Jam Lips Are Summer 2025’s Juiciest Beauty Trend

There’s just something about summer that makes beauty feel a little more playful. Maybe it’s the way the heat melts our high-maintenance routines down into something simpler. Maybe it's the vacation energy, the impulse to reach for color, for gloss, for anything that reminds us of fruit stands and bare feet.

Let's talk about jam lips—the juicy, glistening, deep-tinted pout that looks like you just bit into the ripest berry of the season and let it stain your lips ever so slightly. Summer has a new lip trend, and it’s delicious.

Forget matte nudes and overly precise lining. This summer, it’s all about looking like your lips had a moment with a raspberry popsicle in 90-degree weather and lived to tell the tale. It's glossy, it's soft around the edges, it's tinted but low-effort, and it's giving “I woke up like this” in the best way.

Like most beauty trends in the last few years, jam lips didn’t exactly burst onto the scene overnight—but once they landed, they stuck (pun absolutely intended).

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So, let’s get into it: What exactly are jam lips? Why are they everywhere? And how can you pull them off—even if you're not a glossy girl (yet)?

The first few videos I saw were people dabbing on tinted balms with their fingers, layering oils on top, or even using cream blush on their lips to recreate that just-bitten, summer-fresh look.

Then came the product tags. Suddenly, lip tints, berry oils, jelly-like glosses, and balmy lipsticks were flying off the shelves. Brands definitely caught wind of the obsession and leaned in hard—some launching new shades inspired by strawberries, cherries, and even black currant jam.

What Are Jam Lips, Really?

Jam lips are that perfect blend of gloss and tint, with colors that look lifted from a summer fruit bowl: think cherry, raspberry, pomegranate, even blackcurrant. They’re not as clean or structured as a red lipstick look—and that’s the point. You want to look like your lips were just kissed, or like you applied something with your finger and didn’t try too hard.

This look isn’t about precision. It’s about softness, juice, and a little bit of gloss that makes your lips look alive, plush, and just the right amount of undone.

I personally love how unfussy it is. You don’t need a liner. You don’t need to babysit it every hour. In fact, it looks better as it wears down. The tint stays, the gloss fades into a balm, and you’re left with lips that look healthy and flushed. You know that “bitten lip” look K-beauty has championed forever? This is its grown-up, glossed-up cousin.

Start with the Base: Prepping Your Lips

Now, here’s the thing. As low-effort as jam lips look, you do need a smooth base. Glossy tinted formulas cling to texture, and there’s nothing cute about gloss sitting on flaky lips.

I like to start with a gentle exfoliation—my current fave is a homemade mix of honey and brown sugar. Just rub it in gently, wipe it off with a warm damp towel. The point is: prep your lips like you prep your skin. It makes a difference. Soft, hydrated lips make the gloss glide on and stick around longer.

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Let’s Talk Shades: What Jam Works for You?

This is the fun part—picking your jam.

If you lean cool-toned, go for berry or plum tones. Raspberry, boysenberry, or even a sheer blackberry will give that deep but soft flush that looks effortless.

If you’re warm-toned, cherry, pomegranate, or even a brick-red gloss will play up your skin’s warmth and make your lips look like they just came back from a vacation.

And if you’re neutral? Lucky you. Play with both ends. Mix a sheer berry gloss with a coral balm and see what happens. It’s summer—there are no rules.

What I love most about this trend is that it fits right into the current mood of beauty and style—soft, playful, and feminine without being overly done. It pairs perfectly with breezy outfits, tousled hair, and that “I’m glowing but not trying” vibe.

What I Like About It

• It’s low-effort but high-impact. Perfect for hot, humid days when you want to look pulled together without layers of product.

• It’s beginner-friendly. No lip liner or sharp edges required.

• It suits literally everyone. You can tweak the color, finish, and depth to fit your face and mood.

• It looks even better with time. You don’t have to reapply every 10 minutes. The tint wears down beautifully.

• It fits into my “no-makeup makeup” routine with zero fuss.

Jam lips are fun, flattering, and refreshingly unfussy. In a world full of over-lined, over-structured, and overdrawn lip trends, this one feels like a palette cleanser—pun intended.

It’s also a reminder that beauty doesn’t always have to be about precision. Sometimes, it’s about softness, playfulness, and letting your natural texture peek through. Just like real jam—messy, sweet, and completely irresistible.

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So the next time you reach for a lip product, think of your favorite fruit, add some shine, skip the liner, and let your lips do the talking.

Love,

Rae

Image Credits - Sergio Montoy