The 13 Best Lipsticks for Older Women With Intense Color Payoff
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From a high-shine finish to a smudge-proof matte, these lipsticks for older women are long-lasting and comfortable to wear.
InStyle / Jhett Thompson
There is not a single beauty product that can pull a look together like lipstick. But as you age, you may find the formulas you used to love now settles into lip lines or looks overly harsh. The key is switching up your formula to tackle the effects of age-related dryness, loss of volume, and fine lines.
“A creamy, hydrating lipstick is best as it keeps the lips moisturized, rather than drying them out and deepening fine lines,” says celebrity makeup artist Brittany Lo, while Natalia Thomas, a Miami-based makeup artist, says that a lipstick's texture is what makes it wearable and comfortable (or not!). "I find most matte formulas to be too drying and glossy textures often feather too easily, but satin formulas mimic the texture of a healthy lip,” says Thomas. Here are the best lipsticks for older women that won't accentuate fine lines.
Best Overall: Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick
What We Love
Every single shade in this collection is designed to flatter all skin tones.
What We Don’t Love
We’ve been burned by the discontinuation of some really fantastic shades.
Simply taking this lipstick out of the box will hint to you that you’re in for a treat — the beautiful rose gold and retro-inspired fluted tube is like jewelry for your makeup bag. And what’s inside is even nicer: A lipstick with a uniquely sculpted tip that makes it easy to define the edges of your lips, especially if you’re not a big fan of lip liners. Plus, the lipstick formula is long-lasting, and if you aren't sure which shade to choose, you’ll have no trouble with the most iconic hue, Pillow Talk (a fave of Amal Clooney’s).
While the formula is described as matte, we’d call it more of a satin-matte hybrid, which is a good thing in our opinion. Many of today’s mattes are ultra-flat, giving mature lips a dry and crinkly look, but this one feels silky with plenty of depth, thanks to hydrating vitamin E and orchid extracts, along with light-reflecting pigments that create an optical plumpness without showing any sheen or sparkle. This soft texture fills in fine lines without calling attention to them or feathering with wear.
Type: Bullet｜Shades: 17｜Key Ingredients: Orchid extract, vitamin E
Best Budget: L’Oréal Paris Color Riche Les Nus Intense Lipstick
What We Love
These creamy lipsticks are an affordable alternative to the shades in Charlotte Tilbury’s range.
What We Don’t Love
The Color Riche formula features a strong fragrance that not everyone will enjoy.
If you’re balking at the idea of shelling out over $30 for one of Charlotte Tilbury’s lipsticks, consider this collection from L’Oréal Paris. As an extension of the Color Riche line, Les Nus Intense offers a range of full-coverage neutral lipsticks across the color spectrum, from light peachy pinks to deep orange browns. They feel buttery and hydrating, courtesy of argan oil, making them especially comfy on dry, mature lips, but it may be hard for some to get past the scent, which is a strong floral aroma.
Type: Bullet｜Shades: 12｜Key Ingredients: Argan oil
Best Splurge: Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Color
What We Love
Beyond the lightweight formula, we’re obsessed with the sleek packaging.
What We Don’t Love
Chanel offers some beautiful colors in this formula that are limited edition; discontinuation has been heartbreaking.
Call this one love at first sight: You’ll be entranced by the lipstick’s packaging before you even get to the formula inside. When you tap the golden CCs at the bottom of the tube, the lipstick pops out (and securely locks back in with a satisfying click). While you might be reluctant to start using it so as not to mess up the bullet — it’s embossed with the Chanel name, another lovely hint of luxury — it’s worth it.
These formulas are extremely lightweight and glide smoothly over lips, coating them with intense pigment and nourishment, courtesy of castor and coconut oils. The expansive collection of sophisticated shades always impresses us, and there are plenty of ultra-wearable neutrals and classic reds to choose from. And if coordination is your thing, most of the colors are also available in the nail varnish range, too.
Type: Bullet｜Shades: 24｜Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, castor oil, sappan wood extract
Best Matte: Violette Fr Bisou Balm Sheer Matte Lipstick
What We Love
This is the perfect “your lips but better” formula.
