Are Charlotte Tilbury’s Nectar Lip Oils the Latest Status Lip Balms?

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Whether it’s Dior’s new charm-adorned balm or Rhode’s viral lip balm phone case, lip products are the beauty industry’s status symbol du jour. The latest to join the lineup: Charlotte Tilbury’s Unreal Lips Healthy Glow Nectar Oils — a candy-slick, high-gloss launch that’s equal parts nostalgic and of the moment.

Rather than the minimal, barely-there formulas that have dominated the lip oil category, Charlotte Tilbury’s take goes maximal. The Nectar Lip Oils come in six ultra-glossy shades, including two — Strawberry Vanilla and Pink Watermelon — that adjust with your skin’s pH to create a custom tint. Each flavor was created with the perfumers behind Charlotte Tilbury’s fragrance collection that launched spring 2024, lending delicious, mood-boosting notes to each of the flavors.

Where the formula really shines is in the texture. It’s syrupy, plush, and makes lips look nearly lacquered, almost like they’ve been dipped in resin. Think: Lancôme Juicy Tubes, but grown up, with skin care benefits and a fresh sensibility. The Nectar Oils also nail the new wave of non-sticky lip gloss — the kind that gets its shine from hydrating actives instead of heavy silicones. Much like the recently launched Milk Makeup Balmades and YSE Beauty Like a Gloss Lip Tints, this formula relies on ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin E to deliver cushiony moisture with a glassy finish.

After testing multiple shades, the two pH-adjusting options — Strawberry Vanilla and Pink Watermelon — deserve a special mention. While many color-changing lip products fade within the hour, these stuck around, leaving a cool-toned, popsicle pink flush that held strong for nearly two hours. It’s a soft-focus stain effect, without the drying finish that often comes with long-wear formulas.

For the makeup minimalist that prefers a simply stunning clear lip oil, WWD’s shopping director, Adam Mansuroglu, echos the appeal of the new summer beauty essential in its tropical-scented formula.

“Charlotte Tilbury’s Unreal Lips Healthy Glow Nectar Oil in Juicylicious Coconut Water delivers a swift and effective swipe of high-summer beauty,” says Mansuroglu. “The gel applicator tip’s design makes it easy to gloss on-the-go with a long-lasting, glistening shine, and a delightful coconut aroma that instantly transports the senses to a beach paradise. The lip oil formula feels hydrating and nourishing, making your pout appear plumper with a light-catching coating that amplifies the shape of your supple lips, creating that ‘unreal’ effect sans stickiness.”

Equal parts lip treatment and dopamine hit, the Unreal Lips Nectar Oils feel like the kind of beauty buy you’ll want in every bag.

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Meet the Author

Claire Sullivan is a contributing commerce editor for WWD and Footwear News, where she writes and edits beauty, fashion, and lifestyle stories. She has over eight years of experience as a writer and editor for national media outlets including Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle, and Byrdie. She’s tested hundreds of products during her time as an editor, so she’s well-versed in selecting the products that make a meaningful difference in your skin and hair. Sullivan regularly reports on beauty launches and tested Charlotte Tilbury’s Unreal Lips Healthy Glow Nectar Oils to write this unbiased review.