasting Radiant Sculpting Lipstick

If you’re after a defined lip line and a full, healthy flush of color, don’t miss this. KANEBO introduces the new ROUGE STAR DRAMA Lasting Radiant Sculpting Lipstick (HK$ 290), featuring its exclusive Dramatical Form Lasting Technology, which combines a healthy flush with a high-density, springy glossy film. The formula contains long-lasting moisturizing serum ingredients and a “5R Vital Base,” allowing it to glide on smoothly and move with your lips. Even with frequent movement, it resists losing its shape and keeps a defined, vivid, professionally sculpted lip contour in place. The range includes 9 lively shades, including 2 limited-edition colors, while its slim pencil-shaped design makes it easy to draw a precise outline.

Lip pick 7. Airy soft focus: SUQQU Glow Tone Color Lips Liquid

For those who prefer a refined Japanese aesthetic, take note. SUQQU presents the new Glow Tone Color Lips Liquid (HK$ 370), featuring a soufflé-light, airy soft-focus finish. The brand has doubled the amount of volatile oils and combined them with matte paste-like oils and film-forming technology, allowing the formula to glide smoothly over the lips and smooth vertical lip lines. Along with even color payoff, it offers long wear that resists transferring to cups and fading. The collection includes 6 new permanent shades, from the soft warm-beige “01 Yuzuriha-iro” to the chic brick red-brown “06 Hihi-zumi,” for a hazy, elegant finish.

Among glossy lip products at a similar price point, CHANEL offers the most reassuring balance of quick film formation and lasting hydration, making it well suited to commuters seeking understated luxury. If you’re on a limited budget and prefer highly saturated glossy color, M·A·C’s shades and dimensional finish offer a choice that is as practical as it is buzzworthy.

Among soft-matte products, Huda Beauty’s mousse texture is genuinely impressive at smoothing lip lines, making it a reliable choice for those with drier lips who still want to try a matte finish.

Once you’ve found a texture and color you like, consider visiting a counter one weekend to try the shades in person and bring fresh inspiration to your summer makeup look.

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