It doesn’t take an expert to tell you that as we age, our skin changes. From changes around your eyes, reduction of collagen to changing moisture levels and sun damage (wear your SPF, people), ageing affects not only how our skin looks but also how it feels, too. This, however, is not something to be evaded but embraced—all it takes ia a little know how. With that in mind, I thought we’d focus on a particular subject, one that isn’t spoken about a lot and people don’t often think about—lipsticks and the ones that are best for mature skin.
As we get older, it can be beneficial to slightly adapt our beauty routines to better suit our skin’s needs. A nourishing skincare routine suited to mature skin is a great place to start—as any makeup lover knows, the right prep will set you up for any products that follow. If you choose to wear foundation, opting for a formula tailored to mature skin will also be beneficial as it’ll ensuring your base feels adequately hydrated and should ensure the product sits the skin’s surface just right. So why not give the same consideration to your lipstick.
Like the rest of our skin, lips can show signs of ageing, too. “As we age, our lips naturally lose volume, moisture and definition,” explains Aarti P, Pro-Artist and founder of South Asian Beauty Collective, as I quiz her on these changes, “This can cause lipstick to bleed, fade unevenly or accentuate any dryness.”
So, what makes a great lipstick for mature skin? P, has some great advice on this. “The ideal lipstick for mature lips is hydrating, smooth and comfortable. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid, nourishing oils and balmy textures are game-changers,” she says, “Avoid overly matte or drying formulas, which can settle into fine lines.”
While this is great advice when it comes to choosing a lipstick for mature skin, don’t allow it to limit you. As with all areas of makeup, there are no hard and fast rules you must adhere to—the key is to wear what feels most comfortable to you.
If you’d like a little more guidance, however, I’ve created an edit of the best lipsticks for mature skin, including plenty of suggestions from P, who has worked with women of all ages throughout her career. See the selection below.
The Best Lipsticks For Mature Skin
1. Bobbi Brown Luxe Lip Colour
Bobbi Brown
Luxe Lip Colour
Formula: Lipstick
Finish: Satin
Number of shades: 20
First up, we have a recommendation from P, which she describes as “creamy, deeply pigmented and beautifully hydrating.” Having used this lipstick myself, I have to agree. It glides on smoothly, doesn’t go cakey or patchy and leaves the lips with a slight glossy sheen that makes them look both juicy and plump.
When it comes to shade options, there are 20 to choose from, including both pink- and brown-toned nudes, vibrant pinks and reds. Most of the colours do have a more muted undertone, which makes them incredibly wearable; however, there’s also shade Parisian for red lipstick lovers and shade Your Majesty, a darker claret with plenty of punch.
Pros
- Hydrating formula
- Pigmented finish
Cons
- Not as long-lasting as matte formulas
2. Estée Lauder Pure Colour Melt-On Glosstick
Estée Lauder
Pure Colour Melt-On Glosstick
Formula: Lipstick
Finish: Glossy balm
Number of shades: 8
We’ve seen a fresh wave of sheer, glossy lipstick launches in recent months, including Estée Lauder’s Glossticks, which came onto the scene earlier this year. This is great news for mature women as these tinted high-shine balms are a great option for when you want a wash of colour that still feels hydrating on the lips.
Estée Lauder’s Glossticks are formulated with 41% conditioning oils and which work to deliver an instant lip-plumping effect as well as ensuring lips feel more nourished over time. If you’re someone who likes a mirror-shine look but doesn’t like the sticky sensation that often comes with the best lip glosses, then I’d highly suggest checking these out.
Pros
- Packed with nourishing oils
- Glossy finish
Cons
- Needs topping up regularly
3. Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain
Sephora Collection
Cream Lip Stain
Formula: Liquid lipstick
Finish: Matte stain
Number of shades: 40
Another lipstick recommendation both P and I agree on, Sephora’s Lip Stains are long-wear liquid lipsticks that are ideal for mature skin. To apply, simply use the doefoot applicator to line then fill the lips for a highly pigmented dose of colour. After a few seconds, the lipstick dries down, setting in place with a soft-matte finish.
