You’ve seen it on TikTok. You’ve seen it on your Instagram feed, usually held by someone with perfectly manicured nails and a latte. It's the Merit Beauty lip oil, or as the brand officially calls it, the Shade Slick. In a world where every single beauty brand—from drugstore staples to high-end luxury houses—is churning out a lip oil every other week, it’s getting harder to tell what’s actually a "holy grail" and what’s just clever marketing.
Honestly? Most lip oils are just glorified lip glosses. They’re sticky. They’re thick. They trap your hair the second a breeze hits. But Merit did something a little different here. They marketed this as a "tinted lip oil" that supposedly replaces your gloss, your balm, and your lipstick all in one go. That’s a big claim for a tiny $24 tube.
What is the Merit Beauty Lip Oil, really?
Let’s get into the weeds of the formula. Most people expect a lip oil to feel like, well, oil. Like you just put olive oil or jojoba oil straight onto your mouth. But if you've ever tried a true oil, you know it disappears in about five minutes. Your skin drinks it up, and you’re left dry again.
Merit’s formula is a bit of a hybrid. It uses a base of cold-pressed rosehip oil and shea butter, but it’s balanced with grapeseed oil and jojoba seed oil. These aren't just buzzwords. Rosehip oil is packed with essential fatty acids. It’s meant to help with the skin barrier.
It feels thin. Not "cheap" thin, but "weightless" thin. When you swipe it on, there’s zero tackiness. If you’re the type of person who hates the feeling of heavy product on your face, this is probably going to be your favorite thing in your makeup bag. However, if you want that thick, glassy, "plastic" look that you get from something like the Dior Lip Glow Oil, you might be disappointed. This is much more subtle.
The "Slick" vs. The "Classic"
It’s worth noting that Merit actually has two versions now. There is the original Shade Slick and then the Shade Slick Gelée. They are not the same thing. The original is more pigmented—think of it as a sheer lipstick that happens to be very moisturizing. The Gelée is more of a wash of color, almost like a watercolor stain for your lips.
The shades are named after moods or vibes: Taupe, Sangria, Falcon, Marrakech.
👉 See also: Why People That Died on Their Birthday Are More Common Than You Think
Falcon is a fan favorite. It’s a deep, brownish-plum that looks intimidating in the tube but somehow looks like a natural "your lips but better" flush on almost everyone. It’s that 90s aesthetic that has taken over the beauty industry lately.
The Reality of Wear Time
Let’s be real for a second.
This product does not last all day. It’s an oil. It’s going to move. If you drink a cup of coffee, half of it is going to stay on the rim of the mug. If you eat a sandwich, it’s gone. You’re going to be reapplying this four or five times a day.
Is that a dealbreaker?
For some people, yeah. If you want a "set it and forget it" lip product, go buy a matte liquid lipstick or a stain. But for the "clean girl" aesthetic—which is basically Merit's entire brand identity—the reapplication is part of the ritual. It’s meant to be easy. You don't even need a mirror to put it on because it's sheer enough that you won't end up with "clown mouth" if you miss your lip line by a millimeter.
Ingredient Breakdown: Does it Actually Hydrate?
I spoke with several cosmetic enthusiasts and looked at the INCI list (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) to see if the claims held up. The inclusion of squalane is the heavy hitter here. Squalane is a mimic of the natural oils our skin produces. It’s an emollient, meaning it fills in the tiny cracks in your skin to make your lips look smoother instantly.
✨ Don't miss: Marie Kondo The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up: What Most People Get Wrong
- Rosehip Oil: Contains Vitamin A and C.
- Shea Butter: The classic moisturizer.
- Jojoba Oil: Actually a liquid wax that creates a protective barrier.
The interesting part is what’s not in it. There’s no menthol or peppermint oil. A lot of brands put those in to give you a "plumping" sensation, but for people with sensitive skin, those ingredients are incredibly irritating. They can actually cause more peeling in the long run. Merit opted out of that, focusing purely on comfort.
Addressing the Common Complaints
No product is perfect. One thing people consistently mention is the packaging. While the gold cap looks incredibly chic on a vanity, some users have reported that the tube can leak if it’s rolling around at the bottom of a hot purse. Because the oil is so thin, it finds its way through the threading of the cap if it isn't tightened perfectly.
Another gripe? The pigment separation.
Because it’s an oil-based formula, the color can sometimes settle. You’ll see little streaks of pigment against the side of the clear bottle. It doesn't mean the product is expired; it just means the suspension isn't permanent. A quick swirl with the applicator usually fixes it, but for $24, some people expect a more stable emulsion.
How it Compares to the Competition
If you're looking at the Merit Beauty lip oil, you're probably also looking at:
- Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm: This is thicker and more of a mask. It stays on longer but feels "heavier."
- Gisou Honey Infused Lip Oil: This one is much stickier and has a very strong scent. It's more about the shine than the treatment.
- Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Lip Oil: This is actually a lip stain that starts as a gel. It’s a completely different technology. It leaves a long-lasting tint but isn't as moisturizing as Merit.
Merit sits right in the middle. It’s for the person who wants to look like they aren't wearing much, but still wants their lips to look healthy and "finished."
🔗 Read more: Why Transparent Plus Size Models Are Changing How We Actually Shop
The "Clean" Beauty Factor
Merit is often categorized as "Clean at Sephora." This is a controversial term in the industry because "clean" isn't a regulated legal definition. However, for Merit, it means they avoid parabens, sulfates, and over 1,300 other ingredients that the EU bans. They also focus on "minimalist" beauty—fewer products that do more.
If you care about vegan and cruelty-free formulas, Merit hits those marks. They use a lot of plant-based ingredients, which is why the shelf life is a bit shorter than your average drugstore gloss. You should probably aim to use a tube within 6 to 12 months. After that, the natural oils can start to smell a bit "off."
Who Should Actually Buy This?
You should buy the Merit Shade Slick if you have dry lips and hate the feeling of sticky gloss. It’s perfect for the office, for running errands, or for a first date where you want to look effortless.
Don't buy it if you want high-impact, opaque color. It’s just not that kind of product. If you’re looking for a red lip that stays put through a three-course dinner, you’re looking in the wrong place.
Pro Tip for Application
If you want the color to last longer, try lining your lips with a neutral lip liner first. Fill in the entire lip with the liner, then topper it with the Merit oil. The wax in the liner gives the oil something to "grip" onto, which can easily double your wear time. Plus, it prevents the oil from feathering into any fine lines around the mouth.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Purchase
If you're ready to try it out, don't just grab the first color you see.
- Check your undertones: If you have cool undertones, Bel Air (clear) or Pink Beet will look stunning. If you're warm-toned, Marrakech (soft peach) or Falcon (brown) are your best bets.
- Storage matters: Keep the tube upright in your bag to prevent any potential leaking issues mentioned by other users.
- Pair it up: It works surprisingly well over a matte lipstick that feels too drying. It "revives" the lip without making it look messy.
- Watch the sales: Merit rarely does deep discounts, but they often have "The Full Set" bundles on their website that can save you a bit of money if you’re planning on buying the mascara or the Minimalist stick anyway.
At the end of the day, the Merit Beauty lip oil is a luxury item. It’s about the experience—the heavy gold cap, the sleek bottle, and the way it makes your lips feel soft rather than coated. It's a solid choice for anyone leaning into the minimalist beauty movement of 2026.