Why These Expert-Loved Lip Oils Might Dethrone Your Viral Favorites

Made with Color Reviver technology that creates a custom, natural-looking flush on the lips of anyone who wears it, Dior Glow Lip Oil is half oil, half magic trick. It’s gone viral on TikTok, graced Bella Hadid's lips, and had pro makeup artists in thrall since its 2020 launch. The price is on the higher end of the spectrum, but many—including celebrity makeup artist Joanne Marchevsky, who works with Alix Earle—would argue that it’s worth it.

“Dior Lip Oil is a classic choice for effortless, hydrating shine,” Marchevsky says. “Its lightweight, nourishing formula gives your lips a beautiful, glossy finish without being sticky. I love how it adds a perfect sheer tint, enhancing my natural lip color with just the right amount of shine. With a range of sheer shades, you can find the perfect one to match your vibe and give your lips a healthy, natural look. It’s my go-to for a quick, luxe touch of hydration and color.”

Key ingredients: Color Reviver technology, sweet cherry seed oil

Shades: 8

Size: 0.2 oz

Sephora rating: 4.1/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “This lip oil is already an icon on the internet and in my makeup bag. I have just about every color created because it’s incredibly versatile and feels so comfortable on my lips. The glossy sheen lasts a good amount of time—and trust me, I'm a yapper.”—Nerisha Penrose, beauty commerce editor

For a sheer, dewy wash of color, NARS Afterglow Lip Oil is just the thing. Available in four glossy shades, ranging from apricot to berry and “Orgasm”—the brand’s iconic, shimmery-peach hue —the oil softens the lips and counts pro makeup artists among its fans. “The unique gel-oil texture provides long-lasting hydration while leaving behind a sheer hint of color, and it comes in four beautiful shades, including the cult-classic shade Orgasm. I’m especially obsessed with the shade Wonderous—it’s the perfect shade of raspberry during the colder months,” Lopez says.

Key ingredients: Shea butter, jojoba seed oil, raspberry seed oil, pomegranate extract

Shades: 4

Size: 0.20 oz

Nordstrom rating: 4.8/5 stars

A Nordstrom reviewer says: “A beautiful color and amazing texture that suits my lips perfectly! It lasts long, adds a subtle shine, and gives a lovely tint. What I love most is how natural it looks—nothing too bold, just perfectly balanced. Highly recommend!”

Infused with five nourishing oils, Tower 28’s Shine On Lip Jelly comes in seven glossy hues, but its milky, semi-sheer shades—which range from the milk-chocolatey “Almond” to the peachy-pink “Oat”—are the cherry on top. Celebrity makeup artist Kasey Spickard is a fan and uses the gloss on clients such as Summerhouse’s Ciara Miller. “This is technically a lip-oil-gloss hybrid, but it’s packed with good-for-lips ingredients like apricot seed, raspberry seed, rosehip, and avocado oil,” Spickard says. “These sit so comfortably on the lips and give a super high-shine finish.” While Spickard cautions that some lip oils can break down lipstick when layered on top of them, Tower 28’s formula is less prone to do so. “I keep the full shade range stocked in my kit and I use it on all my clients who want that high-shine look,” he says.

Key ingredients: Apricot kernel oil, avocado oil, raspberry seed oil, rosehip oil, castor oil

Shades: 12

Size: 0.13 oz

Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “The ‘milky’ aspect of this lip jelly is what sets it apart. It provides a soft, creamy, and comfortable texture that glides on smoothly and feels incredibly soothing. It's not sticky or greasy, which is the most important part.”

Looking for a budget-friendly pick? “For something that doesn't break the bank but delivers on the benefits of a lip oil, go for the NYX Fat Oil Lip Drip,” Spickard says. Infused with hydrating raspberry and cloudberry oils, the drugstore gem comes in 14 colors and three finishes, including Jelly, Shimmer, and Cream. (At less than $9 a pop, why not try two of each?) “When I’m out and about, I love to ask people what their lip combos are, and this is consistently something people tell me they're wearing!” Spickard says. “The shade range is amazing and I love the jumbo applicator.”

Key ingredients: Squalane, raspberry oil, cloudberry oil

Shades: 14

Size: 0.16 oz

Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “I absolutely love this lip gloss! The flavor and smell are phenomenal, and the very light pink tint is perfect if you like a subtle, natural look. It adds just the right touch of color without being overpowering. One of the best parts is how moisturizing it is—my lips feel soft and hydrated for hours. The texture is a bit tacky, but it’s a small trade-off for how well it stays on. The bottle is sturdy, so I never worry about it accidentally opening or spilling in my bag. Plus, there’s a good amount of product, which makes the higher price feel more justified.”

