Rihanna doesn’t really do "subtle" when it comes to business. When Fenty Beauty launched back in 2017, it wasn't just another celebrity brand hitting the shelves at Sephora; it was a total reset of what we expected from shade ranges. Since then, the Gloss Bomb has basically become the gold standard for lip gloss. People obsessed over the shine and that specific peach-vanilla scent. But gloss in a tube has its limits. It's messy. It leaks in your bag. You need a mirror. Enter the Fenty Gloss Bomb Stick.
It’s exactly what it sounds like, yet somehow it feels like something else entirely once you actually swipe it on.
Honestly, the "lip oil in a stick" or "solid gloss" trend has been everywhere lately. Every brand from Hourglass to Tarte has their own version of a click-up, high-shine balm. So, why did Fenty wait? Probably because getting the texture of a Gloss Bomb into a solid form without it becoming a sticky, gloopy disaster is harder than it looks. The Fenty Gloss Bomb Stick tries to bridge that gap between the intense nourishment of a treatment and the high-octane shine of the original formula.
What’s actually inside this thing?
If you look at the ingredients, this isn't just wax and pigment. It’s heavy on the conditioning agents. We’re talking squalane, vitamin E, and shea butter. Squalane is the heavy hitter here because it mimics the skin’s natural oils, which means it actually sinks in rather than just sitting on top of your lips like a layer of plastic.
The shine is real.
Most sticks that claim to be "glossy" end up looking like a standard tinted balm after twenty minutes. This one stays wet-looking. It’s got that signature Fenty shimmer—super fine, not chunky glitter—that makes lips look physically larger. It’s a trick of the light, basically. If you’ve ever used the original Gloss Bomb in "Fenty Glow," you know that specific rose-nude tone that somehow looks good on everyone from pale-as-a-ghost to deep-ebony skin tones. They brought that same color theory to the stick version.
The "Click" problem and the packaging
Let’s talk about the hardware for a second. The Fenty Gloss Bomb Stick uses a non-retractable click mechanism.
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This is polarizing. I get why they do it—the formula is so soft that if you twisted it up like a regular lipstick, it would probably snap or melt against the side of the tube. By making it click up and stay up, the brand ensures the structural integrity of the product. But here is the catch: don’t click too much. If you click up a quarter-inch of product, you’re stuck with it. You can't twist it back down. It’s a commitment.
The slim packaging is a massive upgrade for anyone who carries a tiny clutch or just hates the bulk of the original pentagonal gloss tubes. It fits in a pocket. It’s sleek. It feels expensive in your hand, which, considering the price point, it should.
How it holds up against the original Gloss Bomb
Is it a replacement? No.
The original Gloss Bomb is a thick, plush, long-wear gloss. It’s got "grip." The Fenty Gloss Bomb Stick is more of a hybrid. It feels thinner on the lips, which is great if you hate that "hair sticking to your face" feeling that comes with traditional glosses. Because it’s a solid-to-oil formula, it has a melting point. On a hot day, you probably shouldn’t leave this in your car. It will turn into a puddle.
The pigment payoff is also slightly different. While the original glosses are fairly sheer, the stick version packs a bit more of a punch. It’s not a lipstick, but it’s definitely "tinted plus." You get enough color to hide any unevenness in your natural lip tone, but it’s still translucent enough to look effortless.
Why the "High-Shine" trend is sticking around
We’ve moved away from the matte liquid lipstick era of 2016. Thank goodness. The industry is currently obsessed with "glass skin" and "glazed" everything. The Fenty Gloss Bomb Stick fits perfectly into this 2026 aesthetic of looking hydrated and healthy.
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Priscilla Ono, Fenty Beauty’s Global Makeup Artist, has often talked about "The Fenty Face," which starts with skin and ends with a glow. This stick is the low-maintenance version of that. You don't need a lip liner. You don't need a steady hand. You can literally apply this while walking to the subway and you won't look like a clown.
Real-world wear: Does it actually last?
Let's be real. It’s a gloss stick. It’s not going to survive a burger or a long workout. You’re going to have to reapply.
However, the "dry down" is actually quite nice. When the shine eventually fades after a couple of hours, it leaves behind a soft, moisturized feel. Your lips don't feel parched or flaky, which is a common complaint with cheaper "shiny" lipsticks that use low-grade alcohols or heavy waxes.
- One swipe gives you a subtle sheen.
- Two or three swipes gives you that "wet" look.
- It doesn't migrate. Some oils tend to bleed into the fine lines around the mouth, but the wax balance in the Gloss Bomb Stick keeps it in place fairly well.
The competition: Fenty vs. The World
If you’re looking at this, you’re probably also looking at the Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip or the Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm.
The Hourglass one is much more "minty" and has a stinging plumping effect. If you have sensitive lips, you might hate it. The Tarte one is very fruity and quite soft—sometimes too soft. The Fenty Gloss Bomb Stick sits right in the middle. It has that iconic scent we all know, and the "plumping" effect is more about the visual shine and hydration than it is about irritating your lips with capsaicin or menthol.
It’s also worth noting the shade range. Fenty launched with a decent variety, including "Riri," "Glass Slipper" (the clear one), and "Hot Cherry." They didn't just dump twenty shades of pink and call it a day. They thought about undertones. The "Hot Cherry" shade, for instance, has just enough translucency that it looks like a natural flush rather than a heavy red lip.
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Is it worth the hype?
Look, $26 (or whatever the current retail price is in your region) is a lot for a lip balm. But you aren't buying a lip balm. You’re buying a high-performance hybrid.
If you are the type of person who has ten different glosses floating at the bottom of your bag, this might help you consolidate. It’s the "lazy girl" version of a full lip look. It’s also a great entry point for people who find traditional lipsticks too heavy or "old fashioned."
The Fenty Gloss Bomb Stick succeeds because it knows exactly what it is. It isn't trying to be a long-wear stain. It isn't trying to be a medical-grade treatment. It’s just a really, really good-looking gloss that happens to be easy to carry.
How to get the most out of your Gloss Bomb Stick
To make the most of the product and avoid the common pitfalls of solid glosses, keep these specific tips in mind for your next application:
- The Minimalist Approach: Use the clear "Glass Slipper" shade as a topper over your favorite matte lipstick. It transforms the texture without changing the color you spent forever picking out.
- Temperature Control: Keep the stick away from direct sunlight or your pocket if you're out in the sun for a long time. These formulas are designed to melt at body temperature, so a hot day can make them overly messy.
- The "One-Click" Rule: Only click the bottom once for each application. This prevents too much product from being exposed to the air, which helps keep the formula fresh and prevents it from smooshing against the cap.
- Exfoliation is Key: Because the shine is so high, it will highlight any dry flakes on your lips. Use a quick lip scrub or even just a damp washcloth before applying to ensure the finish is smooth.
- Layering for Depth: For a 3D effect, apply a slightly darker lip liner just at the corners of your mouth and then fill in the center with the Gloss Bomb Stick. This creates a pouty, contoured look without the effort of a full lip routine.
The reality of the beauty market in 2026 is that we want products that do two things at once. We want the "look" of makeup with the "feel" of skincare. This product hits that mark. It provides the immediate gratification of a gloss with the long-term benefit of ingredients like squalane. While it might not replace your nightly lip mask, it’s certainly more than just a pretty shimmer. Whether you're a Fenty devotee or just someone tired of sticky tubes, this stick is a solid evolution of a cult favorite.