With KUSH Lip Oil joining our lineup, you’re probably wondering how lip oil vs. lip gloss match up, especially with Odyssey Lip Oil Gloss on the roster. Well in this shine showdown, there are no winners or losers—only key similarities and differences between the highly sought-after lip formulas.
Below, Milk Makeup experts break down what exactly lip oil and lip gloss are and how they work in your beauty routine. Plus, they answer the question: What is the difference between lip oil and lip gloss? Spoiler alert: They are a lot more distinct than you think they are.
What is lip oil?
Lip oil is all about delivering a high concentration of hydrating oils straight to your lips. They provide soothing, softening nourishment to dry, flaky lips in the same way that a facial oil does for your face. Lip oil also provides a hint of shine and can help smooth a rough lip texture, says Milk Makeup’s Director of Artistry Sara Wren.
With KUSH Lip Oil, “We found a way to bottle up a high concentration of hydrating oils to create one of the most natural lip oils you’ve ever tried,” says Ari Adams, our Global Education and Events Manager. Despite its rich oil content, it never feels sticky, slippery, or uncomfortable. “I love KUSH Lip Oil as a lip prep step, wearing it alone, or as part of a lip look,” he adds.
What is lip gloss?
Standard lip glosses aren’t about hydration. Rather, they focus on adding a high-shine finish to your lips to complete any makeup look. It’s part of the reason why some lip glosses can be on the stickier side. Odyssey Lip Oil Gloss, however, remedies this situation with a blend of nourishing plant-based oils, making it an ultra-comfortable lip gloss that offers lip-caring benefits, Sara points out.
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What are some lip oil and lip gloss similarities?
In the battle of lip oil vs. lip gloss, both win in the shiny finish category. In the case of KUSH Lip Oil and Odyssey Lip Oil Gloss, they do so with their own combinations of intensely hydrating plant-based oils. Both are infused with sunflower seed oil to help lips appear smooth, full, and ultra-juicy. Each of the formulas offers a shade that swipes on crystal clear, too (even though KUSH Lip Oil’s Green Dragon appears mint in its tube).
You can also layer lip oil and lip gloss alike atop Lip + Cheek or Cooling Water Jelly Tint for a look with more intense pigmentation.
What is the difference between lip oil and lip gloss?
The simplest way to explain the difference between lip oil and lip gloss: One is skincare for your lips, while the other is makeup for your lips, respectively. Lip oil has a higher concentration of oils to provide a more intense level of hydration and care. Sara loves using it to prep lips before swiping on other lip products for a smoother, fuller canvas.
Lip gloss, on the other hand, imparts a more concentrated layer of pigment and shine, Sara shares. They also tend to be creamier, thicker, and shimmery to give lips a more multi-dimensional, mirror-like finish. Odyssey Lip Oil Gloss, in particular, is flecked with crushed gemstones to give lips some sparkle, while KUSH Lip Oil is free of any shimmer and glitter.
Odyssey Lip Oil Gloss and KUSH Lip Oil also have completely different shade ranges and flavor offerings. Odyssey Lip Oil Gloss is only available in one sweet scent, vanilla bergamot, but KUSH Lip Oil comes in six flavors that boast a lip-enhancing tint:
- Green Dragon: clear with a sage and peppermint flavor
- Cookie Dough: rosy beige with a Tahitian vanilla flavor
- Orange Crush: orange with a citrus flavor
- Pink Magic: hot pink with a watermelon flavor
- Dream Machine: mauve with a guava flavor
- Chocolate Cake: chocolate brown with cacao flavor
Another difference between lip oil and lip gloss, in Milk Makeup’s case, is their applicators. Odyssey touts a teardrop-shaped doe foot with a pointed tip that effortlessly fits into the curves of your cupid’s bow. KUSH Lip Oil has a rounder, oversized doe foot applicator with a slight curve that hugs lips to slick on the formula with one, less-detailed-but-even sweep.
Now that you know the difference, you can get 'em both.
Meet the Experts
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.
Ari Adams (he/him) is the Global Education and Events Manager for Milk Makeup. Boasting over 10 years of experience as a makeup artist, Ari got his start watching drag performers do their makeup backstage. It sparked a passion for beauty that fuels his work at Milk. Ari channels his expertise to train Milk Makeup field team members on how to apply, hack, and talk about our products in Sephora stores and beyond.
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