The 11 Best Drugstore Lip Glosses, Tested & Reviewed by Editors

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, WWD may receive an affiliate commission.
Lip gloss has always been a reliable beauty staple at the drugstore. Not only is it one of the most forgiving makeup products money can buy (usually no mirror is necessary), but the best drugstore lip glosses have evolved to compete with prestige formulas in lip-loving hydration, non-sticky comfort, and high-shine finishes. Still, the infinite assortment of affordable options can be hit or miss.
More from WWD
EXCLUSIVE: Meet SunsolveMD by the SolveMD, the SPF Brand for a 'Younger More Tech-savvy Crowd'
Church & Dwight Acquires Touchland for Up to $880 Million
EXCLUSIVE: Josie Maran Launches Fragrance Mists
The sole objective of a lip gloss is to deliver a juicy finish to the lips, creating the illusion of a fuller pout — but beyond that, you've got options. Hydration is the most important factor in any lip gloss formula because otherwise, you'd be drawing attention to a dry and flaky smile (not so cute!). The increasing demand for lip care products on TikTok, like moisturizing lip balms and lip oils, has pushed drugstore brands to develop formulas with high-shine finishes and nourishing skin care ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, peptides, shea butter, or collagen, which allows affordable lip treatments to double as comfortable-wearing gloss. These days, glosses are seemingly more like balms, while lip oils are more like glosses. So, where to start? Consider your go-to lip combo.
If you're a lipstick lover, a smooth and moisturizing gloss like the Maybelline Lifter Gloss or Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss is your best bet. These easy-to-layer glazes keep your lips from drying under the lipstick while enhancing the shade you've already applied. For added volume on bare or lined lips, the best plumping lip glosses from The Inkey List or E.l.f. softly boost and tint the lips — whereas reflective glosses from brands like Wet n Wild and Physicians Formula utilize fine shimmers for maximum shine. And, if you prefer to stick to a one-and-done lip product, you can't go wrong with pigmented options from Nyx or Naturium that deposit a fuss-free wash of color with lasting moisture.
To curate our list of the best lip gloss formulas to shop at the drugstore, a team of four WWD Shop product testers closely evaluated 27 formulas during two testing periods that spanned 11 months total. We went shopping at local drugstores, placed countless online orders, and invoked our extensive repertoire of lip care product formulas to narrow down the 11 best drugstore lip glosses money can buy.In the realm of makeup, the perfect lip gloss formula is as subjective as it gets. So, it's important to select a lip gloss based on your desired finish and comfort, like whether you want the appearance of fuller lips, sheer or full color, or a two-in-one hydrator. For that reason, we selected the top three options for different preferences based on 11 months of extensive editor testing. Below, the best drugstore lip glosses that outshine the lot:
Maybelline Lifter Lip Gloss with Hyaluronic Acid: One WWD Shop editor counts Maybelline's Lifter Gloss the best tinted lip gloss in her extensive lip product collection — even outperforming formulas that go for quadruple the price. A chubby doe foot wand makes application a breeze, and hydrating properties prevent your lips from drying out while you wear it.
Kiko Milano 3D Hydra Lip Gloss: Proof that budget-friendly brands have never been more attuned to color trends, our testers say that this Kiko Milano formula has the best shade range out of all the drugstore lip glosses we tested: You can choose from sparkly fuchsia tones with Y2K vibes, or go with more sophisticated neutral shades. This drugstore lip gloss has a high-shine finish that doesn't dull during the first few hours of wear.
Nooni Appleberry Lip Oil: If you like your gloss to deposit a good amount of pigment, Nooni has you covered. Though it's technically a lip oil, our editors consider it a true hybrid product. Expect the shine of a gloss, budge-proof pigment of a stain, and the hydrating properties of a great lip oil.
EDITOR'S CHOICE
Formula type: Plumping, shimmerShade range: 15 shades availableKey ingredients: Hyaluronic acid
$8.98 $10.99 18% off
Buy Now at amazon
$10.99
Buy Now at ulta
