Lipstick is more than a cosmetic — it can be a total mood enhancer. A swipe of just the right shade can brighten your complexion, make your eye color stand out more, and give definition to your lips. If you are a mature woman, your lip and lipstick needs may have changed over the years though. Whereas at one time you may have been open to experiment with various colors and lipstick finishes, sticking to the basics now may be your best bet to help emphasize lips that may have become dryer or thinner over the years.
This approach involves knowing which lipstick shades and lipstick formulas aren’t the best choices for your skin tone and lips. Here are three lipstick shades that can age mature women and wash you out, and two shades to wear instead for a more youthful look.
1. Avoid: Dark Matte Brown
As ‘90s trends come and go these last few years, makeup artists have embraced a few retro makeup trends, as well. While many pros are not about to revive thin eyebrows and some of the more permanently damaging trends (some of us are still trying to outgrow our ‘90s brows), many lipstick shades have become deeper, with more browns and earthy shades. And matte shades have also made a comeback. But a dark matte brown on mature lips can make your skin look more sallow and decrease the look of volume in your lips.
2. Avoid: Matte Nude
A matte nude lipstick that’s very beige in tone can make your complexion look sickly unless you have enough warmth in your skin to pull it up. And even if that is the case, choosing formulas that have more of a gloss and sheen to them can help boost the pout in your pout better than a matte formula.
3. Avoid: Bright Fuchsia
We are all in when it comes to having fun with makeup. But intensely bright shades like fuchsia can draw attention to lines and texture around your lips and put all of the attention on your lipstick, and not your lips and other facial features. If you love a bright shade, try blotting it a few times to mute it a bit.
1. Try: Light Red
You don’t have to toss your red lipstick aside, but knowing which shades to choose can create a more radiant look without drawing attention to your skin’s texture. Choose very light shades of red in a creamy formula over deep, dark, or bright matte reds, which can be too extreme for mature skin.
2. Try: Pink Lip Tint
If dark lipstick shades were always your trademark, you may find it strange to swap them for lighter lip tints in shades like pink and coral. But these more discreet shades can make your lips look fuller and more youthful. The next time you are out shopping for a new lipstick, don’t be afraid to tone it down a little. The effect may not be as dramatic, but it can make a big difference in how your lips look and your overall makeup look.
