Sorry, But Your Lipstick Might Be Aging You—5 Products That Undo the Look of Dryness, Lines, and Volume Loss

Confession: Lipstick remains my all-time favorite makeup product. Since I was a little girl, I loved how confident and cool it made me feel. Now, as a woman in my 40s, nothing else in my makeup bag has quite the same effect. The best lipsticks for older women—especially for those who are as hardcore about it as I am—don’t just deliver a good pop of color. They also provide that same confidence-boosting, “ready to kick some booty” feeling they did when I first started wearing them.

There truly is something magical that happens when I put on red lipstick. I’m transformed, even if I’m dressed casually in a Juicy Couture tracksuit and don’t have any other makeup on. It brings me to life! My lips, however, lack the same amount of collagen they had during the year that the Juicy tracksuit was invented. Like the rest of the skin on our faces and bodies, our lips usually start needing a little extra TLC as we get older. Still, it doesn’t mean that we have to be more subtle with our lipstick and switch to neutrals—unless that’s your vibe. Instead, it’s about embracing hydrating, smoothing, and long-wearing options that can support your lips.

If you’re in your over-40 era but need a friend to take your hand and help you find the right lipstick, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading for your official cheat sheet for the best lipsticks for older women. These five tried and tested favorites are gorgeous, hydrating, and comfortable to wear, from luxury picks to drugstore gems and more.

The Best Lipsticks for Older Women at a Glance

• Best Overall: Clinique Pop Longwear Lipstick
• Best Drugstore: L’Oréal Colour Riche Lipstick
• Best Splurge: Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Colour
• Best Satin: Lawless Forget the Filler Lip-Plumping Line-Smoothing Satin Cream Lipstick
• Best Lip Treatment: The Outset Lip Oasis Glossy Treatment

1. Best Overall: Clinique Pop Longwear Lipstick

2. Best Drugstore: L’Oréal Colour Riche Lipstick

3. Best Splurge: Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Colour

4. Best Satin: Lawless Forget the Filler Lip-Plumping Line-Smoothing Satin Cream Lipstick

5. Best Lip Treatment: The Outset Lip Oasis Glossy Treatment