Tinted Lip Oils Will Be the Most Popular Makeup Product of 2026—These 11 Are the Best To Try Right Now
All the most hydrating picks, according to Cosmo beauty editors.
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Last week, I walked into Sephora for the first time in months in search of a new lip product, and was immediately hit with a wave of product fatigue and overstimulation—and that’s coming from an experienced beauty editor. Where do you even begin if you somehow manage to navigate the crowds of Sephora teens and find a tester you can actually swatch? How do you know what to pick in the sea of lip products? And what exactly is the difference between a lip balm and a lip gloss? At Cosmo, it’s our job to answer these vital makeup questions, sift through the noise, and recommend the best products, and that includes testing out dozens of lip formulas.
While many coveted lip looks require a combination of pencils, balms, and stains, a tinted lip oil does it all in one swipe. These formulas combine nourishing skincare properties, the high-shine finish of a gloss, and a pigmented tint, making them the ultimate multitasking product for effortless lips
Our top picks for best tinted lip oils of 2026:
Team Cosmo is constantly testing makeup products, and we’ve tried nearly every tinted lip oil on the market to find the best options for long-lasting hydration. Ahead, you’ll find the top tinted lip oils that deliver both immediate pigment and shine, as well as lasting hydration that your lips will feel over time.
Pros
- Comes in shimmer and non-shimmer shades
- The soft, cushiony applicator feels like a treat to use
- Cosmo Clean Beauty Award Winner
Cons
- We wish the shimmer options came in more shades
Why we love it: Saie's Glossybounce makes your lips plush and pillowy without being sticky or tacky. I always keep the shade "Bounce" in my bag—the warm mauve color is ultra-flattering and easy to wear. I'm continually impressed by the glassy finish and how well the moisturizing ingredients keep my lips nice and silky. I can swipe it on and get a few hours of softness and hydration before reapplying.
One Cosmo editor says: "The way this makes my lips so soft and juicy, it's just too good. It's the perfect combo of moisturizing lip oil, sheer lip tint, and high-shine gloss." —LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTOR
| Key ingredients | Hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, shea butter |
| Shades | 12 |
Pros
- The tinted shades are equally as hydrating as the OG
- Great for overnight use too
Cons
- The applicator is on the thinner side
Why we love it: Gisou’s Honey Lip Oil was the first lip product that truly, truly hydrated my lips—and its authority in my vanity still holds to this day. Especially now that the viral oil comes in tinted versions. Whether you want a flush of red or a soft mauve hue, one swipe leaves lips feeling plush and nourished for hours. I especially love reaching for it on light makeup days, when I want to bring life back to my lips without committing to a full lip combo.
One Cosmo editor says: "I’ve always loved the O.G. clear version of this lip oil. The packaging is adorable, it smells good, and it’s lightweight yet hydrating on my lips. But now I’m actually obsessed with the tinted options. The medium and deep brown are both ideal when paired with a lip liner for an everyday look. And it’s only a bonus that they feel so good." —BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Mirsalehi honey, hyaluronic acid |
| Shades | 10 |
Pros
- Lipstick-lip oil hybrid
- Luxe packaging
Cons
- On the pricier side
Why we love it: Typically, solid lip products skew balmy or go on a little patchy, but this one is basically a lip oil in stick form. The texture is lightweight, melts right into the lips, and leaves behind a glossy finish. The tint is enough to enhance your natural lip color, making it ideal for everyday wear when you want something low-effort, but still has a tinted payoff.
One Cosmo editor says: “I’m a multitasking makeup lover, and this YSL lip is the ultimate hybrid formula. It delivers a juicy, high-shine finish with rich, buildable pigment while also working as a hydrator (it’s packed with mango oil and plumping hyaluronic acid).” —JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Fig extract, passionfruit seed oil, vitamin E |
| Shades | 17 |
Pros
- Comes in glossy and shimmer finishes
- Formula feels thick and nourishing
Cons
- Packaging might get a little sticky
Why we love it: Dior completely changed the makeup game when their lip oil went viral back in 2020. It was nearly impossible to get your hands on a tube, and the formula inspired dozens of dupes. Now, they’ve upgraded it to include new shades with the amped up pigment of a gloss, and longer-lasting hydration apropos of the thicker formula and improved ingredients. The OG formula has won the hearts of Cosmo readers in our Readers' Choice Beauty Awards for the last three years.