Maybelline's Lifter Lip Gloss has maintained its bestseller status in the drugstore for years — over 36,000 Amazon reviewers rave about its long-lasting wear, non-sticky texture, and flattering shade options for every skin tone. It offers buildable color payoff, making it a versatile choice for wearing on its own or layering with lipstick, and is formulated with hyaluronic acid for impactful hydration and shine. The chubby doe foot applicator aptly addresses both lips in one swipe and deposits a smooth, visibly enhancing wash of color. You'll get a subtle plumping effect with this gloss, but, if you prefer more fullness, it's also available in a chili pepper-infused plumping formula.Editor testing and review notes: 'Maybelline's Lifter Gloss in shades Ice (shown) and Moon are, hands-down, my favorite tinted lip glosses in my extensive collection. Moon is a nude pink that gives my smile some oomph, while Ice delivers that perfect Y2K frosted lip look when you swipe it over liner. The chubby doe foot makes it easy to apply without a mirror, and the chunky tube makes it easy to find in my cluttered bag. Compared to similar inexpensive glosses, this one feels soft on the lips rather than sticky.' — WWD Shop contributor Claire Sullivan Price upon publish date of this article: $8.98
EDITOR'S CHOICE
Formula type: Hydrating shineShade range: 34 shades availableKey ingredients: Flax seed oil and bidens pilosa extract
$10.40 $13 20% off
Buy Now at amazon
$13
Buy Now at ulta
This Italian-made lip gloss is mega-viral in Europe and has amassed over 10,000 five-star Amazon reviews for its uniquely nourishing formula. Bidens pilosa extract works similar to retinol, smoothing and naturally creating a plumper look to the lips, while flax seed oil brings all the hydration and shine. But the real wow factor comes with the shade range (there are 34), which includes earthy neutrals for a nude lip look as well as bright hues that bring the drama. The Chestnut shade (shown) enhances your natural lip color without overpowering it. Editor testing and review notes: 'Ok, I'm obsessed. This gloss has a tiny bit of iridescent sparkle that gives the lips an extra pop. It glides on silky smooth and does not feel sticky at all. It's great by itself or layered with other products. The moisture lingers throughout the day, too. Chef's kiss.' — Former Commerce Writer & Producer Olivia CiglianoPrice upon publish date of this article: $13
EDITOR'S CHOICE
Formula type: Glossy lip oil stain Shade range: 13Key ingredients: Appleseed oil, ginseng extract
$9.50 $12 21% off
Buy Now at amazon
A runaway hit on TikTok, this Nooni lip treatment wears many hats. Though it's technically a lip oil, it offers the high-shine finish our editors look for in a gloss, plus pigments that stain the lips for hours of wear time. Our testers were particularly impressed by how evenly it stains the lips and its texture, which felt more silky and luxurious than other similarly priced options. We recommend the Appleberry shade, which reads as a cool pink.Editor testing and review notes: 'I was blown away by the quality of this lip gloss, given its price. It's intensely pigmented, so you only need one coat to tint your lips — and it leaves behind a gorgeous stain when it fades. I find that it gives me about an hour of moisture; after that, I follow up with a lip balm as needed, since the stain stays put for about four hours. Just note that the proportions of the product are small, including both the amount of product in the tube as well as the size of the wand. ' — SullivanPrice upon publish date of this article: $9.50
Formula type: HydratingShade range: 7 shades availableKey ingredients: Squalane, apricot oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil, and pomegranate oil
$8
Buy Now at amazon
$8
Buy Now at ulta
The E.l.f. Glow Reviver Lip Oil has millions of views and searches on TikTok, and we're happy to report that it's worth its hype in every swipe. Like dozens of prestige lip oils we've tested (that are quadruple its price), this best drugstore lip oil applies incredibly smoothly. You won't get much color from this one, but this best non-sticky lip gloss offers a slight glow that pairs well with its naturally glossy, hydrating formula. Editor testing and review notes: 'The Glow Reviver Lip Oil offers a very sheer tint, which is nice for a subtle wash of color, and deposits beautiful shine. I noticed my lips continued to soften with wear. It has a minty fragrance that most other E.l.f. lip products have, though it's not overwhelming or plumping, but rather refreshing. It gives similar lip oils from designer beauty brands a run for their money. My only criticism is that I often have to double-dip into the tube for full coverage on my medium-size lips.' — CiglianoPrice upon publish date of this article: $8
Formula type: ShimmerShade range: 9 shades availableKey ingredients: Jojoba glaze, maxi lip peptides, yaluronic acid, collagen, sunflower oil, vitamin E
$3
Buy Now at amazon
