Written by: Anindita Thakur

What color lipstick makes you look younger?: Secret to your youthful look

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Aging gracefully is all about embracing your natural beauty. But what about those lipstick in the drawer? Lipstick, on the contrary, is a powerful tool for the thin skinny, aging lips. But with so many shades out there, you must be wondering what color lipstick makes you look younger? This post is about to spill all the secrets. Let’s dive in and discover the shades to achieve that youthful glow.

Mature woman with smiling face holding a lipstick and text in text box, "What color lipstick makes you look younger?"
What color lipstick makes you look younger?

Why must you choose lipstick shade for an age-defying look?

The right lipstick shade can significantly impact your appearance. While bold colors is tempting, certain shades can unfortunately accentuate age-related changes like thinner lips and fine lines. Why? Because as we age, lips become more prone to dryness and fine lines, causing lipstick to feather and bleed into the surrounding skin. And deep, dark shades like claret, raisin, and bright red can turn severe for mature skin, potentially emphasizing wrinkles and making lips appear thinner.

So, to achieve a more youthful and vibrant look, opt for soft pinks and roses. These shades add a subtle flush of color, mimicking the natural lip color that fades with age. Or, choose nudes with a hint of pink to add dimension and avoid a washed-out appearance.

What color lipstick makes you look younger?: 10 best lipstick shades

Fuchsia pink

Fuchsia pink is a vibrant and versatile shade that can add a youthful pop of color to any complexion. It’s a flattering choice for women of all ages, brightening the lips and making them appear fuller.

Take a cue from iconic figures like Jane Fonda, who effortlessly rocked fuchsia pink on the red carpet, proving that this vibrant shade can be both elegant and age-defying.

Why does it works?

  • Adds a youthful glow: The intensity of fuchsia pink can instantly brighten your face and make you look more radiant.
  • Boosts confidence: A bold lip color like fuchsia pink can be empowering, making you feel more confident and expressive.
  • Versatility: It can be dressed up or down, complementing both casual and more formal outfits.
  • Compliments gray hair: Fuchsia pink creates a striking contrast against gray hair, adding a touch of unexpected boldness and sophistication.
  • Subverts expectations: It challenges the notion that older women should only wear muted colors, encouraging self-expression and individuality.

Also Read: How to keep matte lipstick from cracking?

Pink-based Nude

Mature woman wearing pink-based nude lipstick
Younger looking lipstick shade- Pink-based Nude

While bold lip colors can be undeniably glamorous, there’s a certain elegance to a perfectly executed nude lip. A pink-based nude lipstick is a timeless beauty essential for mature women. Its subtle enhancement, natural radiance, and age-defying properties make it a versatile and elegant choice for any occasion. Embrace the understated elegance of this classic shade and discover a new level of sophistication in your makeup routine.

Why pink-based nude works?

  • Subtle enhancement: A pink-based nude lipstick provides a subtle wash of color that enhances your natural lip tone without appearing overly dramatic.
  • Natural radiance: The hint of pink adds a youthful glow to your complexion, making you appear more vibrant and refreshed.
  • Age-defying effect: Nude lipsticks can minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth, creating a smoother, more youthful look.
  • Versatility: A well-chosen pink-based nude complements a wide range of skin tones and can be easily paired with both casual and formal attire.
  • Timeless elegance: This classic shade exudes sophistication and timeless appeal, making it a perfect choice for any occasion.

Peach

For those blessed with warm undertones, peach lipstick emerges as a truly harmonious choice. For those with warm skin tones, peach lipstick is a must-have in your makeup bag. The warm, inviting hue complements the natural warmth of your skin, creating a radiant and youthful complexion.

Why does peach work?

  • Complementary color theory: Peach, with its underlying orange tones, naturally compliments warm skin undertones. This creates a harmonious and balanced look.
  • Radiant glow: Peach lipstick adds a subtle warmth and luminosity to the face, making you appear more vibrant and youthful.
  • Versatility: Peach lipstick is remarkably versatile, effortlessly transitioning from casual daytime looks to more sophisticated evening events.
  • Subtle elegance: It offers a subtle and sophisticated alternative to bolder lip colors, providing a refined and polished appearance.
  • Confidence booster: Wearing a color that compliments your skin tone can significantly boost your confidence and enhance your overall sense of well-being.

Coral

Coral lipstick, a captivating blend of pink and orange, has emerged as a vibrant and flattering choice for mature women seeking to add a touch of youthful energy to their look. Its flattering hue, universal appeal, and confidence-boosting properties make it an ideal choice for any occasion.

Why does coral works?

