The best lipsticks for older women are sealed with something better than a kiss. For lips prone to fine lines, wrinkles, and volume loss, products that wrap a wash of color in a blend of anti-aging ingredients bring a time-rewinding polish to any makeup look—or pout. “Hydrating lipsticks with a satin or creamy finish help maintain a youthful appearance by smoothing the lips and adding dimension,” affirms pro makeup artist Brielle Pollara. And when it comes to color, there’s no age limit on options.
Vogue’s Favorite for Lipsticks for Older Women
According to makeup artist Lauren D’Amelio Ventre, “Soft rose, peach, and pink shades with cool or neutral undertones flatter fair skin in mature women beautifully.” For medium skin tones, she recommends warm mauves, berry tones, and muted reds. Meanwhile, she says, “Rich berries, plums, and deep reds with blue or neutral undertones work especially well on deeper skin tones,” Then again, when it comes to choosing a color for evening, “All bets are off,” says Catherine Zeta-Jones’ makeup artist Brett Freedman.
Ahead, find the lipsticks makeup artists recommend for mature lips. Whether you prefer a matte or glistening finish, need a pinky-taupe or a bold-red hue to top off the day’s glam, or crave a moisturizing coat of shea butter, any of these picks will put the bloom back on the lips.
In This Story
Best Hydrating: Chanel Rouge Coco Flash Hydrating Lip Colour
Chanel
Rouge Coco Flash Hydrating Vibrant Shine Lip Colour
- Why we love it: Chanel’s Rouge Coco lineup has earned a permanent spot on the pout of many a celebrity and Vogue editor. To wit: Sofia Richie opted for its tinted lip balm on her wedding day; for every day, Vogue contributor Zoe Ruffner swears by the Ultra Hydrating Lip Colour. Her first application of the creamy, easy-glide lipstick was a “eureka moment,” made all the more wondrous by the pitch-perfect hint of shine the lipstick leaves behind. Celebrity makeup artist Brandy Allen, who’s worked with Tina Lawson, is also a fan. “This is a glide-on, easy-application luxury lipstick,” she says. “It’s also hydrating, with [jojoba and mimosa] butters to create a smooth finish.”
- Texture: Hydrating with easy, oil-infused glide
- Finish: Lightweight but creamy
- Shade range: 25
- Most Popular Shades: 54 Boy (dusty rosewood), 116 Easy (pinkish nude), 56 Moment (rosewood brown)
Best Long-Lasting: Dior Rouge Refillable Lipstick
Dior
Rouge Refillable Lipstick
- Why we love it: Infused with red-peony flower extract for hydration and pomegranate-flower extract for plumping, Dior’s long-wearing formulation tends to mature lips with a deft, garden-fresh touch. Also formulated with shea butter, the lipstick hydrates the pout for 24 hours, while the color stays put for 12. Anthony is a fan of the colors. “Dior Rouge has very flattering soft shades of pink,” he notes. For older women, “I think a fresh pink lip with a bit of sheen is a really lovely way to wake up the complexion.”
- Texture: The matte lipsticks have a smooth, velvety feel
- Finish: The line offers two “couture” finishes: satin and matte
- Shade range: 74
- Most Popular Shades: 999 (classic red), 720 Icone (rosewood), 100 Nude Look (pinky beige), 777 Fahrenheit (orangey red)
Best for Custom Colors: Westman Atelier Lip Suede Palette
- Why we love it: Each Lip Suede Palette contains four lip colors—with nudes in one palette and reds in another—that can be worn alone or layered to create customized hues. With oils and peptides to condition and plump, the formulation has a unique, suede-matte texture powered by Hydro-Suede Technology. The blend of hyaluronic acid and kaolin clay keeps the lips hydrated and smooth. When blotted onto the lips with a finger, the lipstick takes on a diffused look that signals unfussy glamour at any age. Need proof? Lip Suede loyalists include Nicole Kidman and Sofia Coppola.
- Texture: The lipstick’s claim to fame is its buttery, suede-like texture
- Finish: Matte-suede
- Shade range: 2
- Most Popular Shades: Les Rouges (a range of reds), Les Nudes (a range of nudes)
Best Subtle Shine: Victoria Beckham Posh Lipstick
- Why we love it: “Victoria Beckham Posh Lipstick is super rich and hydrating with oils and superfood ingredients,” Allen says, referring to its pomegranate-jojoba complex and avocado, coconut, and rosehip oils. “This product is not only pretty with a soft shine as its finish; it’s healing with its plant-based ingredients.” Anthony is also impressed with the posh product. “These shades are very wearable, very cushy, and have a good amount of pigment without being overbearing. I love how these feel,” he says. Makeup artist Jenny Patinkin adds to the chorus of industry-insider approval: “I love this lipstick for mature lips,” she says. “The sheen is subtle and gorgeous, it feels lovely to apply, the shade range is beautiful and versatile, and the packaging is so chic.”