The Wet n Wild MegaSlicks Lip Gloss offers shimmer and shine galore. It's the most affordable drugstore lip gloss on our all-star list, but it doesn't skimp on prestige-level ingredients like hyaluronic acid, collagen, peptides, and vitamin E. It's an ideal formula to apply over carefully lined lips or lipstick, as it applies a subtle wash of color and intense wet-looking shine. Consider this the highlighter of your lip rotation that boosts glow and enhances contours. Editor testing and review notes: 'I've never been a shimmer gloss girl, but Wet n Wild has converted me. Off the bat, I love the flat and flexible doe foot applicator. It's surprisingly pillowy-soft and helps to blend the formula into harsh lip liner lines. The gloss itself isn't too thick or thin, so it doesn't feel goopy on its own or layered and I didn't discover any feathering throughout long hours of wear.' — CiglianoPrice upon publish date of this article: $2.28
Formula type: BalmShade range: 6 shades availableKey ingredients: Phyto-derived esters, shea butter, cupuaçu butter, and plant squalane
$9.99
Buy Now at ulta
Naturium is a shining example of how a lip balm can play double-duty as a gloss. This best lip gloss for dry lips is formulated with soothing and hydrating ingredients that heal flaky skin and instantly soothe the lips, while leaving behind a tint of color and lacquer-level finish. Its squeeze-tube packaging makes it small and convenient for reapplying throughout the day — or for storing with your skin care as an overnight lip mask. Editor testing and review notes: 'This Naturium lip gloss is a great inexpensive alternative to a certain celebrity-backed peptide lip treatment. It has a serum-like consistency that melts into the lips to enhance shine in a subtle way. I love the tinted options, particularly this on-trend '90s-inspired Spice shade that delivers a your-lips-but-better result.' — SullivanPrice upon publish date of this article: $9.99
Formula type: Pumping, shimmerShade range: 5 shades availableKey ingredients: Lustrous Diamond Dust
$5.39
Buy Now at amazon
Clear lip gloss is easy to find at the drugstore, but you'll be hard-pressed to find one as dramatic as this Physicians Formula tube at any price point. The Mineral Wear Diamond Plumper Gloss is a true hidden gem: The gloss-serum hybrid formula is plumping, hydrating, clean for sensitive skin, and blended with Lustrous Diamond Dust for a uniquely dimensional high-shine finish. Wear this top clear lip gloss alone for a simply polished pout, or layer it over your favorite lip stains for your-lips-but-way-better finish.Editor testing and review notes: 'Oh my gloss! This formula ticks every boss for those who crave the look of high-shine lips but would rather source their color from a lipstick or liner. Before I swiped it on, I was concerned that the shimmery particles would feel gritty on my lips, but I was impressed that they feel practically nonexistent, while the formula drenches my lips with smooth moisture.' — CiglianoPrice upon publish date of this article: $6.98
Formula type: Plumping gloss balmShade range: 8 shades availableKey ingredients: Maracuja oil, blueberry, watermelon, and pomegranate extracts
$8
Buy Now at amazon
$8
Buy Now at ulta
At the drugstore, E.l.f. beauty products are MVPs with slam-dunk formulas that are just as competitive as their price points. The E.l.f. Pout Cloud Lip Plumping Pen is a standout from the brand's lip range, offering a multifunctional formula that serves as a lip plumper, balm, and lip color in one. Its click-pen packaging makes application clean and precise, with an easy-gliding stick formula enriched with softening maracuja oil and fruit extracts. Take your pick from neutral nudes to deep berries and even a rich red — it's an ideal everyday lip formula you can toss in your designer handbag without the risk of gunky spills.Editor testing and review notes: 'I was not expecting this under-$10 find to perform super well after three months of testing luxury lip balms, lipsticks, and lip plumpers. But, I stood corrected when I found myself sidelining the $25 plumping lip balm I had been using for a week or two; this one is, surprisingly, way better. Its cushiony texture deposits an even (not splotchy) swath of color, and rather than the spicy tingle you get from most lip plumpers, this one's comfortably cooling.' — SullivanPrice upon publish date of this article: $7.99
Formula type: Hydrating shineShade range: 43 shades available
$5.97
Buy Now at amazon
