When it comes to makeup, one of the trickiest things as we age is to find the best lipstick for older women. It might be an essential item of makeup for older women, but finding one that compliments your skin tone and lip shape can be difficult.
From neutral nudes, browns and pinks to bold reds and purples, a good lipstick is like a mascara for older women, in that it can make you look instantly put together when you're in a rush, even if you've not had time to put on your favourite foundation for mature skin.
Best lipsticks for older women at a glance:
As we get older, it's normal for our lips to lose volume and fullness, and it's normal to start developing fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth, which can make finding a lipstickthat doesn't empathise this difficult. Luckily there are many formulas and colours designed to make your lips appear fuller and more hydrated throughout the day.
Whether you're on the hunt for a neutral-tintedlip balm that you can wear every day or a bold lipstick to wear on special occasions, we've rounded up some of best lipsticks for older women that'll make you feel glamorous in an instant.
How we tested these lipsticks
We asked Suzanne Baum, a 51-year-old award-winning beauty editor, to test out these lipsticks. Suzanne has written about beauty for over 20 years, and regularly reports on the latest beauty news; from trialling out new beauty innovations and aesthetic treatments to writing about the best products for women and men. With a keen interest in mature skincare, Suzanne has written extensively on everything from the best products to use during the menopause to how to protect your skin from the sun.
We sourced every lipstick on this list and asked women over the age of 40 to try them for an extended period of time. We then considered a number of factors including; value for money, ingredients, how hydrating the lipsticks were, how long the colour lasted and whether they gave lips a fuller and plumper appearance.
All our reviews are honest and genuine and we’ve included both the positive and negative comments received from our reviewers.
Best lipstick for older women
This creamy, natural formula is designed to glide smoothly onto the lips' surface with ease. for a long-lasting and hydrating finish, ideal for everyday wear. We particularly love that this lipstick is designed to nourish your lips while you wear it thanks to the range of minerals, vitamins, omegas and antioxidants. It’s also cruelty free and vegan.
Our reviewer Suzanne Baum, age 51 said: "This vegan lipstick comes in so many shades, but Balance is my favourite as I love a nude lip. As an 'earthy' nude it has a peach beige undertone, which looks lovely if you have sun-kissed skin. In just one swipe it gives full coverage so if you have fine lines on your lips, this covers them up. It also stays on a long time and didn’t come off when I ate, but it wasn't as long lasting as some of the other lipsticks I've tried. Lips felt nourished and moisturised, thanks to the abundance of omega-packed ingredients that help seal in moisture.
Pros
- Hydrating on the lips
- Wide colour range
- Vegan
- Covers fine lines on lips
Cons
- Not as long-lasting as some other lipsticks on the list
If you prefer a matte finish to your lips, then Charlotte Tilbury’s award-winning lipstick is formulated to be long-lasting, hydrating and moisturising and is available in an impressive 14 different shades. Enriched with nourishing minerals and light-reflecting pigments, it’s specifically designed to make lips appear more youthful, making it ideal for more mature lips.
Our reviewer Suzanne Baum, age 51 said: "There are 14 colours to choose from in this range, with my favourite being the iconic pillow talk shade that is a matte nude/pink lipstick. The angle-squared tip of the lipstick is cleverly designed to enable an easy application that fills in the lips. Enriched with soothing orchid and Lipstick Tree extracts, lips feel so hydrated and soft and using 3D glowing pigments, the lipstick creates the illusion of lit-from-within lips that appear wider and fuller. I did need to reapply after drinking and eating but the pout effect this lipstick gives is worth it."
Pros
- Highly pigmented colour
- 14 colours to choose from
- Hydrating matte lipstick
- Makes lips appear wider and fuller
Cons
- Need to reapply after eating
Sometimes, nothing beats a classic red lip to make you feel a million dollars. Clinique’s iconic shades of red are richly pigmented and can also be used as a blush on the cheeks. Each shade was designed to compliment a range of skin tones and undertones, and the formula is designed for non-bleeding, feather-resistant application. Some reviewers online found the shades a little too bright but we think they're great.
Our reviewer Suzanne Baum, age 51 said: "Red lipsticks can be tricky to use as we get older, particularly if your face suffers from dry patches and wrinkles. Bright pops of colour draw the eye to the face, so lips also need to be well-nourished to carry them off. I tried the Peppermint satin shade of this range that features 36 colours, as it is less intense than a bright red lip. It is a primer and lipstick in one which helps it stay in place without any smudging. It is quite a thick and creamy lipstick and does what it says on the packaging in lasting all day, without the need to top up."
Pros
- Suits all skin tones
- Doubles up as a blush tone
- Is a primer and a lipstick
Cons
- Some customers found some shades too bright
Warmer skin tones are complimented beautifully by brown and orange undertones, which is why this Elizabeth Arden lippy is ideal for more olive skin tones. We love how the Elizabeth Arden lipsticks are designed to condition your lips as you wear it with an anti-ageing formula enriched with Advanced Ceramide Complex, Vitamin E and Maracuja Oil for soft, supple and youthful lips. Opting for more of a brown shade is also a great way of changing your makeup for autumn.
