Lipstick should add a touch of glamour and youthfulness to your look. As we age, it’s important to wear the right shade for your skin and steer clear of colors and textures that make you look older and less attractive. Like the skin, lips lose plumpness and moisture with aging and are prone to developing fine lines and wrinkles. So the last thing you want to do is make signs of aging look worse.
1. Orange Red
Vivid, intense red oranges can clash with skin tones, especially if you are prone to redness, and create an aging effect. As a general rule heavy matte lipsticks aren’t flattering when you’re older. It’s better to opt for soft shades — nothing too dark — and hydrating satin textures according to Allure. These shades tend to emphasize imperfections, creating an aging effect. Heavy matte formulas compound the problem as they settle into fine lines, making lips look dry and thin. Over time, wearing such vivid tones can make you appear older, not younger, as they draw unwanted attention to the mouth area. While these shades might have worked in your 20s, they become less forgiving as the lips lose their natural plumpness and moisture.
Opt for softer shades with hydrating satin or creamy finishes that flatter your skin tone. Coral-based reds or softer, true reds with a touch of pink work wonders without overpowering your look. Lip colors should complement your features, not fight against them. You can maintain a fresh, glowing appearance that enhances your natural beauty by choosing the right shade and texture.
2. Pitch Black
It might be edgy and trendy if you’re into “gothic core”, but matte black lipstick can look really harsh on the skin and draw attention to fine lines around the lips, according to professional makeup artist Willow Mayor.
The stark contrast of pitch-black lipstick against your skin can create a harsh, unflattering look. It draws attention to every fine line around the lips, emphasizing imperfections rather than camouflaging them. While it’s a favorite for gothic-inspired looks, it can make mature skin appear washed out and less vibrant. Black shades will only accentuate that effect if your lips look thinner over time.
Instead, explore softer, deep hues like plums or berry tones for a similar edgy vibe without the aging drawbacks. These shades still provide richness and drama but in a way that complements your features rather than overwhelming them. Hydrating formulas with a slight sheen can also prevent your lips from appearing dry or cracked. Black lipstick is best reserved for themed events or younger audiences, while deeper, flattering shades offer sophistication without sacrificing boldness.
3. Chocolate Brown
Chocolate brown lipstick might have been trendy in the ’90s, but it often creates a heavy, dated look as you age. Dark, matte browns tend to make lips appear thinner and less defined, which doesn’t work in your favor as natural fullness decreases over time. These shades can also dull your complexion, particularly if they have cool undertones. Instead of creating a polished, sophisticated appearance, they add severity to your features, which can unintentionally age you.
For a more modern approach, try softer brown-based nudes or warm caramel shades that provide a hint of depth without overpowering your face. Creamy or satin textures add a touch of hydration, giving your lips a healthy, youthful glow. These alternatives still offer the richness of brown but with added warmth and softness that enhance your skin tone. Subtle, elegant shades are far more flattering and versatile for a polished, timeless look.
4. Plum Burgundy
Dark plum and burgundy lipsticks might seem glamorous, but they often do more harm than good for mature skin. These deep hues create a stark contrast with your complexion, emphasizing signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles around the lips. They can also make your lips appear thinner and less vibrant, which detracts from a youthful appearance. Even worse, dark shades like these can highlight discoloration in teeth, making them look more yellow than they actually are.
Instead, consider softer berry tones or rosy mauves that add a pop of color without overwhelming your features. These shades brighten your complexion and bring out a natural radiance, making you look more refreshed and vibrant. A touch of gloss or a creamy formula can further enhance the fullness of your lips, providing a healthy, youthful glow. By choosing colors that enhance rather than overpower, you can achieve a chic, age-appropriate look that flatters your features.
5. Vampy Purple
Deep purple lipstick can be daring and dramatic, but it often works against you as you age. These shades highlight every imperfection, from uneven texture to fine lines, making lips look less smooth and inviting. The dark, cool undertones also clash with many skin tones, creating a harsh, unflattering effect. Instead of exuding confidence and sophistication, vampy purples can make you look older and less approachable.
For a more flattering option, explore softer lavender or plum hues with a hint of warmth. These shades provide a similar depth without overwhelming your natural beauty. A hydrating formula with a slight sheen can also create the illusion of fuller, healthier lips. While purple tones can be fun, choosing the right variation is key to maintaining a polished, youthful look. Subtle adjustments in color and texture can make all the difference in how these shades enhance your overall appearance.
6. Red Wine
Rich dark wine shades, especially anything with a blue undertone will instantly age your appearance and make the lips look thinner and often have a harsh aging effect on mature skin. These deep hues, especially those with blue undertones, create a stark contrast with your complexion, emphasizing fine lines and making your lips look thinner. They can also accentuate any discoloration in your teeth, giving them a yellowish appearance that detracts from your smile. While these colors might look dramatic in a photo, they often feel overly severe in real life, drawing attention to imperfections rather than enhancing your features.
A better alternative would be softer berry tones or red shades with a hint of warmth that brighten your complexion. These colors still provide depth but with a more flattering and approachable effect. Opt for hydrating formulas that smooth the lips and create a subtle glow, adding vitality to your overall look. Red wine shades may have their place in certain bold fashion statements, but for everyday wear, softer and warmer tones will elevate your appearance.
