The best lip oils are the “work smarter, not harder” product of one’s arsenal—perfectly toeing the line between hydration and next-level shine. Beginning with a base of nourishing, emollient-rich botanical oils gives this formula built-in advantages. “Lip oils in general envelop the lip, creating a seal with a hint of color and lots of shine,” says celebrity makeup artist Daniel Martin, whose celebrity clientele includes Nicola Coughlan and Michelle Yeoh. Reaching for a hydrating lip oil gives you the best of both worlds: a strengthened, a nourished skin barrier and a lips look as glossy as ever (and even a little plumper).
Vogue’s Favorite Lip Oils
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So if you’re wondering, Well, doesn’t my lip balm do that? Think again. A lip oil is like a tinted lip balm (or tint-free, if you prefer a bare look), but with a texture that’s less waxy and more slippery smooth. Plus their innate slick texture simply feels good, and—since lip oils are a more playful makeup category than their more formal peers like lipstick—they often come with indulgent scents to match. Ahead, scroll on to discover Vogue’s favorite lip oils, featuring formulas adored by editors and makeup artists alike.
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Best Shine: Chanel Sublimage L’Extrait Huile Lèvres
- Why We Love It: There’s always some occasion that calls for a chic gift—and it’s convenient to have crowd-pleasing options. No matter which holiday you celebrate, whose birthday it is, or if it’s a bridal shower and beyond, this Chanel lip oil is a little luxury that looks as beautiful as it feels on lips. The packaging was designed in collaboration with a premier French glassmaker to dazzle with subtle shimmer glistening through the tube. Meanwhile, the golden metal applicator applies with a refreshingly chilled feel and fits onto the curvature of lips seamlessly. Now that we’ve waxed poetic about how pretty it is, let’s talk formula. Derived from 97% natural ingredients, here ceramides, vanilla planifolia, and Swertia extracts blend together for an intensely hydrating lip treatment that feels impossibly soft and lightweight. So, no, you won’t feel like you’ve just rubbed essential oils straight from the bottle on your pout.
- Key Ingredients: Ceramides, vanilla bean oil, Swertia extract, camellia seed oil, vitamin E, lactic acid
- Finish: Subtle but luminous
- Shades: N/A
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| A chic gift for any beauty or skin-care lover | A total splurge |
| 97% naturally derived formula that acts as a lip treatment |
Best Lightweight: Merit Shade Slick
- Why We Love It: Merit offers three distinct finishes and textures to play with: the original formula with creamy, opaque color payoff; a gelée finish for a sheer, stained effect; and a subtle shimmer that falls beautifully between the two. “This gives that glass lip finish that photographs beautifully and pairs perfectly with soft glam,” says pro makeup artist Lauren D’Amelio Ventre in Vogue. “The formula feels luxurious yet clean, rich in plant-based oils that nourish without slipping excessively.” D’Amelio Ventre likes to layer it over a lip stain or liner to “bring dimension and fullness without sacrificing wear time.” In short, it’s a multitasking lip essential that looks as good on camera as it feels in real life.
- Editor’s Note: “I’m partial to the gelée finish for two reasons—firstly, the subtle wash of color pairs well with just about any lip liner or makeup look. Secondly, the formula is lightweight, it feels as if I’m wearing nothing at all.” —Conçetta Ciarlo, beauty shopping writer
- Key Ingredients: Rose hip oil, shea butter, jojoba oil
- Finish: Satin, shimmer, and gelée
- Shades: 12
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| A variety of finishes, textures, and color opacity | So lightweight that some report it requires a few layers to deposit color |
| Modern colors to suit all skin tones and makeup looks |
Best Cushiony: Summer Fridays Dream Lip Oil
- Why We Love It: Summer Fridays’s lip oil is plush, hydrating, and undeniably luxe—leaving lips feeling cushioned and silky with just one swipe. Infused with nine botanical oils, including avocado, apricot, and raspberry seed, it delivers instant hydration while bathing lips in antioxidant-rich care. Despite its nourishing almost creamy texture, each shade offers a soft wash of color, more of a tint than a statement. That balance makes it effortlessly versatile no matter how much (or how little) makeup you wear.
- Editor’s Note: “My immediate reaction after first application was ‘Oh!’ (in total delight, of course). Not only does the the semisheer color look pretty, it feels incredibly comfortable on lips. Plus it revives my lips’s hydration almost instantly, even if I’ve barely drank water that day.” —Conçetta Ciarlo, beauty shopping writer
- Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, avocado oil, apricot oil, peptides
- Finish: Glossy
- Shades: 8
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Modern colors to suit all skin tones and makeup looks | Large doe-foot applicator can make it difficult to deposit color with precision |
| Cushiony texture is comfortable to wear |
Best Drugstore: e.l.f. Glow Reviver Lip Oil
- Why We Love It: More than 20,000 fans on Amazon have declared their love for this drugstore lip oil, and it’s easy to see why. Affordable yet impressively high-performing, it rivals the glossiest luxury options—without the steep price tag. The formula is packed with apricot kernel, avocado, and jojoba seed oils to deeply condition lips while leaving behind a glassy, non-sticky shine. A blend of peppermint, eucalyptus, and spearmint leaf oils gives it a subtle cooling sensation and a gentle plumping tingle, creating that just-bitten fullness without the sting. With eight vibrant shades ranging from soft pinks to rich berries (plus a clear option for the minimalist, no-makeup-makeup crowd), this lip oil covers every mood and makeup look.