If you thought this would mean this lip stain would feel dry, however, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. From personal experience, I can say it feels lightweight on the lips with no unwanted cracking or settling. Add to that, it comes in an impressive 40 shades, including more unusual tones like black and purple alongside classic nudes, reds and pinks, and I’m sure there’s a Sephora Lip Stain to suit everyone.
Pros
- Long-lasting formula
- Highly pigmented
Cons
- Can be difficult to achieve a precise application
4. Hourglass Phantom Glossy Balm
Hourglass
Phantom Glossy Balm
Formula: Lipstick
Finish: Glossy balm
Number of shades: 20
One of my favourite glossy lipsticks, Hourglass’s Phantom Glossy Balm is a gorgeous option for all ages, including mature skin. Alongside coating the lips in a non-sticky, high-shine wash of colour, they are also infused with Hourglass’s signature conditioning complex. This works to intensely nourish the lips to reduce the appearance of fine lines and dryness while also giving the appearance of a fuller-looking pout. On the lips, the balm feels rich yet not claggy or sticky — simply swipe on for fuss-free, juicy-looking colour.
Pros
- Contains conditioning ingredients
- Glossy finish
Cons
- Needs topping up regularly
5. Clinique Almost Lipstick
Formula: Lipstick
Finish: Glossy balm
Number of shades: 3
Clinique’s Almost Lipsticks need little to no introduction, such is their viral appeal. If you haven’t come across them before, however, the slim silver tube houses a lipstick-balm hybrid which delivers a sheer wash of colour while also hydrating the lips.
Of the three shades, Black Honey is the original; a plum-toned berry which gives the lips a jammy hue. In 2023 it was joined by Pink Honey, a blush shade which provides a slightly more natural look. Finally, just last month, Clinique launched Nude Honey, a warmer brown-beige tone perfect for nude lipstick lovers. The trio all glide on easily, leaving lips feeling hydrated and nourished (a big plus for mature skin). Unlike the previous glossy formulas in this edit, however, where Almost Lipstick differs is that the finish is slightly more subtle. Once slicked on, they leave the lips with a delicate sheen as opposed to a wet-look finish, making them ideal for those who prefer a more understated lip look.
Pros
- Hydrating formula
- Buildable pigment
6. L’Oreal Paris Color Riche Intense Volume Matte Lipstick
L’oreal Paris
Color Riche Intense Volume Matte Lipstick
Formula: Lipstick
Finish: Matte
Number of shades: 13
P’s favourite affordable lipstick for mature skin, L’Oréal’s Color Riche Intense Lipstick, combines a velvety-matte finish with the hydration mature skin needs. Alongside pigmented colour, it also contains hyaluronic acid, a key ingredient for imparting hydration below the skin’s surface. When applied, it feels velvety smooth and comfortable to wear, while the slim bullet allows for maximum precision when applying straight from the tube.
Pros
- Affordable
- Slim bullet allows for precise application
- Contains hydrating ingredients
7. YSL Loveshine Lipstick
Formula: Lipstick
Finish: Glossy balm
Number of shades: 15
According to P, YSL’s Loveshine lipstick, “is buttery soft, hydrating and perfect for mature lips that crave moisture and radiance.” The sheer formula is infused with a blend of lip-loving oils and fig extract, which aim to provide 24-hour hydration with each swipe. For mature lips, this nourishing blend will help stop the buildable colour from settling into fine lines while also ensuring lips look plump, healthy and hydrated.
Pros
- Hydrating, glossy formula
Cons
- Needs topping up regularly
8. Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution
Charlotte Tilbury
Matte Revolution
Formula: Lipstick
Finish: Matte
Number of shades: 13
In the past, matte lipsticks have gained a bad reputation for being drying, cakey and even uncomfortable to wear; setbacks that can be exacerbated on mature skin. Charlotte Tilbury’s Matte Revolution lipsticks prove this theory wrong. Infused with a blend of oils, triglycerides and waxes, the creamy formulas glide on easily without pulling or tugging before coating the lips in a semi-matte dose of colour.
