elf Sun Boss Gloss At A Glance
• Comes in 5 shades with a punchy sheer wash of color.
• They do not taste like sunscreen.
• The formula is not sticky, rather, it feels like a lip oil.
• The glossy shine is thick in a good way.
Having SPF in a lip product can be very hit or miss. I am putting the elf Sun Boss Gloss SPF 25 to the test with a detailed review of all the shades. In just a few minutes you will know if you have your next beach day lip on lock or not.
Details & Claims
To get into the details, this gloss comes in five shades and is $7 each. You get 0.13 FL OZ or 4.0 mL of product. They feature a small, slanted doe foot applicator.
On the topic of where to buy the glosses, the usual elf Cosmetics retailers have you covered. You can get all of the shades on elf’s website, and you will find four to five shades on Amazon, and in-stores and online at Target, Ulta, and Walmart.
elf claims that these lip glosses should be pigmented/tinted with buildable color that delivers a high-shine finish. They contain broad spectrum SPF 25 protection. They also have a tropical coconut scent.
| elf Sun Boss Gloss Detailed Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Categories | Details |
| Price | $7 |
| Size | 0.13 fl oz or 4.0 mL |
| Packaging | Small slanted doe foot |
| Shade Range | 5 |
| Retailers | elf, Amazon, Ulta, Walmart, Target |
| Finish | Glossy shine |
| Coverage | Sheer to medium |
| Key Ingredients | Vitamin E, Zinc Oxide |
| SPF | Broad spectrum mineral SPF 25 |
For the best application, you should start with exfoliated lips. Simply swipe the gloss on as desired.
Swatches & Shades
While the shade range is not huge, the punchy pigmentation is something to behold. These glosses are much more pigmented than what you may be used to, as evidenced by the swatches. Below you can see the shade names and the luxurious, juicy shine.
- Pink Me Girl
- Blush Much
- Peachy Kween
- It’s Your Mauve
- That’s My Jam
Ingredients
This gloss has two featured key ingredients. Vitamin E is responsible for moisturizing and nourishing your lips. Zinc oxdie, the active ingriedient, is the mineral susncreen. Below is the full ingredient list:
Active Ingredients
zinc oxide 10.0%
Inactive Ingredients
polyisobutene, pentaerythrityl tetraethylhexanoate, hydrogenated polyisobutene, c12-15 alkyl benzoate, octyldodecanol, microcrystalline wax (cera microcristallina), butyloctyl salicylate, tridecyl trimellitate, silica dimethyl silylate, oryzanol, camellia oleifera seed oil, triethoxycaprylylsilane, fragrance (parfum), ethylhexylglycerin, polyhydroxystearic acid, caprylic/capric triglyceride, vp/hexadecene copolymer, tocopheryl acetate, ricinus communis (castor) seed oil, isostearic acid, sodium hyaluronate, polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate, lecithin, hydrogenated castor oil, tocopherol.
May Contain
iron oxide (ci 77491), iron oxide (ci 77499), red 7 lake (ci 15850), iron oxide (ci 77492), blue 1 lake (ci 42090), titanium dioxide (ci 77891).
Review
As an avid reviewer of elf Cosmetics for several years, I have never been head over heels for lip gloss in general. Still, I have tested more glosses than I care to. I must say, these are pretty cool even if you prefer a long-lasting lip like me.
The worst thing about many sunscreen lip products on the market (even from top brands) is that they taste and smell like sunscreen. This is usually disgusting and unbearable, to say the least. elf is hitting this formula spot on with no sunscreen taste! Actually, there is no true describable taste. The coconut scent is not overbearing and does not lend a taste.
As for the gloss itself, it delivers a super juicy shine. It is not sticky, but, it is thick in a good way. It really coats and hugs the lips to feel more like an oil than a gloss. If you are in the market for an actual oil that is superb, check out my elf Glow Reviver Lip Oil review.
While elf says these have a sheer wash of color, the pigment packs more of a punch than that. It is definitely buildable from sheer to medium coverage that is super creamy. They are much more pigmented than their oils and stains.
You will enjoy wearing these glosses on their own, or slap them on with some lip liner for a complete look. Of course, you can layer them over any lip color. elf also has standard glosses if you prefer one without SPF. Gloss is not meant to be long-lasting. Feel free to re-apply them as needed.
The key ingredient of Vitamin E leaves the lips feeling smooth and hydrated. A common complaint of mineral sunscreen wearers is is that they experience drying out of the skin. If you are in that crowd, you might be afraid to try these glosses. I do recommend giving them a shot, as the Vitamin E really helps to combat potential dryness. You may find that their conditioning properties help your lips in the long run. I find them to be more effective than the elf Squeeze Me Lip Balm.
You should keep in mind that you are probably never going to wear enough gloss to achieve the full benefits of the SPF 25. With regular re-application your risk of sunburn should be minimal.
Below I have compiled some performance metrics for these glosses.
- Hydration Boost: 92% – lips feel amazing while wearing
- Shine Factor: 95% – mirror-like shine
- Longevity: 15% – fades away even if you are not eating and drinking
- Comfort Level: 80% – thick in a good way
- Color Payoff: 40% – punchy pigmentation
- Versatility: 95% – easily layered
- Transfer Resistance: 0% – gloss transfers immediately
Amanda’s Review: ★★★★★
What Reddit Users Say About elf Sun Boss Gloss
One of the best ways to research a product is with word of mouth. If you do not want to take my word for it, I have done the research to find you some Reddit comments. You should keep in mind that these reviews from individuals may not represent your own personal experience.
“I have the shade “blush much”. I am loving it. It doesn’t stain my lips it’s like the same color of my lips. Maybe the darker colors stain? Idk. My fav part is there is no bad sunscreen taste. Glossy and not sticky.”
“I love it! It looks so pretty and stays a long time. I cannot taste any spf taste in it. I just wish they had a better range of shades.”
“This product is awesome! I wore it for 2 weeks on the beach and my lips didn’t burn! It’s also extremely moisturizing…like it makes my lips baby soft. It is a bit sticky since it’s a gloss tho, but that’s obvious.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the available shades for elf Sun Boss Gloss?
The elf Sun Boss Gloss comes in five shades: Pink Me Girl, Blush Much, Peachy Kween, It’s Your Mauve, and That’s My Jam. They pack a punchy pigment that is buildable to medium coverage with plenty of shine.
Is elf Sun Boss Gloss suitable for all skin types?
The elf Sun Boss Gloss is formualted for use on all skin types. They contain mineral sunscreen which causes dryness for some individuals.
Does elf Sun Boss Gloss provide SPF protection?
The elf Sun Boss Gloss has SPF 25 and it is a mineral formula. Keep in mind that you are probably not wearing enough of the gloss at any given time to get the full benefits of SPF 25.
Shop The Gloss
If you are a lip gloss lover you will not be disappointed by this gem from elf Cosmetics! Hopefully they will expand the shade range in the future. Which shade is your ride-or-die? Until next time, continue to let your true beauty shine.