All hail the OG of color and shine. “You can't talk about lip oils without talking about the Clarins Comfort Lip Oil,” Spickard says. Launched in 2015 and previously known as Instant Light, “This was one of the first oils on the lip market before the lip oil boom in the last year or two,” Spickard says. “The finish is a beautiful high shine and feels so comfortable on the lips. I love the shades as well.” The Chocolate hue is one of Spickard’s go-to picks for clients with deep skin tones. “So yummy,” he says of the glossy tint, which—like all the shades—contains hazelnut for hydration. The formula can also be used in multiple ways: It works under or over lipstick, on its own, or as a très chic overnight lip mask. So as you’re eyeing that $30 price tag, think of it as four lip oils for the price of one.

Key ingredients: Organic sweetbriar rose, organic jojoba, hazelnut

Shades: 10

Size: 0.24 oz

Sephora rating: 4/5 stars

A Sephora reviewer says: “Hands on the best lip oil I ever tried—doesn’t make my lips too shiny. Gives the best natural pink tint and hydrates for nearly 5+ hours.”

“Ami Colé Hydrating Lip Treatment is my personal fave. I wear the shade Excellence, which is a brownish pink,” says celebrity makeup artist Renée Loiz, whose clients include Uzo Aduba. “The doe-foot applicator makes it easy to apply, and it holds onto just the right amount of product so you’re not having to keep applying so many coats.” Loiz adds that the oil feels comfortable and conditioning on the lips, and that the formula can come in handy for other areas of the face, too. “In a pinch, I’ve applied this gloss on my cheeks and eyelids for an all-over glow,” she says.

Key ingredients: Baobab seed oil, camellia seed oil, passionfruit seed oil

Shades: 6

Size: 0.15 oz

Sephora rating: 4.4/5 stars

A Sephora reviewer says: “Started using their products about a year ago. I have a tendency to get dry lips, and not only do they keep my lips hydrated longer than a Chapstick, but the colors are also phenomenal for a night or day look.”

“Kosas was the first clean-beauty lip oil product I used, back in 2019 when it launched,” Loiz says. She’s been a fan of the vegan formulation ever since. “I literally love all 11 shades and they work on every skin tone.” Loiz adds that the gloss plumps the lips “a bit, but not too much, and it doesn’t have a stinging feel, which can be irritating for people with sensitive skin.” Made with hyaluronic acid, peptides, and evening primrose oil, the gloss nourishes the lips, and it has a wet-look finish that complements its fruity hues. “This is an OG lip oil that has everything you need and more,” Loiz concludes.

Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, peptides, and evening primrose oil

Shades: 10

Size: 0.15 oz

Nordstrom rating: 4.1/5 stars

A Nordstrom reviewer says: “This lip oil looks divine on your lips. I purchased the shade ‘Unhooked’. It is very glossy and keeps your lips well-moistened, I loved the color tint too. The only downside is it does not stay on your lips long.”

“I cannot keep these Saint Jane Luxury Lip Oils in my kit for the life of me,” Loiz says. “Every client wants this once I use it on them because they’re so hydrating and not sticky at all.” She adds that the formula is drenched in top-shelf ingredients, including vitamin C to boost collagen production. Available in six hues, “Some of the glosses are sheer and there are a few that have shimmer,” Loiz says. “The sheer lip oils are also fine to sleep in for an overnight treatment.” As an added perk, the luxe packaging adds a little quiet luxury to every touchup.

Key ingredients: Vitamin C, chamomile, grapefruit seed oil, sunflower seed oil

Shades: 6

Size: 0.15 oz

Sephora rating: 4.3/5 stars

A Sephora reviewer says: “I am obsessed with this lip oil, specifically the Bliss shade! It is super hydrating and has a beautiful shimmer that makes your lips look plump and shiny. The bottle is also gorgeous and looks pretty on my makeup counter. Definitely will be trying more shades! ”

Loiz also has a hard time keeping Merit’s tinted lip oils in her kit, as clients always want to keep them. “The shades give me cozy girl fall vibes and I’m here for it,” she says. The tint comes in hues such as rose-brown, deep berry, and cool baby pink. “Because they’re sheer, you can wear them year-round, build up the color, or layer them on top of your lipsticks to make the color pop a bit more,” Loiz says. “They’re very versatile and feel so hydrating on the lips.”

