If you’ve spent more than five minutes on TikTok over the last year, you’ve seen it. That sleek, gold-capped tube. The satisfying click as the applicator slides out. Everyone says the Rare Beauty lip oil is a game-changer, a revolution in a tube, the thing that finally killed off sticky glosses forever. But honestly? A lot of people are reviewing it wrong because they expect it to be something it simply isn’t.
It’s not a traditional oil.
Most "lip oils" on the market right now—think Dior or Clarins—are basically just thick, high-shine glosses with a slightly thinner viscosity. They sit on top of the skin. They're juicy. They're heavy. Rare Beauty lip oil, officially known as the Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil, is a shapeshifter. It starts as a jelly. It feels like a cold drink of water on your lips for about thirty seconds, and then it transforms into a long-wear stain that won't budge even after you’ve finished a latte. If you go into this thinking you're getting a gloopy, shiny oil that stays shiny for six hours, you're going to be disappointed. But if you want a low-maintenance color that actually treats your skin, this is probably the most sophisticated formula Selena Gomez’s brand has released to date.
What’s Actually Inside the Rare Beauty Lip Oil?
We need to talk about the chemistry for a second because that's where the "magic" happens. Selena Gomez and her product development team didn't just pour some pigment into mineral oil. They used a specific blend of Jojoba seed oil and Sunflower seed oil.
Jojoba is the MVP here.
Biologically, jojoba oil is the closest thing in nature to human sebum. Your skin recognizes it. It doesn’t just sit there like a barrier; it actually integrates. This is why the Rare Beauty lip oil doesn't feel "goopy." When you swipe it on, your lips absorb the hydrating elements, leaving the pigment behind.
The Jelly-to-Oil Innovation
The texture is weird at first. Seriously. It’s bouncy. It’s almost like a gelée. Most people expect that "greasy" feeling associated with the word "oil," but this has a cooling sensation. It’s refreshing. Then, as you wear it, the shine settles down. You’re left with a soft, blurred tint. It’s basically the "cool girl" version of a lip stain.
👉 See also: Campbell Hall Virginia Tech Explained (Simply)
- Initial Application: High shine, jelly-like texture, intense hydration.
- The Settling Phase: The oils sink in, the shine becomes more of a natural satin.
- The Stained Phase: The shine fades, but the pigment remains for 4-6 hours.
It's a three-act play on your face.
Why the Rare Beauty Lip Oil Caused So Much Drama
When this launched, the beauty community went into a bit of a tailspin. Why? Because of the expectations set by the Soft Pinch Liquid Blush. People thought the Rare Beauty lip oil would be just as pigment-dense as the blush. If you’ve used the blush, you know—one tiny dot is enough to color your entire face, your neighbor's face, and probably your dog.
The lip oil is different. It’s buildable.
One swipe gives you a "just bitten" look. Two or three swipes give you a bold, saturated color. But some influencers complained that it "disappeared" too fast. What they were actually seeing was the shine disappearing, not the product. If you look closer in the mirror two hours later, your lips are still pink, or berry, or brown—whatever shade you picked. It's just not reflective anymore.
Does it actually dry out your lips?
This is the big debate. Some users with chronic chapped lips have claimed that stains, in general, make their peeling worse. Technically, any stain uses alcohol-based carriers or specific dyes that can be slightly drying. However, because this formula is built on a base of antioxidants, most people find it much more comfortable than a traditional matte lipstick. If you have super dry skin, you should probably layer a balm underneath, but for the average person, it’s a one-and-done product.
Comparing the Shades: Which One Should You Actually Buy?
Rare Beauty launched this with eight shades, all named after the same "emotions" as the blushes. It’s smart marketing, but it can be confusing.
✨ Don't miss: Burnsville Minnesota United States: Why This South Metro Hub Isn't Just Another Suburb
Hope and Happy are the runaway hits. Hope is a nude mauve that basically looks like your natural lip color but better. It’s the one you keep in your car. Happy is a bright, cool pink that looks intimidating in the tube but turns into a very youthful, fresh flush once it hits your skin.
Then you have the dark horses. Affection (a deep berry) and Delight (a rose brown). Delight is constantly sold out at Sephora. Literally constantly. It’s the perfect 90s brown-pink that works on every single skin tone. If you see it in stock, buy two. Honestly.
