Perfect that pout one doe-foot applicator at a time with our lip oil top picks
Lip oils, the versatile pout boosters that have taken the beauty world by storm. Certainly not a newcomer, this loved staple has been locked into the lip product hall of fame since the late noughties and, much to our delight, it’s finally making a comeback.
Longer-lasting than a gloss and more hydrating than a lip balm, the infusion of a myriad of oils is the subtle kiss your lips need for a healthy, high-shine finish. Plus, they come in a range of colours, creating subtle washes of colour that are the perfect primer or finishing touch to any look.
So, want to know what all the fuss is about? We’re here to answer your burning questions and share our top picks of the best lip oils and lip balms to buy.
What are lip oils?
Make-up moguls say lip oils are one of the magic secrets to a perfect pout, and we couldn’t agree more. But, what are they?
Lip oils combine the perks of skincare with the shine of a gloss. They’re created using natural oils and other moisture-replenishing ingredients to nourish the lips while giving them a gorgeous shine. It’s the perfect hybrid of a lip gloss and lip balm, giving you a high-shine finish without the stickiness.
Prefer a more traditional lip balm, or want to layer up two products at once? We’ve also picked out some of the best lip balms to buy, so you can mix and match to suit your needs.
Why are lip oils so popular right now?
You can thank TikTok and a bunch of Hollywood stars for sharing the secret of how good lip oils can be. If you’ve got the TikTok bug, you’ll be no stranger to the hashtag #lipoil which currently has over 600 million views and counting. There’s been countless trending lip oils, from Dior’s cult-fave to more affordable options like e.l.f.’s.
Many Hollywood superstars have also been spotted using lip oils. With popularity at an all-time high, many brands have now jumped in to get a slice of the action, bringing out their own fabulous formulas for lip-loving oils and balms. (Perfect for us beauty lovers!)
What do lip oils do?
Not only do lip oils create an ultra-glossy sheen, but they’re also fab at moisturising. Lip oils sit on the surface of the skin and create a barrier to help lock in moisture, giving your lips some well-needed TLC.
Lip oils’ greatest strength is, undoubtedly, their versatility. Wear them on their own, under lipstick as a primer or on top of lipstick as a glossy final touch. You can use a small amount for a subtle pop of colour or use it as an overnight mask to give your lips some extra nourishment. Simply swipe on your favourite lip oil and let it do its magic!
What’s the difference between lip oil and lip gloss?
Lip oils and glosses both leave a super-cute shine to your lips, but of course, there are some differences between them. One isn’t better than the other, but they have different benefits so you might find you prefer one to the other, or one for specific occasions.
- Lip oils tend to feel more lightweight, whereas glosses are typically heavier
- Lip oils may have some pigment added, but they’re normally quite opaque, helping enhance your natural lip colour. Glosses, however, tend to have a stronger colour, creating a bolder look
- Whilst some glosses have skincare benefits, normally they can feel quite drying over time. Oils are designed with skincare in mind, helping to moisturise and hydrate
- Lip oils normally have a doe-foot applicator, which is a bigger applicator than the usual lip gloss one, which allows for easy application in just one swipe
- Lip oils are typically non-sticky – so unlike a gloss, your hair won’t get stuck to your lips on a windy day
10 of the best lip oils from Boots
From trending to purse-friendly own-brand lookalikes, here are our top 10 picks for the best lip oils.
Try: NYX Professional Makeup Fat Oil Lip Drip Lip Gloss
• Size: 4.8ml
• Available in eight shades
NYX Professional Makeup Fat Oil Lip Drip Lip Gloss combines all the aesthetic benefits of a gloss with a seriously nourishing formula. It’s packed with caring ingredients, including cloudberry oil, raspberry oil and squalene, so you can enjoy 12-hour hydration with a non-sticky texture.
Try: e.l.f. Glow Reviver Lip Oil
• Size: 7.6ml
• Vegan* and cruelty-free
Nourishing, tinted and glossy? Check, check and check. e.l.f. Glow Reviver Lip Oil is one of the best tinted lip oils out there, and it’s sure to become your new handbag staple. The hydrating formula adds a subtle wash of colour with each swipe for a your-lips-but-better effect.
Try: Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil – Nourishing Glossy Lip Oil
• Size: 6ml
• Available in seven shades
• Suitable for all skin types
Renowned for its intensity and long-lasting formula, this viral sensation has got everyone talking. Infused with cherry oil, it provides your lips with comfort and care. We love the colour 000 Universal Clear. The perfect shade for all skin types that enhances the natural colour of your lips, while providing the shine of a gloss. Both non-sticky and non-greasy in texture, it’s a total dream!
Try: Fenty Skin Treatz Hydrating & Strengthening Lip Oil in Black Cherry
• Size: 5.6ml
• Suitable for all skin types
• Vegan* formula
If you’re looking for a lip oil that leaves your pout plump and juicy, RiRi’s got you covered. Fenty Skin’s oil treats your lips to wild cherry extract and black cherry oil, helping nourish, condition and hydrate. Plus, it leaves a subtle but cute cherry-coloured sheen – perfect paired with a Fenty lip liner (wink, wink).
