If our favorite beauty gurus have taught us anything recently, it’s that lip oil is an indispensable tool in your lip care arsenal—especially if you’re someone who loves glossy lip looks. You don’t have to take our word for it. Just scroll through TikTok, where the term “lip oil” has racked up more than 1.7 billion views. As you’re scrolling through videos, it’ll quickly become apparent why lip oil is so popular. These nourishing formulas hydrate, smooth, and soften, all while adding a hint of natural-looking shine to the lips. If you’re interested in learning how to use lip oil in your makeup routine, you’ve come to the right place. Ahead, we’ll give you the scoop on what lip oil does and explain how to use it to get hydrated, glossy lips. Find it all, ahead.
What Is Lip Oil and What Does It Do?
Lip oils are liquid lip products typically formulated with a combination of natural oils designed to help hydrate dry lips. They often bridge the gap between lip balm and lip gloss, offering the best of both worlds. Like gloss, lip oil can be worn alone or layered over lipstick for added shine. Many also come tinted, making them a perfect choice for those seeking a natural, glossy lip with a subtle pop of color.
Lip Oil vs. Lip Balm: What's the Difference?
Lip oil and lip balm can both help hydrate and soften lips, but they serve slightly different purposes. Here's a breakdown of lip oil vs. lip balm:
What Is Lip Balm?
- Primary Purpose: Lip balm is primarily designed to help hydrate and soothe dry or chapped lips.
- Texture: Balms typically have a thicker, waxier texture, thanks to heavier-duty moisturizing ingredients.
- Finish: Most lip balms create a subtle, healthy sheen without being overly glossy or sticky. If you prefer a more matte and understated look, then a balm is for you.
What Is Lip Oil?
- Primary Purpose: Oils hydrate while adding a shiny, glossy finish.
- Texture: These formulas tend to have a lightweight, non-sticky texture and absorb quickly.
- Finish: Lip oil formulas leave behind a dewy sheen that enhances the natural look of your lips. They are often available in a range of shades (sometimes accompanied by a matching scent) to coordinate with your makeup.
What Is Lip Oil Gloss?
A lip oil gloss is a cross between a lip gloss and a lip oil—with all the best benefits of both. The beauty is that this type of product serves as a hybrid between traditional lip care and cosmetics.
Our Fat Oil Lip Drip is a lip oil gloss, formulated with raspberry oil, cloudberry oil, and vegan squalane. It provides long-lasting hydration and protection while leaving your lips with a layer of intense—but non-sticky—shine.
How to Use Lip Oil Gloss to Get a High-Shine Lip Look
Getting glossy lips involves just a few simple steps. You’ll do a little prep, apply your lip color (if desired), then layer on the gloss. As a finishing touch, you can add highlighter to your cupid’s bow for an extra “pop.” See the step-by-step process below.
Step 1: Exfoliate
Before you begin, ensure your lips are smooth and free of dry, flaky skin. You can use a gentle lip scrub like #THISISEVERYTHING Lip Scrub or a soft toothbrush to exfoliate your lips. This step helps create a smooth canvas for your lip oil.
Step 2: Moisturize with Lip Balm (Optional)
If your lips tend to be on the drier side, consider applying #THISISEVERYTHING Lip Balm. This will provide an extra layer of hydration and ensure your lips stay soft and comfortable throughout the day. Allow the lip balm to sink in for a few minutes.
Step 3: Add a Color Boost (Optional)
To get a bolder lip hue, apply a pigmented lipstick or lip liner before your lip oil gloss. Shine Loud High Shine Lip Color is a great option if you want your final glossy lip look to mimic vinyl and have up to 16 hours of transfer-proof wear. Or, line and fill in your lips with Line Loud Vegan Longwear Lip Liner before layering on your lip oil gloss.
For a more natural look, you can use a nude liner or skip this step altogether. Our Fat Oil Lip Drip can be worn on its own for a hint of soft color (ideal for your no-makeup makeup look).
SHOP NOW
Step 4: Apply Lip Oil Gloss
Finally, it's time to bring out the star of the show: Fat Oil Lip Drip. From My Main, a clear, wear-anywhere shade, to Status Update, a deep chocolatey brown gloss, there’s a tint to fit any makeup mood.
Apply a thin layer to your lips, starting from the center and moving outward. The lightweight formula will instantly provide a glossy, high-shine finish sans stickiness.
Step 5: Highlight Your Cupid’s Bow
Use the shimmery end of the Wonder Pencil Highlighter Pencil to illuminate your cupid’s bow (the divot at the center of your upper lip) and accentuate your pout.
Pro Tip: The pencil doubles as a concealer stick, which comes in handy for cleaning up any pigment that fell out of line in Step 3. Just trace your lips with the matte concealer pencil side for a crisp, clean lip look.
How to Make Glossy Lips Last
One of the best things about lip oil gloss is that it’s easy to apply and reapply. This means you don’t have to stress when your shine starts to fade—just make sure you have your gloss on hand for touch-ups. With that said, you can take steps to prolong the life of your high-shine pout. Follow these simple tips to make your glossy lips last longer:
- Add a lip primer to your routine.
- Use long-lasting glossy formulas, like Fat Oil Lip Drip.
- Layer your lip products, including lip liner and lipstick.
- Drink through a straw to avoid disrupting your lip look.
So, what are you waiting for? Whether you're headed for a night out on the town or simply want to elevate your everyday look, Fat Oil Lip Drip is the key to getting glossy lips.
Share a snap of your favorite glossy makeup look on social media and tag us @nyxcosmetics.
PRODUCTS USED
Fat Oil Lip Drip
Hydrating tinted lip oil gloss in 18 shades.
Line Loud Vegan Longwear Lip Liner
Infused With Jojoba Oil + Vitamin E
Wonder™ Pencil Micro Highlighter Pencil
Dual-Ended Highlighter and Concealer Stick
