The Lip Liner Mistake That’s Aging You Fast

Christina Flach reveals the lip liner mistake to avoid for youthful, ageless lips.

Lipstick is undoubtedly one of the most powerful makeup tools in existence. From classic Old Hollywood red lips to trendy nude shades to 90s grunge matte styles, lipstick can transform and elevate your whole look, if done correctly and with intention.

There are so many lipsticks, lip liners, and other related products that look amazing on women over 40, and there are also some to avoid. Certain colors can emphasize fine lines, while better choices can highlight your other timelessly beautiful features. I want to share one critical mistake I see women over 40 often make with lip liner, how to fix it, and a few other lipstick tricks I love.

The Ultimate Lip Product Mistake: Using the Wrong Color for Your Skin Tone and Over-Lining Your Lips

Whether you’re going for a gothic vibe or looking to match the evening sky, dark lipstick colors can look stunning, bold, and powerful. For beauties over 40, this is still the case, but lip products that are too dark for your skin tone can have the reverse effect — they can highlight more of what you might be trying to conceal.

After moisturizing with balms, lip liner is often my next step before lipstick. The key is matching your lip liner to your lipstick, or choosing a lighter one. A mistake I see often is using a lip liner that’s darker than the actual lipstick.

If you’re over 40, I always recommend not using a darker lip liner than the lipstick or lip gloss you’re wearing. Using a lip pencil that’s a shade lighter is a good rule of thumb. I also suggest keeping your lip liner close to your actual lip line, without making your lips look unnaturally larger than they are — this alone gives a much more youthful appearance overall.

Ultimately, using too much product, over-lining your natural lip lines, and choosing the incorrect shade can draw more attention to fine lines near your mouth. One of my favorite tricks: adding Pretty Girl Lipgloss over your lipstick gives the illusion of fuller lips instantly, without any extra effort.

Ready for personalized lip and makeup guidance? Book a private makeup lesson or photo shoot session with me, celebrity hair and makeup artist serving the San Francisco Bay Area, Marin, Napa, Sonoma, Carmel, and Cabo San Lucas. Visit christinaflach.com to check availability and book your session.

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