If you have yet to try this Nyx lip gloss, consider this your cue. This creamy formula is more like a serum-y gloss — your lips will soften and feel so supple after a single swipe of product. It's one of the best hydrating lip glosses at the drugstore, so even after the color fades, your lips look far more hydrated than where they started. It offers the widest shade range among our top picks and has earned the stamp of approval of over 81,000 Amazon reviews who call it a 'must-have' and 'new favorite.': 'This is everything a lip gloss should be: Comfortable, hydrating, and shiny. It applies as smooth as butter and I find my lips are softer hours after application. It has a slight vanilla fragrance that I enjoy and don't find to be sickly-sweet. It doesn't bleed, so I apply it without a mirror more times than not, and look forward to slathering on a second coat after a meal or a few hours of wear time. Plus, you can't beat the price point or the extensive color selection. I keep it on rotation in nearly every shade.' — Cigliano Price upon publish date of this article: $5.85
Formula type: Glossy balmShade range: 4 shades availableKey ingredients: Tripeptide complex, Ultra Filling Spheres, hyaluronic acid
$13
Buy Now at sephora
$13
Buy Now at The Inkey List
The Inkey List Tripeptide Plumping Lip Balm has been an editor favorite for years, so you can imagine our excitement when the brand released three tinted shades last year. The affordable skin care brand formulated this balm to boost lip volume in just four weeks of regularly use, thanks to its inclusion of peptides and Ultra Filling Sphere technology. It repairs lips, naturally plumps, and satisfies with an ultra-juicy finish. Plus, it has a TikTok cult-following amounting to over 40 million views and searches, including reviews that substantiate the brand's long-term plumping promise.Editor testing and review notes: 'Consider this a tinted lip mask to carry on-the-go. When I apply two coats, not only do my lips look plumped and refreshed, but after hours of wear they're softer to the touch. Impressively, I notice that fine lines on my lips begin to fade within a week of consistent use.' — SullivanPrice upon publish date of this article: $13
Formula type: Hydrating shineShade range: 12 shades availableKey ingredients: Agave, moringa oil, and cupuaçu butter
$10.49
Buy Now at ulta
$12.49
Buy Now at cvs
The Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss stands out from the crowd for its glaze-like finish. On the lips, its silky moisture powered by agave, moringa oil, and cupuaçu butter conditions the skin, while a slightly thick — not sticky! — layer of color reflects a high-shine varnish. It's one of the most pigmented drugstore lip glosses that impressed our editors, as it offers an even, medium to full coat of color that lasts for hours of wear. Editor testing and review notes: 'I love this gloss, mainly because my all-time holy grail lip color is from this line. 'Supernatural' is the perfect rosy nude gloss that sits right in the middle between pink and brown. I prefer this non-shimmery shade, as it is so creamy and juicy and looks like an enhanced version of my natural lips. I grab for this formula when I'm already wearing lipstick and my lips are feeling tight and dry.' — CiglianoPrice upon publish date of this article: $9.39
The best drugstore lip gloss for you will depend on your glam preference, but there are key elements to consider in your hunt for a standout formula.
Key ingredients: Drugstore lip glosses come in all kinds of formulas these days, but it's most important that they moisturize your lips, rather than sitting on top in a layer of sticky goop. Keep an eye out for lip gloss formulas that include ingredients you'd enjoy in your favorite skin care products, like hyaluronic acid, peptides, shea butter, collagen, vitamins, and plant-based hydration, as this ensures your lips will stay soft after the shine wears off.
Formula type: When looking for your ideal drugstore lip gloss, keep in mind that you aren't just limited to products labeled 'lip gloss.' If you have lips that are prone to cracks and splits, go for a shiny lip balm or lip oil instead, as this will give you the best of both worlds. Or, if you are hoping to achieve a more voluminous smile, opt for plumping formulas that temporarily boost your lip fullness. Consider your lip care needs and glam preferences before committing to a formula.
Applicator: Beyond formula, a lip gloss applicator is critical to your overall lip finish. Applicators that are too big will deposit an overwhelming amount of product, which can lead to color feathering or a heavy feel, while stiff or small applicators can be frustrating for large lips. If you have full lips, you'll benefit from a chubby doe foot applicator, while small lips should lean into more precise applicators in order to apply a clean coat of gloss.
: You can shop an incredible assortment of vetted lip gloss and makeup goodies at the e-tailer, from TikTok beauty products to the best hair gels to skin care tools and everything in between. It's the best place to crowd-source thousands of honest beauty reviews before you take the plunge on a purchase. Plus, you can enjoy Prime benefits like speedy shipping and exclusive discounts.
