Home » Glossier: Effortless Beauty Staples With a Devoted Following and a Few Growing Pains

Glossier: Effortless Beauty Staples With a Devoted Following and a Few Growing Pains

by Jack Wilson

Glossier’s documented strength is simple, easy-to-wear makeup and skincare that people keep repurchasing. The New York brand built its reputation on “no-makeup makeup,” designed to enhance rather than cover, and on minimalist pink packaging that became instantly recognizable. Thingtesting’s summary of hundreds of customer reviews says shoppers praise its effortless, natural-looking staples, especially Boy Brow, Cloud Paint, Lash Slick, Stretch Concealer and the Glossier You fragrance, which many call their signature scent. BuzzFeed shoppers praised Boy Brow for naturally defining light brows and Cloud Paint for a natural, sun-kissed flush.

On Trustpilot, Glossier scores 3.3 from 367 reviews, with 68% five-star ratings. Kat (UK, 5 stars) said she’s bought and repurchased Glossier products for years, and when she got the wrong Cloud Paint shade in a busy London store, customer service fixed it within 24 hours. Sarah (UK, 5 stars) said Glossier immediately replaced a lost package from a split delivery. Nan Greer (US, 5 stars) loves the After Baume, which Glossier calls a “puffer jacket for your skin,” saying it soothes, smooths and hydrates under makeup and at night. Sunny Ricchy (US, 5 stars, verified) said Boy Brow and Cloud Paint became permanent residents in her makeup bag.

Glossier’s lineup includes brow products (Boy Brow, Brow Flick), cheek and lip color (Cloud Paint, Balm Dotcom, Generation G, Ultralip), complexion (Stretch Concealer, Perfecting Skin Tint), skincare (Milky Jelly Cleanser, Futuredew, Super Glow, After Baume) and the Glossier You fragrance range. It sells online, in its own stores and at Sephora. Pricing is mid-range. Thingtesting reviewers mention Boy Brow at around $34 and Perfecting Skin Tint near $50, and one student reviewer listed a Glossier You fragrance size at $60. UK reviewers mention £70 for Glossier You perfume, £40 for the retinol and £20 for You hand cream.

The honest caveat: Glossier’s Trustpilot profile is unclaimed and has only eight reviews in the last 12 months, so it’s dated. Thingtesting’s summary flags sheer coverage, inconsistent longevity, reformulations of Balm Dotcom and Glossier You, and packaging problems like leaking or easily squeezed Cloud Paint tubes. Margaux Bride (UK, 2 stars) said Cloud Paint in Storm changed color and became less pigmented without an announcement. Madison (Canada, 1 star) said a Balm Dotcom turned oily and Glossier referred her to Sephora, where she’d bought it. Some international customers report slow refunds, double charges and unreachable support emails.

Quick Highlights

✅ Cult products like Boy Brow, Cloud Paint and Balm Dotcom
✅ Glossier You fragrance is a widely loved signature scent, per Thingtesting
✅ Natural, “no-makeup makeup” finish
✅ Easy, finger-friendly textures
✅ Minimalist, recognizable packaging
✅ After Baume praised for soothing hydration
✅ Futuredew and Super Glow serum have loyal fans
✅ Sold online, in Glossier stores and at Sephora
✅ In-store staff praised by UK reviewers
✅ Fast replacements from support, per some reviewers
✅ Mid-range prices compared with luxury brands
✅ 68% five-star Trustpilot reviews

❌ Sheer coverage and short wear for some products, per Thingtesting
❌ Reformulations of Balm Dotcom, Glossier You and Cloud Paint shades
❌ Cloud Paint tubes can leak or squeeze out in bags
❌ Small product sizes for the price, per some reviewers
❌ Sephora purchases referred back to Sephora
❌ International order and refund problems reported
❌ Trustpilot profile is unclaimed and largely outdated

Why Trust This Review

This review draws on 367 Trustpilot reviews of Glossier (TrustScore 3.3), Thingtesting’s summaries of hundreds of customer reviews, BuzzFeed’s shopper roundup and Glossier product information. Glossier’s Trustpilot profile is unclaimed and receives few new reviews, so we relied heavily on Thingtesting’s larger, more current sample. Prices vary by product, size and country, so confirm them on Glossier’s site.

