As we age, the wrong lipstick shade can add years to your appearance instead of enhancing your natural beauty. Choosing the right hue is essential for a youthful look, from drying formulas to unflattering colors. Here’s a breakdown of 15 lipstick shades you should avoid if you want to stay looking fresh and vibrant.
1. Pale Neutrals
Pale lipsticks can wash out your complexion, making you look tired and older. Without enough contrast, your lips disappear, leaving your face less defined and aged.
2. Gothic Black
Black lipstick might be edgy, but it’s harsh on mature skin. The dark color emphasizes fine lines around the mouth and drains warmth from your complexion, making you look tired and older.
3. Rose Brown
Deep rosewood shades tend to be too dark and overpowering, adding years to your look. The heaviness of the color makes lips appear thinner and less vibrant, taking away from your natural beauty.
4. Orange Red
Vivid orange-red hues can clash with many skin tones, especially if your complexion has any redness. This bold color can make fine lines and wrinkles stand out, aging your appearance.
5. Gray Taupe
Cool-toned taupe shades have a way of washing out your skin tone. The muted color can leave your face looking lifeless, dull, and aged, highlighting imperfections instead of masking them.
6. Shimmering Bronze
Metallic and frosted shades like bronze can exaggerate lines and cracks in the lips. The reflective shimmer draws attention to imperfections and gives off an outdated, unflattering vibe.
7. Bold Neons
Bold neon shades are playful but can emphasize every crease and crack on your lips. These bright, youthful tones are best left for younger crowds, as they tend to highlight imperfections in older skin.
8. Vampy Purple
Deep purple shades can make your lips look thinner and draw attention to fine lines. This dark hue tends to highlight imperfections and adds an overall harshness to your look, aging you quickly.
9. Hot Chocolate
Dark brown lipsticks can create a severe, outdated look. Instead of adding warmth, they often make your lips look smaller and less defined, which adds years to your appearance.
10. Boring Beige
Flat, muted beige shades can sap the life out of your complexion. They don’t add depth or vibrancy, leaving your lips dull and making your face look washed out.
11. Red Red Wine
Rich, dark red wine shades have a blue undertone that can make your lips look thin and flat. They also tend to bring out any yellow tones in your teeth, giving an aged appearance.
12. Plum Burgundy
Deep berry and plum shades can make your lips look less full and vibrant. The dark hue contrasts too heavily with the skin, emphasizing wrinkles and fine lines.
13. Muted Mauve
Overly muted mauve tones lack the vibrancy needed to brighten up your face. Instead, they dull your complexion and draw attention to any lines or imperfections around your lips.
14. Brick Red
Brick reds have heavy brown undertones that can look dated and harsh on mature skin. This shade tends to be less flattering as it draws attention to signs of aging rather than refreshing your look.
15. Peach Coral
While soft peach corals can be flattering, overly bright versions make your teeth look yellow and your lips thinner. The intense color highlights imperfections, making you appear older.