Ulta Beauty offers the widest range of brands at affordable prices. On top of beloved drugstore brands like E.l.f Cosmetics, Maybelline, and Wet n Wild, you can also shop indie brands that'll lead you to discoveries at affordable price points. Ulta's website also grants access to exclusive beauty deals, rewards programs, bonus samples, and exciting sale events.
: The digital beauty aisles at CVS.com offer more deals and perks than shopping in-store. If you place an order, you can receive free shipping on select products while racking up ExtraBucks points with a CVS ExtraCare card. You can also sign up for the ExtraCare BeautyClub membership, where the retailer will send you a monthly box of free beauty products and an extra 10 percent off discount on the retailer's entire beauty stock.
: Walmart's beauty page offers a wide assortment of drugstore brands. To ensure you're shopping from a verified storefront, be sure to navigate from the beauty dropdown menu or click on a product and look for a link to the brand's storefront (for example, 'Visit the L'Oréal Paris Store'). As you scroll through Walmart's wide product selection, you can discover discounts on top-selling lip glosses, new releases, and viral formulas that are exclusive to the site. Plus, there are added perks like next-day or two-day shipping and store delivery options. A Walmart+ membership — you can sign up for a 30-day free trial here — also grants free local delivery, free shipping with no minimums, early access to product releases and deals, and easy returns from your doorstep.
To narrow down the best drugstore lip glosses that outshine other formulas, our editors lent our lips to 11 months of lip gloss testing during two testing periods. Before we rolled up our sleeves, we rounded up a testing pool of over 27 lip glosses in different finishes and formulas, referencing extensive market research, buzzy TikTok-viral formulas, and long-time bestsellers. We compared customer reviews on retailer websites, social media, and online forums like Reddit to determine the most satisfactory formulas for a variety of needs and preferences. Any lip glosses that did not provide substantial hydration, wear comfortably, achieve high-shine results, or deliver on impressive claims were cut from our list of the best drugstore lip glosses.
Throughout both testing periods, editors wore each drugstore lip gloss for as long as they stayed put on our lips. We timed how quickly they wore off throughout the day, whether they held up through eating and drinking, and whether the lips felt softer, plumper, or more hydrated than before application. We took note of other factors, like color payoff, product packaging, applicators, fragrance, and overall comfort as key criteria for nailing down the best formulas.
Our beauty test team represents a range of needs and preferences, including varying lip sizes, skin tones, lip care needs, and glam preferences. Each drugstore lip gloss was tested alone and with other lip products to narrow down the most versatile, comfortable, and flattering options.
Since 1910, WWD — often referred to as 'the fashion bible' — has been the leading industry voice of authority for senior executives in the global women's and men's fashion, retail and beauty communities, while also informing the consumer media that cover the market. Today, WWD's breaking news and trend coverage continues to be a trustworthy resource for both fashion insiders and consumers alike. Our shopping editors continue to uphold WWD's editorial standards and values with quality, expert-backed product selections. Learn more about us here.
Olivia Cigliano is the former Commerce Writer & Producer at Footwear News and WWD where she writes and edits shopping content across fashion, beauty, footwear, TikTok style trends, and more. Cigliano received her bachelor's degree in journalism from Emerson College, and her byline can be found in publications including Elite Daily and CR Fashion Book. She is currently based in New York City. At WWD, she regularly tests and reviews top-rated and TikTok-famous products like drugstore lip gloss. Cigliano wrote the original version of this article on the best lip glosses.
Claire Sullivan is a contributing writer for Footwear News and WWD, where she writes and edits beauty, fashion, and lifestyle stories. She has over eight years of experience as a writer and editor for national media outlets including Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle, and Byrdie. She's tested hundreds of products during her time as an editor, so she's well-versed in selecting the products that make a meaningful difference in your skin and hair. Sullivan contributed to the May 2025 update of this article with new product selections after an additional round of testing.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Forbes

