It starts as a jelly. Then it transforms into a lightweight oil. Finally, it leaves a stain that lasts through your morning latte and probably your lunch, too. When Selena Gomez first teased the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil, the internet basically had a collective meltdown because we all thought it was just going to be another thick, gloopy gloss. It wasn’t.
Honestly, the "lip oil" category has become a bit of a marketing mess lately. Most brands just slap that label on a shiny lip gloss and call it a day. But Rare Beauty did something different here. They took the DNA of their famous Soft Pinch Liquid Blush—that "a little goes a long way" pigment—and synthesized it into a lip formula that feels like absolutely nothing on the skin. It’s weird. It’s innovative. And it’s definitely not what you expect when you first unscrew the cap.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Lip Oil
If you go into this expecting the thick, cushiony nourishment of a Dior Lip Glow Oil or the high-shine slick of a Fenty Skin Cherry Treat, you’re going to be disappointed. This isn’t a traditional oil.
The texture is actually a "gel-to-oil" formula. When you first swipe it on, it feels cool—almost like water. It has this unique slipping sensation that eventually settles into a thin, comfortable oil. But the real kicker? The stain. Unlike other oils that vanish the moment you take a sip of water, this one leaves behind a persistent tint. Selena Gomez herself has mentioned in various TikTok tutorials that she wanted something that wouldn't feel "tacky or sticky," and she actually delivered on that promise.
Most people complain that it isn't "moisturizing enough" for a lip oil. Here is the nuance: it’s a treatment-tint hybrid. It contains jojoba seed oil and sunflower seed oil, which provide an immediate hit of hydration, but it doesn't sit on top of the lips like a protective barrier balm. It sinks in. If your lips are actively peeling, this won't save them. You need a heavy-duty mask for that. This is for the person who wants color that doesn't move.
The Shade Range: From Delight to Hope
Let’s talk about the shades because that’s where things get interesting. There are eight original shades, and they mostly mirror the blush colors we already know and love.
- Delight: A deep rose brown that has become the breakout star for anyone with medium to deep skin tones. It’s the "your lips but better" shade if your lips have a bit of natural mauve in them.
- Hope: A nude mauve that looks incredibly soft.
- Happy: A cool pink that looks terrifyingly bright in the tube but shears out to a healthy flush.
- Joy: A muted peach.
- Serenity: A warm rose.
- Affection: A berry plum.
- Honesty: A nude brown.
- Wonder: A rose mauve.
The shade Delight specifically stands out because it hits that 90s neutral aesthetic without looking like mud. It’s sophisticated. It’s the color you wear to a job interview when you want to look polished but not like you’re "wearing lipstick."
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The pigment is buildable, but only to a certain point. You can't turn this into a full-coverage matte liquid lip. If you layer it too much, you lose that "melted-in" look and it starts to look a bit uneven. One or two swipes is the sweet spot.
Why the Formula is Actually Controversial
In the beauty community, specifically among cosmetic chemists like Javon Ford, there’s been a lot of discussion about what constitutes an "oil." The Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil relies heavily on water and glycerin in the initial application to get that cooling effect.
This is why some users experience a "tingle." It’s not a plumping tingle caused by peppermint or chili—it’s just the evaporation of the water-based gel.
Some people hate this. They want that heavy, fatty acid feel of a pure oil. Others, particularly those who live in humid climates or hate the feeling of hair sticking to their lips, find this formula to be a godsend. It's polarizing. You either love the weightlessness or you feel like it’s "too thin."
The "Dry Out" Factor
A common critique found on Sephora reviews and Reddit threads is that the lips feel drier after the product wears off. This is a common side effect of long-wear stains. The dyes used to tint the skin can be slightly drying. To combat this, you really have to prep. If you put this over dry flakes, the pigment will settle into those cracks and highlight them.
Pro tip: Exfoliate with a damp washcloth before applying. It makes a world of difference in how the stain develops.
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How to Apply It for Maximum Longevity
Don't just swipe and go. If you want the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil to actually last all day, there’s a technique to it.
First, apply a single layer. Let it sit for about 60 seconds without smacking your lips together. This allows the "gel" phase to break down and the "oil" phase to rise to the top. After a minute, if you want more intensity, add another layer.
If you want a matte stain look, wait five minutes and then gently blot the shine off with a tissue. What’s left behind is a waterproof, smudge-proof tint that looks like you just have naturally flushed lips. It’s perfect for under a face mask or for a long dinner.
Comparing the Competition
How does it stack up?
The Haus Labs PH Powered Lip Oil is much more "cushiony." It feels thicker and more like a traditional treatment. However, it doesn't leave nearly as much pigment behind as Rare Beauty.
The Gisou Honey Infused Lip Oil is basically a high-shine gloss with a hint of honey. It’s very moisturizing, but again, zero stain.
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Rare Beauty occupies this weird middle ground. It’s more of a "stain-in-disguise." If you’re choosing between this and the Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm, remember they serve different purposes. Summer Fridays is for comfort and shine; Rare Beauty is for color and staying power.
The Practical Reality of the Packaging
The component is beautiful—it has that signature flat-sided cap that Selena designed to be easy to open for people with limited mobility. This is a huge win for accessibility.
However, be careful with the stopper. Like many lip oils, if you’re too aggressive with the wand, you can get some product buildup around the rim. Keep it upright. Don’t toss it loosely into a gym bag where it might get jostled around, or you might find a bit of a messy surprise next time you open it.
Is It Worth the $20?
In a world where some lip oils are pushing $40, $20 feels... okay? It’s not "cheap," but the amount of pigment you get means you use less product per application than you would with a sheer gloss.
If you are a "gloss girl" who loves a thick, sticky lip, skip this. You'll hate it.
If you are a "lipstick hater" who wants color that won't get on your teeth or smudge when you eat, buy it. Specifically, look at Delight or Hope.
Actionable Steps for the Best Experience
To get the most out of your Rare Beauty lip oil, follow this workflow:
- Hydrate Early: Apply a heavy lip balm while you're doing the rest of your makeup.
- Wipe Clean: Before applying the lip oil, wipe off the balm completely. The oil needs to touch bare skin to stain effectively.
- The Wait Rule: Apply one coat and wait one full minute before smacking lips. This prevents the formula from "breaking" and looking patchy.
- The Gloss Top-Off: If you find the formula too thin, apply the Rare Beauty oil first for the stain, wait for it to set, and then layer a clear, thick gloss or balm over it. You get the longevity of the stain with the comfort of a balm.
- Nightly Care: Since the stain is long-wearing, make sure to use an oil-based cleanser at night to fully remove any leftover pigment, followed by a thick overnight lip mask like the Laneige or Smith's Rosebud Salve to replenish any moisture lost during the staining process.
The Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil is a specialized tool. It’s not a universal crowd-pleaser for everyone’s texture preferences, but for its specific purpose—weightless, long-lasting color—it is currently the best in its class on the market.