- Joy: A muted peach. Great if you have warm undertones.
- Serenity: A warm rose. Very sophisticated.
- Wonder: A vibrant rose mauve.
- Honesty: A nude brown. It’s very "clean girl" aesthetic.
The interesting thing about the Rare Beauty lip oil shades is how they oxidize. Because it’s a stain, the pH of your skin and your natural lip pigment will change how the color looks after ten minutes. Affection might look like a deep plum on one person and a bright raspberry on another.
The "Clean Beauty" Question
Rare Beauty is often grouped into the "clean" category, though that term is largely unregulated. What matters is that the Rare Beauty lip oil is vegan and cruelty-free. It’s also paraben-free. For people with sensitive skin who break out around the mouth—yes, that’s a thing—this formula is non-comedogenic enough that it won't cause those annoying little whiteheads.
It’s also worth noting the packaging. The flat edge on one side of the bottle isn't just for looks; it prevents the tube from rolling off your vanity. It's those little details that show Selena Gomez actually uses these products. She has spoken openly about her struggles with lupus and how she needs packaging that is easy to grip and open. This bottle is a prime example of inclusive design without shouting about it.
How to Make It Last All Day
If you want to get the most out of your Rare Beauty lip oil, don't just swipe and go. There’s a technique to it.
🔗 Read more: Bridal Hairstyles Long Hair: What Most People Get Wrong About Your Wedding Day Look
First, exfoliate. Stains cling to dry patches. If your lips are flaky, the pigment will settle into those cracks and look patchy. Just use a damp washcloth or a sugar scrub.
Second, apply one thin layer and let it sit for sixty seconds. Don't smack your lips together immediately. Let the "jelly" layer stabilize. Then, if you want more "oomph," add a second layer.
Third, if you want that high-shine look to stay, you’ll need to top it with a clear gloss or the Rare Beauty Gratitude Dewy Lip Balm. The oil itself will eventually sink in. That’s just science. You can't have a permanent shine and a permanent stain in the same formula without some serious chemical trade-offs.
The Verdict: Is It Worth the $20?
The beauty market is saturated. You can go to the drugstore and buy a $7 lip tint from a K-beauty brand that does something similar. So, why pay for the Rare Beauty lip oil?
It comes down to the sensory experience. Most cheap stains feel like ink or water. They're harsh. They smell like chemicals. Rare Beauty managed to make a stain that feels like a luxury treatment. It feels expensive. The weight of the component, the softness of the doe-foot applicator, and the way the oils actually improve the texture of your lips over time make it worth the price jump.
It’s also about the versatility. You can wear it to the gym for a "no-makeup" look, or you can layer it over a lip liner for a full-glam night out. It’s a workhorse.
Common Misconceptions to Ignore
- "It's just a lip gloss." No, it’s not. If you treat it like a gloss, you’ll be annoyed when the shine fades.
- "The colors all look the same." They really don't once they've sat on the skin for five minutes. The undertones (cool vs. warm) become very apparent.
- "It's only for young people." Actually, because it doesn't bleed into fine lines like a heavy lipstick, it’s great for mature skin.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Makeup Run
If you’re ready to try the Rare Beauty lip oil, here is how to handle your purchase to ensure you don't waste money:
- Check your undertones first. If you have veins that look blue/purple, go for Happy or Affection. If they look green, go for Joy or Honesty.
- Don't trust the bottle color. Swatch it on your wrist and wait three minutes. The color it turns after it "dries" is the actual color it will be on your face.
- Patch test for the cooling sensation. Some people find the slight tingle (from the cooling effect, not menthol) a bit surprising. Make sure you like it before you coat your whole mouth.
- Use it as a blush in a pinch. Because it’s a stain, you can dot a tiny bit on your cheeks and blend fast for a waterproof flush that lasts longer than the actual liquid blush.
The Rare Beauty lip oil isn't just another celebrity cash grab. It’s a thoughtfully engineered product that bridged the gap between Korean skincare tech and American color payoff. Just remember: it’s a stain first, an oil second. Adjust your expectations, and you'll probably find it becomes your most-used lip product of the year.