Try: Clarins Lip Comfort Oil 09 Chocolate
• Size: 7ml
• Available in eight shades
If you like the idea of a sultry lip but don’t have the time for precision, Clarins have got you. This ultra-nourishing, non-sticky oil requires no steady hands for a flawless finish. Simply glide the cushioned doe-foot applicator over your lips for a pop of delicate colour and enjoy up to eight hours of protection and up to six hours of hydration.
Try: Soap & Glory Ultra-Smoothing Lip Oil
• Size: 10ml
Luscious lips are well within reach with Soap & Glory Ultra-Smoothing Lip Oil. The lightweight texture contains natural oils and extracts to help soothe and protect, all while locking in moisture. Choose from three flattering finishes – clear, sheer pink or sheer red – for the ultimate feel-good factor.
Try: Rimmel Oh My Gloss! Lip Oil
• Size: 4.5ml
• Available in five shades
Get all the benefits of a balm with the glassy-finish of a gloss in Rimmel Oh My Gloss! Lip Oil. The lip-replenishing formula combines coconut oil, raspberry seed oil and vitamin E to leave lips silky smooth. Plus, enjoy a sheer wash of colour with every swipe of the doe-foot applicator.
Try: BYOMA Liptide pH Lip Oil
• Size: 5ml
• Vegan* formula
Glossy and lightweight, skincare superstar BYOMA have created yet another beauty staple. With a tint that adapts to your lips’ natural pH, this oil includes a peptide-rich Liptide complex with hydrating avocado and tamanu oils, helping to nourish, plump and soften your lips.
Try: 17 Mood Lip Oil
• Four fragrances
Made with jojoba, sunflower and castor seed oil, this high-shine clear lip oil comes in four different fragrances (eucalyptus, lavender, lemon and mint) to suit your every vibe. Why not try eucalyptus or lavender as overnight treatments, and lemon or mint for a handbag go-to?
10 of the best lip balms from Boots
Still want a little something extra to take your lip care routine to the next level? Scroll on to discover our top picks when it comes to lip balms and specialist lip treatments.
Try: The INKEY List™ Tripeptide Plumping Lip Balm
• Size: 10ml
Plump and protect at the same time with The INKEY List™ Tripeptide Plumping Lip Balm. The innovative formula fills fine lines, locks in moisture and visibly increases lip volume over time. And don’t worry about the tingle effect that some lip plumpers rely on, this one works without any irritation.
Try: Eucerin Dry Skin Intensive Lip Balm
• Size: 10ml
Feel like you need to call in reinforcements to help relieve dry lips? Eucerin Dry Skin Intensive Lip Balm to the rescue! This healing balm is packed with active ingredients such as evening primrose oil, panthenol and glycerol to instantly soothe, calm and smooth lips while delivering a much-needed dose of moisture.
Try: Weleda Skin Food Lip Balm
• Size: 8ml
If you’ve tried Weleda’s much-coveted Skin Food, you’ll understand what all the fuss is about when it comes to their products – and now, you can get all the same goodness in a lip-friendly format. Natural oils and waxes meet botanical extracts in this soothing formula that’s designed to hydrate dry lips with every swipe.
Try: Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Kiss Cupuaçu Lip Butter
• Size: 6.2g
• Cruelty-free
• Gluten-free
Cult-favourite Sol de Janeiro may have won our hearts for their body-boosting creams, but they’re seriously serving in the lip department, too. This lip butter is more indulgent than a traditional balm, bringing together cupuaçu, açaí, and coconut oil to create a nourishing formula that’s no match for dryness or flakes.
Try: Kylie Cosmetics Tinted Butter Balm
• Size: 2.4g
• Vegan* and gluten-free
Want a super nourishing balm that packs a punch in the colour department too? Try Kylie Cosmetics Tinted Butter Balm, available in six flattering shades. It’s a great all-rounder for everyday wear, giving long-lasting hydration, buildable colour and a luminous sheen.
Try: NIVEA Cherry Shine Lip Balm
• Size: 4.8g
We can’t resist a fruity flavoured lip balm, and this cherry-tastic option from NIVEA is no exception! With a soft, smooth texture that glides on easily in an instant and gives 24-hour moisture to help protect the protective barrier of the lips, it’s a real joy to use everyday.
Try: Ole Henriksen Pout Preserve Peptide Lip Treatment
• Size: 12ml
Go beyond just oils and balms and add an expertly formulated treatment to your bathroom cabinet. This advanced formula harnesses the power of peptides, acai sterols, kokum and mango seed butters and cloudberry oil to give bouncier, fuller-looking lips in just one week.
Try: Hello Sunday The One For Your Lips Lipbalm SPF 50
• Size: 15ml
• Vegan*
• Suitable for all skin types
Keen to protect your lips from harmful rays? This transparent balm is just the ticket, offering SPF50 protection for your pout along with moisturising shea butter and hyaluronic acid. And there’s no need to worry if you have sensitive skin – the fragrance-free formula can be used by all skin types.
Try: The INKEY List Tripeptide Plumping Lip Balm in Mocha Tint
• Size: 10ml
Meet the iconic lip balm and plumper, all-in-one. The INKEY List’s multi-tasking Tripeptide Lip Balm has taken social media by storm, thanks to its formula that helps plump lips by up to 40% in just four weeks** without any tingling or irritation. Now in three buildable, flattering shades, the Mocha Tint creates a sheer, 90s nude colour, gorgeous on all skin tones.