What We Don’t Love
We’re eagerly awaiting more shades.
Inspired by the French concept of bouche mordue, or “just bitten lips,” this quartet of matte lipstick shades offer an instant flush to the lips, creating a put-together look that goes with any makeup or outfit with a quick swipe.
Though it’s matte, the lipstick’s velvety texture doesn’t enhance rough texture, but rather sits on top of the lips to deliver a sheer wash of color as well as light nourishment from rapeseed oil and pau d’arco. Using it is seriously foolproof — instead of creating harsh lines, Bisou Balm offers blurred edges that look effortless, not sloppy, regardless of which color you use. We’re partial to Bêtise, a warm mauve, but all the shades are beautiful. Sadly, there are only four of them right now, and all are on the pink to neutral side of things. We’d love to see a few spunky reds.
Type: Bullet｜Shades: 4｜Key Ingredients: Rapeseed oil, pau d’arco
Best Drugstore: Revlon ColorStay Satin Ink Liquid Lipstick
What We Love
This is the most comfortable and hydrating liquid lipstick we’ve ever tried.
What We Don’t Love
There’s a bit of a learning curve to mastering the use of this liquid formula.
There’s a reason that this is the only liquid lipstick formula to make the cut on this list — this is one of the very, very rare few that doesn’t strip the lips, flake, crack, or feather — and even better, you can snag it at a drugstore price. It features a high-shine finish in a comfortable, flexible texture and a shade range that includes everyday neutrals and “fashion” colors, like neon fuchsia and true orange.
However, those who just dive into the tube and apply with abandon may not instantly like this product — the key to a successful application starts with wiping excess formula off the wand before applying thin coats and letting it fully set. With this technique, you’ll get up to 16 hours (!) of wear. Otherwise, the product will move and feel tacky on the lips.
Type: Liquid｜Shades: 20｜Key Ingredients: Black currant seed oil, vitamin E
Best Contouring: Hourglass Confession Ultra Slim High Intensity Refillable Lipstick
What We Love
The super skinny bullet of this lipstick allows for precise application.
What We Don’t Love
The price is steep, but it is refillable (and the refills are cheaper than the original).
This lipstick’s elongated, slender, and refillable tube reminds us of the cigarette holders used in Old Hollywood, but more luxe — after all, this one is gold and houses a fabulous and creamy lipstick. The bullet is one of the narrowest we’ve ever seen, which is great not just for aesthetics but for function too — lip contouring requires a controlled application and this makes it a breeze.
The moisturizing formula comes in a delightful array of shades that won’t feather or smear. While the initial investment may be on the higher side, keep in mind that this tube is refillable, so once you’ve used up the first insert, subsequent purchases of your fave shade will be $24.
Type: Bullet｜Shades: 40｜Key Ingredients: Sunflower seed oil
Best Hydrating: Urban Decay Vice Hydrating Lipstick
What We Love
It lives up to its name — it’s truly hydrating.
What We Don’t Love
There’s no fragrance, but the plasticky base odor is strong enough to notice while you’re wearing it.
Urban Decay has been a favorite of ours for years. While we were wary when the brand discontinued its former lipstick formula in favor of this one, we’re big enough to admit when we’re wrong: This comfortable lipstick delivers the hydration of a lip balm in a smooth, silky texture that’s a pleasure to apply. The spread of shades includes some eye-popping brights, like the “punk pink” shade Hollyweird, as well as plenty of mauves, dusty pinks and taupes. Bonus: The mirrored sculpted tube feels great in the hand (and makes it easy to find in a dark purse).
There are only two detractors, in our opinion: The formula does transfer, so if your date doesn’t like wearing your lipstick, save this one for another time, and the scent is fairly potent. However, we’d rather smell this base odor than a powerful fake fragrance.
Type: Bullet｜Shades: 35｜Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, avocado oil
Best Satin: Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick
What We Love
Despite the light and delicate feel of this formula, it delivers serious pigment payoff.
What We Don’t Love
For the price, we’d love to see some skincare ingredients in the formula.
