ReviewBeauty
Glossier Review: Effortless "No-Makeup" Makeup That Mostly Lives Up to the Hype — Pick Your Products Wisely
Glossier's hero products — Boy Brow, Cloud Paint, Lash Slick and Glossier You — genuinely earn their cult status, but sheer coverage, inconsistent scent longevity, reformulation complaints and hit-or-miss skincare mean you should buy the hits and skip the rest.
rating 7.8 / 10
7.8/10
- Best for
- Minimal-makeup lovers who want natural, dewy results that are easy to apply with fingers
- Price
- Around $18 (Balm Dotcom) – $75+ (Glossier You perfume)glossier.com, Sephora, Glossier stores
The shortlist
03 PRODUCTS · PRICES CHECKED AUTOMATICALLY
-
Best Overall Pick Cloud Paint Gel-Cream Blush — ~$22 $24 Glossier
-
Premium / Upgrade Pick Glossier You Eau de Parfum — ~$75+ $82 Glossier
-
Approach With Caution Milky Jelly Cleanser and Basic Skincare $24 Glossier
How this works — Links to shops may earn FailleGlam a commission. It never decides what we recommend, the score, or the order. Prices are read from each shop and shown with the time we last checked. How we review →
01 Why We Reviewed Glossier
Glossier grew out of the Into the Gloss beauty blog and helped define the "clean girl," skin-first makeup look. Its formula is simple: lightweight products you can apply with your fingers for a natural, dewy finish. On Thingtesting, Glossier holds a 4.2 rating across 2,450+ reviews, with 85% of reviewers saying they'd recommend it. The same summary names the brand's standout staples — Boy Brow, Cloud Paint, Lash Slick, Stretch Concealer, Milky Jelly Cleanser and the compliment-magnet Glossier You perfume. On Glossier's own site, Cloud Paint averaged around 4.6 stars across thousands of ratings, and Boy Brow around 4.4.
The honest caveat: Glossier isn't built for everyone. Coverage is very sheer — reviewers are clear that it won't give you a full-coverage look. Other recurring complaints include inconsistent scent longevity for Glossier You, reformulation concerns, leaky or fussy packaging, a limited shade range, and skincare that some find basic or irritating. Milky Jelly Cleanser, one of its best-known products, averaged just 3.4 stars on Glossier's site.
02 Glossier at a Glance
At a glance
- Founded
- 2014 — New York, NY
- Product Category
- Makeup, skincare, body care and fragrance
- Price Range
- ~$18 (lip balm) – ~$22 (Cloud Paint) – $75+ (Glossier You perfume)
- Ships To
- USA, Canada, UK and select international markets
- Made In
- Varies by product
- Warranty
- Not applicable
- Return Policy
- Returns accepted within a set window on direct orders — check current terms
- Available At
- glossier.com, Sephora, Glossier retail stores
- Review Count
- 2,450+ Thingtesting reviews (4.2); thousands of ratings on glossier.com
- FailleGlam Rating
- 7.8 / 10
03 What FailleGlam Found: The Honest Breakdown
-
+01
✅ Genuinely effortless products Reviewers praise finger-friendly application and weightless textures that are hard to overdo.
-
+02
✅ Cult-status heroes Cloud Paint (~4.6 stars on-site) and Boy Brow (~4.4) are among the most loved products in modern beauty.
-
+03
✅ A signature scent people notice Glossier You is described across reviews as a compliment magnet that smells slightly different on everyone.
-
+04
✅ Natural, dewy finish Perfect for "your skin but better" days, with no heavy makeup feel.
-
+05
✅ Cruelty-free and widely available Now at Sephora as well as Glossier's own stores and site.
-
−01
❌ Very sheer coverage Skin Tint and concealers won't hide much; reviewers warn against expecting a full-coverage face.
-
−02
❌ Inconsistent scent longevity Some buyers love Glossier You's staying power; others say they can barely smell it minutes later.
-
−03
❌ Reformulation and shade changes Reviewers note concerns about changes to You and Balm Dotcom, and one buyer was upset a blush shade changed without notice.
-
−04
❌ Hit-or-miss skincare and packaging Milky Jelly averages 3.4 stars on-site, and reviewers mention leaky or fussy packaging.
Our readGlossier rewards selective shopping. Buy the heroes and you'll likely become a fan; buy the whole line and you'll probably find a few disappointments.
04 Best Glossier Products Worth Considering
Glossier's lineup has grown well beyond its original handful of products. After reviewing thousands of ratings and long-term user rankings, here are the standouts — and one to approach carefully.
