Don’t you hate it when people hold products up to the camera that bear a passing resemblance to each other, proclaiming them to be dupes when they absolutely aren’t? (It’s clickbait, baby.) Yes, me too. That being said: is the e.l.f. lip oil a Dior dupe? It absolutely is! And I’ll tell you why, and what you should know before you buy either one.
Dupes, whatever?!?
Listen, if you have two pink lipsticks, with somewhat similar colours, they’re NOT dupes. A dupe would not only have a nearly similar colour, but also similar properties AND ingredients. Otherwise, it’s just clickbait, and I’m prepared to die on that hill.
A dupe, in my world, should perform just as the duped product. Fortunately, elf’s Glow Reviver Lip Oil does!
Comparison:
Dior Lip Glow Oil
What it is
‘(…) a glossy lip oil that deeply protects and enhances the lips, lastingly bringing out their natural color.’
Dior
Comes in 8 shades, and is 44€ for 6ml/0.2 fl/oz.
Dior claims that ‘infused with cherry oil, Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil instantly nourishes, protects, softens and revitalizes the lips’ and says the oil is ‘non-greasy, non-sticky (…) and creates a smoothing film that shapes the lips with an almost magnifying mirror-shine effect.‘ Regarding the effect, they say: ‘Enriched with cherry oil, its pampering formula creates a protective film against stress factors.’
How it performs
Thankfully, I’ve written a full review about the Lip Glow Oil before, here. I was smitten with it then, and it still is my benchmark against all lip oils are measured, because – it’s really, really good. By that I mean, the lip oil is a dream for dry lips. You’ve got to like the really thick, gloopy texture with just a hint of colour – but if you like that, you’ll love the Dior lip oil.
It smells like a minty vanilla with a dash of cherry, and makes your lips feel incredibly plush and hydrated. And when they say ‘mirror-shine effect’, boy they weren’t lying.
What makes it stellar, though, for me, is this: the glossy/moisturizing effect stays. After hours I’d press my lips together and yup, it’s there. Not worn off after a few minutes like many glosses, or when you had a sip of your drink. Also, your lips won’t be in need of moisture seconds after it has worn off. It’s spectacular.
e.l.f. Glow Reviver Lip Oil
What it is
‘An ultra-glossy tinted lip oil that nourishes, hydrates and enhances your lips’ natural color.’
e.l.f.
Comes in 7 shades, and is 9€ for 0.25 fl/oz (7,6ml).
elf claims the oil to be ‘non-sticky, hydrating lip oil with a high-gloss finish’ and points out various moisturizing ingredients, like squalene, apricot, avocado, pomegranate and jojoba oil. The lip oil smells and tastes slightly minty, but the mint isn’t used as a lip plumper.
How it performs
Like the Dior lip oil, elf’s lip oil feels very thick, smooth and plush on the lips. Again, you have to like a thick formula, but your lips won’t stick together. They feel simply nourished and moisturized. In my shade (Rose Envy) it doesn’t really give off any colour, but makes my lips look shinier and a bit smoother. It gives me lasting hydration, even if it wears off after I had a drink and I don’t need to immediately reapply, like it happens with some other glosses. It’s a really, really good lip oil, although it’s not fully as cushion-y as Dior’s.
Comparison – conclusion
Formula
Honestly, if you’d blindfold me and then apply either lip oil on my lips, I doubt I could point out whether it’s elf or Dior. The Dior lip oil tastes a bit sweeter, is a bit thicker and plushier feeling, leaving the lips looking (looking, not being!) plumper and shinier.
You’ll see that the first three ingredients in the inci list are identical. It’s often said that the first five make up the bulk of a products’ formula, so I’m fairly sure that these are really, really similar, formula-wise. The higher amount of oils in elf’s formula may be responsible for the slightler thinner texture. Both have fragrance high on their inci list, so be aware of that. I don’t find either smell/taste obnoxious.
Both are very moisturizing, even when the product wears off. Obviously, they don’t survive a meal, and the colour they impart is ridiculous. (Meaning, completely neglectable, although both look insanely good over a lipliner.)
Texture
To like either one, you should be ok with a thick layer of product on your lips – it’s definitely very noticeable.
A word on stickiness: both brands claim that their oils are non-sticky. That’s only vaguely true – sure, your lips won’t stick together like they did with lipglosses of yore. But: it’s a sticky formula, and hair, for example, will definitely stick to it. You’ll leave residue on your pets, scarves, significant other, glasses and cups. You get the picture.
I should also mention that 44€ will get you a relatively leak-free packaging at Dior. EVERY other lip oil packaging started to leak after two thirds of the product was gone, while Dior’s packaging stays relatively smear- and goop-free.
Availability
And finally: do not, I beg you, EVER, pay full price for the Dior oil. I, for example, am a member of my local airport’s duty-free reward program, and will buy them only there with a significant discount.
elf, on the other hand, is right now really difficult to buy where I am, and I’ve to thank one of my friends who trawled through every Superdrug and Boots in London to grab one for me. Right now, it’s only available on the European elf website (or Beautybay) for me in Germany.
But: the elf lip oil is definitely the closest Dior lip oil dupe from the drugstore I’ve tried, and that includes NYX, essence and Catrice.
Please note that this post is not sponsored in any way! Twindly is an independent blog, and our reviews reflect that. Sometimes we’ll use affiliate links that will be clearly marked. Affiliate links mean that if you choose to buy a product through this link, I’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost for you. If you decide to do that, thank you for helping to keep the blog afloat! (No matter if the link is affiliate or not, the reviews will always truthfully reflect how any product performed when I tested it.)
1 Comment