While there will always be a space in our hearts (and make-up bags) for a classic matte liquid lipstick, now is the time for lip oils to shine (pun very much intended). Perhaps it's my new lazy girl, low-maintenance approach to beauty but comfort and condition feel so much more appealing than a bright, precision-applied colour right now. Though, if you see me rocking a bold red lipstick, no you didn't...
Sitting somewhere between a lip gloss and lip balm, these new heroes come with nourishing benefits that are very much welcome when you're spending most of your day inside – a hybrid of the two, if you will. So, if you're fed up with crusty lips, flaky bits and sore pout patches, yet still want a touch more glamour than that old tub of Vaseline can deliver, these are for you.
From Dior's viral and now iconic coloured oils that somehow add fullness, colour and hydration (we can thank the viral TikTok girlies for this one), to Summer Fridays' brand new repairing formula and even e.l.f.'s bargain buy that's under a tenner, these are the very best lip oils to keep permanently in your pocket for the foreseeable.
We all know that SPF is integral to apply on your face and body all year round. But one spot that tends to go amiss (that is, until you're in throbbing pain post-sun exposure) is the lips.
Thankfully, Naked Sundays saw a gap in the market, making for the best of both worlds with an SPF lip oil. Not only does the thick-yet-not gloopy formula nourish your kissers but it protects them, too, with factor 50! A win-win, if you ask me.
A few of the budget brands have attempted a lip oil but IMO, most fall short when it comes to the deep-hydrating aspects. Unsurprisingly, e.l.f. has well and truly delivered with this jojoba and apricot-infused offering, which comes in a whole host of shades.
My fave colour that I always get compliments on is 'Jam Session'; it's the perfect autumn/winter berry hue that looks beaut on both the palest and deepest complexions.
Holding my hands up, I have somewhat of an addictive personality (my TikTok screen time is a testament to this). However, as addicted as I am to the social media app, working as a beauty journalist means that I have a range of makeup, skincare, haircare etc. products on a constant rotation... meaning, there's little-to-no room for favourites and/or beauty addiction. I mean, someone's gotta be the guinea pig for you guys!
Having said that, one product that has been within reaching distance as of late is this honey-infused lip oil. Not only does the bottle make for immaculate bathroom shelfies but the silky (not sticky!) hydrating formula and uber-soft doe-foot applicator make for constant re-application throughout the day.
Plus, what originally launched as one clear shade, this lip oil has now manifested with an additional four colours! Whether it's a clear golden glow you're after, a shimmery pink fleck or a punch of orange mango passion, there's an option for all occasions.
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Lady Gaga's beauty brand is one that stands out in the highly saturated cosmetics industry with not only pigment and gorgeous formulas but innovative ones, too.
And what makes this lip oil so different from the rest is its colour-changing properties. While there are a variety of shades, each one looks different on every user.
In other words, this means that while this lip oil formula delivers lightweight hydration and non-sticky shine with a cushiony feel, it also adapts to the pH balance of your lips making for transformative true-to-you tints.
5
Kosas Wet Lip Oil Gloss
Sitting within the mid-range price of lip oils, Kosas' formula is any glossy girl's dream. The sheen provides the appearance of a fuller pout and the vinyl slick improves firmness and hydration.
Cosmo's Senior Beauty Writer, Charlotte Bitmead says: "Merit's Shade Slicks provide the perfect wash of colour to pouts and are a game-changer for those who have chronically dry lips (aka, me).
"As lip oils go, I was surprised by how non-greasy these were and loved the healthy flush that the shade ‘Au Naturel’ provided."
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The one that started it all, Clarins' universally loved offering (which is now housed in a more sleek-looking package) still can't be beaten. It's much more long-wearing than most and delivers deep-sinking moisture as well as a surprisingly pigmented veil of luminous colour (there are seven shades to choose from).
Cosmo's Senior Beauty Writer, Charlotte Bitmead says: "These Rare Beauty lip oils seemed to sell out pretty much immediately when they launched, so the hype was real. Lip tints are all the rage but the oiliness of these made them unique.
"It left a high-shine finish behind, which dried down to a 'just bitten' effect. Did I expect these to be slightly more pigmented? Yes. However, unlike most lip tints and stains, these didn't dry my lips out at all and were comfortable to wear."