One Cosmo editor says: "I've been obsessed with this lip oil for years and have one on me, basically, at all times. This new version is improved, which I didn't even necessarily know was possible, but it is. The light minty scent gently tingles on my lips. and the chunky doe-foot feels so good to apply."—BG
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Cherry oil, peppermint oil |
| Shades | 16 |
Pros
- Pocket-size packaging means there's no excuse to not have one with you at all times
- I love the oversize doe-footed applicator
Cons
- Some shades are definitely more opaque than others, so don't expect the same level of coverage across the entire range
Why we love it: This under-$10 tinted lip oil is so good, we fully support you buying one in all 10 shades. It's also wildly inexpensive (like...I've spent more on a single water bottle at the airport), considering how high-quality the formula is. Overall, team Cosmo is collectively obsessed with this pick. You'll be hard-pressed to find anything nearly as good for the price.
One Cosmo editor says: "The Glow Reviver Lip Oil isn’t just a lip product, it’s an experience. The sleek packaging and ultra-plush applicator feel luxurious, while the nourishing, minty formula keeps my lips soft and glossy. It’s like a little moment of self-care, wrapped up in e.l.f.’s signature vibe." —JULEE WILSON, BEAUTY EDITOR-AT-LARGE
| Key ingredients | Jojoba oil, avocado oil, squalane |
| Shades | 10 |
Pros
- Formula is ultra-moisturizing without being tacky
- Great for protecting lips during cold, winter weather
Cons
- Not the most opaque option on this list
Why we love it: Everybody raves about Summer Friday's best-selling lip balms, and while it's great in its own right, I think the brand's real hero is Dream Lip Oil. The formula does a ton—and all really well (which explains why it's always trending on social). The formula hydrates, protects, and softens lips while coating them in a shiny, sheer tint that's stunning. The shade range consists of eight pinks, browns, and nudes that feel modern and wearable for everyday life.
One Cosmo editor says: "This is the ultimate no-makeup makeup lip product. It feels like putting a light and hydrating serum on your lips, and adds the ideal level of pigment for the days when you're leaning towards a minimal glam look." —JH
| Key ingredients | Vitamin E, castor seed oil, shea oil, avocado oil |
| Shades | 8 |
Pros
- Comes in three different finishes
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Cons
- The applicator is on the smaller side, so it requires a few swipes
Why we love it: Merit's lip oil has been a regular in my makeup bag for years. The packaging is chic and tiny (perfect for small going-out bags) and the formula is lightweight yet very hydrating thanks to squalane (a moisturizing ingredient commonly used in face moisturizers). The tint is super sheer, but buildable so you can layer it on if you want more oomph in the color department.
One Cosmo editor says: "I love layering this over a neutral lipstick for a hydrating finish and a lil extra pop of color. It's really thin compared to other lip oils, which is nice if you want a more subtle glossing effect" —LB
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Squalane, quinoa seed oil |
| Shades | 12 |
Pros
- Thin applicator allows you to line the lips with precision
- Most hydrating lip oil-stain hybrid we've tried
Cons
- The shine doesn't last as long as the pigment
Why we love it: Lip stains tend to provide little to no hydration, requiring a gloss to top it off. But Kulfi's is loaded with mango seed oil and coconut oil, making it a nourishing lip oil and long-lasting pigment in one.
One Cosmo editor says: "By nature, it doesn't exactly make sense for a lip oil to be long-wearing. But Kulfi did the impossible with this one. It's both a stain and a lip oil, making my lips look wet and juicy but providing a slight tint for a few hours after it dries down."—BG
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Coconut oil, mango seed oil, vitamin E |
| Shades | 9 |
Pros
- Makes lips visibly plumper and more pillowy
- Shades have a subtle hint of shimmer
- We love the little massage beads embedded into the applicator
Cons
- Our testers said it can make lips sting a bit (likely because of the menthol)
Why we love it: This tinted lip oil from L'Oreal Paris has serious lip-plumping powers. The combo of hyaluronic acid and peptides makes lips look instantly (albeit temporarily) more smooth and voluminous. But unlike many lip plumpers on the market, this one softens and moisturizes lips instead of making them feel dried out or irritated.