- Texture: Creamy and moisturizing, with the lightweight feel of a balm
- Finish: Subtle shine
- Shade range: 13
- Most Popular Shades: Twist (light, neutral pink), Sway (mid-tone berry pink)
Best Satin: Guerlain Rouge G Customizable Satin Lipstick Refill
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Guerlain
Rouge G Customizable Satin Lipstick Refill
- Why we love it: “This is the perfect hybrid of a balm-like formula with color that feels a bit more substantial and has staying power,” Freedman says. “It’s a true satin that feels classic and modern at the same time.” Made with lily oleo extract to smooth, hydrate, and plump, the lipstick has a spot in celebrity makeup artist Kirin Bhatty’s kit. “This is such a gorgeous product, and I love that it’s refillable so you can switch out your shades,” she says. With case designs ranging from rhinestone-studded to fluted gold, “The packaging makes you feel like you’re carrying a piece of jewelry around,” Bhatty says, adding a pro tip: “I recommend pairing this with a liner so your lips last throughout the day and don’t feather or bleed.”
- Texture: Balmy
- Finish: Satin
- Shade range: 8
- Most Popular Shades: 28 Le Coquelicot (orangey red)
Best for Special Events: Lancôme L’Absolu Rouge Moisturizing Cream Lipstick
Lancôme
L’Absolu Rouge Moisturizing Cream Lipstick
- Why we love it: A Vogue editor-favorite for the holiday party circuit, the lipstick comes in festive shades like 132 Caprice de Rouge—a cool, fiery shade of red that’s made to stain the rim of a champagne flute. The formulation has also been tried and tested at red-carpet events. Lily Collins has coated her pout with the Lancôme pick for Emily in Paris press junkets, while Lupita Nyong’o wore the lipstick at the Wakanda Forever premiere. “This lipstick is packed with hyaluronic acid and moisturizing rose balm,” Allen says, calling out its moisturizing capabilities. What’s more, “The creamy texture is smudge-resistant and long-lasting.”
- Texture: Ultra creamy
- Finish: Long-lasting and smudge-resistant
- Shade range: 19
- Most Popular Shades: 123 Caprice de Rouge (fiery red), 148 Bisou Bisou (cool ruby-red)
Best Glossy Finish: YSL Loveshine Lip Oil Stick
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- Why we love it: “I like having these in my kit because they’re always a welcome sight for my actresses,” says Freedman, whose clients also include Lisa Kudrow and Jodie Foster. “I love the dewy finish these give the lips.” He adds that the formula—which contains a nourishing blend of six oils and fig pulp—feels hydrating when worn, making it a favorite for lip oil enthusiasts of any age, Vogue editors included. Available in 23 shades ranging from Peachy Glow to Rosewood Flush, the lip oil “tints the lips with a watercolor sheerness,” Freedman says. “As a bonus, it’s buildable.”
- Texture: Balmy oil
- Finish: Glossy
- Shade range: 23
- Most Popular Shades: Nude Lavallier (soft, pinky mauve), Melted Honey (caramel nude), Nude Lingerie (peachy beige nude)
Best Lip-Stain Effect: Bobbi Brown Crushed Lip Color Moisturizing Lipstick
Bobbi Brown
Crushed Lip Color Moisturizing Lipstick
- Why we love it: Allen compares Bobbi Brown’s vitamin-packed formulation to a soft lip stain. “What I love about this lipstick is it stays in place for up to eight hours,” she says. Former Vogue writer Akili King has also praised the lip-conditioning pick—and is particularly sweet on its Dark Chocolate hue. “I’ve always gravitated toward plummy reds and browns, but I hadn’t previously found one as buildable and light as this,” she wrote. “It has a balmy texture, so I never feel like it’s drying out my lips or caking. (It’s actually adding moisture to my lips throughout the day thanks to castor oil, vitamins E and C, and beeswax.) The matte finish makes for a non-smearing experience, so I never worry about the lipstick winding up on my teeth, chin, or upper lip.”