Glossier
Cloud Paint Gel-Cream Blush — ~$22
Cloud Paint is Glossier at its best: a buildable gel-cream blush that melts into skin for a natural flush and lasts all day without caking. The one tip reviewers repeat: squeeze gently — it's highly pigmented and the tube makes it easy to dispense too much. Start with a dot and build up.
Boy Brow — ~$20–$22
Best Brow Product
Glossier's original holy-grail product, Boy Brow adds color, volume and hold for brushed-up, fluffy brows. Longtime fans say they tried cheaper alternatives and came back. Budget shoppers note drugstore brow gels can come close for less, so it's worth it mainly if you love the tiny brush and flexible hold. If you're comparing, see our best brow gels guide for a side-by-side.
Glossier
Glossier You Eau de Parfum — ~$75+
A skin-scent built around pink pepper, iris, ambrette and ambrox, Glossier You is the brand's most talked-about product. Many wearers get constant compliments; others find it fades quickly. Try the travel size first — several fans say the solid version isn't worth the money compared with the spray.
Glossier
Milky Jelly Cleanser and Basic Skincare
Glossier's skincare is gentle and pleasant, but reviewers often find it basic, and some report irritation. With Milky Jelly averaging 3.4 stars on-site, you may get better value from dedicated skincare brands.
05 What Buyers Are Actually Saying
A skeptic turned fan sums up the appeal:
I didn't think I'd fall for the hype, but Boy Brow and Cloud Paint now live in my makeup bag. I look like I slept eight hours when I didn't.
A fragrance lover explains why Glossier You stands out:
Glossier You smells a little different on everyone. On me it's warm and slightly spicy — I absolutely love it.
On the concerns side, a buyer questions value:
The retinol pump didn't work, and I could barely smell the perfume just minutes after spraying. Not cheap, and disappointing.
Another reviewer describes a shade change:
Glossier should announce when it changes shades. My perfect blush isn't the same anymore.
The pattern: the hero makeup and fragrance earn strong loyalty, while sheer coverage, longevity and product changes drive most of the criticism.
06 Glossier vs The Competition
| Glossier vs The Competition | Our pick Glossier | Rare Beauty | Milk Makeup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price Range | ~$18–$75+ | ~$20–$35 | ~$20–$45 |
| Quality / Build | ✅ Lightweight, natural | ✅ Pigmented, versatile | ✅ Stick-based, portable |
| Coverage | ⚠️ Very sheer | ✅ Buildable | ✅ Buildable |
| Shade Range | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ Wide | ✅ Good |
| Fragrance | ✅ Glossier You | ⚠️ Limited | ⚠️ Limited |
| Packaging | ⚠️ Occasional leaks | ✅ Solid | ✅ Solid |
| Unique Strength | Effortless no-makeup look | Liquid blush pigment | Multi-use sticks |
| Best For | Minimalists | Makeup lovers | On-the-go routines |
For a deeper breakdown, see our full Rare Beauty review.
07 Is Glossier Right For You?
Perfect For
Anyone who wants a fresh, natural look in minutes — especially beginners, minimalists and people who prefer applying makeup with their fingers.
Worth Considering If
You like fuller coverage but want a few easy extras. Cloud Paint, Boy Brow and Lash Slick pair well with a heavier foundation from another brand.
Skip It If
You need full coverage, a wide shade range or long-lasting fragrance guaranteed. Other brands serve those needs more consistently.
08 FailleGlam Recommends
Glossier
Glossier Cloud Paint — ~$22
It's the product that best captures Glossier's promise: easy, natural, long-wearing color you can't really mess up. Start with one shade, use a tiny dot, and build from there.
09 Glossier — Questions We Get Asked Most
Q.01What are the best Glossier products for beginners?
Cloud Paint, Boy Brow, Lash Slick and Balm Dotcom. They're forgiving, easy to apply and deliver the signature Glossier look.
Q.02Does Glossier You perfume last long?
It varies. Many wearers love its staying power; others find it fades quickly. Try a travel size before buying the full bottle.
Q.03Is Glossier Boy Brow worth it compared with drugstore gels?
Many fans say yes for its brush and flexible hold. Budget shoppers may find drugstore options close enough.
Q.04Is Glossier good for full coverage?
No. Glossier focuses on sheer, natural finishes. Pair it with a fuller foundation if you need more coverage.
Q.05Is Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser worth it?
It's gentle, but it averages lower ratings than Glossier's makeup. Many buyers find better value elsewhere for skincare.