Skin safety note: Patch-test new skincare and fragrance on your inner arm before applying widely, especially with sensitive skin. Retinol products can cause irritation and increase sun sensitivity, so use sunscreen daily. GlossGirly has no commercial relationship with Glossier that affects this verdict.

Full Review Breakdown

Makeup: Brows, Cheeks and Lips

Glossier’s makeup staples are its biggest draw. Boy Brow, a tinted brow gel, is frequently called a holy grail product on Thingtesting. One longtime user said she’s used it since Glossier launched and is never without it. Shakila Razack (US, 5 stars) called it a little pricey but said it makes her brows look and feel great all day. Cloud Paint, a gel-cream blush, is equally loved for its sheer, buildable, natural flush. Thingtesting reviewers suggest using just a tiny amount at first.

Not every product wins everyone over. Michelle Wang (US, 3 stars) said Boy Brow didn’t work as well as a cheaper brow gel she found on Amazon. Several Thingtesting reviewers say Boy Brow runs out quickly and Lash Slick has cheaper dupes. Margaux Bride said her favorite Cloud Paint shade, Storm, changed to a browner, less pigmented formula. Balm Dotcom, a thick lip balm, has fans who call it the best balm they’ve used, but others note reformulations and Madison’s turned oily.

Skincare

Glossier’s skincare is quieter but has loyal fans. Nan Greer loves After Baume for soothing and hydrating her skin. ZiCr (Croatia, 5 stars) said she loves the Super Glow serum. Thingtesting reviewers praise Futuredew for a dewy glow and the Milky Jelly Cleanser and BHA toner for refreshed skin. However, Thingtesting reviewers also describe some skincare as underwhelming compared with other brands, and one called the older skincare products stronger.

Li London (UK, 2 stars) said a £40 retinol’s pump didn’t work. Glossier’s skincare is generally gentle and easy to use, which suits beginners and those with simple routines, but serious skin concerns may need more targeted formulas.

Glossier You Fragrance

Glossier You is one of the brand’s most beloved products. Thingtesting reviewers describe it as unique, soft and different on everyone, and many say it earns constant compliments. A student reviewer at South Blueprint said it has lasting power that justifies its price. But reactions vary widely. Li London said she could barely smell her £70 bottle minutes after spraying. Laura Taylor (UK, 1 star) said the You hand cream smelled nothing like the perfume. Thingtesting reviewers also mention the scent being reformulated. Try a sample in store before buying a full bottle.

Ordering, Stores and Customer Service

Glossier’s stores get warm reviews. Lottie (UK, 5 stars) praised the beautifully laid-out London store, testers and friendly staff. Kat said both in-store and online service were excellent. Support often responds quickly, with Sarah and Emily (UK, 5 stars) praising agent Christine.

Online orders can be inconsistent, especially internationally. simon (Belgium, 1 star) said support emails bounced back and his order didn’t arrive after 20 days. Cathrine (Denmark, 1 star) waited about a month, received a replacement missing an item, and was offered a $5 voucher. Isabelle Parker (Canada, 3 stars) said a refund took weeks, and Megan Sullivan (Canada, 3 stars) said she was charged twice. If you buy through Sephora, expect Glossier to direct product issues back to Sephora, as Madison experienced.

Best Products Worth Buying

Glossier’s signature tinted brow gel, which grooms, fills and holds brows for a natural, fluffy look. It’s consistently named a holy grail product on Thingtesting, and BuzzFeed shoppers praised it for defining light brows naturally. Best for anyone wanting effortless, natural-looking brows in seconds. Trade-offs: some find it runs out quickly or prefer cheaper alternatives. Choose your shade carefully, starting lighter if unsure.

