Because irresistibly glossy, nourished lips will never go out of style.

Remember when <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/beauty/dior-lip-oil">Dior&rsquo;s Lip Glow Oil</a> flew off the shelves for months in 2022? Even better: remember scouring the depths of every Sephora aisle, or constantly hitting refresh online in hopes of a miracle restock? (Yes, it was that serious. If you know, you know). Then came the inevitable yet frustrating side effect of beauty scarcity: highly marked-up resellers. Listings appeared with markups nearly three times retail prices, to which I, admittedly, fell victim in a moment of sheer desperation. It was the great beauty drought of 2022, a particularly sore subject for any makeup lover who simply couldn&rsquo;t ignore the nonstop rave reviews.&nbsp;
With Dior&rsquo;s lip oil shortage, it didn&rsquo;t take long for beauty brands across all price points to launch their own iterations while fans waited for the brand&rsquo;s imminent return.
As with any viral sensation, the Dior lip oil craze eventually quieted as we all moved on to the next big thing. You can chalk it up to the realities of market oversaturation or the fleeting nature of virality itself. Ironically, while Dior was the first to make lip oils the must-have product, popularizing what felt like an entirely new category in the lip lineup, even those of us who once obsessed over it have almost forgotten it by now.&nbsp;
Perhaps that drought was the beauty world&rsquo;s wake-up call. It&rsquo;s not that the product itself is not good; it&rsquo;s a deeply nourishing, hydrating formula that leaves your lips looking <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/beauty/best-transfer-proof-lip-glosses-shopping">extra luscious and glossy</a>. And its luxe, picture-worthy packaging surely adds to the allure. However, aside from its high price point, one of the most common complaints among reviewers was that the &ldquo;lip oil&rdquo; branding felt like a stretch, if not a little misleading&mdash;especially when compared to the original Clarins version. (Read: it feels more like a traditional gloss than a true lip oil).

<h2 style="text-align: center;">Lip Gloss vs. Lip Oil: What&rsquo;s the Difference?&nbsp;</h2>

Hailey Bieber for Rhode Skin. Photography courtesy of Rhode Skin.

Glossier Lip Glaze. Photography courtesy of Glossier.

But you might be wondering: what is the difference between lip glosses and lip oils? Or better yet, is there even a difference?&nbsp;
Though lip oils and lip glosses often come in similar packaging&mdash;tubes, wands, and whatnot&mdash;they&rsquo;re actually quite different in formula, color payoff, and feel. Traditional lip glosses tend to be thicker (and sometimes sticky) with a sheer wash of color. Think of them as high-shine toppers and glazers rather than products meant for intense pigment (though some do pack a little more punch than others). Because they&rsquo;re heavier in texture, glosses usually cling to the lips longer and require fewer touch-ups if your goal is lasting shine and <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/beauty/hyaluronic-acid-serums">hydration</a>.
Lip oils, on the other hand, are lighter and smoother, offering that silky glide you&rsquo;d expect from an oil or a nourishing balm. They&rsquo;re far more comfortable for all-day wear (and far less likely to trap a stray hair or two on a windy day). While some are sheer, newer formulas are surprisingly buildable, delivering richer color payoff. They also offer shine, though typically a juicy, softer, natural-looking finish than traditional gloss.&nbsp;
Both are worth having in your makeup bag; it really just depends on your mood for the day. That being said, if you&rsquo;re in search of a new lip oil to add to your beauty arsenal, take your pick from L&rsquo;OFFICIEL&rsquo;s edit of the most nourishing, shine-boosting formulas on the market.

Summer Fridays Dream Lip Oil. Photography courtesy of Summer Fridays.

Gisou Lip Oil. Photography courtesy of Gisou.

L'OFFICIEL USA&nbsp;may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if products are purchased through our links. These items were gifted. Neither decides our editorial decisions.

Pros: Wide shade range, buildable pigment, and mess-free application.&nbsp;
Cons: High price point and can sometimes emphasize dry texture if lips aren&rsquo;t exfoliated beforehand.&nbsp;
Plus points: Award-winning, paraben-free, and phthalate-free.
Why we love it: YSL&rsquo;s Loveshine Lip Oil is hands-down one of the most comfortable lip oils on the market. Although it comes in a stick formula, it delivers the silky, oily glide you&rsquo;d want in a lip oil&mdash;minus the risk of leaks or spills common among liquid versions. It delivers a true satin finish with the rich color payoff of a lipstick and a subtle fruity fragrance for an added touch of indulgence. It&rsquo;s so effortless and foolproof that you don&rsquo;t even need a mirror to apply it (the kind of product you can use in a moving car). 
YSL Loveshine Lip Oil Stick, $45, <a href="https://www.sephora.com/product/love-shine-lip-oil-stick-P377710?skuId=2830065&amp;icid2=products%20grid:p377710:product" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sephora</a>&nbsp;

YSL Beauty Loveshine Lip Oil Stick in Love Berry. Photo courtesy of Sephora.

YSL Beauty

Pros: Lightweight, strong color payoff, and buildable glossy finish.&nbsp;
Cons: Limited shade range, and the product can sometimes leak.&nbsp;
Plus points: Award-winning, paraben-free, phthalate-free, and sulfate-free.&nbsp;
Why we love it: Lip glosses, lipsticks, tinted lip balms, and even some of the best lip oils often cling to dry patches&mdash;or worse, leave lips feeling parched once the color fades. Clarins&rsquo; version, which is actually the first lip oil ever, is none of those. It&rsquo;s a plumping, hydrating formula with the luscious shine of a gloss and the buttery comfort of a lip salve. Plus, it stays in place without bleeding over the lip line, even with frequent blotting.&nbsp;
Clarins Lip Comfort Hydrating Oil, $30, <a href="https://www.sephora.com/product/P483060" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sephora</a>

Clarins Lip Comfort Hydrating Oil. Photography courtesy of Clarins.