Wondering which shade to go for? Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk, a nude-pink tone, is a favourite with celebrities, including Kate Moss and Bella Hadid, while my favourite, Very Victoria, was created in honour of Victoria Beckham.
Pros
- Non-drying matte formula
- Angled bullet allows for precise application
Cons
- More limited shade range than others
9. No7 Age Defying Lipstick
Formula: Lipstick
Finish: Satin
Number of shades: 12
If you’re looking for a lipstick specifically designed to target the signs of ageing, then No7’s Age Defying Lipstick is a great option. Formulated to reduce the appearance of fine lines and volume loss, it contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate, argan fruit to plump, and microspheres which work to smooth and blur imperfections.
As well as all of the above, each of the 12 shades also delivers a pigmented colour pay-off with a slight sheen that’s flattering on lips of all ages.
Pros
- Infused with skincare ingredients
- Affordable
10. Merit Signature Lip
Formula: Lipstick
Finish: Satin and matte
Number of shades: 17
Merit creates products that are fuss-free and easy to use with lightweight, buildable finishes. Unsurprisingly, then, the brand’s Signature Lip is no different. Available in both satin and matte finishes, these creamy lipsticks apply easily, providing buildable, natural-looking colour. They’re also packed with sunflower seed oil to hydrate and vitamin C, which works to smooth and buff away any dry areas.
If you’re not confident when it comes to applying lipstick or are new to wearing it and looking for a foolproof product, I’d suggest starting with these.
Pros
- Infused with skincare ingredients
- Lightweight texture
Cons
- Shipping comes from the US, so products can take longer to arrive
11. Armani Lip Power
Formula: Lipstick
Finish: Satin
Number of shades: 24
Lastly, P shared her love for Armani’s Matte Lip Power lipsticks. They provide an “elegant satin finish with intense colour payoff and long-lasting comfort,” she told me. Designed to provide vivid colour from the first swipe, these are the perfect choice for those who want maximum colour with minimal fuss. Plus, they’re also infused with a combination of oils, so you can rest assured there’ll be no dryness, just high-impact colour with a natural-looking sheen.
Pros
- Angled bullets allows for precise application
- Great colour payoff
What Happens to Lips When We Age?
“As we age, our lips naturally lose volume, moisture and definition,” says P, “Fine lines can form around the mouth and the lip border often becomes less pronounced. This can cause lipstick to bleed, fade unevenly, or accentuate dryness. What once felt like a ‘go-to’ lipstick might suddenly feel flat or uncomfortable so choosing the right texture and prep becomes key.”
What to Look for in a Lipstick for Mature Skin
“The ideal lipstick for mature lips is hydrating, smooth and comfortable to wear,” says P. “Ingredients like hyaluronic acid, nourishing oils and balmy textures are game-changers. Avoid overly matte or drying formulas, which can settle into fine lines.”
How to Apply Lipstick on Mature Skin
“I always recommend starting with a hydrating balm and gently exfoliating if needed,” says P. “Then, use a creamy lip liner to subtly reshape and define the lips, especially around the cupid’s bow and outer corners. Apply your lipstick with a brush for precision, blot & reapply for longer wear. A dab of gloss or a creamy highlighter in the centre can help create a fuller effect without looking overdone.”
What Shades of Lipstick Look Best on Mature Skin?
“I find mid-tone rosewoods, soft berries, brick reds, peachy browns and warm plums look great on mature lips, but you should wear whatever makes you feel your best” says P. “For South Asian complexions, these shades are especially beautiful when they have a golden or warm base. I often avoid very pale or cool-toned colours on deeper skin tones, as they can appear ashy. Instead, opt for richer shades that add natural radiance.”
How We Tested
Testing the best lipsticks isn’t just a job for the Who What Wear UK team, it’s a lifestyle. As many of us wear lipstick every day, we’ve gained a strong understanding of what it means to find a truly great formula, from colour pay-off to comfort and wearability.
When it comes to the best lipsticks for mature skin, of course, we drew from the team’s extensive knowledge; however, we also spoke to experts in the form of makeup artists and industry insiders to find out their recommendations, too. And any lipstick that doesn’t pass our exacting standards? Well, it doesn’t make it in.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
