Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty just launched a product that solves a very specific summer problem: lip oils feel amazing, but they’re messy. You need a mirror, a steady hand, and ideally no wind. The brand’s new Soft Pinch Lip Oil Stick takes the hydration people love about lip oils and locks it into a twist-up stick, so there’s no wand, no doe-foot applicator, and nothing to spill in a hot car.
It launched on July 7, and it’s already being talked about as one of the more practical drops from Rare Beauty this year, mostly because it fixes an actual annoyance rather than chasing a trend.
What Exactly Is a Lip Oil Stick?
A lip oil stick takes the same nourishing, glossy formula found in traditional liquid lip oils and sets it into a solid bullet, similar to a lipstick or tinted balm. You twist it up and swipe directly onto lips, no applicator needed.
Rare Beauty’s version is built around apple seed oil, which is rich in fatty acids and helps reinforce the lips’ natural moisture barrier. The brand also adds a blend of nourishing oils meant to keep the finish soft and smooth without turning sticky, which has always been the biggest complaint about traditional lip oils.
Why It’s Being Called Melt-Proof
Liquid lip oils have a real weakness in summer: heat makes them run, smudge, or slide off the lip line within an hour. A solid stick formula behaves differently. Because the oils are suspended in a wax and polymer base rather than floating in liquid form, the product holds its shape and stays put on the lips even when temperatures climb.
Rare Beauty says the color and shine last up to 8 hours, while the moisture and comfort last a bit longer. That’s a meaningful upgrade for anyone who’s ever reapplied lip oil three times before lunch.
Key Features
- Format: Twist-up stick, no applicator or mirror needed
- Finish: Glossy, juicy shine with buildable color
- Wear time: Up to 8 hours of color and shine
- Core ingredient: Apple seed oil for barrier support and hydration
- Scent: Lightly scented with fresh apple
- Size: 0.1 oz / 3.4g
- Price: $25
- Shades: 8 total, ranging from sheer nudes to bold berries
Shade Lineup
| Shade | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Wish | Bright coral | Warm, tan, and deep skin tones wanting a pop of color |
| Dream | Mauve | Everyday wear, most skin tones |
| Muse | Nude beige | Fair to medium tones, minimal makeup days |
| Embrace | Warm brown | Deeper skin tones, fall-leaning look |
| Success | Red orange | Statement lip, warm undertones |
| Bloom | Violet pink | Cool undertones, spring and summer |
| Fortune | Deep berry | Evening wear, deeper skin tones |
| Journey | Deep cool brown | Cool undertones, everyday neutral |
How to Apply It for the Best Result
- Start with clean, dry lips. Any leftover balm or gloss will change how the color grips.
- Swipe directly from the stick in one or two strokes for a sheer wash of color, or go over it again for more pigment.
- If you want sharper definition, line lips first with a matte lip liner, then fill in with the stick.
- Skip heavy blotting. The formula is designed to sit on the lips without transferring much, so blotting removes product you’d otherwise keep.
Who Should Buy This
People who want lip oil’s glossy, hydrating look but don’t want to deal with a wand applicator will get the most out of this. It’s also a strong pick for anyone who touches up on the go, since a stick fits in a pocket or small bag without a cap that can pop open.
Who Should Skip It
If you prefer a fully matte finish, this isn’t it; the formula leans glossy by design. People with very dry, chapped lips may also want a heavier balm underneath first, since this is a color-and-shine product rather than a deep-repair treatment.
Lip Oil Stick vs. Traditional Lip Oil
| Factor | Lip Oil Stick | Traditional Liquid Lip Oil |
|---|---|---|
| Application | Twist-up, no applicator | Wand or doe-foot applicator |
| Mess factor | Low, solid formula | Higher, can run or spill |
| Heat performance | Holds shape in warm weather | Can soften or slide in heat |
| Portability | Pocket-friendly, no leak risk | Needs upright storage |
| Reapplication | Quick swipe, no mirror needed | Easier to overapply |
| Finish | Glossy, buildable | Glossy, often sheerer |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Rare Beauty Lip Oil Stick actually a lip oil?
Yes. It uses the same nourishing oil-based formula as a liquid lip oil, just set into a solid, twist-up stick for mess-free application.
How long does the color last?
Rare Beauty states the color and shine last up to 8 hours, based on an independent consumer study.
Will it melt in hot weather?
It’s more heat-stable than liquid lip oils because the oils are set in a solid base, though extreme heat can soften any lip product over time.
Does it feel sticky?
No. The formula is designed to feel smooth and never sticky, according to the brand’s product testing.
Can I wear it over lip liner?
Yes. Lining first with a matte liner, like Rare Beauty’s Kind Words liner, gives more definition before filling in with the stick.
What’s the price and where can I buy it?
It retails for $25 and is available at Rare Beauty’s own site, Sephora, and Ulta.
Final Thoughts
Rare Beauty keeps proving it knows exactly what its audience wants, and the Soft Pinch Lip Oil Stick is no exception. It takes everything people love about lip oils and makes it more practical for real life, especially during the hottest months of the year.
If you’re on the hunt for a lip product that survives summer without losing its shine or its color, this one deserves a spot in your bag.
At the end of the day, this is the kind of product that quietly becomes a staple. You reach for it without thinking, it does its job, and you never have to worry about it letting you down halfway through the day. That’s rare for a lip product, and honestly, it’s rare for a brand to nail it this well on the first try.
Have you tried the new lip oil stick yet? Drop your favorite shade in the comments, and don’t forget to share this post with a friend who needs a melt-proof lip upgrade this summer.
