To achieve fuller, more youthful lips, preparation is crucial—especially as we gracefully age. Celebrity makeup artists highlight that laying the right groundwork before applying any color can make all the difference.
1. **Prime Your Lips for Perfection**: Makeup artist Alyssia Chang advises that the foundation of a fantastic lip look starts with proper priming. One of the most common ways women accidentally make themselves look older with lipstick is by not properly prepping the skin around their lips,” she explains. This oversight can lead to lipstick bleeding and settling into fine lines, highlighting those pesky wrinkles.
To combat this, exfoliate your lips regularly and apply a quality lip primer. This step not only creates a smooth canvas for your lipstick but also prevents smudging and feathering. Sir John suggests using a waxy barrier around the lips, such as a matte primer, to keep your lipstick in place and extend its wear throughout the day.
Product on Amazon: IT Cosmetics Je Ne Sais Quoi Lip Treatment – Anti-Aging Lip Balm – Reacts with Your Lips to Create a Customized Color – With Essential Oils & Antioxidants – 0.11 Oz
Price: 25 USD
Rating: 4.5 Total reviews: 3232
Item Form: solid
Skin Type: Dry
Color: Perfect Pink
Top Review from US: “IT ‘Je ne sais quoi’ lipstick in Rose is my favorite lipstick, especially in the winter. This wonderful lipstick (it’s sold as lip balm but is a lipstick) is loaded with essential butters & oils, hyaluronic filling spheres & antioxidants that hydrate your lips. The color rose is a universal shade that looks good on anyone. Your lips feel plumper and hydrated when you use this lipstick & it’s a beautiful finish. (I love this because it’s a lipstick with lip balm qualities. I do not want chap stick that’s waxy or lip gloss that’s sticky wet.) Trust me, if you’re looking for a hydrating pretty lipstick, this is it. You’ll love it.) (also, the lipstick lid is magnetic making it really nice & fancy that it closes so easily). Also, I highly recommend this great seller, lightning fast delivery. Thank you!”
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2. **Creamy Lip Liner Is Your Best Friend**: Margina Dennis recommends beginning with a creamy lip liner to avoid drying out your lips while ensuring your color lasts. Choose a liner a few shades darker than your natural lip color or the lipstick you’ll be using. Line your lips along the outside edge of your natural lip line,” she advises, ensuring a natural yet enhanced contour.
Choose creamy liners over drier options, as they blend effortlessly with your lipstick or gloss, helping to avoid any unsightly bleeds or smudges. Mandie Brice champions a ‘less is more’ approach, encouraging the use of minimal product to draw less attention to fine lines around the mouth.
Product on Amazon: e.l.f. Cream Glide Lip Liner, Highly-Pigmented Pencil For Shaping & Sculpting Lips, Semi-Matte Finish, Vegan & Cruelty-Free, Spill The Tea
Brand: Visit the e.l.f. Store
Price: 2 USD
Rating: 4.5 Total reviews: 3682
Color: Spill the Tea
Skin Type: All
Item Form: Pencil
Finish Type: Semi-Matte
Top Review from US: “I have no words to describe how much I love this product! The lipliner is the perfect amount of creaminess and lasts so long on my lips for a great price compared to the high end products that cost way more. I have put many family and friends onto this product because of how beautiful it glides on and the shades are true as advertised. ELF has done their big one with these and I plan on purchasing many more times!”
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3. **Hydration Is Key**: Hydrating your lips is crucial not only for comfort but also for achieving that plump, youthful appearance. As Dennis highlights, lips naturally lose moisture as we age, making hydration a top priority. She suggests using a moist-looking finishing gloss, which adds a healthy, youthful glow to your lips.
For those hurried days, reach for colored lip balms or oils that offer hydration without opacity, giving your lips a juicy, luscious look without the heavy makeup feel. Emphasizing hydration ensures your lips feel as good as they look.
Product on Amazon: KEY NUTRIENTS Hydration Packets – 5 Delicious Flavors in Electrolytes Powder Packets No Sugar 10 Pack – No Calories, Gluten Free Electrolytes Powder Packets, Non GMO, Made in USA
Brand: Visit the KEY NUTRIENTS Store
Price: 9.99 USD
Rating: 4.3 Total reviews: 25493
Flavor: Variety Pack Electrolytes
Unit Count: 6.5 Ounce
Item Form: Powder
Item dimensions L x W x H: 3 x 2 x 3 inches
Special Ingredients: Pineapple, Coconut, Blueberry, Lemonade, Lemon, Lime, Passion Fruit, Acai Berry
Diet Type: Keto
Age Range (Description): All Ages
Package Information: Powder
Number of Items: 10
Top Review from US: “WHAT I PURCHASED: Key Nutrients, Electrolyte Recovery Plus, Orange flavor.WHAT I USE IT FOR: Electrolyte replacement (ER) for intense, high elevation gain hiking that causes a great amount of sweating and electrolyte loss. Hikes typically range from between 6 to 11 miles in length, and between 3,000 to 4,000 feet elevation gain.HOW I USE IT: One scoop/serving per hike, normally intended to be combined with 16 ounces of water, but I combine it with 28 ounces of water.”
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4. **Exfoliation for a Smoother Surface**: Regular exfoliation is another cornerstone of lip care. By removing dead skin cells, you reveal the softer, more supple skin underneath, allowing your lipstick to adhere better and appear smoother. This step is essential for maintaining the youthful appearance of your lips and ensuring they don’t detract from your overall makeup look.
Celebrity makeup artists agree that well-prepared lips are the foundation of any great lipstick look. By incorporating these preparation tips into your routine, you can achieve fuller, more youthful lips effortlessly.