Every time we use this YSL lipstick, we’re surprised by how weightless it feels, yet how moisturizing and intensely pigmented the formula is. There are plenty of wearable neutrals and punchy, poppy shades to choose from. “They have never disappointed me in terms of performance and they always deliver a high concentration of pigment with a luxurious feel,” says Thomas.
We also love that when you order directly from the brand, you get your tube engraved with a custom message or monogram. As chic as the product is, though, we’d love a few skin-loving ingredients to be incorporated into the formula for added nourishment.
Type: Bullet｜Shades: 27｜Key Ingredients: Glycerin
Best Shiny: Dior Addict Hydrating Shine Lipstick
What We Love
This formula feels more like a hydrating glossy balm than a lipstick.
What We Don’t Love
It isn’t a long-wearing formula.
Both Thomas and Lo cited this Dior pick as a favorite of theirs, and it’s one of ours, too. It feels incredibly comfortable, even for all-day wear, while moisturizing jasmine wax and plum oil allow the formula to melt into lips, creating a glaze-like finish.
As you might imagine, like most shiny formulas, this one doesn’t offer long-wear benefits — you’ll get about four hours at most. However, the tubes are refillable, which does defray some cost overtime, and for an added fee, you can also get a “couture lipstick case” in the brand’s signature packaging (a pink patent leather-like tube with the stitching you’d see on Lady Dior bags) or ‘00s denim.
Type: Bullet｜Shades: 25｜Key Ingredients: Jasmine wax, plum oil
Best Gloss: Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Plump
What We Love
The cushy gloss-balm-lipstick blend delivers a seriously shiny finish while making lips look fuller.
What We Don’t Love
The product can get too soft, making precious application challenging.
We’ve been hooked on this formula since we first tried it, due to its super soft texture and sheer, lip-enhancing shades. It’s loaded with nourishing oils and fruit extracts that help boost collagen, seal in moisture, and fight signs of aging. The high sheen finish and cream base smooth out fine lines while adding major dimension to lips.
Be careful with this one in warmer weather, though — the very, very soft bullet gets even softer in high temps and may deposit chunks of pigment or even snap off. We also think that soft texture may contribute to the dysfunctional mechanism responsible for pushing out the product.
Type: Push-up bullet｜Shades: 8｜Key Ingredients: Maracuja oil, grapeseed oil, goji berry
Best Red: Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick
What We Love
The intense and rich red color delivers on drama, plus the packaging’s lip detail makes the tube a fashion accessory in and of itself.
What We Don’t Love
Like many mattes, this formula doesn’t offer hydrating benefits.
When asked for her perfect red for mature lips, this was Thomas’s pick by a landslide. “It wears like a dream, doesn’t feel overly dry, lasts quite a long time, and is a classic red,” she shares, adding that this formula is one of her top picks in the matte category, too. While it's not massively drying like most other matte formulas we've tried, it shouldn't be confused for a hydrating or moisturizing option; still, it won't exacerbate fine lines or feather, so if you can handle a little dryness in exchange for a seriously killer red, Forbidden Love is it.
It should come as no surprise that the lipsticks from iconic makeup artist Pat McGrath are seriously pigmented, but for the amount of color payoff, the formulas feel surprisingly light on the lips. Once they’re on, they’re on — you can expect to get a full day of even wear out of this lipstick, so long as you don’t consume overly greasy foods, which can cause the pigment to break down.
Type: Bullet｜Shades: 34｜Key Ingredients: Squalane
Best Pink: Danessa Myricks Beauty Luxe Cream Palette in The Feminist
What We Love
This palette contains four pink-toned shades that make it easy to create a custom lip color — and the formula can be used on cheeks, too.
What We Don’t Love
The formula is very concentrated and rich, so you’ll need to experiment with the product a bit so as not to overdo it on your application.
While there are hundreds of red lipsticks to suit a variety of skin tones, it’s not so easy to find a pink that is universally flattering. “It’s all about how soft or bold you want your lip color and knowing which colors play best with your skin tone to achieve that look,” says makeup artist Terri Bryant, who recommends the cream palettes from Danessa Myricks Beauty to customize your perfect shade of pink. While it’s not exactly purse friendly, it’s great for travel — you’ll be packing 12 lipsticks in one easy palette — and they can be used on cheeks too, cutting down makeup bag bulk even further.