- Key Ingredients: Apricot kernel oil, avocado oil, jojoba seed oil, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, spearmint leaf oil
- Finish: High Shine
- Shades: 9
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Affordable price point | Mint oil can be irritating to some |
| Hydrating and non-sticky formula |
Best Subtle Color: Dior Lip Glow Oil
- Why We Love It: Celebrity makeup artist Daniel Martin often layers this balm-like oil onto clean, dry lips “to get that added hint of color,” he says, noting that he also appreciates the 14 color shade range. Still, the resulting color appears a little different on everyone, as the formula reacts to moisture on the lips and adjusts the color. “This is a staple for soft glam because of its ability to enhance the natural lip tone while delivering hydration and high-shine gloss that never looks greasy,” adds D’Amelio Ventre.
- Editor’s Note: “Silky with a thick-but-not-too-thick texture, this pick instantly adds a hydrating high shine finish with just enough color.” —Conçetta Ciarlo, beauty shopping writer
- Key Ingredients: Cherry oil, vitamin E
- Finish: Glossy
- Shades: 14
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Hydrating, lightweight formula | One ingredient, benzyl alcohol, can cause irritation or hyperpigmentation in some |
| Buildable color |
Best Buildable Color: Clarins Lip Comfort Oil
- Why We Love It: This lip oil offers as much—or as little—pigment pay-off as you might want. With a single swipe, it offers “a your-lips-but-better tint that works on every skin tone,” says Tonya Riner, a celebrity makeup artist who tends to Kate Upton and Simone Biles. “This product is a fan favorite because it’s rich, glossy, and packed with rose, jojoba, and hazelnut oils that leave your lips plump and nourished,” adds pro makeup artist Brielle Polara. If you want more color, additional layers impart a more opaque payoff with just as much shine. Also noteworthy is its unique curved applicator, which is meant to hug the lips for a comfortable (and precise) application.
- Editor’s Note: “What I most love about the Clarins’s lip oil is the texture. ‘Plush’ is the best way to describe it—sitting comfortably on the lips as a protective barrier against dryness. I’ve been using one of the red pigments, but I’m eyeing a few new shades.” —Kiana Murden, senior beauty shopping writer
- Key Ingredients: Jojoba oil, rose hip seed oil, hazel seed oil
- Finish: Glossy
- Shades: 11
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| High gloss finish | Some find the texture a bit heavy |
Best Balmy Oil: YSL Beauty Loveshine Plumping Lip Oil Gloss
- Why We Love It: An update to the brand’s iconic Rouge Volupté Shine Lipstick Balm, this is the rare formula to come in a convenient stick format, allowing you to uncap it, twist it up, and swipe it on with a single hand. What starts as a lip balm texture transforms into an oil in contact with the body’s warmth, where it delivers a creamier color, intensely glossy lips, and hours of hydration—thanks in part to a base that’s 60% fruit oil and fig pulp. “I like having these in my kit because they’re always a welcome sight for my actresses,” celebrity makeup artist Brett Freedman previously told Vogue. “I love the dewy finish these give the lips.”
- Editor’s Note: “This is like a lipstick but better: All the benefits of a lipstick’s color payoff with the hydration of a lip oil. Plus, the packaging is mess-free and convenient—when you want more product its a click rather than a twist.” —Conçetta Ciarlo, beauty shopping writer
- Key Ingredients: Passion fruit oil, vitamin E, fig extract
- Finish: Satin
- Shades: 23
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Convenient, mess-free application similar to a lipstick | Some find the fragrance to be initially a bit strong |
| Wide shade range |
Best Fruity: Kaja Juicy Glass Lip Oil
- Why We Love It: Glass skin has come for the lips with this formula, which lends a sheer wash of color that’s not at all sticky. Fruits serve as the inspiration for the shades as well as the formulations, which slightly differ depending on the respective fruit; the Apricot Allure, a soft coral shade, contains apricot oil, while Grape Glowtini is infused with grape seed oil and eggplant extract. What they do have in common is their moisturizing feel and playful, juicy scents. Plus, the doe-foot applicator is large, for even and fast application.
- Key Ingredients: Jojoba oil, camellia seed oil
- Finish: Glossy
- Shades: 5
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| High shine, glossy finish | Some report short-lived shine, as the product absorbs quickly |
| Ultra-hydrating and subtly plumping | Scent can be strong for some |
Best for Dry Lips: Guerlain Kiss Kiss Bee Glow Lip Oil
- Why We Love It: An ode to the humble bee, this lip oil harnesses elements derived from the hive—like honey, propolis, and royal jelly (which encourages skin’s own production of hyaluronic acid)—to deeply nourish dry lips. (They also give the formula a thick, plush texture.) You’ll find the usual assembly of actives, including squalane, sunflower seed oil, and rose hip seed oil, to deliver instant shine and immediate fullness. While the scent is reminiscent of honey, it dissipates quickly.