- Texture: The moisturizing formulation has the feel of a lip balm
- Finish: Satin-matte
- Shade range: 20
- Most Popular Shades: Dark Chocolate (chocolatey brown), Bare (pinky beige)
Best Wet-Look Finish: Gucci Rouge de Beauté Lipstick
Gucci
Rouge de Beauté Lipstick
- Why we love it: “I don’t think there is a ‘right’ lipstick shade for an older woman as I believe makeup is an accessory and should be fun and up to the wearer,” says Anthony. “Gucci’s lipstick is for the daring, bold makeup wearer with exciting formulas and flashy colors.” With a high-shine finish that makes mature lips appear plumper, the hyaluronic-acid-infused lipstick comes in decidedly (and deliciously) non-demure colors like ruby red, fuchsia, and Wild Mauve.
- Texture: Creamy
- Finish: A glowy finish with a wet look
- Shade range: 14
- Most Popular Shades: 25 Goldie Red (red), 214 Call it a Day (cool-toned pink)
Best Cult Classic: Clinique Almost Lipstick
- Why we love it: Clinique’s Black Honey hue famously flatters any skin tone. Since the 1970s, the versatile color—which blends blue, red, and yellow pigments—has been hailed as the little black dress of lipstick colors. Its star isn’t fading anytime fast: According to Clinique, an Almost Lipstick in Black Honey still sells every three minutes. With sheer coverage and a satiny finish, the glossy, balmy classic glides easily onto mature lips with a lightweight feel. The classic, barely-there formula also comes in Pink Honey, a soft, sheer pink, and the peachy brown Nude Honey.
Texture: Balm - Finish: Satin
- Shade range: 3
- Most Popular Shades: Black Honey (a blend of blue, red, and yellow pigments)
Best Luxe Splurge: Hermès Rouge Hermès Satin Lipstick
Hermès
Rouge Hermès Satin Lipstick
- Why we love it: Hermès satin lipstick may be a splurge—but it’s a lip-nourishing delicacy that Jennifer Garner, for one, can’t resist. “I really like an Hermès lipstick,” the actress previously told Vogue. “Don’t tell my mom!” Though mom may disagree, makeup artists like Anthony approve of the investment. “The formula is very rich-feeling and the color range has a variety of interesting undertones—especially in the nude shades,” he notes. For example, Beige Kalahari melds light pink with a soft gold inspired by desert sand.
- Texture: According to the brand, the lipstick has a “fine, melting” texture
- Finish: Satin
- Shade range: 9
- Most Popular Shades: 13 Beige Kalahari (light pink with soft gold), 85 Rouge H (rich, burgundy red)
Best Matte: Merit Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick
Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick
- Why we love it: Merit’s featherweight formulation floated onto Vogue’s list of the best beauty products of 2024. After spying the lipstick backstage at a Diotima show, senior beauty shopping writer Kiana Murden was instantly intrigued—even though mattes aren’t typically her cup of tea. “I was impressed with how comfortable it looked,” she wrote. “Not dry, patchy, or stiff like the matte lips I’d become accustomed to. Armed with samples of each shade, I took it for a go. I am shocked at how weightless this feels on, how modern the shades look, and how nourished my lips remain even after all-night wear. Merit, you’ve converted me!” For the resolutely matte-averse, there is still hope: The line also features satin-finish shades in luminous hues of pink, brown, and red.
- Texture: Lightweight, with a second-skin feel
- Finish: Satin or matte
- Shade range: 17
- Most Popular Shades: Millennial (classic pink), Tiger (brick red), Ginger (soft peach), Vermillion (warm red), Classic (warm rosewood)
Best for Easy Application: Sisley Paris Phyto-Rouge Shine
- Why we love it: “This feels like a luxury lipstick,” says Patinkin. “It glides on so beautifully and has a lovely sheer finish, which is great if you are low maintenance and want to reapply on the go.” Vogue’s senior shopping editor Talia Abbas is also a fan of the lip-loving formulation, which contains a Hydroboost complex to plump and smooth the pout. “The formula has a balm-like texture, making it super hydrating and easy to apply,” Abbas has written. And though Sheer Cherry is her go-to red, Abbas doesn’t stop there: “[It’s] a staple I own in various shades!”
- Texture: The balmy formulation has a melt-into-the-lips feel
- Finish: Radiant
- Shade range: 8
- Most Popular Shades: 41 Sheer Red Love, 10 Sheer Nude, 12 Sheer Cocoa, 23 Sheer Flamingo
Best Plumping: LYS Beauty Speak Love Moisture Matte Lipstick
LYS Beauty
Speak Love Moisture Matte Lipstick
- Why we love it: “A satin matte finish is the ideal choice for older women who want their lip products to stay put all day without overdrying their lips,” says Thompson. “While glosses disappear after a while, and matte formulas can be dehydrating, semi-matte is the perfect fit for mature makeup wearers. LYS Beauty’s formula is no exception.” Available in shades ranging from the honey-nude Dreamer to the classic red Rich AF, the formulation contains the patented peptide complex Maxi Lip to plump the pout. Meanwhile, hyaluronic acid and chia-seed oil work wonders to hydrate dry lips.
