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, while lips look as glossy as ever (and even a little plumper).
Vogue’s Favorite Lip Oils
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, 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.
In This Story
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
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: Rosehip oil, shea butter, jojoba oil
- Finish: Satin, shimmer, and gelée
- Shades: 12
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