A lightweight gel-cream blush that blends with fingertips for a sheer, natural flush, available in a range of shades. Kat and Sunny Ricchy count it among their staples, and BuzzFeed shoppers said it looks natural and easy to apply. Best for no-makeup makeup and dewy finishes. Trade-offs: some shades have been reformulated, like Storm, and tubes can leak if squeezed in a bag. Start with a tiny amount, since it’s very buildable.

A thick, multipurpose lip and skin balm in plain and flavored versions. Many Thingtesting reviewers call it their favorite balm for lips and dry patches. Best for chapped lips and travel. Trade-offs: some longtime fans dislike its reformulation, and Madison’s turned oily. Store it away from heat.

Glossier’s cult fragrance, a soft, skin-like scent that many say smells different on everyone and earns compliments. Thingtesting reviewers frequently call it their signature scent. Best for those who like subtle, intimate fragrances. Trade-offs: some people barely smell it after applying, and reviewers note a reformulation. Sample in a Glossier store or at Sephora first.

What Customers Actually Think

“Boy Brow and Cloud Paint are now permanent residents in my makeup bag.” — Sunny Ricchy, Trustpilot reviewer (US, 5 stars, Boy Brow and Cloud Paint)

“I use this daily moisture barrier cream in the morning after cleansing and under makeup, and at night.” — Nan Greer, Trustpilot reviewer (US, 5 stars, After Baume)

“I cannot fault Glossier’s customer service either in-store or online and their products are fantastic.” — Kat, Trustpilot reviewer (UK, 5 stars, Cloud Paint)

“Now it’s more of a brick brown shade – which doesn’t complement my pale olive skin at all.” — Margaux Bride, Trustpilot reviewer (UK, 2 stars, Cloud Paint in Storm)

“I purchased a balm dotcom lip balm and it has now turned into oil.” — Madison, Trustpilot reviewer (Canada, 1 star, Balm Dotcom)

Is It Worth It?

Yes, for fans of natural, easy makeup, especially Boy Brow, Cloud Paint, Balm Dotcom and Glossier You. Sample shades and scents in store when possible, keep expectations realistic for coverage, and buy from the channel where you’d want support if something goes wrong.

Competitors Table

Feature

Glossier

Rare Beauty

Fenty Beauty

Milk Makeup

Merit

Saie

Trustpilot rating

3.3/5 (367 reviews)

2.0/5 (118 reviews)

2.0/5 (322 reviews)

Not checked

Not checked

Not checked

“No-makeup” focus

Strong

Moderate

Moderate

Moderate

Strong

Strong

Cult blush

Cloud Paint

Soft Pinch

Cheeks Out

Lip + Cheek

Flush Balm

Dew Blush

Signature fragrance

Yes (You)

Limited

Yes

No

No

No

Skincare range

Yes

Limited

Fenty Skin

Limited

Limited

Some

Price level

Mid

Mid

Mid

Mid

Mid to premium

Mid

FAQs

What is Glossier best known for?

Boy Brow, Cloud Paint, Balm Dotcom and the Glossier You fragrance.

Where can I buy Glossier?

Online, in Glossier stores and at Sephora.

Is Glossier good for full coverage?

Not usually. It focuses on sheer, natural finishes.

Has Glossier reformulated products?

Reviewers report changes to Balm Dotcom, Glossier You and some Cloud Paint shades.

Does Glossier help with Sephora purchases?

One reviewer said Glossier referred her back to Sephora for a product issue.

Final Verdict

Glossier still makes some of the most beloved everyday beauty products, with Boy Brow, Cloud Paint, Balm Dotcom and Glossier You earning loyal fans who repurchase for years. Its stores and support often get warm praise.

The trade-offs are sheer formulas that don’t suit everyone, reformulations that disappointed longtime fans, and inconsistent international ordering. Sample in store when possible and buy from the channel where you’d want support. For effortless, natural makeup, Glossier remains a standout.

Scorecard

Category

Score

Hero Products

9.0/10

Ease of Use

9.2/10

Packaging & Design

8.6/10

Coverage & Longevity

6.4/10

Formula Consistency

6.2/10

Skincare

7.0/10

Customer Service

7.0/10

Value for Money

7.0/10

Overall

7.6/10

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