Lip Oil trend is back

 

Clarin's lip oil

Lip oils are back in trend, and whenever I think of lip oils, Clarins is the one that comes to mind. I believe Clarins was the brand that really started the lip oil trend over 10 years ago, and it continues to be the OG product in this category because of its consistent quality and smart product marketing.

I had almost forgotten about lip oils and what they actually are—until I bought a new one recently and remembered why I stopped using them in the first place.

Although they sound fancy (lip oils!), they really aren’t much different from lip glosses. In fact, they’re basically lip glosses in disguise. And here’s the thing: lip glosses are not my favourite. I don’t like their consistency, and I really don’t like the sticky feeling they leave behind. Lip oils promise hydration, nourishment, and skincare-like benefits, but in reality, they don’t actually repair or strengthen your lips long-term. They give you shine, maybe a bit of temporary moisture, but that’s it.

So, I’m writing this as a reminder to myself: lip oils = lip glosses.

Pros

• Glossy shine that looks fresh and trendy
• Large doe-foot applicators (especially Clarins) make them easy to apply
• Feel lightweight on first application
• Can give temporary hydration and a smooth finish

Cons

• Basically, lip glosses in disguise—without long-term benefits
• Sticky consistency (same problem as gloss)
• Don’t truly repair or nourish lips over time
• Marketing can be misleading (“oil” makes you think skincare, but it’s not)
• Often more expensive than actual nourishing lip oils or balms

Clarin's lip oil

That being said, one thing I do like about lip oils—specifically Clarins’—is their large doe-foot applicators. They make the application so much easier and more enjoyable.

Since I've already purchased a few lip oils, I’m considering finishing them up and then refilling the tubes with actual, nourishing oils that are genuinely good for the lips. What do you think? :P

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Conclusion:
At the end of the day, lip oils may look and feel nice, but they don’t live up to the hype. They’re glossy, they’re shiny, and yes, they can be fun—but they’re still just lip glosses dressed up as skincare. For me, the stickiness and lack of real results just aren’t worth it. Still, I might hold on to a Clarins tube for the applicator—at least that way, I can fill it with the real nourishing oils my lips actually need.

Revlon Lipsticks: Why Drugstore Lipsticks Will Never Be a Dupe: My Honest Take on Revlon

recent Revlon purchase

It’s been a long time since I’ve used drugstore lipsticks. As someone who usually gravitates toward high-end makeup—think MAC, Chanel, YSL, Armani—I never really felt the pull toward more affordable alternatives. But the other day, I was watching a video on Marilyn Monroe’s lipstick collection and came across a mention of Revlon’s iconic shade, Fire and Ice. Out of pure curiosity, I picked it up at my local drugstore, along with a few other Revlon shades that caught my eye.

The packaging is unique, I like the window, so you know which lipstick you are using

I’ll admit, I went in with an open mind. The packaging was decent, the formula glided on smoothly, and the colour payoff was strong. They were scentless, pigmented, and easy to apply. On paper, they check a lot of boxes. But once I saw the shades on my lips, it hit me: they looked like drugstore lipsticks. I can’t quite put my finger on whether it was the undertones, the finish, or the way the formula sat on my lips—but something about them just didn’t have that refined, flattering quality that higher-end lipsticks consistently deliver.

my "luxury" lipsticks (partial collection)

There’s a certain richness and elegance to a luxury lipstick that drugstore options simply can’t replicate. It's not just about the price tag—it’s about the finish, the depth of colour, and how it wears throughout the day. And most importantly, how it feels.

Despite Revlon’s claims of a “moisturizing” formula, my lips told a different story. After just two days of wearing their creme lipsticks, my lips started to dry out and became sensitive. I had to slather on lip masks for three days straight to get them back to normal. For comparison, I had been wearing MAC’s Ruby Woo—a matte shade—for over a month with no such issues.

This experience only reaffirmed what I’ve always suspected: drugstore lipsticks can be fun, and yes, budget-friendly, but they can never truly be dupes for high-end products. Influencers often promote drugstore "dupes" as identical alternatives, but as a long-time high-end makeup user, I can confidently say: they're not the same. Drugstore lipsticks will always look and feel like drugstore lipsticks.

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Revlon 720 Fire and Ice

If you're on a budget, here's a quick breakdown:

Pros:

• Scentless

• Easy to apply

• Smooth texture

• Strong pigmentation

Revlon 435 Love that Pink

Cons:

• The colour payoff lacks depth and sophistication

• It can look cheap or flat on the lips

• Dried out my lips (despite “moisturizing” claims)

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light staining, but can be completely removed using Micellar water

Call me picky, but I know what works for my skin and what doesn’t. If you find a drugstore gem that works for you, great! But for me, I’ll be sticking with my high-end staples—for the colour, the comfort, and the confidence they give me.

Until then, Fire and Ice can rest in my drawer as a piece of lipstick history… but not my everyday choice.