Key ingredients: Chamomile and calendula extracts, magnolia bark extract, peptides, sunflower seed oil

Shades: 12

Size: 0.23 oz

Sephora rating: 4.3/5 stars

A Sephora reviewer says: “I love this lip oil for a natural-looking work look. It is not too shiny and not too sticky. It leaves my lips feeling hydrated and moisturized and [the Pink Beet shade] provides a very subtle pink. So happy to add this product to my everyday makeup routine!”

Infused with a conditioning blend of oils, Clinique’s multitasking salve shrinks an entire makeup routine into a product you can easily stow in your purse or pocket. (OK, you may need mascara, too, but that really is it.) In Clinique’s legendary Black Honey, a sheer berry hue known to flatter any skin tone, the oil performs as advertised, adding a pop of just-kissed color to lips and a natural-looking flush to the cheeks. I add it to my eyelids, too.

Key ingredients: Safflower oil, jojoba oil, sunflower-seed oil, castor oil

Shades: 1

Size: 0.24 oz

Nordstrom rating: 4.7/5 stars

A Nordstrom reviewer says: “At first I was worried at how dark the tint looks in the bottle but once on the cheek and blended in, it's perfect. I prefer just a hint of color to add a bit of dimension and a touch of pink to the cheek. It just takes a dab or two of the tint so a little goes a long way. It's smooth and glides on well. I highly recommend!”

“This lip oil is my go-to for its smooth application and long-lasting hydration,” says Marchevsky. “It strikes the perfect balance between hydration and shine without ever feeling sticky. The lightweight, nourishing formula leaves lips feeling soft, plump, and refreshed.” Marchevsky uses the oil as a topcoat over her lipstick for a boost of shine; on its own, she says it creates a natural, hydrated look on the lips. “Infused with a PH color-boosting formula, it adapts to your lips, reviving them with a natural flush and defined finish,” she says. “It’s also my favorite quick pick-me-up during the day or as an overnight treatment for smooth lips by morning.”

Key ingredients: Italian mint extract, vitamin E, fenugreek sprout, cranberry

Shades: 1

Size: 0.23 oz

Nordstrom rating: 4.3/5 stars

A Nordstrom reviewer says: “This is a lightweight feeling lip oil/gloss. The texture is very light on the lips, not sticky and the plumping effect is minimal but nice with a slight minty tingle. The pH adjusting is also minimal which I like because I normally don't like the pinky pH adjuster. I wish it lasted longer though, the moisturizing effect didn't last long enough for my dry lips.”

Famous for the no-makeup-makeup look she gives to clients, such as Gwyneth Paltrow, makeup artist Gucci Westman filled her oil-based lip balm with ingredients that cushion and nourish the lips. Made with shea butter and a blend of plant-based oils, “This is my go-to for a natural, effortless look,” Marchevsky says. “Its lightweight formula provides just the right amount of hydration and shine, without any stickiness. It leaves your lips feeling soft, plump, and naturally glossy. I love wearing it on its own for a subtle, hydrated glow that’s perfect for any day.” Available in seven shades, “It gives your lips a fresh, dewy finish while providing nourishing care,” Marchevsky adds. Fun fact: Nicole Kidman, another Westman client, wore the balm in “Petal” to the 2025 Golden Globes.

Key ingredients: Jojoba oil, argan oil, almond oil, shea butter, seed oil

Shades: 7

Size: 0.21 oz

Nordstrom rating: 4.6/5 stars

A Sephora reviewer says: “I love this fresh, ‘my lips only better’ color [Garconne] and the perfect soft texture of this. I also love the quality of the ingredients! That being said, it IS a splurge. Not a lot of product for a lot of money.”

“This Tarte Maracuja Lip Oil is a go-to for instant hydration and a gorgeous, natural gloss,” says Marchevsky. “Its lightweight formula provides moisture without any stickiness, leaving my lips feeling soft, smooth, and plump.” Marchevsky loves wearing the plumping oil on its own for a fresh, dewy look that enhances her natural lip color. Rich in omega fatty acids, vitamin C, and antioxidants, the 15-oil formula nourishes the lips and comes in an impressive 32 shades. With colors ranging from Cinnamon to Mixed Berries, “You can pick the perfect one to match your vibe,” Marchevsky says.

Key ingredients: 15+ oils (including apricot, sunflower, and coconut) and 10+ superfoods (including strawberry, peach, and watermelon)

Shades: 32

Size: 0.08 oz

Tarte rating: 4.5/5 stars

A Tarte reviewer says: “I don't like solid colors on my lips so these plumping oils are perfect for a nice and sheer touch of color and a lot of shine. I love the applicator and that the plumping sensation is not intense (it doesn't burn). Love it.”