  • Universal appeal: Coral’s unique blend of pink and orange makes it surprisingly versatile, complementing a wide range of skin tones, from fair to deep.
  • Youthful radiance: The vibrant hue of coral adds a youthful glow to your complexion, minimizing the appearance of dullness and fatigue.
  • Seasonal versatility: Coral is an ideal choice for spring and summer, adding a touch of sunshine to your look.
  • Style versatility: It pairs beautifully with a variety of outfits, from casual summer dresses to more formal ensembles.
  • Confidence boost: Coral’s vibrant energy can be incredibly uplifting, boosting your confidence and making you feel more radiant.

Brick Red

Mature woman wearing brick red lipstick
Younger looking lipstick shade- Brick Red

Brick red lipstick is a sophisticated and alluring choice for mature women seeking to add a touch of drama and depth to their look. This richly pigmented shade, with the undertones of orange and brown, with its flattering hue, and confidence-boosting properties make it a worthy addition to any makeup collection.

Why brick red work?

  • Compliments warm skin tones: Brick red particularly flatters those with warm undertones, such as golden, olive, or peachy skin.
  • Adds depth and dimension: This deeper shade adds dimension to the lips, creating a fuller and more defined appearance.
  • Versatile for various occasions: While bold, brick red can be dressed up or down, making it suitable for both daytime and evening events.
  • Age-defying effect: The deeper tone can subtly minimize the appearance of fine lines around the mouth.
  • Confidence booster: Brick red exudes confidence and sophistication, making you feel empowered and elegant.

Brown

Mature skin deserves to radiate elegance, and brown lipstick offers a sophisticated and timeless way to achieve this. Its flattering tones, timeless appeal, and everyday wearability make it a worthy addition to any makeup collection.

Why does brown lipstick work?

  • Complements all skin tones: Brown lipstick is remarkably versatile, seamlessly complementing a wide range of skin tones, from fair to deep.
  • Adds depth and dimension: The richness of brown creates a fuller, more defined appearance for the lips, minimizing the appearance of thinness.
  • Timeless elegance: Brown lipstick exudes sophistication and timeless appeal, making it a perfect choice for any occasion.
  • Subtle warmth: Brown lipstick adds a subtle warmth to the complexion, creating a radiant and healthy glow.
  • Everyday wearability: Its versatility makes it an ideal everyday shade, effortlessly transitioning from casual daytime looks to more formal evening events.

Brown-based Nude

For a refined and elegant look, consider the understated beauty of brown-based nude lipstick. This sophisticated shade with its timeless appeal offers a subtle enhancement to enhance your natural lip color while maintaining a sophisticated and polished appearance.

Why brown-based nude work?

  • Timeless elegance: Brown-based nudes exude a timeless elegance that complements mature skin beautifully.
  • Subtle enhancement: These shades offer a subtle enhancement to your natural lip color, creating a polished and refined look without appearing overly dramatic.
  • Complements various skin tones: While often associated with cooler undertones, carefully selected brown-based nudes can complement a range of skin tones.
  • Sophisticated neutrality: They offer a neutral base that allows other aspects of your makeup, such as eyes or blush, to take center stage.
  • Confidence-boosting: Wearing a lipstick that complements your complexion can significantly boost your confidence and enhance your overall sense of well-being.

Red Wine

Wine red lipstick, with its deep, rich pigment, adds a touch of sophistication and drama to any look. This timeless shade, ranging from deep burgundy to more muted tones, can be incredibly flattering on mature women, adding warmth and depth to the complexion.

Why does wine red work?

  • Compliments a range of skin tones: While often associated with cooler undertones, carefully selected wine red shades can complement a variety of skin tones, from fair to deep.
  • Adds depth and dimension: The richness of wine red creates a fuller, more defined appearance for the lips, minimizing the appearance of thinness.
  • Timeless elegance: Wine red lipstick exudes sophistication and timeless appeal, making it a perfect choice for any occasion.
  • Confidence-boosting: Wearing a lipstick that compliments your complexion can significantly boost your confidence and enhance your overall sense of well-being.
  • Versatility: Wine red lipstick can be dressed up or down, making it suitable for both daytime and evening events.

Classic Red

Mature woman wearing classic red lipstick
Younger looking lipstick shade-Classic Red

No discussion of the best lipstick shades for mature women is complete without acknowledging the enduring allure of classic red. This iconic hue, beloved by women throughout history, transcends age and cultural barriers, adding a touch of timeless elegance to any complexion, including the 60+.

Why classic red work?

  • Timeless elegance: Red lipstick is a timeless classic that exudes sophistication and confidence.
  • Universal flattery: While the specific shade may vary, red lipstick can be surprisingly flattering on a wide range of skin tones.
  • Youthful radiance: A well-chosen red can add a youthful glow to the complexion, minimizing the appearance of dullness.
  • Confidence booster: The bold statement of red lipstick can be incredibly empowering, boosting your self-esteem and making you feel more confident and radiant.
  • Versatility: Red lipstick can be dressed up or down, making it suitable for a variety of occasions, from casual outings to formal events.

