‘Ageing’ lipstick colours which ‘attract attention to your wrinkles’

Lipstick can tie a makeup look together, be it a subtle nude or a statement red.

However, the lipstick colours that worked for you in your 20s through 40s may not work for you in your 50s and beyond.

Andrea Harper, co-founder of gluten-free and vegan makeup brand Red Apple Lipstick defined mature lips at “generally 50 years old and up”.

She explained: “By 50, generally, some collagen has left the lips. Fine lines and feathers may have begun. 

“If you are or were a smoker, you might be seeing some of the effects on the lips. By age 70, you might describe your lips as mature wrinkled lips.”

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For mature lips that are a little thinner and wrinklier, the expert suggested giving your makeup bag a revamp.

According to the expert – while there are some exceptions – “bright, dark or red lipstick is ageing”.

It is possible for a mature lady to “make a statement” with a pop of colour or blood red lip, however these colours also run the risk of making the person wearing them look older than their years.

Andrea explained: “The bad news is that bright, dark or very red lipstick can attract more unwanted attention to your mouth, wrinkles, teeth, and jawline than you might like. 

“And if there is any colour bleeding it will be very obvious.”

This doesn’t mean ditching lipstick altogether, and there are some shades that have the totally opposite, anti-ageing effect, according to the expert.

The makeup guru advised that older ladies go for a “soft lip colour” instead, preferably a shade of pink – paired with other fundamental makeup staples.

The expert would not advise wearing pink lipstick by itself, but to complement a “whole” makeup look.

“If you’re wearing a good foundation, good concealer, and neutral eye makeup then the soft creamy texture of a more neutral lip colour gives a more feminine, youthful look.”