**
Our reviewer Suzanne Baum, age 51 said:** "There’s a huge variety of colours in this range and my favourite shade is Be Bare as I love a nude lip. What I notice when I apply this lipstick is how it feels so soft on the lips. With an anti-ageing formula enriched with Advanced Ceramide Complex, Vitamin E and Maracuja Oil, the ingredients help support the lip barrier, meaning the colour doesn’t bleed but I did find the colour did wear off easily. This lipstick actually helps plump the mouth area and make it appear fuller, which is great if you have thin lips. A lovely creamy texture that softens the lips and goes to work all day."
Pros
- Super hydrating
- Anti-ageing formula
- Plumps lips
- Doesn't bleed
Cons
- Colour can wear off easily
This warm red shade from ILIA is ideal for darker skin tones. Full of moisture-boosting ingredients it’s sheer on first application but easily buildable. Perfect for lips that can gradually get drier throughout the day, it’s easy to apply and top-up and helps lips appear more plump.
Our reviewer Suzanne Baum, age 51 said: "Out of all the eight shades my favourite one is Memoir as it looks nice on my slightly bronzed skin. This product has a hydrated formula containing the key ingredients of Sea Succulent, Rosehip Oil, and Shea Butter, meaning lips feel instantly smoother on application. And because it is a balm, not a lipstick, it comes with all the skincare properties we need to help hydrate, moisturise, and protect lips. I think it is the best lip balm I have ever used and even though it is not as long-lasting as the other products I have featured here, it didn’t matter as it felt that applying a second time during the day was helping add nourishment to my lips."
Pros
- Hydrating formula
- Sheer, buildable colour
Cons
- Some found the flat top difficult to apply with
Best budget lipstick for older women
Rrp: $11.76
You don’t have to spend a lot to find a luscious lippy to add to your makeup collection. This nude shade from Max Factor provides rich colour with one sweep and a lightweight finish while being full of vitamin E, shea, avocado and aloe butter to keep your lips moisturised.
Our reviewer Suzanne Baum, age 51 said: "This “sunbronze” shade of lipstick is one of five colours available and is perfect for summer skin. With Vitamin E known for adding nourishment to your skin, it plays a crucial role in helping lock in moisture and preventing your lips from chapping but this may make the formula not matte enough for some. The lightweight formula glides easily onto the lips and feels as soft as butter, thanks to its blend of shea, avocado and aloe butters. Normally my lipstick comes off when I drink but this stayed put all day. Lips felt a tiny bit wet but more like a silky feel, more than a greasy one."
Pros
- Affordable
- Moisturising and conditioning
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Might not be matte enough for some
Best luxury lipstick
Victoria Beckhamwww.selfridges.com
If you fancy splurging on something a little more luxurious, then Victoria Beckham’s Posh Lipstick is a real treat for the lips. Available in 13 different shades, it’s super hydrating and nourishing on the lips for a medium coverage, making it ideal if you’re not all that confident wearing lipstick or want something more subtle. This medium coverage may mean it doesn't last as long as others.
It’s a firm favourite of our Senior Digital Writer, Lorna White: "This is the perfect everyday lipstick for me. My lips tend to get very dry during the day, and this lippy really helps them feel hydrated all day long. As someone who is very pale, I find the pout shade compliments my skin tone perfectly, and although I’ve worn it most days since having it, it’s showing no signs of running out, so it's well worth the money, in my opinion."
Pros
- Buildable coverage
- Comfortable wearing
Cons
- Doesn't last as long as other lipsticks
They may be affordable, but these satin finish lipsticks from Revolution are lightweight on the lips, and the five subtle shades are ideal for everyday wear. The formula is highly pigmented and doesn’t dry out the lips thanks to the blend of waxes and natural oils, vitamin E and sodium hyaluronate to hydrate lips, making it the best lipstick for older women.
Our reviewer Suzanne Baum, age 51 said: "Available in 12 shades I am wearing Lover Nude which is a couple of shades lighter than my actual lips. On application it does feel a bit dry but once on the 'silky' feel emerges, due to the combination of its blend of waxes and natural oils, vitamin E and sodium hyaluronate which work together to hydrate lips. The formula is nicely pigmented which helps the colour and opacity to shine through. There’s something about this lipstick that made me want to lick my lips as they felt like satin but I was able to resist. An excellent buy if you are on a budget."
Pros
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- Contains vitamin E
Cons
- We found it felt a bit dry on application
If you prefer a glossy, high-shine finish on the lips, then you might prefer a gloss. This can be worn by itself or over the top of lipstick to add some shine. The Dior Lip Maximizer is one of the best lipgloss for older women options as it's ideal if you want to plump your lips up, and you can immediately feel the lip plumping effect as you apply it.
