I went to Sephora last week for the first time in months to look for a new lip product, and I was immediately overwhelmed. Even as a beauty editor with a lot of experience, the endless rows of glosses, balms, oils, and stains can be overwhelming. It’s not easy to pick the right lip product when the aisles are crowded, there aren’t many testers, and the shelves are full of tubes that look almost the same. That’s where we come in. At Cosmo, we try out a lot of different products to find the ones that are really worth your time. For example, we found the best tinted lip oils that make your routine easier.
A tinted lip oil gives you everything you need in one swipe, while many popular lip looks use layers of liner, balm, and gloss. These hybrids combine the shine of a gloss, the hydration of a skincare product, and a little bit of color for lips that look polished without any effort. After trying almost every option on the market, Team Cosmo picked the best formulas that give you color and glow right away, as well as hydration that lasts for hours.
Why We Like It
Saie’s Glossybounce makes lips look full, soft, and shiny without being sticky. The color “Bounce,” which is a warm mauve, looks good on everyone and is easy to wear. The moisturizing formula keeps lips soft and smooth for hours, so it’s easy to put in your bag and use again when you need to.
One editor from Cosmo says, “This makes my lips so soft and juicy that it’s hard to believe.” It’s the right amount of lip oil, sheer tint, and gloss that shines. —Lauren Balsamo, Director of Beauty
Why We Love It: Gisou’s Honey Lip Oil has a cult following for a good reason. The tinted versions add a soft wash of color while keeping lips moisturized for hours. The formula is known for being very hydrating. It’s perfect for days when you don’t want to wear a lot of makeup but still want to look healthy and put together.
“I loved the original clear version, but the tinted shades made it even better,” says one Cosmo editor. The medium and dark browns go great with liner, and they feel great on the lips. —Beth Gillette, Beauty Editor
This new formula goes on like a stick but melts into your lips like an oil. The texture is light and smooth, and it leaves a glossy finish with just the right amount of color to bring out your natural lip color. This is great for everyday use.
“This is the best hybrid,” says one editor at Cosmo. Mango oil and hyaluronic acid give it a juicy shine, buildable pigment, and real hydration. —Jasmine Hyman, Assistant Beauty Editor
Why We Love It:
There is a reason why Dior’s famous lip oil went viral. The new formula has more pigment and lasts longer, but it still has the soft, shiny finish that fans love. It continues to be a favorite among Cosmo readers year after year.
What We Love
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get good quality, as this option shows. It has a rich feel, a shiny finish, and a formula that nourishes the skin. It competes with high-end brands at a much lower price. Everyone on Team Cosmo is obsessed.
Why We Like It
People talk a lot about the brand’s balms, but Dream Lip Oil is the best. The formula keeps your skin moist, protects it, and softens it. It also gives you a sheer, modern tint that looks great every day.
Applying Blush After Setting Powder Method Produces a More Seamless and Authentic Cosmetic Result
What We Like About It
Merit’s lip oil has been a favorite for a long time because of its sleek packaging and very light texture. It has squalane in it, which keeps your skin hydrated without making it feel heavy. The sheer tint can be built up to make it look more subtle or a little bolder.
Why We Like It
Kulfi’s formula changes the way we think about lip stains. It has nourishing oils in it that give you long-lasting color and real hydration, so you don’t need a separate gloss.
Why We Like It
This lip oil also works as a subtle plumper. It uses hyaluronic acid and peptides to instantly smooth and add volume to lips. It doesn’t dry out the lips like other plumpers do; instead, it keeps them moist.
What We Like About It
Tarte’s Maracuja formula is different because it lasts longer and gives your skin a lot of moisture. It has a mix of plant oils that make it feel like a lip mask and give it a lot of shine and color.
“It’s thicker than most lip oils, but that’s why it lasts so much longer,” says one Cosmo editor. I use it when I don’t want to have to touch up all the time. —BG
What We Love About It
The famous Orgasm color looks great as a lip oil. The shimmery peach-pink tint gives your lips a soft glow that makes them look polished but still wearable.
What is the real difference between lip oil and lip gloss?
Lip oil is usually made with nourishing oils and emollients that hydrate and condition the lips. The finish is shiny but not heavy, and lips stay soft even after the shine fades.
A lip gloss, on the other hand, is makeup first. The main things it focuses on are shine and pigment, with hydration coming in second. Modern glosses can feel nice, but the moisturizing effect usually goes away when the gloss wears off.
