A kiss is just a kiss—unless it’s cracked and dry. Over time, our lips (not unlike our hair, and well, everything else) lose moisture. Enter the best lipsticks for older women, which help restore lip suppleness, softness, and shine that may be otherwise lost to time. “While I’m typically of the belief that you should ditch rules when it comes to makeup and visual expression, there are a few tips and tricks that are helpful in guiding older women to [lipsticks] that work best for their needs,” says Tisha Thompson, makeup artist and founder of LYS Beauty. Texture, ingredients, and shade all come into play when choosing the best lipsticks for older women—and the good news is, there are options aplenty. “I’ve seen really beautiful slick or wet-looking lipsticks [on older women] and I’ve also seen really lovely matte lipsticks that feel cushiony and plumping,” says makeup artist Michael Anthony, who’s worked with Gwen Stefani. “The innovation in lipstick formulas today is astounding.” Ready to be astounded? Read on for celebrity makeup artists’ top picks for the best lipsticks for older women, from soft, glossy pinks to festive reds and a wild, luxurious mauve.
Vogue’s Favorite for Lipsticks for Older Women
In This Article
Best Hydrating: Chanel Rouge Coco Ultra Hydrating Lip Colour
- Why we love it: Chanel’s Coco Rouge has earned a permanent spot on the pout of many a celebrity and Vogue editor. To wit: Sofia Richie opted for its hydrating 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: 19
Best Long-Lasting: 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
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
Best Makeup Artist-Approved: 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
Best for Special Events: 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
Best Lip-Stain Effect: 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
Best Wet-Look Finish: 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
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.
- Texture: Balm
- Finish: Satin
- Shade range: 1
Best Luxe Splurge: 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
Best Matte: Merit 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
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
Best Plumping: 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
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 the right 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.”
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.”
Meet the experts
- 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.
- Jenny Patinkin is a makeup artist, beauty expert, and brand founder.
- Tisha Thompson is a makeup artist and the founder of LYS Beauty.