8 minutes ago

• Forbes

What Blues Bands Know About Leadership (That Most Executives Don't)

Buddy Guy at Buddy Guy's Legends in Chicago Illinois, January 9, 2022. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty ... More Images) Earlier this week, I saw the great Buddy Guy live in concert. At 88, the blues legend still prowls the stage like a man with something to prove—but there's also a real sensitivity to his swagger. Living and performing for eight decades will endow you with a lot of wisdom and humility if you're paying any attention. Between songs, Buddy told stories: As I watched and listened, something struck me: a blues band can offer surprisingly good insights and lessons for leadership—including for leadership succession. Think about how a band mirrors a business. In a good band, it's crucial for the bass and drums to 'lock in' together: the rhythm section keeps everyone grounded, moving forward and in the same direction. They're your management and control functions. The bass? Steady, dependable, on point. The drums? Driving the beat, making things happen. The rhythm guitar is your product development, telling you where it's all going; it's what you tend to hum along to. The lead guitar steps out front once in a while and enable the audience feel something special—usually something electrifying. That's your vision and mission. The lead singer may tell the story, but the lead guitar makes it unforgettable. (Led Zeppelin were a great example of this metaphor, where at their best each of the four players was perfectly collaborative and essential to the total experience.) From left, bassist John Paul Jones, drummer John Bonham, singer Robert Plant and guitarist Jimmy ... More Page perform live on stage during a concert by English rock band Led Zeppelin on the third of three nights at Madison Square Garden, New York City on 29th July 1973. The concert movie 'The Song Remains the Same' was filmed over the three nights from 27th to 29th July at the venue. (Photo by David Redfern/Redferns/Getty Images) In a happy serendipity, I spent a couple of hours the morning after the show talking with the two most senior partners at a private equity firm I've been working with for the last two decades. They're working through a leadership transition, so they're at a critical juncture. As in most founder-led companies, effective private equity successions are rare. Too often, the firm simply cannot survive after the departure of its visionary founder, who usually has deep expertise in both investing and fundraising. The blues band metaphor came to mind. To play it out, leadership transitions often go sideways because organizations forget that changing the lead guitarist changes the whole sound of the band. The rhythm guitarist who steps up to take the lead will inevitably play in a different style, with their own strut. That doesn't mean they're better or worse—they're just different, and the band has to adapt. And someone new has to step in and hold the rhythm, or the music won't rock. Buddy Guy always talks about the blues tradition as something he inherited and now passes on. This, too, is a leadership lesson: great leaders honor the past, but they don't get stuck in it. They evolve the music. At one point Guy took off his guitar, laid it on top of one of the massive speakers to generate a sonic wall of feedback, and then played the chords of Cream's 'Sunshine of Your Love' by striking the guitar strings with a drumstick. The crowd roared. American Blues musician Buddy Guy performs onstage at his nightclub, Buddy Guy's Legends, Chicago, ... More Illinois, January 4, 2020. (Photo by) The best performers bring the crowd with them. And that crowd matters. A band isn't just playing to the audience—they're playing with them. They watch for reactions. They change tempo. They tell stories between songs to make the room feel small and intimate, even when it's not. In business, the best leaders do the same thing: they tune into their teams, their markets, and the cultural and emotional Zeitgeist. Of course, not all band stories are smooth. Think of the latter-day lineup of The Yardbirds: Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck, two of the greatest guitarists alive, simply couldn't play together. Too much ego? Perhaps. Or maybe just incompatible styles. Technical excellence isn't enough. Bands—and leadership teams—work best when there's chemistry, not just talent. And sometimes, the frontman disappears. Literally. AC/DC lost their iconic lead singer, Bon Scott, in 1979. For most bands, that would've been the end. But they found an unexpected replacement in Brian Johnson who was, remarkably, a singer that Bon Scott had once mentioned admiring. AC/DC's next album? Back in Black ,the top-selling rock album of all time, and one that shares a great deal in style and spirit with the show Buddy put on the other night. So what can a blues band teach us about leadership? Plenty. Know your role but never forget you're part of a legacy. Honor those who came before you. Respect the groove and tune into the crowd. Your followers working with you is what creates the transcendent experience. Don't confuse style with substance … and remember that both matter. And when you're ready to take your guitar solo, play the hell out of the song, but never lose the pulse of the rhythm section behind you. Buddy Guy never has. Buddy Guy performs during day two of the Austin City Limits Music Festival at Zilker Park on ... More September 24, 2005 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by) Special thanks to John Boochever, Elizabeth Jensen Maurer, Adam Mirabella, and John Morgan for their excellent input. Rock on!

Yahoo

10 minutes ago

• Yahoo

'Étoile' has been cancelled, but no one blends dance and humour as brilliantly as Marguerite Derricks

