Meet Odyssey Lip Oil Gloss, the best lip gloss for a juicy, high-shine burst of color you’ll reach for on repeat. You may have seen it on TikTok already—prepare to see it even more, now that we’ve added four new shades to our original lineup.
In 2023, we dropped our ultimate hydrating lip gloss formula, combining the high-shine finish of a gloss (in both shimmer and cream shades) with all the moisturizing ingredients of a lip oil for the non-sticky gloss of your dreams. It wears so comfortably, you can even swap it out for lip balm. “The formula just makes me want to reapply over and over again,” says Milk Makeup Director of Artistry Sara Wren.
True to its name, Odyssey lets you get adventurous with your makeup vibe. So whether you love a clear lip gloss, nourishing lip treatment, or lip color with a sheer tint in shimmer and cream finishes, Odyssey combines everything into one long-lasting formula.
Ready to hear more about it? Find everything you need to know about this multitasking lip gloss ahead. Your dry lips are about to have a new bestie.
What is a lip oil gloss?
Think of Odyssey Lip Oil Gloss as a cross between lip oil and lip gloss. We basically took all the comfort and caring ingredients of lip oil and combined ’em with a high-shine gloss. The result: A lip gloss with nourishing ingredients you can feel good about and never feel sticky.
What gives Odyssey Lip Oil Gloss its high-shine finish?
The secret to this high-shine lip gloss? Precious gems. We added real crushed gemstones to every single shade of Odyssey for its signature lacquer-like shine—because lip gloss isn’t meant to look subtle. We kept the gemstone-infused glaze consistent across every single one of our eight shades, but mixed up the finishes to give you plenty of options.
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Originally, Odyssey came in one clear shade (Journey), four shimmer hues (a light pink called Soul Search, a coral called Explore, a sky blue named Globetrot, and a deep rose called Trek), and three sheerly pigmented cream shades (a blackberry called Voyage, a caramel beige called Quest, and a dusty rose called Werk Trip).
Our Milk Fam loved those shades so much that we decided to go the extra mile with Odyssey and create four more of ’em. If you love Globetrot, just wait until you get Adventure (a shimmery lavender) and Experience (a shimmery golden pink) on your lips. They are like comfy, nourishing dupes of the glitter-flecked lip glosses you loved growing up. Prefer the creamier Odyssey options? Wander (a mauve) and Day Trip (a warm brown) are perfectly pigmented to give your lips the dreamiest tint that enhances the natural color of lips—no lip liner needed.
Although each of the dozen lip gloss shades speaks to its own makeup mood, don’t be surprised if you end up wearing them all at one point or another—we definitely couldn’t pick just one to create the perfect glossy lip.
If you’re a fan of our Electric Glossy Lip Plumper, think of Odyssey as a different way to add a high-shine finish to your lip look. “With Electric Glossy Lip Plumper, you’re getting a tingly plumping lip gloss with a sheer, creamy finish,” Sara explains. “With Odyssey, you’re going for richer color payoff, more shades, and added shimmer finishes to play with. Both, however, are incredibly hydrating and layer well over other lip products.
What lip oils are in Odyssey Lip Oil Gloss?
When our team formulated our best lip gloss, we thought about how traditional glosses you can find on the market give you that hydrating burst of shine but often leave your lips feeling dry, flaky, and in need of a heavy-duty lip balm. Odyssey Lip Oil Gloss, on the other hand, glides on like the most moisturizing lip oil, wrapping your lips in a nourishing blend of plant-based ingredients often found in skincare products while packing major color payoff. Jojoba oil, shea butter, antioxidant-rich goji berry extract, and a vitamin E-rich cloudberry seed oil help soften and hydrate. We even added a long-lasting polymer to the formula that keeps all of that moisture locked in, so your lips feel comfortable and cushioned with a long-wearing shine.
Although you can always layer it over a peptide- or hyaluronic acid-spiked lip balm for added hydration, we love the easy convenience of using Odyssey as a lip oil, lip balm, and lip gloss in one. (Shea butter truly ties the benefits of all those lip products together.)
To add to the sensorial experience, we flavored it with a delectable blend of natural vanilla, agave, and bergamot (instead of the typical peppermint), which Sara describes as “so delicious.” And like everything else we make, it’s clean, vegan, and cruelty-free—plus, it’s got a 90% natural formula.
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How do you apply Odyssey Lip Oil Gloss?
For long-lasting lip gloss, Sara recommends following a few basic steps. “I always recommend exfoliating your lips gently with a wash cloth before applying any lip products, whether you’re working with matte formulas or hydrating glosses like this one,” she says. Removing the top layer of dead skin on your lips helps create a prepped base that will make your gloss look smoother and all those nourishing lip care ingredients sink in better.
From there, you can decide whether you want to wear it alone or layer it over balm, lip liner, lip stain, liquid lipstick, or cream lip color. The plush teardrop applicator makes application super quick and simple. The pointy tip fits right into the curves of your cupid’s bow and lip line, so you can use it to precisely outline your lips. Then, use the flat, cushiony center to glide your chosen shade of gloss on and coat your lips in one swipe.
If you’re searching for the best lip combos, try a few of Sara’s makeup artist-approved tips. Layer a coordinating shade of Odyssey over Lip + Cheek to dial up the color and add a glossy finish. Mix up a custom shimmer gloss by layering our clear shade, Journey, over your favorite Color Chalk powder pigment. Or, experiment with your favorite matte lip liners and lipsticks to turn them instantly glossy.
Which skin tones is Odyssey Lip Oil Gloss best for?
We tested Odyssey on lots of skin tones to make sure everyone could wear the best lip gloss in the game. All 12 shades were made to work across a wide range of skin tones, so you don’t have to feel restricted to just one or two. Sara even loves mixing several shades to create an ombre glossy lip. Pick any two shades that call to you and concentrate the lighter shade toward the center of your lips, while using the darker shade to outline them. Sara particularly loves pairing Trek or Werk Trip with a swipe of Soul Search.
Odyssey also lends itself well to your favorite TikTok lip gloss trends. “The Cherry Coke lip looks so juicy and good on everyone, and you can easily replicate it by applying Lip + Cheek in Muse with Odyssey in Quest on top,” says Sara. “Blending Lip + Cheek in Quickie and Odyssey in Voyage creates a stunning soft goth lip stain.” If you’re into a more terracotta vibe, try Lip + Cheek in Swerve with Odyssey in Day Trip. (The color payoff of this duo is on another level.)
In short, you’ve got options, and none will let you down. So no matter where life takes you—London, New York, or Tokyo—be sure you pack a few tubes of Odyssey Lip Oil Gloss for the ride.
Meet the Expert
Sara Wren (she/her) is the Director of Artistry at Milk Makeup. In her role, she does all the makeup artistry and direction for our Milk Makeup global campaigns, educates the staff and field team on application methods, stars in the brand’s social media videos, and travels to different markets spreading Milk Makeup’s good vibes. When she’s not on set, Sara loves experimenting with DIY hair colors, eating tacos, watching basketball, and scouring for vintage cosmetics to add to her impressive collection.
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