Hey lip gloss lovers!
Get ready, because this is a showdown we’ve been waiting for. The beauty world has been buzzing ever since the Maybelline Lifter Gloss hit the shelves, with whispers that it’s a dead-ringer for the iconic high-end gloss we all know and love: the Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer.
But can a drugstore product truly capture the magic of a cult-classic luxury item? We got both, put them to the test, and are breaking down every sticky, shiny detail. Let’s settle this: is the Maybelline Lifter Gloss a genuine gem or an overhyped dud?
The Contenders:
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The High-End Hero: Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer in “Fenty Glow” | Price: ~$26
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The Drugstore Challenger: Maybelline Lifter Gloss with Hyaluronic Acid in “Stone” | Price: ~$9
Round 1: First Impressions & Packaging
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Fenty Gloss Bomb: It feels luxurious. The heavy, hexagonal tube is iconic, and the supersized doe-foot applicator is a dream—it’s soft, plush, and coats the lips in one swipe. It screams “treat yourself.”
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Maybelline Lifter Gloss: The packaging is surprisingly chic for the drugstore. It’s a lightweight, sleek tube with a sturdy cap. The applicator is also large and doe-foot, though slightly less plush than Fenty’s. For the price, it’s impressive.
Verdict: Fenty wins on pure, unapologetic luxury, but Maybelline puts up a strong fight with its sleek and functional design.
Round 2: The Formula & Feel
This is where it gets interesting.
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Fenty Beauty: The formula is thick, cushiony, and incredibly glossy. It feels like a hydrating treatment on the lips. It’s not sticky in a tacky way, but it has a substantial feel that lets you know it’s there, which many equate to longevity. The signature sweet, vanilla-cookie scent is downright delicious.
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Maybelline: The formula is noticeably lighter and more fluid. It still provides a high-shine finish, but it feels less like a cushion and more like a slick of hydration. It’s significantly less sticky than the Fenty formula. The scent is a light, pleasant, slightly tropical vanilla.
Verdict: This is a matter of personal preference. If you love a cushiony, substantial gloss, Fenty is your winner. If you prefer a lightweight, slick, low-stickiness gloss, you’ll adore Maybelline.
Round 3: Shade Range & Pigmentation
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Fenty Beauty “Fenty Glow”: This universal rose-nude is iconic for a reason. It provides a perfect, flattering wash of warm pink with shimmering pearl that suits a vast range of skin tones. The pigment is buildable and truly luminous.
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Maybelline “Stone”: This is a stunning cool-toned mauve-nude. It’s a bit more color-forward than “Fenty Glow” on the lips. While it has micro-shimmers in the tube, they translate more as a dimensional shine on the lips rather than visible glitter particles, making it a great dupe for the effect, if not the exact color.
Verdict: Fenty’s “Fenty Glow” is a perfect universal shade. Maybelline’s “Stone” is a beautiful, but slightly cooler, alternative. For a true color dupe, check out the shade “Topaz” in the Lifter Gloss range, which is a closer match.
Round 4: Wear & Hydration
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Fenty Beauty: Thanks to its thicker texture, it wears for a solid 2-3 hours before fading to a subtle stain. The shea butter base leaves lips feeling nourished even after the gloss is gone.
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Maybelline: The lighter formula wears for about 1.5-2 hours. The hyaluronic acid provides a burst of hydration, but because it’s so lightweight, it doesn’t feel as conditioning long-term as Fenty.
Verdict: Fenty takes the crown for longevity and lasting hydration.
The Final Tally: Value & Who It’s For
So, is it a Gem or a Dud?
The Maybelline Lifter Gloss is a certified DRUGSTORE GEM.
Why? It captures the essential experience of a high-end gloss—the plush applicator, the high-shine finish, the flattering nude shades—at a fraction of the cost. For anyone who hates sticky glosses, it might even be a preferred formula.
Your Cheat Sheet:
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Choose the Fenty Gloss Bomb if…
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You love a thick, cushiony, substantial gloss.
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You want maximum longevity and lasting hydration.
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You’re loyal to the iconic “Fenty Glow” shade.
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The luxurious experience is non-negotiable.
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Choose the Maybelline Lifter Gloss if…
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You’re on a budget but want a high-quality, high-shine gloss.
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You strongly prefer lightweight, non-sticky formulas.
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You want to try a trendy gloss without the high-end commitment.
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You’re building your collection and want multiple shades.
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The Bottom Line: While the Fenty Gloss Bomb remains the OG luxury experience, the Maybelline Lifter Gloss performs so impressively that it absolutely deserves a spot in your makeup bag. It’s not a 100% identical dupe, but it’s a stellar product in its own right that delivers a similar vibe and result.
We love a high-end treat, but we love an incredible drugstore find even more. This one’s a win for beauty lovers everywhere.
Have you tried both? Which team are you on: Fenty or Maybelline? Let us know in the comments!
Happy glossing,