As someone who loves the idea of lip gloss, but hates the stickiness, I tried the viral-favorite Gisou honey-infused lip oil and I 100% get the hype.
Whether you're in pursuit of the best non-comedogenic foundations or the best date night perfumes, TikTok is our first stop for all things beauty, especially when it comes to the latest beauty trends and must-have products—like the Rare Beauty tinted moisturizer or e.l.f halo glow filter. And right now, lip oils are having a major moment. They've even started to spread from our lips right on down to our fingertips, with lip oil nails making their way up the list of 2023 spring nail trends.
Lip oils promise the hydration of a lip balm and the reflective, super juicy shine of a lip gloss—but are they really worth retiring your favorite Glossier balm dot com or Fenty Gloss Bomb over? Well, I've put TikTok's favorite Gisou lip oil to the test, as someone who loves both glosses and balms but literally can't stand the stickiness.
A beauty writer's honest thoughts on the Gisou Honey Infused Lip Oil
The Gisou lip oil, much like the famous Glossier balms, boasts some very adorable packaging—with its wave-shaped glass bottle, pink lid and aesthetic branding. So, that's one tick in its favor because who doesn't love a cute lippie in their handbag?
But is the formula really as cute as it looks? Well, TikTok seems to think so—with the hashtag 'gisoulipoil' itself having over 34 million views to its name and a plethora of videos shining its shiny praises.
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What's in the Gisou Honey Infused Lip Oil?
So, what's in this magical lip oil that makes it worth its $32 price tag and TikTok viral status? Well first of all, as the name would suggest, the formula includes honey (Mirsalehi honey to be exact) which is rich in antioxidants and has long been celebrated for its healing and nourishing properties. This oil is made from 99.5% natural ingredients and packed with vitamins, minerals, and amino acids as well as hydrating hyaluronic acid—which is already a beloved skincare ingredient.
After each use, Gisou claims your lip will be "softer, smoother, plumper, more defined with a naturally healthy shine," with the oil working to intensely hydrate and restore chapped and dry lips—something I'm definitely in desperate need of.
My verdict on the Gisou Honey Infused Lip Oil
After watching endless videos on this golden nectar of a lip product, I must admit I was very excited to try this oil. Especially as someone who loves the effect of lip gloss but not the tackiness of it, or the act of plying your hair off your lips after the smallest gust of wind and then enduring hair that's sticky with lip gloss reside for the rest of the day.
I'm also a big fan of lip balms, as I do suffer from dryness or chapped lips pretty much on the daily—so a less-sticky but hydrating and glossy lip oil seemed very up my alley. So, how did the Gisou oil stack up to my expectations, you ask? Well, to put it simply—I love it.
While I still find it a teeny tiny bit sticky, it's no way near what I've experienced with most lip glosses and even some balms I've tried previously. I live in the UK, so windy weather is pretty much a given and so far, after a week of wear, I've not found myself with any strands of hair stuck to my lips.
It also feels so comfortable and luxurious on the lips (which it should, for $32 a pop!) and the gleam it gives the lips, oh my god. It's so pretty, it gives your lips a 'yours but better' look, with the perfect glass-like shine—which, as someone who hates the whole lip gloss stickiness issue, is something I thought I could never achieve without serious discomfort.
While the oil is golden in color, like honey, it gives a similar effect to a clear gloss, but I also felt it gave my natural lip color a juicy boost—making it perfect for both a day and night look.
The only downside to this oil is that I'm not 100% convinced of its long-term benefits, as I did still experience some chapped skin, though my lips do definitely feel overall softer after use. I also didn't find it plumping, but it did seem to last on the lips longer than a lot of balms I've tried before, without drying out. It mainly won points with me for its look on the lips and wearability.
Another thing to note is its scent. If you're a lover of heavily scented lip products, you might not love this as it has a very soft honey smell, that doesn't really linger. Personally, I preferred this as sometimes flavored lip balms make me hungry...
The few cons aside though, I can safely say that this lip oil is my new go-to, for both my balm and gloss needs because who doesn't love a multipurpose makeup product? You basically get two lip products for the price of one. I have taken to applying it before bed, instead of my lip balm because I just love the feel and application of it—plus I'm a real sucker for its packaging.
What really won me over though was just finally getting to have that glossy-lip look that lasts and is comfortable to wear out and about, without feeling like I've got syrup all over my mouth. So, if you're like me and love gloss but just can't wear it without discomfort, you might want to add a lip oil (I'd recommend this one) to your next beauty haul.
