Not quite a balm and not quite a gloss, lip oils are essentially the love child of both. Perfect for those who struggle with dry lips, these nourishing tubes are infused with a myriad of oils that leave your lips with the finish of a shiny, tinted gloss, as well as the moisturizing benefits of a balm.
You now no longer need to complain about the stickiness of a lip gloss or be bored to tears with the utilitarian nature of a lip balm again. Allow these jojoba-, hazelnut-, olive fruit-, and sunflower seed oil-infused options to be just the soothing solution you’re looking for. Swipe them directly onto your lips for a mirror-like finish or top your favorite matte lipstick with one for a more dimensional look (and shock of hydration) just as K-pop star Jessica Jung loves to do.
Aesthetics aside, the lip oils will also treat lips like a concentrated hydrating serum. Many are formulated with moisture-replenishing and -attracting ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin E to make sure your lips stay smooth even when you’re not wearing them.
With more and more beauty brands jumping on the lip oil train, we rounded up over a dozen of the best tubes and sticks we’ve tried to date — non of which are greasy, heavy, or sticky. As you scroll through, you’ll notice they range from drugstore finds for dipping your toe (or rather, the appropriate doe-foot wand applicator) into the novel lip product category from Burt’s Bees to high-end options from Dior for the ultimate glossy finish.
Our Top Picks:
- Best Overall: Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil, $40
- Best for Dry Lips: Burt’s Bees Hydrating Lip Oil, $7
- Best K-Beauty Pick: Nooni Lip Oil, $12
- Best Non-Sticky: Kosas Wet Lip Oil Gloss, $22
- Best Splurge: U Beauty Lip Plasma, $68
- Best Flavors: InnBeauty Project Glaze Lip Oil, $17
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