- Editor’s Note: “Consider this an intensive lip treatment and semi-sheer gloss all in one. It’s a must-have in my lip combo during the colder months, when my pout gets a bit chapped from a brutally cold NYC. This formula never settles into lip lines and instead plumps through hydration and a minty tingle. The color payoff is great, and I love the almost jellylike feel.” —Conçetta Ciarlo, beauty shopping writer
- Key Ingredients: Honey, propolis, royal jelly
- Finish: Glossy
- Shades: 6
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Intensely hydrating, acting as a subtle plumper | Some find it just a bit sticky (from the honey, of course) |
| 92% naturally derived ingredients |
Best Tinted: Violette_Fr Lip Nectar
- Why We Love It: Juicy lip lovers will fall hard for Violette_Fr’s tinted lip oil. As expected, it captures all the effortless allure of French-girl beauty—chic, understated, and irresistibly polished. The texture is silky and luxurious on the lips without ever feeling heavy or sticky. The color payoff is impressive, delivering a rich, opaque hue that glides on with ease. And when the initial glossy finish fades, it leaves behind a soft, flattering stain that keeps your lips tinted long after application. Think of it as that perfect balance between a lip oil’s nourishment and a lip stain’s lasting power.
- Editor’s Note: “TikTok first introduced me to the Lip Nectar, and I can’t emphasize how much I love it enough. I like to think of it as effortless French-girl perfection. My go-to shade is Rose de Moab, a flattering mauve shade that feels timeless and easy to wear. The formula is incredibly comfortable on the lips and the stain never settles into fine lines.”—Conçetta Ciarlo, beauty shopping writer
- Key Ingredients: Glycerin, squalane, shea butter, hyaluronic acid, ceramides
- Finish: High shine initially, drying down to a soft matte stain
- Shades: 4
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Hydrating formula with a silky, lightweight feel | If you’re looking for a vibrant lip tint, this may be too understated |
| Long-wearing color |
Best Transparent: Fenty Skin Fenty Treatz Hydrating + Strengthening Lip Oil
- Why We Love It: This formula, created by Fenty founder Rihanna to complement her skin- and body-care line, is packed with antioxidants from cherry oil and extracts. The oversized applicator delivers a juicy, protective coat in just one swipe, leaving lips smooth and hydrated. Originally available in only two sheer scents that applied like a transparent gloss, the collection has since expanded. Now, those who prefer a touch of color can rejoice—there are three new berry shades that add the perfect hint of tint to your everyday look.
- Key Ingredients: Jojoba oil, rose hip seed oil, cherry oil
- Finish: Glossy
- Shades: 6
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Nourishing formula | Not for those seeking noticeable color |
| Non-sticky feel |
Everything You Need To Know
What to Consider When Buying a Lip Oil
When it comes to finding your perfect lip oil, it’s worth taking a closer look at what makes each formula unique. From ingredients that nourish to textures that range from plush to featherlight and shades that enhance your natural color or make a statement, the best option depends on your personal preferences and routine. Below, experts break down what to keep in mind before you swipe.
- Ingredients: Martin recommends looking for those that won’t make the lips feel sticky or overly greasy. Jojoba oil is a good option here, as it’s close in its molecular structure to the skin’s natural sebum—as is squalane, a stabilized version of the squalene naturally found in the skin barrier.
- Texture: Lip oils offer a variety of textures, with some formulas offering a cushioned feel and others, a thin slip—so it’s ultimately a matter of personal preference.
- Shades: Lip oils come in a plethora of shades, so get experimental “The color payoff is more like a stain, adding depth and enhancing your natural lip color,” says Riner. Thinner formulas tend to be more sheer, she says, whereas hybrids—like the Merit Shade Slick, above—have more color payoff, acting more like a gloss.
How to Apply a Lip Oil
Riner notes that while lip oils deliver a healthy, fresh look, they “can get messy if over-applied.” With that in mind, it’s best to take a less-is-more approach—a single swipe is often all you need for the perfect glossy finish. Some formulas, however, are buildable and can be layered comfortably for extra coverage.
That said, lip oils typically aren’t designed for all-day wear (unless you’re using a staining lip oil, which leaves behind a soft, lasting tint). To extend color payoff and add definition, Riner recommends applying a gel-based lip liner first. This is a double-duty solution that both anchors your lip oil and reduces feathering.
How We Tested
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue’s vast network of experts—professional makeup artists, many of whom have celebrity clientele—to gain professional acumen on the industry’s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to lip oils, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, texture, finish, wear time, and color payoff. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
Meet the Experts
- Lauren D’Amelio Ventre is a celebrity makeup artist, beauty educator, and founder of The Art of Enhancement, D’Amelio Cosmetics, and La Ve Da Beauty.
- Daniel Martin is a celebrity makeup artist whose A-list clientele includes Nicola Coughlan and Michelle Yeoh.
- Brielle Pollara is a professional makeup artist and licensed esthetician based between New York and New Jersey.
- Tonya Riner is a celebrity makeup artist whose clients include Kate Upton and Simone Biles.
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