Red lipstick is one of the most powerful beauty symbols with a tumultuous history of deception and social class stratification. It wasn’t until the early 20th century that the color became socially acceptable. We should thank the suffragettes who, in 1912 took the streets of New York wearing bright red lipstick. It was then that it became the token of female rebellion and the most sought after beauty product. Even though women of all ages adore the scarlet color, many middle-aged women avoid wearing it. It is estimated that over 30% of women stop wearing it after the age of 40. They simply were made to believe that red is reserved for young women. This old wives’ tale ends right here ladies. If we were able to disrupt religious codes against red lipstick in the past, then we can surely legitimize wearing it after 40.
How To Wear Red Lipstick After 40
One of the prime excuses for avoiding red lipstick is the perception that it looks harsh on aging lips. Yet when applied correctly, it can illuminate the skin and give us a youthful look. Want to know how? Here are few techniques and steps to help you get there.
Moisturize your lips
As we age, lips start to lose volume and shrink. They start to look dry, like the Sahara desert, and wrinkly. As a result, we have to pay extra attention to our lips and moisturize them frequently. There are amazing lip care products that can help hydrate your lips AND plump them, without the use of needles. And even if you seek filler treatments to add volume, the effect of fillers deplete after few months. That’s when using balms with volumizing effect can help keep the lips look moisturized and full between treatment. Take a look at this list of highly recommended products. I have been using the Dior Lip Maximizer for a year and truly love the texture of this one.
Use a neutral lip liner
Yes I know you’re probably thinking this is so 1995 and wondering why I would even consider it. In fact, I love wearing lip liners, particularly those that come in neutral colors. My all time favourite is Lancome which I’ve been using for years and would probably die if it’s discontinued. This liner is creamy, with rich color that actually sticks on and won’t dry up the lips. Using lip liners (or pencils) is a great way to frame the lips and give them more definition. As well, lip pencils help apply red lipstick without smudging the mouth. I always use neutral color lip pencil to shape my lips. Then with a small brush, I literally paint the lipstick on, or any color lipstick for that matter.
Here are some of the most popular lip liners (pencils) everyone loves to wear. Just hover on the image to see the name and price then click on it to read reviews and product details.
Matte or glossy
The choice of matte or glossy red lipstick depends on the size of your lips. If you have thin lips, you probably should consider lighter shades of red and glossy lipstick. Wearing dark shades will make small lips look even smaller and creepy. I recommend lip stain by Benefit which gives the lips a natural rosy color – similar to what our lips looked like when we were teens!
If you are blessed with juicy lips, then you can wear matte or glossy red lipsticks. Your choice depends on your skin tone, hair color and your personal style. In my opinion, a true red lipstick (scarlet red) is a timeless and classy color which looks absolutely stunning on any woman. Here are some of my favourite choices – including the one and only Chanel Rouge Coco.
Is there a time and place to wear Red Lipstick?
“During my 40s, I thought I couldn’t wear red lipstick. I thought it was just too much and I couldn’t do it anymore. I don’t know why. But now, I’m going to wear red lipstick for as long as I want.”
Andie MacDowell
There’s no set time or place for Rouge! Wearing red lipstick without makeup is a standalone and a fine minimalist beauty statement. Watch how your favourite celebrity wears red lipstick and you’ll notice that her eye makeup is simple. You could simply put some mascara for an on-the-go look. For a look, use an eyeliner to draw a line on the upper lid. And for a dramatic evening look consider smokey dark eye makeup. As well, I find that red lipstick looks great in fall and winter and can wonderfully complement the seasons’ colors.
I hope this mini tutorial will encourage you to walk towards your vanity, pull out that scarlet lipstick (that may have been hiding in your makeup cabinet) and put it on today before leaving your home.
Disclosure: Bear in mind that the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you. Happy shopping.
