Dry matte lipsticks have been a rage for quite some time now. But for summer the shiny, glossy lip is making a strong comeback. To get the glowy effect, you can use creamy lipsticks or the trusty lip gloss. However, lip glosses are messy and sticky. If you like the gloss minus the stickiness, try lip oil. WHAT IS LIP OIL? Lip oil might seem like a novelty item but is not a new thing. A nourishing conditioner for the delicate skin on the lips, this is a protective oil that moisturises your pout. Once perceived as an item mostly used as a night-time skin ritual for extremely dry lips, this is now a staple and easily available at the cosmetic counter. Tinted, clear, and even infused with ingredients to heal chapped lips, lip oil is a skincare-makeup hybrid. It keeps lips soft and smooth after hours of wearing heavy lipsticks. Lip oil might seem like a novelty item but is not a new thing. A nourishing conditioner for the delicate skin on the lips, this is a protective oil that moisturises your pout. Once perceived as an item mostly used as a night-time skin ritual for extremely dry lips, this is now a staple and easily available at the cosmetic counter CAN IT BE A PLUMPER? Lip oil is more nurturing than cosmetic. It can’t give that plumped effect, but can be used along with regular lipstick to get fuller lips. It works by acting as a reflective surface and that adds dimension to the lips making them seem plumper. In addition to that, the hydration provided by lip oil fills the lines and cracks and hydrates them, giving the appearance of fuller lips. OILS VS GLOSSES? Lip oil is lightweight, non-sticky, and satiny on the mouth instead of being heavy like glosses. It glides more and is not thick. It is more likely to get absorbed and seep into the skin than glosses. It’s also more reflective as the formulation is more liquid. Think of lip oil like a tinted lip balm which is glossy and a lip stain that moisturises lips.