Lipstick is the easiest way to visually make your face look younger. A strong color accent revives the complexion, adds energy and self-confidence. Mature stars and their make-up artists know something about it, which is why Salma Hayek, Monica Belucci, and Julianne Moore have surprised on the red carpet with their bold lip color more than once. But after fifty, are you sure all tricks are allowed? Are there colors reserved exclusively for young women – and those that are especially recommended at the age of 50+? We asked Lidka Peterczuk, makeup artist of the Yves Saint Laurent brand, who will tell you how to change your look with the right lipstick.
First, let’s dispel all doubts: are there shades of lipstick that are banned after 50 and are “unsuitable” for mature women? ” I believe that there are no such colors ” – Lidka Peterczuk makes it clear . “ Lip color should not be based on age. As a rule, it can be the type of beauty, the nature of work, circumstances, personality, temperament. But definitely not age, ”provides us with make-up artist Yves Saint Laurent. The conclusion is simple: thinking that “at a certain age something is not appropriate” is a thing of the past. The fact is that several years ago when foundations were not so advanced, the problem could be e.g., redness or discoloration on the face. These were able to discourage experiments with expressive colors. But today, a good foundation is enough to give the complexion a uniform, flawless shade. Each of us can have better skin at will, so the restrictions no longer apply.
The difficult art of color selection. What lipstick shades are the most versatile?
“ When it comes to the beauty of an average Polish woman, I think that cool shades of rose and red work best . The blue dye present in them whitens the teeth very nicely, brightens the skin, and enhances the whiteness of the iris of the eye. Thanks to this, the face seems fresh, illuminated, and gains expressiveness, “- advises the make-up artist. These colors are good for everyday use, corresponding to the Slavic type of beauty that dominates in Poland. When you don’t know what to choose, it’s best to go with the classics – for example, Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture lipstick in shade 01 , which is a classic cool red.
” Of course, this does not mean that warm lipstick colors are not welcome,” – emphasizes the expert. ” If we have a warm type of beauty and olive skin, reds with orange undertones will work better.”
Warm shades of lipstick also go well with a summer tan. Lidka Peterczuk encourages you to emphasize sun-kissed skin with darker lipstick, e.g., in a shade of fuchsia or raspberry . You do not need to apply it in such a way as to get the effect of full coverage – for a more natural look, just pat it gently with your fingertips. ” Then fuchsia or red will beautifully enhance the color of our lips, and by the way, it will be a nice contrast to the tan .”
With a visible tan, it is better to avoid bright, pearly colors – although this trend from the 2000s has recently been promoted by celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Elsa Hosk, it may look debatable on a daily basis. Nude lipsticks will also suit the summer look , but with pink undertones, e.g. Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Bold number 12 .
Glossy vs matte. What finish will be better for mature lips?
Cream lipsticks are available on the market, leaving a shiny, shimmering veil on the lips – as well as powder ones with a matte finish. Will both options work equally well for women 50+? According to Lidka Peterczuk, absolutely – although the make-up artist points out that the fashion world is currently moving more towards fresh, juicy lipsticks . ” I would recommend Mat for makeup for an important ceremony when we go to an evening gala or event. Artificial lighting means that the color must be very saturated, clear and durable ” – the make-up artist advises. ” On a daily basis, I would recommend using more moisturizing lipsticks, such as Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Bold. 40% of its formula consists of moisturizing ingredients. It gives the lips a saturated color in one stroke and at the same time, is very soft and plastic. It combines durability with a fresh, luminous finish .
Tricks for luscious lips regardless of age. How to enlarge the lips with make-up and give them a clear contour?
In the case of mature women , the wrinkles on the lips and the loss of clear contours may be a bigger problem than color selection . It often happens that with age, the lips become thinner and “hide” inside. How to fix it? ” Here, I would use the Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat highlighter and use it as a kind of colorless lip liner, ” Lidka Peterczuk reveals her trick. Thanks to this, the color of the lipstick will not migrate beyond the lip red” – explains. The make-up artist instructs you to apply some of the iconic highlighter to the lips and the skin around them – thanks to this, the skin will remain moisturized and “do not sleep” on the applied lipstick, and the make-up will keep its clear contour. The expert also told us a bonus trick: if we choose a T ouche Éclat shade slightly lighter than the foundation, the lips will become more convex and alluring .
Another trick? Reaching for a good old lip pencil and contouring the lips with it, slightly going beyond the contour. However, the make-up artist advises not to move away from the natural border of the lips by more than 2 millimeters. Ombre makeup is also a good option . ” To optically enlarge the lips, I like to apply a darker lipstick on the middle part of the lips and, using my finger, gently rub it in the direction of the contours and slightly beyond them. This gives the optical effect of a ‘smoky’ lipstick – in this way we blur the actual contour of the lips and get the illusion that they are bigger, ‘ instructs the make-up artist. However, this technique requires practice, so if you want to limit yourself to simpler, more amateur tricks – it’s best to choose simply lipstick with a shiny finish . Thanks to it, the lips will appear swollen and fuller.