Let’s be real for a second. We’ve all been through the "gloss era" where your hair stuck to your face the second a breeze hit, and then we pivoted to those bone-dry liquid mattes that felt like Sahara sand on the lips. It was rough. But then lip oils entered the chat, and honestly, the game changed. Specifically, the Too Faced lip oil—officially known as the Kissing Jelly Non-Sticky Lip Oil Gloss—has carved out a weirdly specific niche. Is it a gloss? Is it a treatment? It’s basically both, and that’s why people are hoarding them like they’re limited edition snacks.
Most people think a lip oil is just a glorified version of Chapstick. It’s not.
If you’ve ever swiped on a product and felt that immediate "cushion" sensation, you know what I’m talking about. The Too Faced formula hits that sweet spot because it’s a jelly-oil hybrid. It’s thick enough to stay put but thin enough that it doesn't feel like you've applied honey to your mouth.
What’s Actually Inside a Too Faced Lip Oil?
We need to talk about the ingredients because that's where the magic (and the price tag) comes from. Too Faced didn't just throw some mineral oil in a tube and call it a day. They leaned heavily into a natural oil blend that includes jojoba oil and sunflower seed oil. These aren't just buzzwords. Jojoba oil is chemically very similar to the sebum our skin naturally produces, which means your lips actually "recognize" it and let it sink in rather than letting it sit on top like a plastic film.
There’s also a big focus on antioxidant-rich fruit oils. Depending on the shade you pick, you’re looking at things like raspberry seed oil.
Why does that matter?
Because your lips have some of the thinnest skin on your entire body. They don't have sweat glands. They can't hydrate themselves. When you apply this specific blend, you’re creating a physical barrier that locks in moisture while the oils do the heavy lifting of softening the skin underneath. It’s preventative and reactive at the same time.
The Texture Debate: Jelly vs. Oil
This is where some people get confused. If you're expecting something as runny as water, you’re going to be surprised. The Too Faced lip oil has a "bouncy" texture. When you pull the giant doe-foot applicator out of the tube—and it is a big applicator, which honestly makes the application feel more luxurious—the product has a bit of a stretch to it.
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It feels substantial.
I’ve noticed that this specific viscosity is why the shine lasts longer than your average drugstore lip oil. Usually, a thin oil disappears in twenty minutes. This stays for hours. It’s the difference between a quick splash of water and a deep-conditioning mask.
Breaking Down the Shades and Scents
Too Faced is famous for their sensory experiences. You know the Chocolate Soleil bronzer that smells like a literal Hershey’s bar? They brought that same energy here. Each shade of the Kissing Jelly is tied to a specific "flavor" profile, but it’s not that cloying, artificial scent that gives you a headache.
- Sour Grape: This one is a fan favorite. It’s a cool-toned purple in the tube, but on the lips, it’s a sheer berry tint. It smells exactly like those grape candies from the 90s.
- Raspberry: A classic pink. It’s the "your lips but better" shade.
- Bubblegum: This is for the nostalgic. It’s a very pale, milky pink that brightens up your whole face.
- Sweet Cotton Candy: A light blue tint that actually makes your teeth look whiter. It’s a color theory trick—the blue tones cancel out the yellow in your enamel.
It is important to remember that these are sheer. If you're looking for the pigment of a lipstick, you’re in the wrong place. These are designed to enhance your natural lip color. They give you that "just bitten" look or a healthy glow that makes you look like you actually drink eight glasses of water a day, even if you’ve had nothing but iced coffee since 9:00 AM.
How It Compares to the Competition
The lip oil market is crowded. You’ve got the Dior Lip Glow Oil, the Clarins version, and the affordable ones from brands like NYX. So, where does Too Faced fit?
Dior is famously heavy on the mint and has a very thick, almost syrupy feel. Clarins is much more of a "treatment" oil—it’s thinner and sinks in faster. The Too Faced lip oil sits right in the middle. It has more shine than Clarins but feels less "heavy" than Dior.
Also, can we talk about the finish? It’s a high-shine, "wet look" finish. In the world of beauty influencers and TikTok trends, this is often called "glass lips." Because the formula is a jelly-oil, it fills in the fine lines on your lips. If you have dry, wrinkled lips from the cold or dehydration, this product basically acts like a temporary filler by smoothing out the surface.
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The "No-Sticky" Claim: Is It Real?