Keep in mind that Danessa Myricks is an artistry brand, meaning pigment payoff is strong, so start with a light application first and layer from there. We recommend practicing using this palette on a day spent at home to really master your shade and application process.
Type: Palette｜Shades: 12｜Key Ingredients: Jojoba oil, shea butter, vitamin E
Best Vegan: Victoria Beckham Beauty Posh Lipstick
What We Love
The tortoiseshell packaging is totally stunning, as is the formula inside.
What We Don’t Love
The size of the tube is on the smaller side, so you may not be getting bang for your buck.
This vegan lipstick is very moisturizing — the brand refers to it as a “color balm” — and that’s thanks to an infusion of plant-derived ingredients, including nourishing avocado oil, plumping pomegranate, and cushiony candelilla wax. The curated collection of shades largely consists of neutrals (think Victoria’s signature lip during her Posh Spice years), though you’ll find a few vibrant shades in there. The formula also sheers out easily, so if the color is too intense for your liking, you can bring it down, and the slim bullet makes for easy targeted application, especially on thinner or aging lips.
In addition to the bullet being thinner than most, the (truly beautiful!) tube is on the petite side of average, which makes it great for slipping into a tight pocket or a tiny purse, but if you’re looking for value in your lipstick purchase, this may not be your first choice.
Type: Bullet｜Shades: 15｜Key Ingredients: Rosehip, coconut, and avocado oils
What to Keep in Mind
Formula + Finish: Wearability and comfort are the most important qualities in a lipstick, bar none. To enhance the look of your lips without exacerbating texture caused by fine lines and wrinkles, look for creamy lipstick formulas with a satin finish. “I would steer clear of anything too slippery or too matte,” warns celebrity makeup artist, Nick Lujan, adding that they feel great on lips, but can slide around and get messy, while ultra-matte lipsticks will make lips look and feel parched.
Moisturizing Ingredients: “For mature lips, I love using lipsticks that have any type of butter, emollient, or waxy base,” says Lujan. “They tend to wear well and help repel water.” More specifically, Lo recommends shea butter, coconut oil, and hyaluronic acid, all ingredients that help nourish and lock water into the skin.
Application Is Key: Not all lipstick formulas are long-wear, and depending on the type you choose, you may have to put a little more elbow grease into your look. To lock a satin or hydrating formula down, try Thomas's technique: “Hydrating and nourishing the lip is a super important first step,” says Lujan. "The more hydrated the lips, the better lipstick will look and wear throughout the day." After a lip scrub and conditioning treatment, trace a lip liner around the perimeter of your lip, then swipe on a light layer of lipstick, and blot your lips until you see zero color on the tissue.
Your Questions, Answered
Should older women line their lips before using lipstick?
"As our skin matures, we lose definition around the lips,” explains Lo. “Lining the lips before applying a stain or lipstick helps give more structure.” When selecting a lip liner, Lujan recommends a waxy consistency to help seal the edges of a lip look to support longevity, and using a shade similar to your natural lip color. “This makes it easy to balance or overdraw with confidence,” she says.
To line the lips, Thomas recommends starting in the center of your top lip, sculpting out your Cupid’s bow before lining the center of your bottom lip and wrapping up this slow and methodical technique by “connecting to the center from the outside corners of the mouth inward.” Finish by dusting a light veil of translucent powder on top for ultimate staying power.
Why Shop With Us
Emily Orofino is a freelance writer, editor, and consultant with over a decade of experience in the beauty industry. She tried her first lipstick at four years old and has been chasing that high ever since — though she easily has several hundred lipsticks at this point, she will never stop trying new formulas. For this piece, she interviewed professional makeup artists Natalia Thomas, who has worked with stars like Zazie Beetz and Karlie Kloss, Brittany Lo, founder of on-demand makeup artistry service Beautini as well as skincare line Beia, Terri Bryant, founder of Guide Beauty, and Nick Lujan, Director of Artistry & Education at Kevyn Aucoin, who has worked with Beyoncé and Kim Petras, among others.
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