- Texture: Moisturizing and long-lasting with easy glide
- Finish: Satin matte
- Shade range: 7
- Most Popular Shades: Dreamer (honey nude), Rich AF (classic red)
Everything You Need to Know
What should older women look for in a lipstick?
“I always think that a lipstick with a slight sheen is the most flattering on older lips, to help them appear more hydrated and plump,” Patinkin says. A stain finish is her go-to, as the thicker consistency won’t easily feather into lip lines, and “often contains hydrating ingredients like shea butter, jojoba, or oils that help to hold moisture in.” Shade is a personal preference, she says, “but typically lipsticks that are too light can make a more mature person look washed out since our lips tend to naturally fade over time, and lipsticks that are too dark can make lips appear smaller and thinner.”
How to Choose a Lipstick Shade for Older Women
“So much of shade selection is your personal style and how high-maintenance you want to be,” Patinkin continues. “For example, do you want to be able to reapply without having to look in the mirror? Do you want to have to reapply at all? I think that there is a shade of peachy pink that will work for almost everyone to brighten and warm the appearance of the complexion and give a ‘my lips but better’ look.”
On the other hand, Allen says that many of her older clients gravitate toward bright, vibrant lipstick shades. “Reds, oranges, peaches, pinks, some purples and rose tones are some of their top choices for most occasions,” she says. “Also, deep colors with an emollient finish are a great choice because the semi-shine allows the lips to look fuller.”
As for Freedman, “I tend toward healthy-looking, juicy shades for mature lips,” he says. “Think: Your lip color, just a little more vivid.” Below, Freedman and Bhatty break down their recommended lipstick colors for mature skin of various tones.
- Fair: “I love a good, pinky, lip-tone color for fair skin,” Freedman says. He suggests building a base for this hue with MAC’s Lip Liner Pencil in Whirl.
- Medium: “Medium skin tones are gorgeous in salmon shades,” Freedman says, citing NARS Orgasm, the classic peachy-pink, as a hue to reference.
- Deeper: “Deeper skin tones are great with coppers or rose tones,” Freedman says, though any hue could be embraced with the right lip liner.
- All Skin Tones: “For tones that feel more youthful across skin tones, I really love bright roses, corals, luscious berries, and warm spicy browns,” Bhatty says. “Paired with a lip liner to hold everything in place, these are all great shades to try out.”
How to Apply Lipstick to Avoid Dryness
So, how should an older woman apply her lipstick? “First, prep the lip with a gentle scrub or lip mask,” Allen instructs. “Hydrate the lip with a moisturizer or lip balm to fill any lines and smooth the texture. This step is optional—use a lip liner that coordinates with the lipstick color. Next, apply one to two coats of the lipstick to the finish of your choice, whether it’s light, medium, or full coverage.” Anthony adds: “I like to use a brown sugar scrub on the lips prior to applying lipstick every once in a while to slough away a layer of dead skin. This gives you an even smooth base to apply your lipsticks.”
Patinkin shares more tips. “Keeping lips flake-free is always the first step,” she stresses. In addition to exfoliating, she recommends sleeping with an occlusive balm like Aquaphor to help maintain hydration and heal overnight. “I also recommend using a coordinated color lip pencil all over the lips before applying lipstick so that when your lipstick wears off you are still left with a semblance of the color.”
- Brandy Allen is a celebrity makeup artist who’s worked with Yara Shahidi, Keke Palmer, Aja Naomi King, and others.
- Michael Anthony is a celebrity makeup artist whose clients include Ariana Grande, Katy Perry, and Doja Cat.
- Kirin Bhatty is a celebrity makeup artist who’s worked with Lorde, Charli XCX, and Jenny Slate.
- Lauren D’Amelio Ventre is a pro makeup artist and the creator of The Art of Enhancement and the Elite MUA Blueprint.
- Brett Freedman is a celebrity makeup artist whose clients include Lisa Kudrow and Catherine Zeta-Jones.
- Jenny Patinkin is a makeup artist, beauty expert, and brand founder.
- Brielle Pollara is a pro makeup artist who works with brides and TV personalities.
- Tisha Thompson is a makeup artist and the founder of LYS Beauty.