The best lipstick for older women to suit every skin tone

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. Lips felt nourished and moisturised, thanks to the abundance of omega-packed ingredients that help seal in moisture.

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."

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.

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."

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.
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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 and stays firmly in place. 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."

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."

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. The lightweight formula glides easily on to 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."

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. 

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."

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."

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 lipstick 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."

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.

One reviewer said: "MAC lipsticks will always be the best for a reason! Velvet teddy is a beautiful everyday colour and I will continue to repurchase this lipstick. The formula is matte but not drying matte!"

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. While many liquid lipsticks can by drying, this formula hydrates with Hyaluronic Acid and works to smooth and blur fine lines.

One reviewer said: "Amazing and long lasting! Love, love this lip product - you can add it as a light covering for day or as a full cover for the evening or as I did at a wedding reception! It's a lovely warm pink and would suit a neutral make up look with staying power!"

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.

For 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 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.

One reviewer said: "Raspberry 195 is a lovely deep pink/red colour that is my absolute favourite and is fantastic, especially for an event or a night out. This lipstick truly stays put provided that you apply it correctly. Make sure your lips are free of oil, take your time applying and don't use too much on the applicator. Keep your mouth open and allow to dry for 2 minutes before applying the top moisture coat. I usually apply after foundation and allow to dry while doing the rest of my make-up. I top up with the moisture coat as many times as you like during the day or night."