7. Brick Red
A red with heavy brown undertones can also be aging compared to brighter, more vibrant true red shades. These shades often create a dulling effect, making your lips appear flatter and less vibrant. The warmth of the brown undertones can clash with your skin tone, especially if you have a cooler or neutral complexion. Rather than adding a healthy glow, brick reds can age your appearance, making your features look harsher.
Instead, choose a true red or a softer coral-based red that brightens your overall look. These alternatives add a pop of color without the heaviness, creating a fresh, youthful vibe. Pairing a satin or creamy finish with these shades ensures your lips stay hydrated and full-looking. While brick red may seem like a versatile choice, switching to a more vibrant or balanced tone can transform your makeup routine.
8. Frosted Pink
Frosted pink lipstick might evoke nostalgia, but it tends to work against mature skin by settling into fine lines. The shimmer in frosted formulas reflects light unevenly, highlighting lip texture and drawing attention to imperfections. While it may have been a go-to shade in the past, it often creates a dated and overly youthful effect that feels out of place. Frosted pinks can also clash with your complexion, washing out your features instead of enhancing them.
A better choice would be a soft rosy pink with a satin finish. This type of shade adds a touch of warmth and complements your natural coloring without emphasizing signs of aging. Hydrating formulas smooth out lip lines, giving your pout a plumper, healthier appearance. By choosing a modern pink with a subtle glow, you can achieve a polished and flattering look.
9. Shimmering Bronze
Shimmering bronze lipsticks are bold, but they tend to emphasize lip texture and fine lines, making them less ideal for mature skin. The metallic finish reflects light unevenly, creating an effect that highlights every imperfection. Instead of adding a radiant glow, bronze shades can make your lips look dry and older than they are. These colors often clash with a natural complexion, giving an overly harsh or dated appearance.
If you want a warm, sun-kissed look, opt for caramel or peachy tones with a creamy finish. These shades add warmth without the glitter, offering a more natural, youthful result. Hydrating formulas ensure your lips remain smooth and plump, creating a polished effect. While shimmering bronze might work for dramatic evening looks, softer alternatives provide a more flattering and wearable option for everyday use.
10. Pale Neutrals
Pale neutral lipsticks can wash out your complexion, making you look tired and older than you are. These shades often lack the vibrancy needed to enhance your natural features, leaving you looking flat or dull. Very light shades can also make your lips disappear, emphasizing the loss of definition that comes with aging.
Instead, choose a warm or pink-toned nude that complements your skin tone. These options provide a natural, polished appearance while maintaining a sense of liveliness. Creamy or slightly glossy formulas help create the illusion of fuller, smoother lips. Pale neutrals might seem like a safe choice, but adding a touch of warmth can make a world of difference.
11. Gray Taupe
Gray taupe lipsticks are often trendy, but their cool, muted tones can make your skin look lifeless and dull. These shades lack the warmth and vibrancy needed to balance the natural changes in your complexion as you age. Instead of providing a chic, modern look, they can emphasize shadows and fine lines around your lips.
Opt for nudes with peach or rose undertones that brighten your complexion and add subtle warmth. These shades still offer a neutral look but with a much more flattering finish. A creamy or satin texture will enhance the overall effect, giving your lips a soft, youthful glow.
12. Peach Coral
Bright peach or coral lipsticks can sometimes overpower your features, making teeth appear yellow and lips look thinner. While these shades can be vibrant, they often clash with mature skin tones, creating an unbalanced look.
A softer coral or peachy pink provides the same fresh effect but in a more forgiving tone. These alternatives add vibrancy without overwhelming your features. Stick with hydrating formulas to ensure your lips look smooth and healthy.
13. Boring Beige
Muted beige tones can drain the life from your complexion, making your lips look flat and uninspired. While they might seem versatile, their lack of depth can emphasize signs of aging, making you look washed out and highlighting wrinkles and skin imperfections.
Choose warm beige tones with a hint of pink or peach for a more lively, flattering effect. These alternatives provide a subtle, natural finish that enhances your features rather than dulling them.
14. Muted Mauve
Muted mauve tones often lack vibrancy, giving your complexion a dull, lifeless appearance. These shades can make lip lines more noticeable and detract from a youthful glow. They are also a touch on the “grandma” side.
Opt for brighter mauves or berry-infused pinks that add a pop of color without overwhelming your look. These shades bring warmth and vitality, enhancing your natural beauty and enlivening your complexion.
15. Neon Brights
Bold neon lipstick shades are fun and bold but often too harsh for mature skin so they’re best left for the teens, as they are unflattering and will exaggerate lines and imperfections fast. Their intense brightness draws attention to lip imperfections and fine lines and can also make you look like you’re trying too hard to be “trendy”
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For a playful but polished look, opt for bold but slightly muted shades like coral pinks or vibrant reds. These alternatives provide impact without overwhelming your features.
16. Rosy Brown
Heavy rosewood shades and deep rosy browns can be too dark and harsh for most skin tones making you look less attractive and older. These heavy shakes emphasize lines and making lips appear thinner. While they might seem like a classic choice, they often age your appearance unnecessarily.
A lighter rose or pinkish-brown shade provides a similar sophistication without the harshness. These softer tones keep your skin appear fresh, vibrant, and more youthful and give you a more stylish and sophisticated look.