Lip Oils have taken over the drugstore– it seems like there are options from every brand. But, not all drugstore lip oils are created equal!
I tested five of the highest rated budget friendly lip oils to break down the differences– which one do you think would work best for you? I’ll share lip swatches, my experience with each one, as well as a side-by-side pigmentation comparison. Let’s dive in!
1. e.l.f. Glow Reviver Lip Oil ($8)
One of the newest drugstore lip oils on shelves, the e.l.f. Glow Reviver Lip Oil is already a personal fave. It’s definitely the most pigmented I’ve tried, and the color actually lingers behind even when the shine disappears. This is also the thickest, cushiest formula– it’s not lightweight by any means– but that means it doesn’t wear off as quickly! The formula features squalane, apricot oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil, and pomegranate oil. Even after eating, you can feel the moisture this leaves behind. It has added fragrance in a minty scent.
2. Milani Color Fetish Lip Oil ($12)
This one’s my personal goldilocks lip oil. The Milani Color Fetish Lip Oil is only slightly more sheer than e.l.f., but feels more lightweight. This looks great on its own for a wash of color, or over lip liner to work into a makeup look. The highlights of this formula are hazelnut seed oil, soybean oil, sunflower seed oil, jojoba seed oil, safflower seed oil, rose oil and fruit and flower extracts and vitamin E. It’s super versatile and feels nice and balmy on the lips. As with most of these, you’ll probably want to reapply after eating for the shine, but the moisturized feel lasts me about 7 hours!
3. NYX Fat Oil Lip Drip Gloss ($9)
While I love the look of the NYX Fat Oil Lip Drip Gloss, it doesn’t quite give me what I’m looking for out of a lip oil. It feels more makeup-y (it is labeled a lip gloss, afterall) and has a tacky feel as it wears off. While the formula contains raspberry oil, cloudberry oil as well as squalane, I don’t find it to provide long-lasting moisture or comfort to the lips. I do love this shade Follow Back, which is a warm nude with shimmer. I may repurchase if there’s another shade that catches my eye. But I don’t quite consider them traditional lip oils.
4. ColourPop Lux Lip Oil ($10)
If you’re looking for a product that acts more like lip care than makeup, then the ColourPop Lux Lip Oil is the choice for you. They are very sheer, only providing the slightest tint, and has a very thin formula that feels like a liquid lip balm. The fragrance-free formula feels super light while containing antioxidant rich chamomile and calendula oil. While this one does wear off pretty quickly– it lasted about 4 hours on me– the thinner formula sinks into the lips quickly and leaves them super soft much longer.
5. Lottie London Oil Slick Lip Oil ($7)
One of the more unique lip oil formulas on shelves, the Lottie London Oil Slick Lip Oil feels just like it’s named… slick. It’s slippy and thin, not balmy or cushy like the others. This one contains a blend of jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, omega 3 and vitamins e & b to help the skin barrier, hydrate and nourish. Despite coming in some fun shades, I found all three I own to apply nearly completely clear. This one also wore off quickly, however it delivered the most long lasting moisture out of all five– I felt like it really sinks into the lips quickly for fast results.
Pigmentation Comparison
Applicator Comparison
Diane Farrall
The Lip Oil varieties and test results are awesome! I will shop for the best one for my pleasure and enjoyment, especially for winter weather conditions in Ontario, Canada.