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
1. Best Overall: Clinique Pop Longwear Lipstick
Clinique
Longwear Lipstick
Pros: Lightweight and lasts long
Cons: Some reviewers prefer the original tube
Shades: 36
This lipstick is a triple threat: It has rich color, hydration, and staying power. The lightweight, creamy formula is comfortable for hours while delivering bold, buildable pigment that glides on like a dream. I also love how it has a primer built into the formula. Plus, it’s packed with shea and murumuru butters to keep lips soft and hydrated all day.
Customer review: “I have a ‘crease’ on my upper lip (I’m an older lady, it happens), and I usually have to use a lip liner to keep my lip color from migrating. I don’t need the lip liner with this one.”
2. Best Drugstore: L’Oréal Colour Riche Lipstick
L’Oréal
Colour Riche Original Creamy, Hydrating Satin Lipstick
Pros: Super moisturizing thanks to argan oil and vitamin E
Cons: Has added fragrance, which might not work for people sensitive to it
Shades: 52
L’Oréal’s Colour Riche is proof that you should never underestimate the classics. This drugstore gem can also win the award for best shade range. It has 52 shades available—you can wear a different one every week for a year! The formula is chock-full of nourishing ingredients like argan oil and vitamin E to combat dryness while delivering rich, velvety color. Whether you’re a nude-lip devotee or a red-lipstick queen like myself, you’ll find a shade you love.
Customer review: “I love how creamy this lipstick is and how effortlessly it glides on. It’s absolutely stunning, making my lips look fuller and stand out beautifully.”
3. Best Splurge: Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Colour
Chanel
Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Colour
Pros: Moisturizing formula and vibrant color
Cons: Limited shade range
Shades: 14
When you’re in the mood to indulge in a pricey lipstick, you can’t go wrong with Chanel’s Rouge Allure line. It is the definition of luxury, offering luminous, intense color in a formula that’s lightweight and silky.
Customer review: “I only buy Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Colour because the colors are deep and rich, and the product lasts all day. It lasts through eating, through exercising, through working, and playing. Once I apply my lip color in the morning, I’m good to go and never have to worry about it again. After using this product, you’ll be sold for life and won’t waste money on any other lip color.
4. Best Satin: Lawless Forget the Filler Lip-Plumping Line-Smoothing Satin Cream Lipstick
Lawless
Forget the Filler Lip-Plumping Line-Smoothing Satin Cream Lipstick
Pros: Clinically and scientifically proven to increase lip volume by 40% and decrease wrinkling by 29%
Cons: Pricey
Shades: 15
I’ve become a big fan of Lawless’s Forget the Filler line, and this satin lipstick is one that everyone with aging concerns needs to know about. For those who want a little extra oomph, this satin lipstick works double duty by plumping and smoothing lip lines. While it has a satin finish, it’s not slippery or one of those lipsticks that are messy and get all over the place. It’s also vegan and cruelty-free.
Customer review: “This formulation is sublime! The color, texture, and consistency are exceptional.”
5. Best Lip Treatment: The Outset Lip Oasis Glossy Treatment
The Outset
Lip Oasis Glossy Treatment
Pros: Clinically proven to boost lip hydration by 48% in just four weeks
Cons: Pricey
Shades: n/a
If your lips are crying out for moisture, especially during winter like mine are, this lip treatment is the answer to your prayers. This is more like a gloss-treatment hybrid, so you’ll get a pretty good sheen. It’s packed with ultra-hydrating ingredients, like Maxi-Lip (which can stimulate collagen production), squalane, polyglycerides, lactic acid, and the brand’s signature Hyaluroset complex. Plus, this is Scarlett Johansson’s brand, so obviously, I’m gonna trust her when it comes to lips!
Customer review: “I’m not lying when I tell you that the second I put the gloss on my lips, they became plump and felt so soft. Even after it had worn off, my lips remained smooth. Perfect for winter. I’m definitely buying another one.”
