There are lip oils, and then there are the lip oils that seem to become the blueprint for everything that follows. The Dior Lip Glow Oil has firmly landed in the latter camp, becoming one of those instantly recognizable beauty products that has helped fuel our ongoing obsession with glossy, juicy-looking lips. But at $54, it’s also very much a luxury purchase. Enter the e.l.f. Glow Reviver Lip Oil, an $11 alternative with noticeably similar packaging and the same promise of glossy, hydrated-looking lips.
Of course, looking alike on your vanity doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll perform the same on your lips. Beyond the price difference, there are some interesting distinctions between their formulas, ingredients, textures and finishes. As a beauty editor, I get to test a lot of makeup—and an almost ridiculous number of lip products—so I put both to the test to see how they actually compare and answer the real question: Is Dior worth the splurge, or can you get everything you need from e.l.f.?
Formula Overview
Beyond the glossy finish and similar packaging, these two lip oils take pretty different approaches to their formulas.
Dior Lip Glow Oil Formula
The Dior Lip Glow Oil has an emollient-rich base that creates its smooth, glossy texture. Dior highlights sweet cherry seed oil as its hero ingredient for nourishing and hydrating the lips. The formula also contains canola oil, caprylic/capric triglyceride, vitamin E and algae extract.
Dior offers the Lip Glow Oil in three different finishes: sheer, shimmer and high shine, so there’s some variety depending on the lip look you’re going for. The brand also promotes the formula as being pH-reactive, meaning it’s designed to interact with the lips and reveal a customized colour.
When looking at the ingredient list, I noticed that the cherry seed oil appears fairly far down. While it’s a big part of how Dior markets the formula, the product relies heavily on other emollients to create its texture, shine and conditioning feel.
e.l.f. Glow Reviver Lip Oil Formula
The e.l.f. Glow Reviver Lip Oil is similarly built around an emollient base, with ingredients like hydrogenated polyisobutene, tridecyl trimellitate and polyisobutene helping create that glossy, cushiony texture. Where e.l.f. stands out is its blend of conditioning ingredients. You get squalane, apricot kernel oil, avocado oil, jojoba seed oil and pomegranate seed oil, plus vitamin E.
e.l.f. has also expanded the Glow Reviver line with a plumping version, giving you another option if you want the glossy finish of a lip oil with a plumping effect.
So, while these two products are constantly compared, there’s actually quite a bit of difference. Dior puts more emphasis on different finishes and its pH-reactive colour technology, while e.l.f. packs its original formula with a wider mixture of plant oils and has expanded the line to include a plumping option.
Similarities in the Ingredients
These aren’t identical formulas, but there are a few similarities between the two:
- Vitamin E: Both contain tocopherol, an antioxidant that also helps condition the lips.
- Caprylic/capric triglyceride: An emollient found in both formulas that helps soften and smooth the lips.
- Plant oils: Both incorporate plant-derived oils, although the specific oils and number of them differ.
- Emollient-heavy formulas: Both rely on emollients to create their smooth texture while helping the lips feel soft and conditioned.
- Added fragrance: Neither formula is fragrance-free.
Essentially, both formulas are trying to accomplish the same thing: give you the high-shine finish of a gloss with the conditioning feel you’d expect from a lip oil. They just use somewhat different ingredient combinations to get there.
Differences in the Ingredients
The biggest difference is the selection of oils and conditioning ingredients each brand uses.
Dior Lip Glow Oil:
- Sweet cherry seed oil
- Canola oil
- Vitamin E
- Undaria pinnatifida (algae) extract
- Menthol
- Peppermint oil
e.l.f. Glow Reviver Lip Oil:
- Squalane
- Apricot kernel oil
- Avocado oil
- Jojoba seed oil
- Pomegranate seed oil
- Vitamin E
The e.l.f. formula has a broader blend of plant oils, while Dior’s ingredient story is much more focused on its cherry oil.
Another noticeable difference is the addition of menthol and peppermint oil in Dior. These ingredients can contribute to the cooling or slightly tingly sensation you get when applying it. e.l.f. doesn’t include either ingredient, which is worth noting if you have particularly sensitive lips or simply don’t like that cooling feeling.
