Lipstick can be a powerful tool to enhance your features, but as we age, certain application techniques or products can work against us. Aging lips naturally lose volume and elasticity, and the wrong lipstick choices can emphasize fine lines, make wrinkles more noticeable, and even add years to your appearance.
We checked in with pro makeup artists to discover a few lipstick blunders you should avoid because they can add years to your face and make wrinkles “more noticeable.” They revealed that not prepping your lips, applying a dark lip liner, and wearing shades too dark for your skin tone are the errors that are aging you. Read on to learn more.
1. Not Prepping Your Lips
Not prepping your lips before applying lipstick can lead to a less-than-flattering finish that emphasizes signs of aging. Without proper exfoliation, dry or flaky skin can make your lipstick appear uneven and patchy, while skipping hydration can accentuate fine lines and creases.
“Exfoliating and making sure that your lips are moisturized can help plump them and avoid flaky dry skin or extra texture,” said Mandie Brice, a makeup artist, author of a makeup book, and creator of an online makeup course. “Choosing the right formula can make a huge difference too. Matte lipsticks will cause the aforementioned drying and make texture more obvious, which makes wrinkles more noticeable.”
Prepping your lips with a gentle exfoliator and applying a hydrating balm beforehand ensures a smooth, plump canvas for your lipstick. This simple step can make a dramatic difference, allowing your lip color to glide on seamlessly and helping you achieve a more youthful, polished look.
2. Lining Your Lips In A Too-Dark Color
Dark lip liners have taken over our TikTok feeds thanks to trendsetters like Hailey Bieber, who helped make it go viral. But not all trends are flattering on every individual.
Lining your lips with a color that’s too dark can inadvertently draw attention to fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth. The stark contrast between the dark liner and your natural lip color or lipstick can make uneven edges and creases more prominent, creating a harsh, aging effect. Also, dark liners can make lips appear thinner, which adds to the older appearance.
“Lining your lips in a color that’s darker than your lipstick can age you and look very harsh,” said Global Makeup Artist Natasha Moor, founder and chief empowerment officer of Natasha Moor Cosmetics. “Better: Match your lip liner to either your lipstick or your natural lip color. Or for a very modern look, try using a light brown lip pencil shade. You can also use a light brown brow pencil. Just make sure to blend it well.”
3. Wearing Shades That Are Too Dark for Your Skin Tone
It's not just dark liners you should avoid; wearing a lipstick that’s too dark for you can also have the same effect. Dark hues often draw attention to fine lines around the lips and can create a stark contrast that emphasizes texture and imperfections on the skin.
“For example, your complexion might be ruddier, which a dark lipstick will emphasize,” Moor said. “A dark shade will also ensure that your lips are the first thing other people notice about you. You’ll look younger when your features all complement one another, so people see your entire face at once.”
Moor’s solution? “Try pinks or neutral tones that complement your skin tone that will define and enhance your lips without screaming,” she said. And be cautious when it comes to matte lipsticks as well. “Wearing your favorite matte formulas from 10 years ago can be drying, and as a result, aging,” Moor said. “Choose a more modern matte lipstick that’s hydrating. My Natasha Moor Molten Matte Liquid Lipsticks are power-packed with vitamin E for hydration. PLUS, this moisturizing, pigmented liquid lipstick has 12 hours of staying power.”
