Collage: Jemeria Davison; Source images: Courtesy of brandsSave this storySave this story
As your lips change with age, so should your makeup. That's where upgrading to the best lip liners for mature skin comes in: Paired with a good lipstick for older women, they can help restore definition, create the appearance of fuller lips, and keep color from feathering into fine lines around the mouth. “They’re the underrated MVP of the lip category,” says LA-based makeup artist Fiona Stiles. “They can help define your shape and maximize it while also giving your lip color more staying power.”
While many of us tend to focus on how our facial skin changes over time—leading to a newfound demand for targeted moisturizers and serums for aging skin—the lips get overlooked. But they have a naturally impaired skin barrier and few to no oil glands, so aging can be uniquely tough on them. “Structurally, the lips lose volume, and the border of the lips loses definition,” says Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. Not only that, but "the lips often become dry and the skin barrier becomes weaker as we get older,” he adds.
Our Top Lip Liners for Mature Skin
- Best Overall: Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Long Lasting Waterproof Liner, $28
- Best Drugstore: L’Oréal Paris Blurfiller Blurring Lip Contour, $13
- Best Longwear: Huda Beauty Lip Contour Lip Stain, $25
- Best for Color Range: MAC Creamy Lip Liner, $25
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- How should you apply lip liner on mature lips?
- How do you keep lipstick from bleeding on older skin?
- Is lip liner good for mature lips?
- Meet our experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
That means formulas that drag or settle into lines can make those changes more noticeable. Instead, look for a lip liner that glides on smoothly but has enough grip to keep color from migrating beyond the lip line. You want to choose one that has staying power, but also isn’t too drying,” says New York City–based celebrity makeup artist Kirin Bhatty.
Luckily, that no longer limits you to a classic pencil. Today’s options include nude lip liners that look like your lips but better, long-wearing stains, and chubby contour sticks that can softly bring back volume you’ve lost. Ahead, we found the best lip liners for mature lips, with expert-approved picks that make defining your shape a whole lot easier.
Best Overall: Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Long Lasting Waterproof Lip Liner
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Charlotte Tilbury
Lip Cheat Long Lasting Waterproof Lip Liner
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Sephora
Why it’s worth it: There’s a reason this pencil has become a makeup bag staple. Charlotte Tilbury’s Lip Cheat Long Lasting Waterproof Lip Liner nails the trifecta with a comfortable formula, impressive staying power and shade range that makes finding a natural-looking match refreshingly easy. The formula, which can glide onto skin without skipping, is especially helpful for mature lips. “The texture is beautiful,” says Bhatty. “It's not dry but not too creamy, so it wears really well.”
Hyaluronic acid and jojoba oil, which hydrate and moisturize, give the pencil that slip. Then comes polybutene, which is “a flexible film former that helps prevent feathering and smudging by locking pigments in place,” explains Kelly Dobos, a cosmetic chemist in Cincinnati. That means your color will stay in place even through multiple cups of iced coffee. We’re partial to the brand’s iconic Pillow Talk family, which includes four takes on the original rosy-nude shade.
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- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, jojoba seed oil, ceresin
- Shades: 19
Best Drugstore: L’Oréal Paris Blurfiller Blurring Lip Contour
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L'Oréal Paris
Blurfiller Blurring Lip Contour
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Why it’s worth it: Lip shape can subtly change over time. “We lose not only volume in our lips as we age, but also the vermilion border, which is your visible lip line, tends to fade,” says Stiles. Enter L’Oréal Paris Blurfiller Blurring Lip Contour, a twist-up crayon that brings definition back into the picture without requiring a super-precise application (or your reading glasses).
The namesake blurring effect of this lip liner is especially forgiving with hydrated silica that "scatters and diffuses light to soften the appearance of fine lines and texture,” says Dobos. Combined with waxes, these ingredients create a soft-focus effect that makes lip contours appear naturally defined. The formula is effectively doing some of the blending for you, which is exactly why it appeals to Bhatty, who finds it so hydrating that she sometimes uses it all over the lips.
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- Key ingredients: dimethicone, hydrated silica, beeswax
- Shades: 8
Best Longwear: Huda Beauty Lip Contour Lip Stain
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Huda Beauty
Lip Contour Lip Stain for 12-Hour Wear
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Sephora
Why it’s worth it: If your lipstick seems to vanish somewhere between your morning coffee and lunch, Huda Beauty Lip Contour Lip Stain offers a different strategy. It's powered by a polymer that creates a lightweight, flexible film on the lips. “That film helps anchor the colorants to the lip surface,” says Dobos, who adds that this contributes to the product's transfer-resistant and long-wearing properties. The staining effect, she explains, comes from water-soluble dyes that tint the outer layers of the lips rather than simply sitting on top like traditional solid pigments.
The felt-tip applicator glides without tugging or skipping, making it easy to trace your natural lip shape or subtly enhance it. One thing to note: Store the pen cap side down to help keep the formula from drying out. As for the payoff, “The stain lasts for hours and doesn’t fade when a gloss or balm is added into the mix as a wax-based liner can,” says Stiles, who especially loves the shade Rosewood. “It’s a perfect muted rose that feels like it’s enhancing my vermillion border."
