We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but just like your face, the skin on your lips is susceptible to a few age-related changes. Over time, full, plump lips can take on a flatter appearance; fine lines can become more visible; and that once pillowy soft surface begs for moisture (fun times, we know). The truth is, all of these changes are inevitable. “As we mature, we tend to lose collagen production, which causes our skin to become thinner and result in volume reduction,” says Los Angeles-based makeup artist Elaina Badro. “Mature skin also produces less oil, which leads to dryness.” What does this mean for your lippie stash? While hydrating lip balms, lip oils, and lip masks will always treat your lips right, it’s understandable if you don’t want to sacrifice bold pops of red, pink, and fuschia in the name of hydration. As such, you’ll want to seek out lipsticks that are thoughtfully formulated with hydrating ingredients, so that they apply smoothly and manage to not settle into fine lines on the lips.
An ingredient that’s exceptionally helpful for those with mature lips is one that your skin-care lineup may already be familiar with: hyaluronic acid. “Hyaluronic acid provides hydration and plumpness — it also helps fill in the cracks on the surface of the lips by drawing in moisture, also known as a humectant,” says Badro. Other heavy hitters in the world of moisturizing ingredients are emollients like shea butter and cocoa butter, which both work to soften dry cracks and blur the appearance of fine lines. These ingredients are also responsible for giving your lipstick formulas that easy-gliding application. In terms of what to avoid, Los Angeles-based makeup artist Erin B. Guth recommends steering clear of super matte formulas, as they’re drier in consistency and may highlight fine lines.
Aside from seeking out more nourishing ingredients for your maturing lips, your application technique plays a role. To enhance the look of your lips, Guth says to start with a clear lip balm to prime and prep the area. “Primers are a great way to ensure that the products stay in place, and can prevent feathering which can draw attention to fine lines,” she says. After primer, she recommends using a lip pencil one to two shades darker than your natural lip color to slightly overdraw and give the illusion of bigger lips (try the Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner for this step). Fill in your lips with your lipstick of choice, pop a bit of a lighter shade to the middle of the lips to highlight, and voilà! Instantly plump-looking lips.
Ahead, we spoke to our makeup artist friends to find out the best lipsticks for mature skin.
Our Top Picks:
- Best Line-Smoothing Finish: Chanel Rouge Coco Ultra Hydrating Lip Color, $45
- Best Liquid Lipstick for Mature Skin: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Lip Blur, $35
- Best Purse-Friendly: Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm, $36
- Most Pigmented: Anastasia Beverly Hills Satin Lipstick, $23
- Most Comfortable: Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Crème, $24
- Most Long-Wearing: Revlon Colorstay Overtime Liquid Lipstick, $12
- Most Hydrating: By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra-Balm, $38
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