Our reviewer Suzanne Baum, age 51 said "This is by far the best lip gloss I have used. I don’t have thin lips but it immediately made them look fuller and gave me a really cool pout. It is infused with cherry oil and hyaluronic acid which is a key molecule for hydration, so the result is lips feel moist and smooth. When you first apply it, there is a tiny tingly sensation which doesn’t last long. I had to resist licking my lips as this product is scented with minty notes which brings a refreshing sensation. I am wearing frosted pink which is one of 43 shades available."
Pros
- Makes lips look fuller
- Glossy effect
- Hydrating
- 43 different shades
Cons
- Some may not like the tingling feeling in your lips when you've applied
Lipsticks we're currently testing
We're currently testing the lipsticks listed below and will update this page with our findings. We still wanted to include them in this round-up as they have received some great reviews online.
Best lipstick for pale skin tones
MACwww.boots.com
For those of us with a paler complexion, many lipsticks can make us look washed out or be far too overpowering against our skin. For everyday wear, you’ll want to find something to emphasise the natural shade of your lips, like MAC’s Satin Lipstick in the shade Brave. This creamy formula is buildable and long-wearing, feeling comfortable on the lips throughout the day. Some reviewers do say that some of the shades in this Satin range can look darker in person than they do in images online.
Pros
- Comfortable wearing
- Buildable
Cons
- Some colours can be darker than they appear online
Best liquid lipstick for older women
Charlotte Tilbury A liquid lipstick is ideal for longer-lasting wear and is highly pigmented. It’s perfect for staying on while you eat and drink, making it a great choice for weddings but you may find that you need to reapply it as you head into the evening. While many liquid lipsticks can by drying, this formula hydrates with Hyaluronic Acid and works to smooth and blur fine lines.
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Easy to apply
Cons
- Might need reapplying throughout the day
Best moisturising lipstick for older women
We’re huge fans of Elizabeth Arden’s eight-hour lip protectant, so it’s no surprise we love the tinted version, which protects our lips from the sun with SPF 15 and relieves chapping, making it ideal for frosty winter days. It’s available in four different sheer shades, but we love the warmth in this honey shade. Thanks to how moisturising it is, it's an ideal lipstick for older women, who may find that their lips become dyer as a result of the menopause.
Reviewers have commented that it's an ideal daytime solution to dry and cracked lips. They comment that it's long lasting and has a nice citrusy scent. It's worth noting that the formula contains lanolin, which some people may be allergic to.
Pros
- Very moisturising - ideal for dry lips
- Contains SPF
- Long-lasting
- Nice scent
Cons
- Contains lanolin which some people can be allergic to
Best long-wearing lipstick for older women
MaybellineFor an extra long-lasting best lipstick for older women option, try Maybelline’s SuperStay 24hr Dual Lipstick. The Micro-Flex formula glides on effortlessly and is designed to not crumble, fade or transfer throughout the day. Start by applying the colour, then leave for two minutes to dry, then apply the conditioning balm to seal in the moisture. This application process may take a while but it's worth it for the end result.
Pros
- Bold colours
- Long-lasting
Cons
- The application process takes a while
FAQs: Best lipstick for older women
How to choose the right lipstick shade for older women:
With so many different colour options to choose from, it can be really difficult to find the best lipstick for older women in a shade that's right for you, especially when shopping online. For ageing lips, we'd recommend sticking to lighter shades rather than darker ones, unless you have a darker complexion as some of the darker browns and purples can make some of us look older.
Similarly, bold or fluorescent colours like bright pinks and oranges can look too harsh as we get older, so it may be worth trying the more subtle shades with a gloss added, particularly if you don't tend to wear much lipstick.
How do you apply lipstick at 60?
Just like you wouldn't put your foundation on without priming your face with your favourite face primer for mature skin, it's important to prime your lips too. To keep your lips nice and moisturised, we recommend using a lip balm every day and at night before you go to sleep to nourish your lips. If your lips are particularly dry, it might be a good idea to use a lip scrub or give your lips. A gentle exfoliation with a damp flannel or muslin cloth is needed to remove any dead skin that is ready for lipstick application. Just make sure you add a thin layer of lip balm after exfoliating to keep your lips conditioned.
To accentuate the natural shape of your lips or make them look a little fuller in shape, use a lip liner in a similar shade to your lipstick to line your lips before adding your lipstick of choice over the top. If your lipstick bullet is getting old or if your lips are particularly thin, it might be easier to apply your lipstick with a thin lipstick application brush. You might then want to add a layer of gloss over the top for some extra glam.
Is it okay to use an old lipstick?
Most lipsticks have a shelf-life of two years once opened and the general rule is to throw away an old lipstick or gloss after one to two years of use depending on their state. After this time, it's likely your lipstick won't work as well and it could be harbouring all sorts of bacteria.
If you're not sure how long you've had your lipstick, check on things like smell, texture, colour to see if it's changed from when you first bought it. You may also want to do a patch test with the lipstick to see if it causes any irritation to your skin.
Lorna White is a Senior Digital Writer at Yours.co.uk. She was previously a writer at Yours Magazine writing features and news stories before joining the digital team. Lorna loves the great British countryside and likes to spend her spare time out and about in her home of Nottinghamshire walking her dog, Pippin.