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As both a child of the early aughts and a longtime beauty editor, rest assured that I’ve cycled through just about every available lip gloss on the market. I can still smell the vanilla frosting Lip Smackers I wore every day in 7th grade, and in high school, my book bag doubled as a Lancôme Juicy Tube graveyard. But I can also still remember the distinct feeling of un-sticking my hair from my lips—enough to put me off lip gloss for quite some time, aside from when my journalistic duty called for it. (It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it.)
That all changed a couple of years ago, when the matte lip obsession of the 2010s gloriously gave way to a far more timeless, dewy, fresh-faced aesthetic. Suddenly, the gooey lip glosses of decades past had been rebranded as “lip oils:” hydrating and packed with conditioning ingredients, with a flattering, slick, decidedly un-sticky finish. In the past year alone, searches for “lip oil” have spiked over 150%—a trend that has been met with a variety of new lip oils on the market, all promising a cushioned, more moisturized pout. (“Like your lips, but better,” is the going mantra.)
So, how to choose? Naturally, we did it for you—we’re rounding up seven of the very best lip oils available, from plumping to tinted to high-shine formulas. Shop them below.
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Best Overall Lip Oil
We have to agree with thousands of reviewers and TikTok users on this one—this bestselling tinted lip oil from Merit simply ticks all of the boxes. Thanks to the flattering, buildable pigment and a lightweight, hydrating sheen, it’s that one little part of my routine that instantly brings my whole look together—whether I’m headed to the grocery store or a night out.
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Best Luxury Lip Oil
Take your pick from eight semi-sheer hues—or collect a few. (We’re certainly not judging.) Fans have loved this luxurious, non-sticky lip oil since it launched in 2020. Bonus points for just looking fancy when you pull it out of your purse for a midday touch-up.
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Best Plumping Lip Oil
This maximum-impact oil is formulated with hyaluronic acid and peptides, two skincare superhero ingredients that visibly plump and hydrate lips. We also love it for its ultra-thick, high-shine finish and eleven-shade range.
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Best High-Shine Lip Oil
That said, when it comes to amping up the wattage, it’s hard to beat this ultra-shiny lip jelly formula from cult-fave LA beauty brand Tower 28. It’s formulated with a blend of oils for maximum nourishment—plus it’s available in a whopping thirteen shades.
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Best Treatment Lip Oil
Consider this your friendly reminder that your lips are a key part of your skincare routine—and this formula from Hailey Bieber’s Rhode is already an editor favorite for a plush, hydrated pout. The secret is the potent cocktail of peptides, shea butter, cupuaçu, and babassu, which help lock in moisture, reduce fine lines and improve skin elasticity—basically, unlocking your lips’ full potential.
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Best Flavored Lip Oil
A decidedly modernized take on the Bonne Bell Lipsmackers of our youth, this candy-apple flavored lip oil is, in a word, juicy. And the apple isn’t just for kissable flavor, either—this formula also contains apple extract for its antioxidant and vitamin C content.
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Best Lip Oil for Chapped Lips
Pout needs a little extra TLC? This cherry-flavored treat from Fenty Skin was designed to repair and restore your lips’ moisture barrier—which will ultimately keep cracked, dry skin at bay. It also features a barely-there, universally flattering cherry tint.
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