Unlike your hips, your lips can definitely lie. Beauty lovers all over the world are always making sure that their lips look their best. However, this is not the case if you apply a bold lip shade or glittery gloss.
Lip oil is what makes your pout look better.
From Hermès and Dior to Zara, Rare Beauty and Fenty Beauty, it’s impossible to ignore a product when it appears on a brand’s new launch list. That’s what happened with lip oil. Lip oil is a skin care and makeup product that claims to nourish your lips while adding shine.
Lip oil has emerged as a must-have in the sophisticated lip beauty and care market, which is filled with a wide range of products, including lipsticks, lip balms, lip glosses, and nourishing masks and scrubs. This trend is clearly seen on his TikTok and Instagram, where beauty enthusiasts are raving about it.
Indian as well as international brands are leading the trend by adding lip oils to their product ranges. But what is fueling its popularity, and is lip oil worth the hype?
But before we get to that, there’s something important first.
What is lip oil?
Lip oil is a makeup/skincare hybrid product that removes excess stickiness and leaves your lips looking shiny, but it also doubles as a balm.
Natural oils such as coconut, jojoba, almond, and chamomile are not-so-secret key ingredients that do the dual job of nourishing and imparting a dewy glow.
“Lip oils are the biggest game changer in the makeup industry, as most lip balms and glosses are made with a wax base. Wax bases tend to have short-lasting effects, while long-term Lip oils, on the other hand, are useful for both beauty and skin care lines, since the ingredients contained in this type of product are intended to heal the lips. adds Garima Juneja, co-founder of homegrown makeup brand Praush. We also sell lip oil.
However, lip oil is not a new concept. French cosmetics brand Clarins’ Lip Comfort Oil was introduced long before this trend was born.
Most lip oils are clear and colorless, but many companies are also introducing tinted versions, creating a complete package of lip color, care, and shine.
Lip oil prices in India range between Rs 300 and Rs 3,000.
Lip oil and lip balm or lip gloss
Due to their formulation and purpose, lip oils differ from lip balms and lip glosses.
“Unlike lip balms, which are primarily meant to moisturize, or lip glosses, which are meant to add shine, lip oils provide both nourishment and a subtle shine,” says Ayurvedic expert and cosmetics expert. says Ipshita Chatterjee, technical director of the brand Lotus Herbals.
Aakriti Jayant Chapparia, co-founder of clean beauty brand La Mior, explains: Coconut, almond, jojoba, kokum butter and vitamin E or hyaluronic acid. ”
“Lip oil is much more transparent than lip gloss, so it gives your lips the perfect popsicle-like effect,” she added.
However, Aakriti admits that lip gloss and lip oil are interchangeable terms in marketing.
“Some lip glosses are highly moisturizing, while others are heavy or greasy. Both products contain similar properties, such as vitamin E, to give your lips the proper treatment.” But there are some differences,” she explains.
Why is lip oil so popular?
The pandemic may be playing a role here as well.
We’ve been covering our mouths with masks for years, but as the masks come off, there’s been a strong interest in lip products among beauty enthusiasts.
Hermès launched a lip oil in 2022. Kylie Jenner has also launched more lip oil variations to her brand’s product range in 2022. Dior debuted his Lip His Glow Oil in his 2020, and this product has gone viral in his 2022 and continues to be popular among make-up and makeup artists. Skin care enthusiast.
Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty entered the world of luxury lip oil in 2022. Dubbed Fenty Treats Hydrating + Strengthening Lip Oil, the two-tinted product is described as a “lip oil that instantly hydrates and strengthens the lips’ moisture barrier.” It is sold in India for 2,800 rupees.
In 2023, Selena Gomez’s popularity skyrocketed when she added lip oil to her beauty line, Rare Beauty.
In the same year, Katrina Kaif also introduced the product in her brand K Beauty, further increasing its popularity in India.
“We launched K Beauty Lip Oil on August 29, 2023, and the product sold out within a day,” said a K Beauty spokesperson. today’s india.
“We have noticed an increasing demand for lip products that not only moisturize, but also give lips a glossy and glossy effect. Lip oils are perfectly in line with this trend, and they do not have a sticky “It’s an ideal modern alternative to traditional lip glosses and balms,” the spokesperson added. .
The brand believes that lip oil is the perfect option for those looking for makeup that cares for their skin.
Kakadu plum oil and chamomile oil are two key ingredients that Kay Beauty uses in their lip oils to prevent free radical damage.
Quench Botanics, the Kareena Kapoor-backed Korean skincare brand, also features a lip oil collection in the ‘Skincare + Makeup’ category. The key ingredients in the variation define the additional benefits of combating pigmentation, repairing lips, and moisturizing.
This push for lip oil by big brands and celebrities dovetails well with the “skinification” trend, which encourages people to take care of their hair and lips the same way they take care of their face. We also have multifunctional beauty products.
Experts believe that lip oil’s dual-purpose nature is a big reason why it has become such a hit.
“The surge in popularity of lip oil is driven by its dual function, offering both care and cosmetic appeal,” says Ipsita.
Of course, the brand is touting it as the USP of its lip oil.
“A color and fragrance care oil made from 97% natural ingredients that combines nourishing skin care action with a fresh makeup result,” says Hermès Hermes Stable Infused Care Oil on its website. It’s written in the description.
The return of glossy lips is also a big reason why lip oil has become a hit.
After years of matte reign, glossy lips have made a comeback with even more shine last year, with trends like latex lips joining the top of the beauty trend charts. A penchant for glossy aesthetics resonates with the glossy finish that lip oils provide.
Beauty experts also appreciate lip oil’s versatility.
With this product you can make your matte liquid lipstick softer and more shiny. This is a hack that beauty influencer and Bindt Beauty founder Bindya Talluri swears by.
“I prefer that [lip oil] Balm doesn’t add shine, so use it on top of lip balm. Additionally, when you travel to cold countries, lip balms tend to get a little hard and leave a white residue behind,” says Bindhya. today’s india.
“When you apply a gloss, it adds shine and the texture is also a little sticky. So this strikes the right balance for me,” she added.
Simply apply lip oil to your bare lips to create a natural, glossy finish. It can also be worn under or over lipstick depending on the desired finish. When applied under lipstick, it gives a more cushioned feel, and when applied over lipstick, it gives a gloss-like shine.
With the rise of a clean, natural-based approach to beauty, lip oils are also gaining popularity.
What do dermatologists say?
However, dermatologists believe that lip oils are not as nutritious as lip balms.
“Many of these oils are rich in fatty acids, which can help improve the skin’s barrier function and prevent moisture loss. However, while lip oils can provide some nourishment, alone they do not deeply nourish the lips. It is important to note that we may not be able to give you the best results,” says Dr. Niti Gaur, Gurugram-based dermatologist and founder of Citrine Clinic.
Lip oil cannot be used as a substitute for balm.
“If your lips are extremely dry or chapped, you may benefit from using a lip balm or treatment specifically designed to address those concerns,” Dr. Niti says. I will explain.
She also suggests exfoliating your lips to remove dead skin cells and allow lip oil to penetrate more effectively.
Do you think lip oil is worth the hype? You decide.