Ariana Grande’s lip oil dropped, bots bought it all in hours, and I waited three weeks for a restock. The glossy truth? It’s not the savior TikTok promised.
This isn’t a hydration hero — it’s a sticky, pretty trap that looks great for exactly 12 minutes before reality hits.
R.E.M. Beauty calls this a “lip oil,” but at $20, it’s more like a tinted gloss that pretends to be skincare. The claim: non-sticky, ultra-shiny, lasts all day. I called bullshit after one commute.
The Wand
It’s a fat, squishy doe foot that picks up too much product — you’ll wipe half off on the tube edge.
The Scent
Fruity pebbles. Sweet, synthetic. Not bad if you like smelling like a breakfast cereal.
The Shine
Mirror-level for 5 minutes. Then it settles into a wet-gloss look that catches hair like flypaper.
Photo: Evangeline Sarney / Unsplash
The formula leans on jojoba oil and vitamin E — actually decent for softening. But the star player? Castor oil. Thick. Sticky. Clings to your lips like a bad ex. It’s more about shine than hydration.
- Jojoba Oil: Lightly hydrates, but evaporates fast
- Castor Oil: Gives that glass finish — also the glue factor
- Vitamin E: Antioxidant, fine, not a miracle worker
- Tocopherol: Basically more E. Redundant.
Photo: Evangeline Sarney / Unsplash
First swipe: buttery, glossy, I get the hype. Then it settles into a tacky film that grabs every strand of hair in a 3-foot radius. By lunch, your lips feel coated, not nourished.
Week 2, I started layering it over a balm. Better. Week 3, I realized it’s a pretty topper, not a standalone savior. One shade (Pink Peony) looks electric on fair skin, muddy on deeper tones.
Photo: Content Pixie / Unsplash
Lips felt softer for about an hour after wearing it. No lasting hydration. No plumping. The shine fades fast, leaving a faint tint behind — but not the kind that stains evenly.
Photo: Christin Hume / Unsplash
It’s a pretty gloss wearing a lip oil costume. Cute for a selfie, useless for actual lip care. Ariana’s aura carries this — not the formula.