This article is part of our series Battle of the Brands, in which we compare category-leading products to their counterparts to determine which are actually worth your money.
On the list of “it” beauty products, the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask is in the top 10. The viral lip treatment is loved by beauty aficionados, celebrities and Underscored readers alike. It promises softer lips overnight, and it comes in fun, yummy flavors like Berry and Gummy Bear.
Although this one is known for its glossy finish, a lip sleeping mask is more of a skin care product than makeup. It’s made to treat dry, chapped lips overnight and is typically richer than a regular lip balm, packing in conditioning ingredients like shea butter and vitamin E.
Since lip masks have become oh so popular, there’s been an influx of them on the market, mostly in the same price range as Laneige’s. I’m always on the hunt for a bargain, though, which is how I ended up finding a $7 drugstore alternative. With glowing reviews on Amazon — many even name-dropping its likeness to Laneige — I knew I had to test them side by side to see how they measured up.
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask vs. W7 Sweet Dreams Overnight Lip Mask at a glance
An overnight beauty product that we even like to use during the day, this fan-favorite lip mask moisturizes with a surprisingly lightweight formula that leaves lips feeling soft and smooth.
This budget-friendly lip treatment is rich and conditioning. It has impressive staying power, so you can actually wake up without any flaking or dryness.
It's available in two sizes, with the smaller 0.42-ounce jar available at CVS for under $5. (Both sizes are the same price on Amazon.)
Quick comparison
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Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
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| Key ingredients | Coconut oil, murumuru butter, shea butter, vitamin C |
| Flavors | Berry, Cotton Candy, Grapefruit, Gummy Bear, Sweet Candy, Vanilla and limited-edition flavors |
| Size(s) | 0.70 ounces |
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W7 Sweet Dreams Overnight Lip Mask
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| Key ingredients | Vitamin E, aloe vera, grapeseed oil |
| Flavors | Strawberry, Blueberry, Cherry Swirl, Green Apple |
| Size(s) | 0.42 oz., 0.70 oz. |
Both are hydrating, but W7’s formula stays on the lips better
Laneige’s lip mask is a buttery balm that instantly makes your lips feel smooth. It’s moisturizing yet light, with a slick application that you’re supposed to load on before bedtime so you wake up with super-soft lips. I love the way it melts onto my lips, although I found that you really do have to load on a few coats to get it to last until morning.
The W7 lip mask has a thicker, sticky texture that leaves a glossy shine on the lips. That stickiness translates to grip, as the mask will last on your lips for hours — even overnight. Whenever I apply it right before bed, I usually still feel a bit of the product on my lips when my alarm inevitably wakes me up in the morning. That’s why I tended to reach for the W7 lip mask as the last step in my nighttime routine but would apply the Laneige lip mask in the morning and throughout the day.
I also noticed that with its thicker consistency, the W7 product left an ever-so-subtle milky sheen to the lips, whereas Laneige’s lip mask applies completely sheer. In photos, however, the two products look virtually the same.
Because of its gloopy formula, the W7 lip mask feels kind of like spreading lip gloss on your lips with your finger, which I don’t love. On the flip side, although Laneige’s lip mask comes with a teeny-tiny applicator, it feels entirely unnecessary. It’s small and easy to lose, and because of Laneige’s smooth formula, I actually like applying that one with my finger.
As for ingredients, I like how many emollients Laneige includes (coconut oil, shea butter and murmuru butter), as well as real fruit extracts (cranberry, strawberry, raspberry, blueberry) as a source of vitamin C, which has anti-aging and antioxidant benefits. Keeping all these conditioning ingredients feeling lightweight is a win in my book.
W7’s formula isn’t as impressive on paper, with only grapeseed oil, coconut oil and aloe vera as the main moisturizers. However, because of its great staying power and strong moisture barrier, it still leaves the lips feeling noticeably softer and well hydrated.
Laneige has better flavor options
Comparing W7’s Strawberry flavor with Laneige’s Berry, there’s not a huge difference. Both are pleasant and slightly sweet but not overpowering.
However, W7’s lip mask only comes in Strawberry, Blueberry, Green Apple and Cherry Swirl, while Laneige has more than five standard flavors, including Vanilla, Grapefruit and candy-themed picks like Gummy Bear and Cotton Candy. They also release limited-edition flavors, like this season’s Candy Cane Swirl and Eggnog Latte. Having this variety is nice if you don’t love fruity flavors.
I also own the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask in Watermelon Pop, a seasonal flavor that was new this summer. Unlike the others, Watermelon Pop has an obvious tint to it that gives the lips a super-juicy finish.
Bottom line
If you’re new to overnight lip masks, I’d recommend starting with W7’s. It’s affordable, hydrating and tastes nice. Because of its thick, sticky texture, it will stay on your lips and deliver its moisturizing benefits all night long. However, if you’re not a fan of that gloopy feeling, like me, the silky texture of Laneige’s lip sleeping mask is worth the extra money. It feels lighter and smoother than your typical lip balm, but it’ll leave your lips utterly soft and conditioned.