Why We're Loving Lip Stains, Lip Oils & Satin Lipsticks Right Now

Remember when every lip product was either ultra-matte, impossible to remove, or sticky enough to collect your hair the second there was a breeze? Thankfully, we've moved on.

Right now, the biggest lip trends are all about comfy colour, natural shine and long-lasting formulas. Think: nourishing lip oils, effortless lip stains and creamy satin lipsticks that feel just as good as they look.

It's all part of a bigger movement happening in the beauty world. We want colour and payoff, but we also want hydration, comfort and products that don't mean constant top-ups. Matte fatigue is real. The line between skincare and makeup has become even more blurred as lip products now soften, smooth and hydrate as well as add colour.

Whether you're after glossy lips, a long lasting lip stain or an everyday lipstick you'll actually look forward to wearing, these are the ones taking over makeup bags right now. Looking for your next lipcare love? Our Lip Collection is a very good place to start.

Lip Oils: The Glossy Trend That Doesn't Feel Sticky

If there was one lip product that completely took over the beauty world in the past few years, it's lip oil. The reason becomes pretty obvious the second you try one. You get the shine of a gloss, the comfort of a balm and the nourishing feel of a treatment all in one swipe. What's not to love?

The rise of lip oil makeup also reflects a much bigger beauty trend. People want products that multitask. Why choose between makeup and skincare when you can have both?

Unlike traditional glosses, which can sometimes feel thick or sticky, today's lip oils are lightweight and surprisingly comfortable to wear. They leave lips looking juicy, smooth and seriously glossy. Let's be honest, glossy lips are officially back.

From soft no-makeup makeup looks to full glam, a lip oil instantly makes any lip look feel fresher and more current. It's one of the easiest ways to tap into the glowy skin trend that’s all over social media.

If you're searching for the best lip oil, the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil has become a firm fave. The innovative gel-to-oil texture delivers a flattering wash of colour while still giving lips that juicy finish everyone wants right now.

For anyone leaning into the skincare-meets-makeup movement, Haus Labs lip products are also worth having on your radar. The brand's nourishing lip oils combine care-focused ingredients with beautiful shine, making them ideal for everyday wear. Looking for even more glossy lip inspiration? Check out our collection of lip glosses and lip oils to find your next must-have.

Why Lip Stains Are Having A Major Moment

If lip oils are winning the shine category, lip stains are dominating when it comes to longevity and it’s pretty easy to see why. We’re busier than ever, which means low-maintenance beauty has become even more appealing. Nobody wants to spend the day constantly checking mirrors or reapplying lipstick.

That's exactly where today’s lip stain comes in. Inspired by K-Beauty trends and fuelled by TikTok's love of softly blurred lips, these are the formulas of the future. They're lighter, more comfortable, and much better at creating that "your lips but better" effect.

One of the biggest reasons lip stain continues to trend is versatility. Apply it lightly for a subtle flush of colour or build it up for something more statement-making. Either way, the finish feels fresh, modern, and surprisingly wearable.

Yes, a long-lasting lip stain really does live up to the hype. The colour leaves behind a tint that continues looking fresh through coffees, lunches, meetings, and everything else your day throws at you. It's exactly why stains have become such a staple for people who want their makeup to work around them, not the other way around.

If you're searching for the best lip stain, the Fenty Beauty Poutsicle Hydrating Lip Stain is one of our top recommendations. The glossy formula delivers vibrant colour before drying down into a long-lasting tint, giving you the best of both worlds. Another product we always come back to is the Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain, which has become a go-to for easy-to-wear colour that genuinely lasts.

The best part? Lip stains don't need to look perfect. Smudged edges, softly blurred colour and a lived-in finish are all part of the look.

The Return of Satin Lipsticks

After years of matte lipsticks dominating makeup bags, satin lipstick is quietly reclaiming its crown. A great satin finish lipstick gives you everything people loved about classic lipstick in the first place. Rich colour. Comfortable wear. A little softness. A little shine.

Unlike ultra-matte formulas, which can sometimes emphasise dryness, satin finishes bring dimension back to the lips. The result feels fresher, more modern and significantly easier to wear every day.

It's also why lipstick is feeling exciting again. For a while, beauty trends were dominated by either matte liquid lipsticks or ultra-glossy finishes. Satin sits comfortably in the middle, offering enough colour to make an impact while still feeling effortless and wearable.

Think of it as the perfect compromise. A hydrating lipstick with a satin finish delivers colour without sacrificing comfort, making it ideal for anyone who wants their makeup to feel as good as it looks. It's the kind of formula that works just as well for office days, brunch plans and dinner reservations as it does for errands. No special occasion required.

If you're looking for an everyday lipstick, a satin formula is one of the easiest places to start. It delivers that polished, put-together effect without feeling overdone. As beauty continues to embrace comfort-first makeup, it's no surprise satin lipsticks are finding their way back into makeup bags.

Lip Oil vs Lip Stain vs Satin Lipstick: Which Is Right for You?

