With National Lipstick Day upon us, it’s time to celebrate the lips and the makeup item that sparks joy and is particularly necessary during these testing times at home… lipstick. Whilst most of the country is wearing masks outdoors, a little lippy at home will do wonders for your spirit, not to mention make a great impression on a zoom call.
Lipstick is lauded as a secret weapon for confidence boosting so we asked leading over 40’s makeup expert, Amanda Ramsay to share her lip makeup wisdom for that perfect pout.
Pic credit: Amanda Ramsay. Lipstick shade: 666 Magenta
What happens to our lips as we age?
We lose volume and elasticity thanks to depleted collagen - the fat-pads under the skin that provide volume to our lips are disappearing and can make our lips look thinner and smaller. The upper lip flattens, so it can appear to ‘fold over’ your teeth and well, disappear. The outer corners tend to ‘down turn’ as the marionette lines (lines that run vertically between mouth and chin) deepen.
Ironically as we lose lip confidence, lipstick appears to be even more necessary?
Aside from the shape and density changes with our lips as we age, our complexion can become a little one-toned and lacklustre. The beauty of a lipstick is that it gives you and your complexion an instant boost. I love to think of lipstick as an accessory that has the power to shift your mood and give you a good old boost plus liven you up. It's also super important to choose a formula that is genuinely moisturising and has a satin finish (not too matte or flat) to give the illusion of fuller, plumper looking lips.
How is best to apply lipstick to combat these changes?
Make sure your lips are well-hydrated. Use a nourishing lip balm before bed so your lips are nourished before you apply lipstick the next morning. Don't apply it immediately before lipstick and liner, as it will make your lips too "slippery".
Line your lips with a neutral tone first, ever so slightly outside your natural lip line, to give the illusion of fuller looking lips.
Colour in your lips with the neutral lip liner. It will give extra staying power to your lippy.
Apply your lipstick, then come back and line your lips again in a colour closer to, at least in the same family of colours, as your lipstick. This will give definition and of course help to prevent the dreaded "bleed".
Don't take your lipstick all the way into the outer corners of your mouth as this will ‘highlight’ the downturned shape of your lips. Instead, leave the outer corners free from colour. It's a small tweak but will make a big difference, giving you a happier look!
Any other tips to share?
Expect to touch up your lipstick throughout the day. Go on, you can do it. Better to use a nourishing, hydrating lipstick that needs a little touch up from time to time than one of those stay all day jobs that suck the life (and moisture) out of your long-suffering lips!
For more inspiring, pro-age online makeup tutorials on everything you need to know to apply your own makeup, to flatter and enhance your face now, visit Amanda Ramsay.