One Cosmo editor says: "This lip oil is seriously so hydrating and the berry hue stayed put for literal hours, which I appreciated greatly so I didn’t have to keep reapplying throughout my workday. It’s slightly tingly at application for a light pump, but the sensation goes away after a few minutes and didn’t leave any redness around my mouth." —JH
| Key ingredients | Hyaluronic acid, peptides, vitamin E |
| Shades | 10 |
Pros
- The moisture and tint lasts longer than many other lip oils we've tried
- Click-up applicator dispenses the ideal amount of product
Cons
- Sponge applicator isn't the most precise
Why we love it: Tarte's Maracuja lip line has been around for a minute now, but the brand is always dropping new shades so it's continually top of mine for me. The formula is ultra hydrating (the moisturizing powers are comparable to those of an overnight lip mask IMO) thanks to a blend of 15 different plant oils and vitamin E. The shade range is also really expansive—there's everything from muted browns to bright berries and shimmery purples—which is fun and unexpected for a product with skincare-like benefits.
One Cosmo editor says: "This is v different from all the other lip oils I've tried—the formula's consistency is thicker, a bit stickier—but the staying power is much longer for this reason. It's the lip oil I grab when I don't want to touch up constantly." —BG
| Key ingredients | Maracuja oil |
| Shades | 18 |
Pros
- Shimmery but still sophisticated and wearable for daytime
- Looks really good on all skin tones
Cons
- Only the Orgasm shade is shimmery
Why we love it: You know Nars' iconic Orgasm blush? Well, the iconic shade also comes in a tinted lip oil version. The shimmery peachy-pink shade creates a warm glow effect that amplifies your natural lip color (the same way the beloved blush does). And the shimmery is supremely wearable—basically like a highlighter for your lips. And if by chance you're not into the bestselling Orgasm shade, this lip oil comes in three other gorgeous tints.
One Cosmo editor says: "I've been obsessed with NARS' Orgasm blush for more than a decade, so when I saw the brand launch the shade in a lip oil, I had to try it. Needless to say, this is perfect." —LB
| Key ingredients | Pomegranate extract, vitamin E, omegas |
| Shades | 4 |
What is the difference between a lip oil and a lip gloss?
Typically, a lip oil is a skincare-first formula. You'll find ingredients like nourishing oils and emollients that treat and hydrate the lips. Lip oils tend to feel lightweight and comfortable, soaking in over time while still leaving a glossy finish. The shine is usually more subtle and natural, and your lips feel nourished even after the pigment or gloss wears off.
A lip gloss is makeup-first, so its main function is shine and pigment, where treatment is more of an afterthought. While some modern glosses include hydrating ingredients, the softness usually fades once the gloss wears off.
Are lip oils actually good for your lips?
Yes! Lip oils are incredibly hydrating, thanks to ingredients like plant oils (jojoba oil, mango oil, and coconut oil are especially common), hyaluronic acid for deep hydration, and vitamin E for antioxidant protection and barrier support—helping lips stay soft and smooth as you wear it and over time.
Why Trust Cosmopolitan?
Lauren Balsamo is deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan with a decade of experience researching, writing, and editing beauty stories that range from the best face serums to laser facial reviews. She’s an authority in all beauty categories but an expert when it comes to makeup trends and products.
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmopolitan where she writes about all the best makeup products. For this story, she, along with Cosmo's beauty team tested dozens of tinted lip oils to select the best ones based on hydration, pigment, longevity, and packaging.
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
Lauren Balsamo is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan where she writes, edits, and produces all types of beauty content—from product reviews to personal essays and trend reports. She has covered beauty for more than a decade at Cosmopolitan. Follow her on Instagram.
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