I passed on the Hourglass No. 28 Lip Treatment Oil when it launched because I didn't need anymore lip balm type products. But!! In December, YSL and Clarins have both launched their own lip oil balm/treatment products, and these I was very interested in because they looked like they actually had a tint to them. 

***All items purchased by me. Affiliate links included. 

YSL Volupte Tint-In-Oil in 4 I Rose You, $32/.2oz @ Sephora, Nordstrom, Saks and other YSL retailers. Available in many colors. 

As always, the YSL packaging is gorgeous with a nice weight to it. The tube actually clicks closed, a detail I really appreciate! 

The applicator is an interesting shape, one that is meant to hug your lips for a more 'precise and uniform application'. I didn't find it made much of a difference from a regular sponge tip applicator. However, if this was a more pigmented and lipstick type product, it might be useful??

The 4 oils this contains are: coriander, jojoba, apricot kernel and passiflora eludis seed (passionfruit seed). And this has the typical YSL fragrance. 

The good: The texture is pretty smooth and lightweight, not too sticky or tacky. The formula feels nice and hydrating. 

The bad: OMG this doesn't last. At all!!! Seriously...less than an hour and it left me thinking...did I put anything on my lips?!! 

The applicator makes it look like the color might be bright and pretty, even if it's sheer. Ok, not so much. But there's the arm swatch, yes that makes it look like it'd be subtle but still pretty?!! Nope. It looks like I didn't put anything on my lips. But that is probably due to the natural pigmentation in my lips. 

Ok, so I actually pretty much knew that going in from watching this video from Tarababyz (start at 8:21), but I still wanted to try this because the whole tinted lip oil thing sounded very interesting. Too bad it didn't work out. I wonder how all the other colors show on the lips?? I can totally deal with the lack of pigment, but pretty much zero staying power is just not acceptable! This was returned. 

Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil (LE) in 02 Raspberry, $23/.1oz @ Nordstrom, Macy's and other Clarins retailers. 

I ordered this when I saw it in the New Arrivals section of Nordstrom Beauty. Given that the YSL was a bust, I was hoping for redemption in this one! This also comes in 01 Honey, which is a yellow/orangy color, but Nordstrom doesn't have that color at the moment. Oh, and supposedly this is Limited Edition. 

It's been awhile since I've purchased anything from Clarins. I used to be a highly devoted fan many years ago - most of my skincare and quite a bit of my makeup was from the Clarins...so it was nice to revisit the brand :-)  

I do really like the packaging on the lip oil! It may not have the heft and luxe feel of the YSL, but I still think the gold lid and lettering add a really nice touch and I quite enjoy pulling this out of my makeup bag! 

As you can see, the applicator is a much larger than normal sponge tip...

...and here's a side view. It's kind of strangely big, but somehow it works and is comfortable. 

This has a sweet berry scent, but I really like it and only wish it had a flavor too ha ha! I don't find it overwhelming, but if you are sensitive to fragrance you might give it a sniff test before purchase. 

Here are the oils this one contains: mirabelle plum, jojoba, and hazelnut. One less oil, but I actually find this more deeply hydrating than the YSL...I also find it soothing. 

This is also not sticky (well as much as a product of this type can be) or tacky. And while it doesn't have amazingly long wear time, I can at least get a couple hours out of it before I feel it starting to wear off. 

Now, you'd think from this swatch that it is going to show up even less than the YSL, but guess what?!!! While it is very subtle, I can tell I have actually applied something to my lips - and I really love the color! ***EDIT: This is still very sheer, but as opposed to the YSL where it just looked like clear gloss, with the Clarins I can at least see a little color even if it's just a hint :-)

So I'm keeping the Clarins!! Staying power isn't super duper, but at least I can work with it. Plus, I love the fact that it's very hydrating and soothing, and hey...it makes my lips look good :-)