Berry

Berry lipsticks are totally having a moment, and for good reason! They look amazing on everyone. 

From soft pinks with a berry tint to deeper plum shades, these versatile shades add a touch of sophistication, flattery, vibrancy and dimension to the lips while complementing a wide range of skin tones.

Why do berry tones work?

  • Complements a variety of skin tones: Berry shades, with their undertones of pink, red, and purple, can be surprisingly flattering on a wide range of skin tones, from fair to deep.
  • Adds dimension and depth: Berry tones add a subtle vibrancy to the lips, creating a fuller and more defined appearance.
  • Timeless elegance: Berry shades exude a timeless elegance that complements mature skin beautifully.
  • Subtle sophistication: They offer a touch of color and sophistication without being overly dramatic.
  • Confidence booster: Wearing a lipstick that compliments your complexion can significantly boost your confidence and enhance your overall sense of well-being.

How to choose the right lipstick shade for older women?

While age is just a number, the skin around our mouths does tend to change as we mature. Fine lines may appear, lips might become slightly thinner, and dryness can become a concern. However, this doesn’t mean you have to compromise on your lipstick choices! Here are some tips to help you find the most flattering shades and formulas:

  • Say no to drying mattes: Full matte lipsticks can be harsh on mature lips, emphasizing dryness and settling into fine lines.
  • Opt for creaminess: Creamy formulas, soft mattes, or velvety textures provide a more comfortable and hydrating wear. They glide on smoothly and help to minimize the appearance of dryness.
  • The power of gloss: A touch of gloss can add a youthful plumping effect and help to reflect light, minimizing the appearance of fine lines.
  • Darker shades on fuller lips: If you have fuller lips, you can confidently experiment with darker shades.
  • Lighter options for thinner lips: For thinner lips, lighter shades or deeper tints can help create the illusion of fuller lips.
  • Long-wearing formulas: Look for long-wearing formulas that last 5-6 hours or more. This helps to prevent the lipstick from settling into fine lines or fading unevenly.
  • Embrace your style: Ultimately, the best lipstick shade is the one that makes you feel confident and beautiful. Whether you prefer bold reds, subtle nudes, or vibrant berries, embrace your personal style and have fun with it!
  • Skin tone: Consider your skin undertone (cool, warm, neutral) when choosing lipstick shades to ensure a flattering and harmonious look.
  • Undertones: Pay attention to the undertones of the lipstick (blue, orange, neutral) to find shades that complement your skin tone.

How to find your perfect lipstick shade?

The right lipstick shade can significantly impact your appearance, making you look younger and more vibrant. While personal preference plays a role, understanding your skin tone can help you select colors that flatter you best.

  • Fair skin tones:
    • Embrace bright hues: Fair skin tones can beautifully carry off bright and cheerful colors like pinks, peaches, corals, and even neons. These shades add a youthful glow and a touch of playfulness.
    • Consider mauves: Mauve shades can also be incredibly flattering, adding a touch of sophistication and warmth.
  • Golden skin tones:
    • Warm neutrals: Golden skin tones look radiant with warm neutrals like caramel, toffee, and nude shades with peachy undertones. These colors enhance your natural complexion while maintaining a subtle and sophisticated look.
    • Avoid overly bold colors: While bold colors can be tempting, overly dark or bright shades can sometimes be overwhelming and may make you appear older.
  • Olive skin tones:
    • Embrace coral: Olive skin tones, which fall under the warm skin tone category, look stunning with orange-based coral shades.
    •  Peachy pinks: Peachy pink shades also complement olive skin beautifully, adding a touch of warmth and radiance.
  • Dark skin tones:
    • Beyond bold reds: While bold reds can be impactful, they may not always be the most flattering.
    • Explore deeper nudes and browns: Explore deeper nude shades, rich browns, and berry tones. These shades add depth and dimension to your lips without making them appear thinner.
    •  Experiment with plum: Plum shades can also be surprisingly flattering on dark skin tones, adding a touch of sophistication and drama.

Final Word

The pursuit of ageless beauty lies not in defying age, but in embracing it with confidence and radiance. So, the best lipstick shade is the one that makes you feel confident and beautiful and enhances your natural features. Experiment, have fun, and discover a newfound confidence that shines from within.

Anindita Thakur
Anindita Thakur

Anindita Thakur is a beauty writer covering perfume, cosmetics, hair care, and skin care. She holds a B.A. Hons in English, M.A. in English, M.A. in History, and a Certificate in Journalism and Mass Communication from Calcutta University. With robust credentials in writing and communications, Ms. Thakur provides engaging articles on beauty trends and tips. Her goal is to educate and inspire audiences on the best products and practices for skin, hair, makeup, and fragrance.

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