Lip Gloss: The New Trend 💋

By Blaise Gitonga

If you thought tote bags were still a thing on campus, then you clearly underestimated these daughters of Jezebel who, years ago, ensured "Kampuni ya Kamisi" was no longer in production.

There’s a new trend in town: lip gloss. And just like "Kamisi" were shoved off the market, lip balms have now been overtaken by a craze that’s wildly popular among female university students.

In their latest amendment to the commandments, it’s now considered a crime to leave the house without lip gloss.

In the worst-case scenario, when someone forgets their gloss, the next person seen applying it will be met with the inevitable “Nilambishe Glosi” as soon as they pull it out. It’s no longer just a trend. It’s an addiction.

Phone cases and covers are now being designed with lip gloss holders to cater to the thousands of female users worldwide. This innovation has boosted usage thanks to the convenience of carrying the beauty product everywhere.

2025 is the year everyone just glossed. Trends come and go, but this one seems destined to stay. It’s now easier to find a lady with lip gloss than with her ID card or hostel keys.

The lip gloss trend has evolved into a celebration of hydration and subtle radiance. Unlike the sticky, high-shine formulas of the past, today’s glosses embrace nourishing textures, lip oils and balms that glide on effortlessly, leaving behind a dewy finish and a whisper of color.

These modern glosses are often infused with skin-conditioning ingredients and gentle plumping agents, offering both comfort and cosmetic appeal.

Among the most popular choices are:

- Hydrating lip oils that replenish moisture while adding a sleek sheen

- Plumping glosses that deliver a cooling sensation and fuller-looking lips

- Tinted balms that enhance the natural lip tone with a soft, healthy glow

It’s a shift toward beauty that feels good, lightweight, luminous, and effortlessly wearable.

For ladies who haven’t joined the trend or are looking for more options, TikTok has become a lip gloss encyclopedia, with influencers sharing high-value content on beauty products.

International brands include NYX, Fenty, Maybelline, and MAC, which are widely available and popular. Local brands catering to the Kenyan market average around Ksh 600.

You can find lip glosses at retailers like China Square for as low as Ksh 120. Online marketplaces such as Jumia Kenya and Carrefour Kenya are also great sources.

On social media, TikTok is a vibrant platform to discover trending products and see how they’re used by Kenyan influencers and makeup artists.