Want to draw attention away from wrinkles, emphasize your lips and make them look fuller simultaneously? Look no further! We reached out to professional makeup artists to learn more about one go-to, timeless, anti-aging lipstick hack that can make your pout look smoother, softer and more noticeable— all while making fine lines less obvious. Read on for tips, suggestions and insight from Madeline Hall, certified makeup artist, hair stylist and cosmetologist, and Mandie Brice, professional makeup artist.
Pro Tip: Use A Lip Plumper, Liner And Gloss
The essential trio of products for fuller lips over 40, Hall explains, is a "lip plumper, lip liner and light-reflecting lip gloss." If you're preparing your lips for a night, out for example, after exfoliating them (we'll get to that in more detail in a second!), Hall says to apply a lip plumping product and give your skin time to adjust before moving on to the next step— lip liner.
"There are many lip plumping products available that can help to enhance the natural fullness of your lips," she notes. She suggests looking for products that "contain hyaluronic acid or collagen," which can help to plump up your lips and "reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles."
Next, Hall recommends grabbing a lip liner that matches your natural lips to make them look fuller without emphasizing any wrinkling near the mouth. "A lip liner can be used to create the illusion of fuller lips," she says, adding, "choose a shade that matches your natural lip color and apply it just outside the natural lip line." This, she stresses, will make your lips appear "slightly larger and more defined."
After this, Hall says that you can either choose a moisturizing lipstick or a gloss— it's really up to you and the occasion you're preparing for. If you choose a gloss, she advises selecting a "light-reflecting lip gloss," as it can help to make your lips appear more plump. "Choose a gloss with a hint of shimmer or sparkle to reflect light and create the illusion of fuller lips," she continues.
READ MORE: MUAs Agree: This Is The Most Unflattering Lipstick Color For Women Over 40
If you want to rock a lipstick, Hall notes that "satin or cream finish" ones can help to create a "smooth, even finish that will draw attention away from any fine lines or wrinkles around the lips." Just be sure, Hall urges, not to pick any "dark or bold lip colors," as this can make wrinkles around the lips "more noticeable."
Instead, "opt for lighter or natural-looking shades that will enhance your natural lip color," she goes on. When applying lipstick, she says it's also important to use a lip brush to "create a more defined, precise lip line."
READ MORE: This Is The Best Lip Balm To Soothe Dry, Cracked Lips, According To A Dermatologist
Additional Lip Care Suggestions From Experts
Exfoliating your lips, or removing dead skin with a scrub, is vital for smoother-looking lips and skin, Hall says. "Regularly exfoliating your lips can help to remove dead skin cells and make your lips appear more youthful."
She adds that "you can use a lip scrub or a soft toothbrush to gently exfoliate your lips." Brice agrees, and notes that "keeping your lips hydrated" with a natural lip balm, and exfoliated with a scrub makes them "plumper and more youthful-looking."
Overall, with makeup in general— but especially with skin with extra texture like wrinkles— Brice is "fond of using the minimum effective dose, or least amount of product possible." This is because product buildup on your lips can "exacerbate the appearance of texture or wrinkles."
One final tip Hall provides regarding makeup and lipcare is that concealer can also help your lips look fuller, too. "Applying a small amount of concealer around the lips can help conceal any fine lines or wrinkles," she concludes, and this will "help to create a smooth canvas for your lip color."
