Why Older Women Need To Invest In A Good Lip Pencil, According To A Celebrity MUA

As folks age, they need to adjust their makeup application techniques, and one of the lipstick mistakes that make you look older is not using a lip liner. According to celebrity makeup artist Val Garland, lip liner is key for those over 50 who want to achieve a more youthful pout. "If you're mature, it's better to use a lip pencil, as that helps to keep the lipstick inside your lips," she told Hello! "What I like to do with the lip pencil is I like to get it on the back of my hand and really rub it in. So I make sure that the tip of the pencil is really soft, so I get more of a blurred blend."

Being a makeup artist myself, I completely agree with Garland's pro tip to stop your lipstick from feathering, as hard points drag on the lips and create too fine a line. However, by using a softer liner, you can easily create a halo effect that'll blend seamlessly with your lipstick. As your color fades throughout the day, you won't end up with a harsh outline, which will only highlight the fine lines around your mouth. Lining lips is a simple and effective technique, but picking out the perfect pencil might be a little more tricky.

When shopping for lip liners as a mature woman, don't just reach for any old one that catches your eye. You'll want a formula with nourishing properties that will hydrate your lips while being long-lasting at the same time. Look at the label for ingredients like vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, and jojoba oil, which are all beneficial to your skin and help the liner glide easily on your lips. Additionally, make sure that your liner is smudge-resistant or waterproof, as those long-wearing formulas tend not to feather. If you find yourself struggling to remove your liner at night, use micellar water on a cotton square and gently rub it across your lips, being sure not to tug too much.

If you're looking to perfect the soft glam look, aim for shades that range from neutral to warm. I would stay away from liners that are bright pink or red, as those shades can exacerbate color bleeding and make your lips appear thinner. If you're cool-toned, peachy colors will look gorgeous on you, while soft mauves are great for those with warm skin tones. A pinky beige is always a good option for light to medium skin, while warm espressos complement dark tones well. No matter what color you reach for, always remember to use a feathering technique when applying liner, which will help create the look of beautiful, full lips — particularly for those over 50.