The surge in the popularity of lip oils is going nowhere. Why? They’re comfortable to wear and make your lips appear plump, juicy, and hydrated; oils are the perfect lip look for summer. Meet your new makeup staple, says editor Trudi Brewer.
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Lip oils come in many glamorous shades and offer a natural wash of colour, which complements the 'clean makeup' aesthetic trending now and forever. Here are our favourites to tempt you now.
Clarins Lip Comfort Oil, $57.
The cocktail of natural oils includes organic jojoba, hazelnut and sweetbriar rose, offering comfort, colour and shine. There are seven stunning colours, and we love them all. Pictured here: 03 Cherry.
Are lip oils good for lips?
Yes, most lip oils have a base of coconut or jojoba oil, which both have a natural affinity with the oils in your skin. These ingredients help nourish dry skin while leaving a glossy finish.
DIOR LIP GLOW OIL NOURISHING GLOSSY LIP OIL, $70.
The colour reviver technology in this lip oil reacts directly to the moisture level in your lips to customise the colour while boosting moisture simultaneously. It’s not greasy but leaves a mirror-like shine thanks to the cherry oil in the formula. There are five shades, pictured here, Awakening.
What's the difference between lip oil and gloss?
Lip oils offer the effects of lip gloss but the nourishment of a lip balm. They are thinner in consistency than gloss or creams, so they penetrate faster and nourish the lips immediately. If you like the shiny, plump-looking pout but struggle with a gloopy gloss that gets caught in your hair and slides from the lips, lip oils are lightweight and not sticky, so well worth a try.
BRUSH ON BLOCK PROTECTIVE LIP OIL, SPF32 $49.
From the makers of the fabulous BRUSH ON BLOCK, a mineral sunscreen, this hybrid gloss-oil lip colour blends argan, castor and sunflower seed oils. Also stacked with vitamin E and titanium dioxide, zinc and iron oxide oxides, it adds a natural-looking tint and UV filter. There are three shades, Coral, Fig and Nude Tint, pictured here.
How should you use lip oils?
The trick to using lip oil is to apply a moisturiser or a lip balm first. That way, the humectant ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, lanolin, or ceramides, hydrate the lips first. Then, the lip oil over the top keeps all that lip-quenching goodness from escaping.
Gisou Honey Infused Lip Oil, $51.
This honey-infused lip oil is sheer and lightweight but super hydrating. Also, the glassy finish instantly blurs the look of fine lines, thanks to the line-up of ingredients, including Mirsalehi honey bee garden oil and hyaluronic acid in two molecular weights. Also, I adore the subtle honey scent - it’s delicious.
How to wear lip oil.
Good for your skin and versatile, lip oils can be worn alone for that 'off-duty' makeup look or layered over liner and lipstick to add a high shine. Lip oils can also double up as a highlighter gloss and pop a little on your eyelids and cheeks to add texture to any makeup look.
Kosas Wet Lip Oil Plumping Treatment Gloss, $40.
Infused with the moisture magnet, hyaluronic acid, protein peptides with brilliant reparative powers, and luxurious evening primrose oil. This tacky oil performs more like lip gloss but hydrates like an oil. There are seven shades pictured here: Unhooked.
MCOBeauty Lip Oil Hydrating Treatment, $13.
This is the best cheeky beauty buy in the lip oil category. Brilliant hydration thanks to jojoba oil, and the barely there colour of this juicy-looking red gives lips a pretty stain with radiant shine. There are five shades, including Sheer Red, pictured here.
Here’s why it’s a summer essential.