Almost any makeup routine ends with a good lip gloss, oil, or balm. And unlike mascara, concealer, or blush, you will see girls reapplying their lip product throughout the entire day. We live in an era where lip products are essential, and social media, especially TikTok, has convinced us that the difference between looking put together or a hot mess is the presence of a glossy lip. The main issue that comes from this is that these influencers are pushing lip products that are $20+ when there are so many cheaper brands that perform the same way. When you actually compare prices and quality across different products, it becomes clear that a high price tag does not equate to the best lip products. The best lip products are the ones that are thick and nourishing, not sticky, and have pleasant smells, all while being reasonably priced.
Let’s start with my personal favorite when you only take the formula into account: Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm. At $24, Summer Fridays is one of the most expensive options that students at U-High are purchasing. This lip balm has a strong rating with 4.7 stars, smells amazing, with the pink sugar in particular smelling like frosting, and the formula is thick, while not being sticky. Honestly, this lip balm is my favorite makeup item. However, when it’s compared to lip products that are a fraction of the price and only slightly lower in quality, I would never buy this product myself. Brands like Elf sell lip oils for $9 with a rating of 4.8 stars, scoring higher than Summer Fridays. Elf’s Glow Reviver lip oil has a minty, almost medical smell, which some people might not like, and the formula is a tad on the sticky side, but the fact that it performs similarly to something over 2 times the price should make us all realize that there’s no need to spend over $15 on lip product.
Now, what I believe is the real winner is Milani’s Fruit Fetish Lip Oil. This lip oil is only $13 and has the same 4.8-star rating as Elf. It has a fruity smell, tastes like candy, and offers a glossy finish without that sticky feeling. It feels high-end without drying out your wallet. I have gone through multiple of these lip oils, and I have never been disappointed.
The most surprising lip product I tested was Colour Pops Kiss Me lip balm, with a price point of $10 and a whopping 4.9 stars. This product was almost identical to Summer Fridays. It was thick, glossy, and smelled delicious. The one downfall was the packaging. I have purchased two of these lip balms, and both of them burst open within the first couple of weeks of using them. To me, this was the biggest turn-off. There was no way to save the product when the tube would fall apart at school, so I simply had to throw them away, and it became cheaper to buy the overpriced Summer Fridays instead of continually replacing my Colour Pop.
Not all lip glosses are winners, however. Tower 28’s lip oil jelly has a good reputation with 4.8 stars, but I found it to be thin and have a paint-like smell, which, for $16, makes the product very unappealing. Meanwhile, Ole Hendrikson’s pout preserve smells amazing, like an orange creamsicle, but the formula is sticky and costs only a dollar less than Summer Fridays. This product does, however, leave my lips feeling hydrated for hours after I apply it.
Some people will argue that the more expensive lip products are better, no matter what. They like to pay for the brand or the social status that comes with owning a $20 plus lip gloss, and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with wanting something if it makes you feel good. If you want to pay for the vibe of the product, then go ahead. But if vibes are draining your bank account, then it’s not worth it. Buying products based on their performance and not popularity could save you so much money in the long run. Just because a gloss is twice as expensive doesn’t mean it’s twice as good. The Elf Squeeze Me lip balm costs $5 and still manages to have a 4.6-star rating, and I personally love the smell and non-sticky finish.
So, during a time in our lives when we are managing gas prices and expensive school lunches, it doesn’t make any sense to buy these overpriced lip products. Even though you might feel pressured by the people on your For You page, you don’t need to overspend on products that don’t perform any better than the cheaper options.