What surprised me most is that spending more doesn’t necessarily get you a longer list of oils. Based purely on the ingredient lists, e.l.f. actually has the more extensive mix of conditioning plant oils and squalane.
That doesn’t automatically make e.l.f. the better lip oil, though. Formulation is about much more than how many recognizable ingredients you can count on the back of the packaging. How those ingredients are combined—and how the finished product actually performs—is ultimately more important.
Packaging
Both have a similar overall look, complete with their respective logos on the packaging, and both come with a plush, oversized cushion applicator.
There is a noticeable difference in how the packaging feels, though. The Dior Lip Glow Oil definitely feels more luxe, which isn’t surprising considering the price point. The e.l.f. packaging feels a little cheaper in comparison, even though it still looks cute and gets the job done.
- Applicator: Both have plush, oversized cushion applicators.
- Overall design: The packaging has a noticeably similar look and shape.
- Branding: Both prominently feature their logos on the packaging.
- Quality: Dior’s component feels heavier and more luxurious, while e.l.f.’s feels lightweight.
- Functionality: Despite the difference in how luxe they feel, both are easy and convenient to apply.
This is one area where you can feel more of the difference between a drugstore and luxury product. Dior gives you a more elevated packaging experience, while e.l.f. delivers a similar concept at a much lower price point.
My Experience Wearing Them
This is where I noticed the biggest difference between the two. The e.l.f. Glow Reviver Lip Oil still has that thick texture you expect from a lip oil, but it feels noticeably thinner on the lips compared to Dior. The Dior Lip Glow Oil has a slightly thicker consistency that feels more nourishing on my lips, which I personally prefer.
When it comes to colour, I have the e.l.f. Glow Reviver Lip Oil in Pink Quartz, which is quite sheer and gives the lips more of a glossy wash than noticeable colour. It also has a minty scent, while the Dior Lip Glow Oil has more of a peppermint scent.
I have a few different versions of the Dior Lip Glow Oil, including Spicy in the shimmer finish and Latte in the high-shine finish, with Latte being one of my favourites.
After wearing both, I have to say I prefer the Dior Lip Glow Oil by quite a bit. While e.l.f. has an impressive formula, especially for its price point, I enjoy Dior’s formula, packaging and overall experience more. It’s one of those cases where looking at the ingredient lists alone doesn’t tell the entire story—for me, Dior simply feels more luxe and nourishing when I’m actually wearing it.
Final Verdict: e.l.f. Glow Reviver Lip Oil vs. Dior Lip Glow Oil
There is a huge price difference between these two. The e.l.f. Glow Reviver Lip Oil is $11 for 7.6 mL, while the Dior Lip Glow Oil is $54 for 6 mL. So, not only is e.l.f. significantly cheaper, you’re actually getting more product.
Is the Dior Lip Glow Oil a necessary purchase? Nooooo. No one needs to spend $54 on a lip oil, especially when there are so many affordable options out there. But I have to admit, it is a really nice lip oil. I prefer the thicker, more nourishing feel of the Dior formula; the packaging feels more luxe, and I simply enjoy the overall experience of using it more. If I had to choose between the two based purely on which one I like better, Dior wins for me.
That being said, the e.l.f. Glow Reviver Lip Oil isn’t a bad option at all. It’s still hydrating, gives the lips a pretty glossy finish and has a nice blend of conditioning ingredients for the price. If you just want to add a lip oil to your collection without spending a lot, I’d go with e.l.f. I also think it would make a cute beauty gift for a preteen or someone who’s just starting to get into makeup.
Ultimately, e.l.f. wins on price and value, but Dior wins on the overall experience for me. You absolutely don’t need to spend $54 to get hydrated, glossy lips, but if you’re willing to splurge and want something that feels a little more special, I do think the Dior Lip Glow Oil delivers that.
Dior Lip Glow Oil Hydrating High-Shine Gloss
e.l.f Glow Reviver Lip Oil
Disclosure: This product was gifted, but I am under no obligation to share a positive review. All opinions are entirely my own and based on my honest experience. This post also contains affiliate links; if you choose to purchase them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support the content I create. Thank you for your support!
Photo courtesy of Sephora. Graphic made by Mursal.