Product on Amazon: Glycolic Acid 20% Resurfacing Pads for Face & Body with Vitamins B5, C & E, Green Tea, Calendula, Allantoin – Exfoliates Surface Skin and Reduces Appearance of Fine Lines and Wrinkles – Peel Pads
Brand: Visit the QRxLabs Store
Price: 26.95 USD
Rating: 4.4 Total reviews: 23940
Skin Type: All
Material Feature: Cruelty Free
Unit Count: 50.0 Count
Number of Items: 1
Top Review from US: “Amazing product, my skin has never looked or felt this good! My 65yo skin was dull and now it’s smooth and much brighter! I use every night and it tingles when you apply but feels so good and refreshing!”
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5. **Opt for Moisturizing and Balm Lipsticks**: Dry, matte lipsticks can often exacerbate the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. As an alternative, moisturizing or balm-based lipsticks are highly recommended for those over 40. These formulas glide smoothly over the lips, providing color while also offering much-needed hydration. Margina Dennis advises selecting shades that mimic a “youthful flush,” avoiding overly dark or nude colors that can wash you out or highlight imperfections. The goal is a soft, natural look that enhances your features without drawing attention to dryness or lines.
Product on Amazon: KYDA 2 Colors Blue Black PH Lip Balm, Tinted Lip Balm, Color Change from Blue or Black to Pink, Moisturizing Lip Balm for Dry Cracked Lips, Hydrating and Plumping, Natural Pink Lip Color
Brand: Brand: KYDA
Price: 7.99 USD
Rating: 3.9 Total reviews: 11
Item Form: Cream
Finish Type: Glossy
Skin Type: All
Color: Baby Blue+Black Rose
Top Review from US: “My wife loved them and they turned into a really pretty color. Neat product.”
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6. **Use a Clear or Matching Lip Liner**: To maintain a natural appearance, a clear lip liner or one that matches your chosen lip color is essential. This type of liner helps to keep the lip color in place, preventing feathering and bleeding into any fine lines around the mouth. The key is to enhance the lips’ natural shape subtly, without creating harsh outlines that can draw attention to the very features you’re trying to downplay.
Product on Amazon: Maybelline Color Sensational Shaping Lip Liner with Self-Sharpening Tip, Clear, 1 Count
Brand: Visit the MAYBELLINE Store
Price: 6.98 USD
Rating: 4.4 Total reviews: 12668
Color: 100 CLEAR
Skin Type: All
Item Form: Pencil
Finish Type: Satin
Top Review from US: “I tried this red lip liner and overall, I’m happy with the color and its ability to outline my lips clearly. The red is vibrant and bold, which pairs perfectly with a variety of red lipsticks. It glides on smoothly without tugging, and I appreciate the precision it gives for creating sharp lines.However, the staying power could be better. I noticed that after a few hours, the liner started to fade, especially around the edges of my lips. It also needed some touch-ups after eating or drinking.”
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7. **Embrace Medium-Toned and Brighter Colors**: As we mature, our complexion tends to lose some of its natural vibrancy. Fortunately, the strategic use of lip colors can counteract this. Margina Dennis recommends opting for medium-toned or brighter lip colors such as rose, peach, or soft red. These shades are adept at conveying a youthful pout by enhancing the natural color of your lips. Applying a stain in one of these flattering colors, followed by a plumping gloss in a lighter shade in the center of your lips, can create the illusion of fuller, more plump lips. This clever use of color draws attention to the middle of the mouth, where the lighter gloss reflects light, making lips appear larger and more youthful.
8. **The Magic of Glossy Finishes**: Moisture is key when seeking to achieve youthful and fuller-looking lips. After lining and filling your lips with a medium-toned or bright shade, a finishing gloss can make all the difference. This “moist-looking” product not only prevents dryness but also conveys a healthy, radiant mouth. Glossy finishes are particularly effective in making lips appear fuller by adding depth and dimension. For quick touch-ups, consider carrying colored lip balms or oils. These are not only hydrating but also offer a juicy lip look that enhances your natural beauty without the heaviness of traditional lipstick.
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9. **Harness the Power of Shimmer and Light**: Adding a touch of shimmer or a light-reflecting gloss can do wonders for creating the illusion of fuller lips. This approach uses the play of light to make lips appear more voluminous. A dab of highlighter on the cupid’s bow and the center of the lower lip is another trick to accentuate lip fullness. By catching the light, these areas create a visual pop that draws the eye, making lips look plumper.
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10. **Steer Clear of Dark, Matte Lipsticks**: While dark and matte shades may have been your go-to in younger years, they can become less forgiving as we age. Such formulas often highlight lip lines and can make lips look smaller, so opt for brighter, slightly glossy shades instead to maintain a fresh and vibrant look. Emphasize natural lip tones and finishes that reflect light for the most flattering results.
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11. **Layer for a Color That Lasts**: To achieve a long-lasting lip look without sacrificing comfort, layering products is key. Begin with a hydrating balm, add a creamy lip liner, and finish with a medium-toned lipstick topped with gloss. This multi-step method not only keeps your lips moisturized but also adds depth and ensures your color stays put throughout the day.
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12. **Experiment with Subtle lip Plumpers**: Modern lip plumpers offer more than just a tingling sensation. Today’s formulas are infused with hydrating and nourishing ingredients that enhance lip volume naturally. These plumpers often contain ingredients like peptides and hyaluronic acid, which temporarily boost lip volume and smoothness. They work best when used sparingly over your favorite lip color for an instant boost.
The journey to achieving fuller, youthful lips over 40 is an exciting one. By embracing expert-recommended techniques and products, you can create a vibrant, polished look that celebrates your natural beauty. Remember, the key is to enhance rather than mask. With the right approach, your lips can continue to be one of your most expressive and cherished features, telling the story of your confidence and grace with every smile.
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