As we get older, small makeup choices can make a big difference in how our features appear. While lipstick is one of the easiest ways to brighten the face, certain shades can actually have the opposite effect—especially as lips naturally lose volume and color over time.
Beauty experts say that after 40, choosing the right lipstick tone becomes even more important. Some darker shades that once looked dramatic and chic can start to emphasize fine lines or make lips appear thinner. According to makeup professionals, avoiding a few common lipstick mistakes can help keep your look fresh, flattering, and youthful.
Here are two lipstick shades experts say women over 40 may want to rethink.
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Deep Burgundy
While deep burgundy lipstick can look bold and sophisticated, it may not be the most flattering choice for mature lips. According to Margina Dennis, celebrity makeup artist and beauty expert, darker shades can emphasize texture around the mouth.
Deep burgundy tones can “draw attention to the lines around the mouth and on the lips,” Dennis explains, noting that we “naturally lose color in our face and lips as we age.”
Instead of heavy, dark shades, she recommends softer tones that mimic the natural flush of the lips. Colors like rose, peach, terracotta, soft reds, watermelon, berry, and raspberry tend to brighten the complexion and create a more youthful-looking pout.
These lighter hues reflect more light and add warmth back into the face, which can help offset the natural fading of lip color that happens with age.
Dark Red
Dark red lipstick is another shade experts say can sometimes work against mature features. Although the look cycles in and out of trend, Kerrin Jackson, celebrity makeup artist and creator of The Makeup Refinery, notes that the color can unintentionally create an aging effect.
“This fad will never help anyone look younger,” Jackson says, explaining that it comes down to simple lighting principles. Dark shades—especially blackened reds—absorb more light than brighter tones.
When applied to the lips, that lack of light reflection can make them appear thinner than they actually are. “On your lips, these lipstick shades actually make your lips appear thinner,” Jackson explains, which can ultimately make the face look older.
To avoid this effect, she recommends steering clear of extremely dark lip colors and opting for brighter or mid-tone shades that reflect light and create the appearance of fuller lips.
The Bottom Line
Lipstick can instantly elevate your look—but the wrong shade may highlight signs of aging instead of enhancing your features. Beauty experts say avoiding deep burgundy and very dark red shades can help prevent lips from appearing thinner or emphasizing fine lines.
Instead, reach for soft reds, berries, peaches, and rosy tones that reflect light and restore warmth to the face. With the right color choice, lipstick can remain one of the most powerful tools for creating a vibrant, youthful makeup look at any age.