Cosmo's Senior Beauty Writer, Charlotte Bitmead says: "As the name suggests, this is filled to the brim with cherry seed oil and Barbados cherry extract to help revive parched pouts. The applicator is the definition of plush and the finish leaves you with super juicy lips.
"It's clear once applied and isn't as sticky as other lip oils I've tried. Texture-wise, it's got the thickness of a lip gloss, but the hydration of an oil – a great hybrid if you ask me.
"It's not as much of an instant fix as Lip Recovery Mask (more on that later), but I noticed my lips were free from peeling and super soft after making this one a handbag staple."
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If a high-shine lip gloss had a baby with the comfort of a lip oil, it would be VIEVE's shimmer finish Lip Dew. With its chunky doe foot applicator, the nourishing, non-sticky formula gives a glistening shine in just one swipe. Though, we just wish it came in more than six shades! *Hint hint, Jamie.*
Nail that ultra-dewy, no-makeup vibe with Summer Fridays' *brand-new* nourishing tinted lip oil. It's formulated with a blend of nine (!!) different oils and fruit extracts to drench parched lips in hydration. While they can be worn alone, our favourite way to rock these is to layer the oils over lipstick for a vibrant, mirror-like shine.
Not only does this affordable, high-street lip oil rival the formulas of designer brands but it also has an iconic name, I mean 'fat oil' – SOLD. Think: fat perks, including a high-shine finish and non-sticky application.
Plus, the giant doe foot makes for comfortable (and almost... addictive) application. It truly is like a pillow to the lips.
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Infused with nourishing jojoba oil and goji berry extract, these shiny lip oils pack a powerful hydrating punch. Plus, with the addition of cloudberry extract that's steeped in vitamins C and E (aka, all the goodness you could ever want from a hydrating lip product), this formula deeply moisturises the lips to keep them soft and supple all day. But the star ingredient? Literal crushed gemstones... wow. Shimmer, shine and soothe in equal parts.
The Queen of lips, Miss Kylie Jenner really nailed all there is to lip oils with this clutch-friendly sized product. As much as we do not like to conform to the hype of celebrity beauty brands, this lip oil really does have a deeply conditioned texture that combines the shine of a lip gloss with the moisture-sealing effects of a balm.
And if it's good enough for Kylie...
We've all heard of CT's cult magic cream but did you know they have a magic lip oil, too? Well, this intensely hydrating treatment is an oil, lip balm hybrid with a glossy veil and ultra-soft, smooth finish housed with a super fun roller ball applicator.
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Leave it to Ariana Grande to release a lip oil in the most beautifully aesthetic sheer pastel shades (read: lavender kiss, mint condition, raspberry drip and pickin petals). Plus, its cooling metal tip is what makes it stand out from the rest, allowing for a refreshing product load on application.
Dior has created many a cult product in the past few years but this iconic launch has found a new level of stardom. While it is the highest priced lip oil of them all, there's no doubt that the designer product sits within my top three faves thanks to its beautifully luminous finish and addictively soft doe-foot applicator. As much as my bank account wants to, I just can't deny it!
The five flattering shades all deliver a reflective shine but if you want to follow in the footsteps our the most-renowned TikTok IT girls, see to '015 Cherry'. You're welcome.
Part gloss and part oil, this cult hero from LA-based brand Tower 28 really delivers the best of both worlds. Apricot kernal and raspberry seed oils impart that ultra-nourishing moisture, while the sheer tinted shades bring a veil of face-brightening colour. A brand that delivers the best of skincare within makeup.
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This exceptional under-the-radar product is just one of so many reasons to sign up to Beauty Pie. Designed to make lips look fuller, it's richer than most oils – more like a balm – and sinks straight in to leave a glow that isn't quite 'glossy', but definitely radiant.
Lia Mappoura
Beauty Assistant
Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Assistant at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from viral celebrity hair and makeup news to the latest trend predictions, she’s an expert in recognising the season’s next big beauty look (before it ends up all over your social media feeds). You’ll usually find her putting TikTok’s recent beauty hacks to the Hype Test, challenging the gender-makeup binary and social stereotypes, or fangirling over the time Kourtney Kardashian viewed her Instagram Story (yes, it’s true). Find her also on
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