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- Key ingredients: aloe, argan oil
- Shades: 11
Best Shade Range: MAC Cosmetics Creamy Lip Liner
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MAC
Creamy Lip Liner
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Sephora
Why it’s worth it: Whether you’ve been rocking lip liner for years or just started wearing it, one thing reigns true: MAC lip pencils are the GOAT when it comes to the shade range. With more than 28 shades spanning neutrals, pinks, reds, browns, and other statement-makers, MAC Cosmetics Creamy Lip Liner offers the kind of collection that allows you to match your liner to your lipstick, instead of trying to make one beige pencil do everything. “They are so saturated in color, and they have a beautiful opacity,” says Bhatty, who regularly restocks this classic in her kit. That intensity makes it especially useful when you're wearing a more dramatic lip and want the liner to pull its weight as part of the finished look.
The texture does run slightly drier than some of the other picks here, so give lips a little prep with a hydrating balm before application. For anyone who likes a true red lip, berry, plum, or any color that demands a precise match, the selection is unparalleled.
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- Key ingredients: C10-18 Triglycerides, japan fruit wax, vitamin e
- Shades: 36
Best Lip Liner Stain: Sacheu Peel-Off Lip Liner Stayn
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Sacheu
Peel-Off Lip Liner Stayn
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Ulta Beauty
Revolve
Why it’s worth it: Sacheu Peel-Off Lip Liner Stayn, which you apply and then peel off once it sets, made its way to TikTok virality—but it’s not just a gimmick. “They have good colors and the product stays on for ages,” says Stiles. While the peel-off application may feel like it was built for social media, it may have some functional benefit, too. “Because the film stays in place while the dyes are depositing, it can help create a more even stain and reduce the chance of immediate smudging or bleeding beyond the lips,” says Dobos.
There is a slight learning curve, though. You'll want to apply a generous, even layer and give it enough time—about five to seven minutes—to set before peeling it away. (Stiles recommends applying it at the beginning of your makeup routine so the stain has plenty of time to develop.) Once you peel it off, soften the resulting line with your finger or a brush for a more diffused finish. The result is a wash of color that can act as a subtle lip contour on its own or as a base underneath lipstick or gloss.
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- Key ingredients: glycerin, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E
- Shades: 16
Best for Lip Lines : Refy Lip Blur Lip Liner
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Refy
Lip Blur Lip Liner
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Sephora
Why it’s worth it: When fine lines around the mouth are your biggest concern, a traditional pencil isn't necessarily the best way to go. Refy's Lip Blur takes a smarter approach by pairing a blurring formula with a rounded applicator that diffuses the edges, rather than creating the kind of sharp, precise line that can look severe on lips that have lost volume. While the applicator helps, it also uses a mix of polymers and silicones to create a soft-focus effect, according to Dobos. “They scatter light and help soften the appearance of fine lines and uneven texture,” she says.
The domed tip is equally important: “A traditional pencil is sharpened to a point, so the line you produce is very clean and sharp,” says Stiles. The rounded shape creates a softer edge, which can make lips look subtly fuller and more naturally contoured. It's an especially good choice when you want definition without drawing attention to your lip lines or areas where your lip line has become less defined.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: polymethylsilsesquioxane, vinyl dimethicone, silsesquioxane crosspolymer a
- Shades: 7
Frequently Asked Questions
How should you apply lip liner on mature lips?
Start with hydration. “Make sure you prep your lips before you get your pencil ready,” says Bhatty. She likes to prep with a thick, hydrating lip balm. Her favorite? Sisley. “It’s fancy but worth it.” She also recommends applying moisturizer around the mouth so the surrounding skin is smooth and plump. “I’ll apply eye cream to the lips and around the mouth because your lip skin is similar to the skin around your eyes. That will help the lip liner go on smoothly.”
Just be sure to remove excess product before reaching for your liner. “Tissue off the excess balm so it won’t slide, and I’ll use micellar water or a skin mist so it won’t be extra emollient,” says Bhatty. From there, she applies lip liner just outside the natural lip line to subtly maximize volume.
Rather than tracing one continuous line, use short strokes from the center of the mouth outward, stopping before you reach the corners. “Going to the edge can make the mouth look a little droopy as you get older,” says Bhatty. Finish by using a lip brush or your finger to gently diffuse any harsh edges.
How do you keep lipstick from bleeding?
Fine lines around the mouth can turn a precise lip into a smeared one surprisingly quickly. “If feathering is an issue, then I would lean more toward long-wearing formulas as they have better staying power,” says Stiles.
She also recommends using a clear lip liner slightly outside the natural lip line. “Those are made to function as a barrier and prevent feathering,” says Stiles. A clear liner can create a subtle boundary without introducing another color that might compete with your lipstick.
Overlining also requires a light touch. You can slightly exaggerate the Cupid's bow, but keep the liner close to your natural shape around the outer corners, where feathering can be more noticeable. A softly blended edge will generally look more natural than a sharply drawn line.
Is lip liner good for mature lips?
Absolutely, and it can be one of the most useful tools in your makeup routine as your lips change with age. A well-chosen liner can bring back definition as the natural lip border becomes less distinct, help keep lipstick from feathering, and subtly enhance the shape of your lips. The key is choosing a formula that works with drier lips rather than against them. Look for creamy, comfortable lip pencils and always give lips a quick hit of hydration first. A swipe of lip balm can make all the difference before you pick up your lip liner.
Meet our experts
- Joshua Zeichner, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
- Kirin Bhatty is a New York City–based celebrity makeup artist.
- Fiona Stiles is a Los Angeles–based celebrity makeup artist.
- Kelly Dobos is a cosmetic chemist in Cincinnati.
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best lip liners for mature lips, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance (or lack thereof), texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors, as well as contributors, along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more about our reporting and testing processes, read our complete review process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from are folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.