One of the most devastating entertainment losses of the year is certainly the cancellation of the show Étoile after just one season, from Gilmore Girls, Bunheads and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel creator, Amy Sherman-Palladino, and her husband Dan Palladino. But with that puzzling move from Prime Video, there's no better time to celebrate all the talent in the short lived series. That includes Marguerite Derricks, an incredibly beloved and impressive choreographer who's worked on Palladino's previous projects. Additionally, she's contributed her talents to the series Behind The Candelabra and movies including Showgirls, 13 Going On 30 and the Austin Powers franchise. But in terms of what makes the Palladinos such effective collaborators, Derricks stressed that they way they shoot dance in their shows is done in a way where there's a real "marriage of the camera with movement." "For a choreographer, there's nothing greater than that," Derricks told Yahoo. "On Bunheads I started to play with them that way, and it's carried on through four different TV series." "It's just made me such a better choreographer. ... I wish every choreographer would find collaborators like Amy and Dan, because there's nothing like it." One example of how Étoile really makes the dance in the show an integrated part of the story is the Swan Lake moment with Tiler Peck in Episode. It's a dance moment, but written in a way that's injected with humour. "That was written by Dan Palladino and ... when they sent me the outline for the script I literally was laughing out loud," Derricks shared. "I couldn't wait to attack that and to have Tiler Peck be the one that got run over by the swans, it was just such a gas." "Their comedy genius is always on the page and then I just put it into motion. I've worked with comedians my whole life, so it's something that I really, really enjoy, but it's always there on the page. There's never, a question mark for me with Amy and Dan, they're so clear." Another highlight is a piece choreographed by Gideon Glick's character Tobias Bell in Étoile. A character that's hysterical with his quirkiness, brought out in the character's choreography as well. "That was my big voice in the show," Derricks said. "I love Gideon Glick. He is the coolest, craziest human being. He would come and watch me and he thought I was funny because I kind of stalked the dancers like a lion. And so he wanted to pick up on that." "And I studied him and I like his quirks, and I wanted to make sure that that's what was driving me a lot with the choreography. So I the two of us, we kind of became one, we became Tobias together." While Étoile certainly isn't a show that requires the audience to have a dance background to enjoy, there was still such a commitment on the show to make its dance spaces and dancers feel real. What the dancers are doing before classes, what they're doing in the hallways, every detail was thought of to make these moments look authentic. "That was the first thing [Amy] talked about with every department head, we all knew that was our marching orders," Derricks explained. "I kind of had a little bit of a sense of that from working on Bunheads with her, but now we were going from a young kids school to the professional world, and so ... we did our research to make sure that everything was really up to par." "Tiler Peck was a student of mine. I would call Tiler and ask her questions, and it was very important to us that, when this show came out, that the ballet world would give us a thumbs up on it. ... There's been so many shows out there that have been done in a way where it's not authentic. So for me right now, the feedback I'm getting from the ballet world is the greatest thing that I could have ever hoped for." Much of what happens in the "Hollywoodization" of dance, specifically ballet in film and TV, largely sees talented dancers be nameless and on the periphery of the project. But in Étoile, Sherman-Palladino made wanted to use there dancers to their full potential, and crediting them for their work. "That was the most exciting thing for me," Derricks said. "Every single dancer that came into our show, [Amy] read them for parts. She wanted to cast the dancers. She wanted to hear their voices. I want to scream from the rafters, because that's happening more and more, but it really happened on [this] show. ... Dancers are so great at telling stories without speaking, so just get comfortable with talking as well. I'm very proud of that. ... The dancers were getting lines, they were so excited." A core element of Étoile is that dancer was very much used to tell the story, it's an integral part of the narrative. But it also immerses the audience in a dance world many haven't had any exposure to, portraying ballet dancers in a different light and as more fully formed characters, held up by brilliant and unique choreography from Derricks. "Ballet is sexy, ballet is strong. Ballet dancers are like football players, the athleticism that they have," Derricks stressed. "I want people to see ballet in a whole different way." "There's a lot of wonderful choreographers out there now doing out the about box, beautiful work, but for somebody that doesn't know ballet, I hope that we can reach a greater audience and turn them on to all sides of ballet."

