Pucker Up (Part 1): 10 Dos and Don’ts for Luscious Lips

Style Stop
By Linda Peavy

Our skin undergoes various changes as we age; the lips are no exception. After 50, your lips become drier and more prone to cracking. These fluctuations are due to hormonal changes, reduced collagen production, and environmental influences. Take special care of your lips to keep a lush, youthful look while maintaining a moist and healthy pout.

Why Lip Care is Important After 50

1. Skin Changes: As estrogen levels drop during menopause, the skin, including the lips, becomes thinner and less elastic. These changes make lips more susceptible to dryness and damage.
2. Reduced Oil Production: The sebaceous glands produce less oil with age, so less natural moisture is available to keep the lips hydrated.
3. Environmental Exposure: Over the years, exposure to sun, wind, and cold weather can take a toll on the lips, leading to chronic dryness and even precancerous changes.
4. Health Implications: Cracked lips can be painful and may lead to infections. Dry lips can also be a sign of dehydration or other health issues.

Follow these Dos and Don’ts to keep your lips moist and magnificent.

DOs:

Lancôme Rouge Cream Lipstick

1. DO Use Hydrating Lipstick

Choose rich, hydrating formulas with vitamin E, shea butter, and coconut oil. Matte lipsticks can be very drying and make lips appear older. A creamy lipstick nourishes thinning, mature lips and makes them appear fuller and younger. 

2. DO Condition Your Lips

Especially if you wear matte lipstick, add a lip conditioner beneath. Treat the skin around your mouth like the rest of your face. Love your facial serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen? Spread the love to your mouth! Find products with anti-aging ingredients like antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, and peptides to restore and strengthen the moisture barrier. And, of course, SPF to protect lips from the sun, especially as we move into summer.

3. DO Exfoliate Your Lips

FENTY BEAUTY Pro Kiss’r Lip-Loving Scrubstick

Exfoliate regularly to increase cell turnover and reveal a smoother, more youthful-looking pout.

4. Do Prime Your Lips

 

Urban Decay Ultimate Ozone Multipurpose Primer Pencil

Prep your lips with primers and liners to keep your lipstick fresh all day, prevent feathering and bleeding into the fine lines around your mouth, and correct and enhance their shape.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Primer 

Do Keep Your Lips Moisturized

Fresh Sugar Triple-Action Lip Serum Advanced Therapy 

 

FENTY BEAUTY Lux Balm Ultra-Hydrating Cherry Lip Balm

Pamper your lips with anti-aging treatments and balms under your lipstick at night and on natural days. When you apply lipstick to dry lips, it falls into cracks, exaggerating the look of aging and leading to uneven lipstick application. A lip balm or even more potent lip serum will do the trick. 

5. Do Consider a Lip Plumper 

BEAUTYBIO The Pout Volumizing Lip Serum

Want to bring more volume to your lips? Try a lip volumizing serum or plumping lipstick. Instead of painful injections, these products can produce a more naturally-looking lip.

DON’Ts:

6. Don’t Wear Frosted Shades
   Just say no to 70s and 80s frosted shades, as they will only enhance the lines. Instead, try the same color in a creamy or sheer texture. If you wear a shimmer, use an excellent lip conditioner beforehand to prevent creasing into lip lines.

7. Don’t Choose the Wrong Lip Color
   Avoid picking a lipstick that is too dark or bright for your complexion! Lips are usually thin as we age; the wrong lip colors can call attention to that, as well as the fine lines around the mouth. Try light to medium shades of berry, pink, coral or nude, which make the lips appear fuller and more youthful. If wearing red lipstick, match it with your skin tone AND undertone. Need to find your undertone? Check out the Cultured Curves article HERE.

9. Don’t Overexaggerate Your Lip Line
   Yes, lips can get smaller when we age. But drawing an exaggerated lip line brings attention to lips we don’t want. While it is okay to go slightly outside the top and bottom lip, remember you still want a natural look. Remember always to use a lip liner with moisturizing properties.
10. Don’t Be Afraid of Color

Move beyond pale or nude shades to bring more life into your complexion and complement your wardrobe. Lip color can brighten your complexion and add zest to your outfit. 

Pucker up, ladies. Our lips are back!

#over50skincare  #lipcare  #overfiftylipcare #antiaging