Although we're firm believers of wearing any type of lipstick and shade that tickles your fancy (no matter what age you are!), there are a few makeup artist-approved tips that can help lipstick look even better on mature skin.
"Generally, when it comes to the best lipstick type for mature skin, I recommend formulas that offer hydration; comfort-satin or creamy finishes work beautifully," explains Maria Jones, professional makeup artist and hair stylist at Cover Clap. In this vein, she says matte lipsticks might want to be avoided since they can be drying and accentuate fine lines.
Katy Holland, a professional makeup artist, agrees. "As we age, our skin tends to become progressively drier. Sheer and glossy formulas are perfect because they provide moisture and comfort without settling into fine lines," she says.
"They also add a natural shine and fullness, helping to hide dryness. It's best to avoid ultra-matte lipsticks, as they can be very drying and emphasize wrinkles."
Read on to discover the best types of lipsticks for mature women, according to expert and editor picks.
We've mentioned choosing a lipstick with moisturizing ingredients, but what does that mean, exactly?
According to Stacy Tapping, founder of the Beauty Sculpting Room, some hydrating ingredients to look for include hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, vitamin E and shea butter. These ingredients, she says, also help lock moisture into the lips.
"Women should also avoid alcohol and fragrances, even in lipsticks," she says. "They can be drying and irritating for thinner and mature lips."
Shades: 50+ | Some key ingredients: Vitamin E, argan oil
Editor Amanda Fama's mom, Jackie Fama, likes a lipstick "that has moisturizer." Her go-to is this pick from L'Oreal Paris, which comes in over 50 shades (include sandstone, which is J. Fama's favorite). It's also formulated with vitamin E, which our experts recommend, along with moisturizing argan oil.
Shades: 10 | Some key ingredients: Mango seed butter
This Target find is a favorite of Kate Johnson, a makeup artist and the founder of Glossed Finishing Studio. The standout ingredient is mango seed butter which helps keep lips kissably soft and hydrated. This color goes on sheer, so it'll have a glossy finish with a hint of color, but it can be built up to medium coverage with a few more swipes.
Shades: 8 | Some key ingredients: Shea butter, olive fruit extract
Another pick from Jones, this Creemesheen lipstick is one of the best lip stick, lip balm hybrids out there. The formula includes shea butter and fruit extracts for a hydrating look and feel every time.
Shades: 9 | Some key ingredients: Vitamin C
Makeup and lash artist Shervonne Kitto loves Merit's satin lipstick for her clients, and she offers up a hack to keep lipstick lasting even longer: "A great trick for a youthful lip is to use a bit of concealer round the edges of the lips before applying liner and lipstick," she says. "Then, set it with a powder. This trick helps prevent feathering and creates a crisp, clean canvas that makes the lip color pop."
This vegan and cruelty-free formula is also buildable for more color. Plus, it's made with vitamin C, which helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time.
Shades: 18 | Some key ingredients: Castor seed oil, apricot kernel oil, jojoba seed oil, sunflower seed oil
Having a primer built into the lip color can help a lipstick stay on longer and go on smoother upon application. That's why Johnson recommends this formula to her older clients. This formula also has peptides and ceramides to help heal dry, damaged, and chapped lips.
Shades: 22 | Some key ingredients: Crambe oil, lipstick tree extract
The almond-shaped tip of this lipstick makes it super simple to apply, even on the go -- and this formula from Charlotte Tilbury is one of Tapping's favorites. "They have satin and creamy formulas for that plump look, and the shade range will perfectly match different women with different lip colors," she says. This one's made with light-diffusing pigments that add dimension to any lip size.
Shades: 33 | Some key ingredients: Castor seed oil, coconut oil
Jones loves the Luxe Lip line from Bobbi Brown since it's made with skin care ingredients like jasmine flower wax to help moisturize and condition lips over time. After applying this lipstick, it looks like you also coated it with a fresh swipe of gloss -- that's how juicy lips appear after just one swipe.
Shades: 8 | Some key ingredients: Cotton oil extract, hydrogenated jojoba oil
Associate editor Allie Wise gave her mom, Cindy Wise, a sample of this long-lasting, buttery lipstick, and she "absolutely loves it." Keep in mind this is a matte lipstick (which our experts don't always recommend for mature skin), but its formula contains some moisturizing ingredients like cotton oil extract and hydrogenated jojoba oil.
In other words, if you prefer a matte lip that's still moisturizing, this is a good option.
Shop TODAY spoke with makeup artists and estheticians about what ingredients to look for in the best lipsticks for mature women, and they shared their go-to picks. A few editors on the Shop TODAY team also reached out to their moms and asked what their go-to lipsticks are.