Clarins

Pros: Cooling, comfortable, and well-sized, sturdy applicator.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Cons: Limited shade range.&nbsp;
Plus points: Paraben-free, sulfate-free, gluten-free, and cruelty-free.&nbsp;
Why we love it: Glossier&rsquo;s Lip Glaze is an effortless lip oil that melts into the lips like a soft balm. It&rsquo;s the perfect choice for those who prefer a sheer wash of color that won&rsquo;t interfere with the rest of your carefully curated lip combination. But our favorite part is the instantly cooling sensation that feels refreshing without any tingling or stinging. 
Glossier Lip Glaze, $22, <a href="https://www.sephora.com/product/P516910" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sephora</a>

Glossier

Pros: Travel-friendly, extra glossy finish, and fuss-free applicator.&nbsp;
Cons: Limited shade range and scent tends to fade or turn slightly unpleasant after a few months.
Plus points: Paraben-free, sulfate-free, and cruelty-free.&nbsp;
Why we love it: For a product with a true lip oil feel, Charlotte Tilbury&rsquo;s Lip Oil surprisingly delivers the juicy, glossy finish of a traditional lip gloss&mdash;all in the convenient packaging of a pocket-friendly lip balm. It also smooths the appearance of lip lines and gives the lips a much plumper look, sans the tingling sensation. 
Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Lips Healthy Glow Nectar Lip Oil, $25, <a href="https://www.sephora.com/product/P516906" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sephora</a>

Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Lips Healthy Glow Nectar Lip Oil. Photography courtesy of Charlotte Tilbury.

Charlotte Tilbury

Pros: Lightweight, buildable pigment, and long-lasting wear.&nbsp;
Cons: The product can sometimes leak or spill within the cap.&nbsp;
Plus points: Paraben-free, gluten-free, phthalate-free, and cruelty-free.&nbsp;
Why we love it: The Summer Fridays Dream Lip Oil is right on the money with its name: it&rsquo;s a dream to apply. It has that buttery slip that hits the sweet spot between not-too-glossy and not-too-matte. Many blushes and lip products can lean overly warm, but Summer Fridays proves that cool tone doesn&rsquo;t mean outright gray. The lightly cooling sensation is a plus, too.&nbsp;
Summer Fridays Dream Lip Oil, $26, <a href="https://www.sephora.com/product/P509439" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Sephora</a>

Summer Fridays

Pros: Eczema-safe, accessible price point, and well-paced shade range.&nbsp;
Cons: Requires more frequent touch-ups compared to alternatives.&nbsp;
Plus points: Fragrance-free, paraben-free, talc-free, sulfate-free, and cruelty-free.&nbsp;
Why we love it: Much like the rest of Tower 28&rsquo;s beauty essentials, the brand&rsquo;s take on lip oils is specifically formulated for sensitive, eczema-prone skin. The formula is intensely moisturizing and hydrating, but even more impressive is its ability to soothe winter windburns&mdash;thanks to a nourishing blend of apricot kernel oil, raspberry seed oil, and rosehip oil. As for texture and finish, it offers the best of both worlds: the lightweight, effortless glide of a lip oil and the juicy shine of a lip gloss. It even delivers that uniquely bouncy, jelly-like feel upon application. 
Tower 28 ShineOn Jelly Hydrating Lip Oil, $16, <a href="https://www.sephora.com/product/P448854" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sephora</a>

Tower 28 ShineOn Jelly Hydrating Lip Oil. Photography courtesy of Tower 28.

Tower 28

Pros: Buildable glossy finish and intense hydration.
Cons: Limited shade range, and some reviewers note that the scent can be overpowering.&nbsp;
Plus points: Paraben-free, phthalate-free, sulfate-free, gluten-free, and cruelty-free.&nbsp;
Why we love it: If Aquaphor and Fenty Gloss Bomb Heat had a lovechild, it would be this lip oil. The formula is comfortable and hydrating, helping prevent dryness while soothing cracked skin, all with a sheer wash of color. (Bonus: for a more intense pigment with shimmer, check out the <a href="https://www.sephora.com/product/gloss-bomb-oil-luminizing-lip-oil-n-gloss-P516100?skuId=2868255&amp;icid2=products%20grid:p516100:product">Fenty Gloss Bomb Oil</a>). 
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Fenty Treatz Lip Oil, $25, <a href="https://www.sephora.com/product/cherry-treat-conditioning-lip-oil-P500307?skuId=2536423&amp;icid2=products%20grid:p500307:product" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sephora</a>&nbsp;

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Fenty Treatz Lip Oil. Photography courtesy of Fenty Beauty.

Fenty Beauty

Pros: Available in both high-shine and shimmer finishes, buildable color, and well-sized applicator.&nbsp;
Cons: Hydration power varies across shades.&nbsp;
Plus points: Paraben-free, phthalate-free, sulfate-free, and cruelty-free.&nbsp;
Why we love it: From the original Honey to the best-selling Glazed Plum and the new Milky Mocha, every Gisou lip oil delights with a delicious scent that perfectly matches its name. Unlike many scented products, it never smells overpowering or too faint. It&rsquo;s truly an addictive formula you&rsquo;ll actually look forward to reapplying throughout the day. The only thing that would make us love it more? A broader shade range (because in this case, more is more). 
Gisou Honey-Infused Hydrating Lip Oil, $28, <a href="https://www.sephora.com/product/P505233" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sephora</a>

8 Juiciest Lip Oils For All-Day Hydration

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