If your saved folder contains approximately 47 different lip looks and you're still not sure where to start, consider this your cheat sheet. The good news is that there's no wrong answer. Each formula brings something slightly different to your makeup bag, so it really comes down to the finish, feel and level of commitment you're after.

Lip Oil

If you love the glass look then a lip oil is for you. We’re talking hydration, shine and a juicy finish that instantly makes your entire makeup look feel fresher. Choose a lip oil if you’re looking for:

• Glossy lips without the stickiness
• A quick, mirror-free application

A skincare-meets-makeup approach

An easy everyday lip product

Perfect for minimal makeup days, fresh skin and anyone who wants their lips to look healthy, hydrated and effortlessly put together.

Lip Stain

A lip stain is for anyone who wants their lip colour to stay exactly where they put it. The appeal is that you apply it once and get on with your day. Go for a lip stain if you want:

A long-lasting lip stain

Lightweight colour that feels barely there

A soft-blurred or just-bitten effect

Fewer touch-ups throughout the day

A low-maintenance makeup routine

It's the formula we recommend to anyone who's tired of constantly reapplying lipstick.

Satin Lipstick

A satin lipstick sits comfortably between the two. You get rich colour payoff, a soft sheen and a formula that feels significantly more comfortable than traditional matte lipstick. A satin lipstick is for you if you’re after:

Rich, wearable colour

A polished finish

Comfortable all-day wear

A classic lipstick look

An everyday lipstick you'll genuinely enjoy wearing

No matter which formula you choose, the beauty of today's lip trends is that they prioritise comfort just as much as colour.

The Lip Looks We're Seeing Everywhere Right Now

Wondering which lip trends are taking over our feeds right now? These are the looks beauty editors, creators and makeup enthusiasts can't get enough of.

The Glossy Minimalist

The clean-girl aesthetic may have evolved, but glossy lips are staying put. Fresh skin, brushed-up brows and a juicy lip continue to dominate beauty looks because they make everything feel healthier, fresher and more effortless. 

The easiest way to recreate it is with a nourishing lip oil. For a fresh take on the trend, we love the Makeup By Mario MoistureGlow Plumping Lip Serum. The glossy lip serum delivers shine, hydration and a subtle wash of colour - win, win, win.

The Soft-Blurred Lip

If you've spent any time on K-Beauty TikTok, you've seen this look. A lip stain is blended through the centre of the lips before being softly diffused outwards, creating that naturally flushed effect that's become one of the biggest lip makeup trends of the past few years. The beauty of a blurred lip is that perfection isn't the aim. In fact, the slightly lived-in finish is exactly what makes it look so good.

The Everyday Polished Lip

A flattering satin lipstick, glowing skin and minimal eye makeup is one of those combinations that never goes out of style. It's polished without feeling high-maintenance and works just as well for office days as it does for weekend plans. If you're looking for an everyday lipstick, this is the trend worth trying.

The Elevated Evening Lip

Matte lips will always have their place, but glossy is becoming the evening look of choice. Layering a long-lasting lip stain underneath a gloss, oil or lip serum creates colour that lasts while still delivering shine and dimension. Forget flat matte, this is juicy and impossible-not-to-compliment. For statement-making lip looks, Huda Beauty lip products are always worth having on your radar.

Our Favourite Lip Products to Try Right Now

Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil

The lip oil that convinced half the beauty world to rethink gloss. This innovative gel-to-oil formula delivers a flattering tint alongside the juicy finish that's made lip oil makeup one of the biggest trends in beauty right now. Perfect if you're looking for a tinted lip oil that feels easy to wear from morning coffee to dinner plans.

Fenty Beauty Poutsicle Hydrating Lip Stain

Part gloss, part stain, this one’s a winner. The formula starts glossy before drying down into a beautiful tint, making it one of our favourite options for anyone searching for a long-lasting lip stain that doesn't feel drying.

Makeup By Mario MoistureGlow Plumping Lip Serum

If glossy lips are your thing, start here. The formula delivers hydration, shine and a subtle plumping effect in one swipe, making it the perfect shortcut to lips that look fuller, smoother and seriously juicy.

Haus Labs Lip Products

For anyone fully embracing the skincare-meets-makeup movement, Haus Labs lip products deserve a place on your wishlist. The brand's nourishing lip oils combine care-focused ingredients with glossy finishes that make you seriously love applying them.

Huda Beauty Lip Products

When you're in the mood for a little more drama, Huda Beauty lip products never disappoint. From glossy finishes to richer colour payoff, they're ideal for creating lip looks that make an impact while still feeling comfortable to wear.

Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain

A classic for a reason. The Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain has earned its loyal following thanks to impressive staying power, comfortable wear and a shade range that makes choosing just one surprisingly difficult. If you're looking for the best lip stain for everyday wear, this is always a good place to start.

By Sephora UK Skincare Editorial Team

Writers and experts

Updated: 31 July 2026