Makeup trends change as quickly and unpredictably as the weather, but one beauty look that will truly never go out of style is a red lip. Whether you’re styling it with an old-Hollywood ball gown for a red carpet event or with a plain button down and jeans for a trip to the office, red lipstick is one of the easiest ways to elevate your look for any occasion.
But, as we get older, makeup doesn’t always go on or stay on the way we’re used to. Whether it’s from lip shrinking or wrinkling or changes in our complexion, there are tons of reasons why wearing lipstick can be harder as we age. But with curated formulas and expert-approved application tips, anyone can rock a classic red lip confidently.
Featured Experts
- Ermahn Ospina is a celebrity makeup artist
- Sandy Linter is a celebrity makeup artist
Application Tips for Wearing Red Lipstick at Any Age
Before we can get into the best products for wearing a red lip regardless of your age, there are some application tips that help red lipstick go on and stay on regardless of your age. According to celebrity makeup artist Ermahn Ospina, there are two main tips for applying red lipstick at any age. “Moisturize your lips just like you would your skin before any lip liner or any lipstick application using a lip balm of your choice,” he begins. “After a couple of minutes, remove the excess with a tissue, leaving the lips soft and moisturized and ready for lipstick.” Ospina’s second tip is to apply a red lip stain before going in with lipstick to give your lips a nice foundation that will help elongate the wear of your lipstick.
For celebrity makeup artist Sandy Linter, matte formulas are the key to wearing red lipstick regardless of your age. “I would use a matte shade then blot and apply a youthful, light coating of sheer gloss on top,” she says, “The matte shades today are unlike the matte shades of yesterday—they are not as dry but still stay in place. Unfortunately, as we age the makeup we apply has a tendency to travel into the grooves of our lips, eyes and skin, but tons of matte formulas today have minimized that issue.”
The Best Lip Products for Wearing Red Lipstick at Any Age
Thanks to our experts, we have plenty of product recommendations for lippies to help you create a red lip that defies time and space.
