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11 Of The Best Lip Oils That Deliver Hydration And A High-Shine Finish
The best of both worlds.
Ask any make-up artist worth their salt and they'll tell you that no summer make-up bag is complete without a lip oil. As hydrating as a balm, shiny like a gloss, and often with a hint of colour, lip oils are the ultimate hybrid product for sun-drenched days.
'They're the perfect modern way to get that gorgeous high-shine finish that is wearable throughout the day', agrees Amy Conway, Global Pro Artist at Bobbi Brown. The next-gen oil formulas are also brimming with skin-loving ingredients. 'The new formulas available condition lips instantly and over time: the lips don't have glands to produce moisture so they help combat the driest area of skin,' she adds.
How To Use A Lip Oil
Not only are lip oils nourishing, but they're versatile when it comes to application, too. Conway suggests working them into prepped (exfoliated) lips for a soft hydrated look, or building them up for a super glossy finish. 'So many of the formulas have a tint of colour built into them which can be used alone, or to refresh your favourite lip colours throughout the day.' They're also great for wearing on top of a matte lip to give it a boost of much-needed moisture. You'll find that the best lip oils contain a host of nourishing ingredients such as rosehip, sweet almond and jojoba oils to care and soothe peeling lips.
Vieve founder and make-up artist Jamie Genevieve is a fan of applying her Lip Dew in the middle of the lip, on top of lip liner, to create the illusion of fuller lips. 'Lip oils are for anyone that loves the look of a gloss but doesn’t like the feel of one. It is a great option if you have extremely dry lips but want a bit of colour whilst keeping them hydrated,' says Genevieve.
Given the hydrating qualities of lip oils, it goes without saying that you might need to re-apply after that fourth cup of coffee. But unlike a liquid lipstick, these sheer formulas don't require steady hands or precision.
The Best Lip Oils To Shop For Summer
Possibly the most innovative lip oil to date, make-up artist Violette Serrat noticed a gap in the market for a hybrid lip and oil and stain. The newly launched Lip Nectars, available in four shades, have all the nourishment of an oil but leave a soft stain on the lips, meaning you don't need to wear lipstick underneath.
Hot off the heels of the success of Gomez's Soft Pinch liquid blusher, Rare Beauty has created an equally high-tech lip oil. The gel-to-oil lip tint adds an instant pop of colour, leaving your lips looking hydrated and nourished and without the dreaded stickiness of the glosses of old.
Trust Glossier to create a next-gen lip oil brimming with skincare benefits. The hydrating formula has been enriched with apricot seed oils and liquid shea butter and the texture applies as more of a glaze rather than your classic shine.
By now we know no one does lip glosses like Rihanna, but if you're after something subtler than the fan-favourite Gloss Bombs, this is it. It's loaded with antioxidant-rich cherry extracts and moisturising rosehip and jojoba oils to keep your lips in top condition.
Perfect bedfellows Susanne Kaufmann and Diptyque have joined forces to create a lip oil that fuses skincare with a sensorial twist. The result is a natural lip oil that's nourishing with an invigorating citrus and mint scent.
A fan favourite, Dior Addict's Lip Glow Oil has been capturing the attention of the online world, and with very good reason. It earns its stripes thanks to its immediate next-level shine, soft colour payoff, easy-to-use doe foot applicator and playful hues.
For a hit of reflective shine reminiscent of 'glass skin', look no further. This juicy lip oil leaves your pout looking fuller while delivering moisture by way of hyaluronic acid and evening primrose oil.
Although this lip oil is honey-infused, expect no sticky kisses after applying. The super smooth, satin-feel oil is infused with hyaluronic acid which melts into the lips and plumps their appearance, all while providing hydration throughout the day.
Considering her most cult product is a lip liner, it's no surprise that Charlotte Tilbury launched a lip oil: a supercharged, serum-like formula to prep and plump your pout. The cooling rollerball applicator is refreshing too.
Harnessing the power of collagen - the building blocks and protein responsible for glowing skin - this lip oil doesn't just offer an enviable sheen; it helps nourish lips and adds an instant plumping effect.
An investment piece for your lips, this luxurious oil hydrates and smoothes lips. 'At Night', a deep cherry red, is one of the best darker coloured lip oils around.
Amelia Bell is the Multiplatform Beauty Director for ELLE UK and Harper’s Bazaar, developing beauty strategy, writing, editing, and commissioning, and leading beauty content across both sites. Amelia has a particular interest in wellness and longevity, exploring the skin-mind connection, and decoding the latest treatments, tweakments and runway trends. She also has bylines for Women's Health, Refinery29, British Vogue, Harrods Magazine, and more.
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