LIP oils have been the Gen Z go-to since TikTok sent Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil stratospheric in the pandemic.
But anyone around in the Nineties will still be haunted by their gloopy texture.
But new solid oils give the shine of a gloss and the ease of a balm.
I tested three.
Budget
NYX Professional Make-up Fat Oil Click Slick, £8.99 for 2g: This is the least sticky out of all those I tried but it’s also the least shiny.
Plus it has more of a traditional balm texture than an oil, which means it can drag slightly on the lips and sinks in faster too.
The formula also contains glitter which can feel over the top for everyday, but it will be great come party season.
If you want something that hydrates lips and provides a hint of colour, it’s a great option, especially given the price.
Shop from today at boots.com
Mid-range
Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Stix, £23 for 3.6g: I tried this one last, thinking that I had already seen everything there was to see, but I reckon it absolutely knocked the other options out of the water.
It is far more pigmented which means you need a mirror to reapply, but it’s also the richest, glossiest formula.
So it basically gives you two products in one.
There’s only one negative point about this product – you have to reapply quite often.
But a little of it goes a long way and there’s more product in the bullet than the other two, so it’ll still last ages.
See boots.com
Luxury
Clarins Lip Oil Balm, £27 for 2.9g: I’m a huge fan of the original Clarins lip oil and this more than lives up to them.
So if you’re already a fan, you’ll love these too.
They have the same sheer tint and feel just as hydrating but are easier to reapply.
The formula sits somewhere in between Fenty and NYX Professional Make-up, with a slightly firmer bullet that’s fool-proof to apply but has much more hydration and shine than the NYX.
It’s a really solid option, especially if you don’t want to look like you’re wearing lipstick.
See clarins.co.uk
Pick of the week
IT is not often new beauty products launch on a Sunday but that’s not the only reason this new launch is exciting.
If, like me, you find your skin doesn’t tolerate topical vitamin C well, I urge you to try Drunk Elephant C-Luma Hydrabright Serum, £60.
It’s formulated especially for sensitive skin, so is great for first-timers, thanks to the super hydrating formula that helps nourish skin and prevent irritation while brightening dullness and fighting pigmentation.