Regardless of the temperature, whether you’re preparing for a day at the office or a night on the town, there is one product that seems versatile enough for any occasion, year-round – lip gloss. This fantastic product is easy to apply, and is available in a seemingly endless range of shades.

But have you ever wondered what makes lip gloss so shiny? According to one expert, the answer has to do with light reflection.

Industry insider Dr Sarah Vickery recently spoke to StyleList.com about the secrets behind the gloss’ major shine-factor. “The key to getting high shine is using materials with a high refractive index – a technical measure of how light interacts with the material versus in air. Light is reflected from the surface as it reaches the material. The higher the refractive index, the shinier the material,” she told the website.

Scientifically speaking, the major shine component in most gloss is polybutene, which has a refractive index over 1.4, Vickery added. Typically, the sticky substance is balanced with lightweight emollients to keep the formula from feeling tacky.

While lip gloss is sure to make your pout look impeccable, you many want to condition your lips with a coat of lip balm first, as the shiny formula may highlight dry flakes and cracked skin.