Associated Press

17 minutes ago

• Associated Press

New Hampshire city in ‘Jumanji' marks 30th anniversary with animal costume race

KEENE, N.H. (AP) — Madeline Murphy remembers the instructions she was given on the set of 'Jumanji' when she was an extra some 30 years ago: 'Pretend you're frightened and you're screaming because an elephant's coming after you.' So, that's what she did in the Central Square of Keene, New Hampshire, running back and forth, over and over, on a long day in November 1994. 'I was pretty tired by the end of the day, and it was cold,' said Murphy, 61. She got a check for $60.47 — and several seconds of screen time. Murphy was one of about 125 extras cast in the classic Robin Williams film, which is marking its 30th anniversary. It has spawned several sequels, including one planned for next year. The city of about 23,000 people in the southwestern corner of the state is celebrating its ties to 'Jumanji' this weekend. The festivities include a parade, scavenger hunt and a 'Rhino Rumble Road Race' saluting the film's stampede scenes of elephants, rhinos and zebras. Runners in inflatable animal costumes sprinted about a quarter mile (less than half a kilometer) around the square Saturday. Juniper Thurston and her daughters Elska and Madison Christgau wore rhino costumes, which they said were difficult to run in but better ventilated than expected. Thurston, who lives in nearby Hancock, was 13 when 'Jumanji' was filmed, and she remembers visiting Keene to watch her friends perform as extras. 'It was literally right here -- it was amazing,' Thurston said. 'It was just wild, and to be here today and be able to have a small part our own stampede is kind of awesome.' Elska Christgau, 9, said everyone in her family loves the film, and that her favorite part is 'the mystery and the Jumanji game' itself. Keene gets picked thanks to coffee craving Based on the 1981 children's book by Chris Van Allsburg about a mysterious jungle adventure board game, the movie version of 'Jumanji' is set in the fictional small town of Brantford, New Hampshire. Veteran location manager Dow Griffith was crisscrossing New England in search of the right spot. A coffee lover who grew up in Seattle, he recalled feeling desperate one day for a good brew. He was a bit east of Keene at the time, and someone suggested a shop that was near the square. 'I took my cherished cup of double dry cappuccino out to the front porch, took a sip, looked to my left — and by God — there was the place I had been looking for!' he told The Associated Press. 'So really, we have coffee to thank for the whole thing.' Scenes were filmed at the square that fall and the following spring. The fall scenes show a present-day town that had declined. Extras played homeless people and looters, in addition to panicked runners fleeing from the jungle animals. Joanne Hof, now 78, had needed her son's help to spot herself behind the elephants, running with her hands up. Hof, a reading specialist, bought a videotape of 'Jumanji' and showed it to the kids she worked with. 'They were very impressed that I was in the movie,' she said. The spring scenes, appearing early in the film, depict the town in 1969. Extras drove classic cars around the pristine-looking square and others walked around, dressed for that time period. 'I told the makeup person, 'Do you know how to do a French twist?'' recalled Kate Beetle, 74, of Alstead, who said she can be seen for 'a microsecond' crossing a street. 'They just found me the right lady's suit and right flat shoes, and then the hair is kind of what I suspect did it.' The city helped transform itself The 'Jumanji' crews worked well with the city in getting the permits to transform Central Square into a dilapidated, neglected piece of public property, recalled Patty Little, who recently retired as Keene's clerk. 'They brought in old, dead shrubbery and threw it around and made the paint peel on the gazebo,' she said. Items such as parking meters and lilac bushes were removed and a large Civil War-era statue was brought in to cover a fountain. Graffiti was on the walls, and crumpled vehicles in the stampede scene were anchored in place. Everything was restored, and fresh flowers were brought in the following spring, she said. Crews spent a total of about a week in the city for both settings. Little, whose classic 1961 Ambassador is caught on camera, could see everything happening from her office window. 'Did I get a lot of work done? I don't know during those days,' she said. Locals watch and meet Robin Williams A crowd turned out to watch a long-haired, bearded Williams run down the street in a leaf-adorned tunic. In the movie, he had just been freed from the game that had trapped him as a boy for years. 'He's shorter than I thought he was!' one viewer said, according to local chronicler Susan MacNeil's book, 'When Jumanji Came to Keene.' Others said, 'He has great legs — muscular, isn't he? But so hairy!' and 'Isn't he freezing dressed like that?' The mayor honored him with a key to the city. Williams, noticing the mayor was a bit shorter, suddenly announced at the presentation, ''I am the mayor of Munchkinland,' ' with a voice to match, City Councilor Randy Filiault recalled. He stayed in character for 15 to 20 minutes, 'just bouncing off the walls,' approaching people in the audience and pulling their hats over their eyes. Eventually, he stopped, ending with a solemn 'Thank you,' Filiault said. 'I am really seeing something cool here,' Filiault remembered thinking. 'How fortunate we were.' When Williams died by suicide in 2014, people left flowers and photos beneath a painted 'Parrish Shoes' wall sign advertising a fictional business left over from 'Jumanji.' Former Keene police officer Joe Collins, who was assigned to watch over then-child actors Kirsten Dunst and Bradley Pierce, also died by suicide, last year. Festival organizers planned a discussion about mental health and suicide prevention to pay tribute to Williams and Collins. 'I think Robin would have been impressed with that,' said Murphy, who met Williams and shook his hand. ___