Is Viral Olympic Figure Skater Alysa Liu’s Lip Oil Worth the Hype? I Tried It to Find Out

Fast Facts

• Shades: 8
• Size: 2mL, 3mL

How I Tested Rare Beauty’s Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil 

The product is popular on Reddit, though some users dispute how much of a lip oil it actually is. It’s less glossy, oily and viscous than what you might expect, and it leaves behind a stain that is deeper than any lip gloss could achieve. The color is also quite buildable, so you can layer it on according to your pigmentation preferences. It’s available in eight shades that work across skin tones. 

Over the past month of testing, I evaluated the lip oil on the PureWow100 scale, scoring it on qualities like pigment strength, longevity, moisture, gloss and value, for a total score out of 100 points.

While I do love a good lippie, I do have perpetually chapped lips. If a product is drying, I can feel it almost immediately. When applying the lip oil, I wasn’t expecting much. That left me plenty of room to be pleasantly surprised. 

The pigment level is moderate and thus gives you control. One swipe gives you a gentle (but noticeable) wash, while each additional layer strengthens the opacity ever so slightly, so you can finesse the final look. (In the photo above, I am wearing Liu's shade, "Delight.") Because the formula also functions as a stain, it fades more gradually, which is great when you’re eating or drinking. If you’re not doing either, the stain can last for hours. 

One of the lip oil’s promises is that it will stay comfortable throughout the day, and I found that to be more than true. Normally, I try to prevent chapping by layering my lipstick on top of a lip balm, but that wasn’t necessary here. I was able to apply the lip oil directly to my lips. As the gloss dried down and turned into a stain, it still left a slip that kept my lips feeling soft and smooth.

Though I love bold lip colors, I’m not great at drawing precise lines. A red lip is guaranteed to go haywire under my fingers. Rare Beauty really nailed it with the doe-foot applicator, which is surprisingly steady and draws crisp lines.

Reapplication Required 

Despite the fact that it is a lip stain, the Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil does require reapplication. The gloss is meant to fade into a more satin finish as the stain sets in; I typically get four or five hours out of it if I’m not eating or drinking. It does hang on after a meal, though typically as a faint outline of color that feels more like a lip liner and natural fade, which isn’t terrible. The heaviest touch-ups naturally come after I’ve bitten my lips, which is a bad habit of mine.

The Bottom Line  

At $24 (which comes closer to $27 after taxes), Rare Beauty’s Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil doesn’t come at Lip Smacker prices. But for me, the comfortable, non-drying formula is worth it. The lip stain has quickly become the go-to lip product I throw in my work bag or pack for a two-week trip. I may not be performing triple axels, but wearing it makes me feel like I can face the day.