Both lip oil and lip gloss can give you shiny, juicy-looking lips, so it’s easy to think they do the same job. But once you look at how they feel and what they are made to do, the difference becomes much clearer.
The lip oil vs lip gloss choice mainly comes down to texture, finish and what you want from your lip product. Lip oil usually feels lighter and gives a softer, more natural shine, while gloss is often more about noticeable shine, colour or shimmer.
What Is Lip Oil?
A regular lip oil is a lightweight lip product that brings together lip care and shine. It usually has a thinner, more fluid consistency than gloss and often contains nourishing oils or conditioning ingredients that help lips feel soft and comfortable.
If you’re looking for oils that are good for lips, ingredients such as jojoba, rosehip, castor or other conditioning oils are commonly found in lip products. Lip oils are also usually more sheer, which makes them a good choice when you want glossy natural lips without a heavy layer of product.
You can wear a lip oil on bare lips, over lip liner or on top of lipstick for extra shine.
W7 Hot Shot Lip Oil and Ice Shot Lip Oil take this idea a little further. They are plumping-style lip oils rather than basic everyday lip oils. Hot Shot gives a warming, tingling sensation, while Ice Shot uses a cooling sensation to create a fuller-looking effect. Both leave the lips with a clear, ultra-glossy finish.
What Is Lip Gloss?
Lip gloss is mainly designed to give lips visible shine. Depending on the formula, it can be clear, tinted or packed with shimmer. The lip gloss texture is generally a little thicker and more cushiony than lip oil, helping it sit on the lips and create that smooth, glassy finish.
W7 has different gloss options depending on the look you’re after. Thick Drip Lip Gloss gives a mirror-like clear shine, while Lip Bounce Lip Gloss adds a touch of shimmer. W7 Clear Lip Gloss Wand is an easy everyday option that can be worn alone or layered over lipstick.
For a little colour, Lip Splash Tinted Lip Gloss gives a sheer tint with a glossy, glass-like finish without feeling heavy or sticky.
Lip Oil vs Lip Gloss: What’s the Main Difference?
When comparing lip oil vs lip gloss, think about the finish you want:
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Lip oil: Lighter, more fluid and usually sheer with a comfortable, conditioned feel.
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Lip gloss: More focused on visible shine and can be clear, tinted or shimmery.
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Plumping lip oil: Gives the shine of a lip oil with an added warming or cooling plumping effect.
So, if you want something soft and effortless for everyday wear, lip oil may be your pick. If you want your shine to stand out, reach for a gloss.
How to Get the Best Gloss Finish
For an easy lip gloss application, start with clean lips and swipe a thin layer of gloss evenly across them. Wear it alone for instant shine or apply lip liner or lipstick first and add gloss on top.
You can also concentrate a little extra gloss at the centre of your lips to make your gloss look appear fuller and more dimensional.
So, Which One Should You Choose?
Lip oil and lip gloss may look similar at first, but they give you different ways to wear shine. Lip oil is great when you want something lighter and more natural, while gloss is perfect when you want more visible shine, colour or shimmer.
And there’s no rule saying you need to choose only one. Keep a lip oil around for easy everyday shine and reach for your favourite W7 gloss whenever your lips need a little extra glow.