Marketing teams love to say "non-sticky." Half the time, they’re lying.
With Too Faced, it’s more about the "slip." If you press your lips together, they don't glue themselves shut. There’s no "stringiness" when you open your mouth. However, because it’s a long-wear gloss-oil hybrid, you will "feel" it on your lips. It’s not weightless. But it isn't tacky. You won't find a layer of white gunk forming in the corners of your mouth after two hours, which is the ultimate test of a quality lip product.
Why People Think It’s "Just for Kids" (And Why They’re Wrong)
The packaging is bright. The scents are sweet. At first glance, it looks like something you’d buy at Claire’s in 2004. But the formula is surprisingly sophisticated.
Mature users actually benefit more from this than teenagers do. As we age, our lips lose volume and the borders become less defined. A heavy matte lipstick often bleeds into fine lines, making them look more prominent. A sheer, high-shine Too Faced lip oil does the opposite. It reflects light away from the lines and gives the illusion of a fuller, more youthful pout.
It’s effortless. You don’t need a mirror to apply it. You can swipe it on while walking to a meeting or sitting in your car.
Maximize the Results: A Professional Approach
If you want to get the most out of your lip oil, don't just slap it on dry, crusty lips. Even the best oil can't fix dead skin cells that are literally peeling off.
- Exfoliate first. You don't need a fancy scrub. Just take a damp washcloth and gently rub your lips in a circular motion.
- Layering technique. If you want more color, use a lip liner first. Fill in your entire lip with a nude or rose-toned liner, then top it with the lip oil. This gives you the longevity of a lipstick with the comfort of an oil.
- Night treatment. While it's marketed as a gloss, the Raspberry or Grape versions work great as an overnight mask. Apply a thick layer before bed. You'll wake up with lips that feel significantly softer.
The Reality of Wear Time
Let’s be honest: no lip oil lasts through a burger and fries.
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The Too Faced lip oil is durable for a shine-based product, but you’re going to have to reapply after eating or drinking. That’s just the nature of the beast. The silver lining is that because it’s infused with jojoba and sunflower oils, even after the "shine" wears off, your lips still feel hydrated. You don’t get that immediate "I need more balm" panic that happens with some cheaper glosses.
Addressing the Price Point
At roughly $22 to $26 depending on where you shop, it’s not cheap. You’re paying for the R&D of the jelly-oil texture and the high-quality fragrance oils. Is it worth it?
If you use it as your primary lip product, one tube will last you about two to three months of daily use. When you break it down, you're paying for the convenience of a 2-in-1 product. You don't need a balm and a gloss. This does both. For anyone who hates the feeling of traditional makeup but wants to look "put together," the investment usually pays off in daily use.
Common Misconceptions
One thing people get wrong is thinking the blue or purple shades will turn their lips blue or purple. They won't. These are sheer tints. They work with your natural pH and undertones. If you have very pigmented lips, the color difference between the shades will be subtle. If you have very pale lips, you’ll notice a nice, healthy flush.
Another myth is that lip oils cause breakouts around the mouth. While everyone's skin is different, Too Faced uses non-comedogenic oils like jojoba. Unless you have a specific allergy to one of the fruit extracts, it shouldn’t cause "lip pimples."
Actionable Steps for Your Routine
To get the best experience with your Too Faced Kissing Jelly, follow these specific steps:
- Check the Batch: Too Faced products have a long shelf life, but oils can go rancid if left in a hot car. Store your lip oil in a cool, dry place to keep the scent fresh.
- The "Double Dab": Apply a layer, wait sixty seconds for the oils to "grip" the skin, and then apply a second dab only to the center of the bottom lip. This creates a 3D pout effect that looks incredible in photos.
- Mix Your Textures: Try dabbing a tiny bit of your favorite matte lipstick onto the center of your lips and then smoothing the Kissing Jelly over it with your finger. It creates a custom "cream" finish that is much more comfortable than the lipstick alone.
- Clean the Wand: Every few weeks, take a clean tissue and wipe the excess product off the stem of the applicator. This prevents the "ooze" that sometimes happens around the cap of high-shine glosses.
The world of lip care is moving away from heavy, high-maintenance products. The shift toward hybrid formulas like the Too Faced lip oil proves that we want products that work harder for us. You get the aesthetic of a high-end gloss with the biological benefits of a deep conditioner. It’s a win for your vanity and a win for your skin barrier.