The world of lip products is always changing, but finding one that flatters mature lips comes with its own set of considerations. As lips become drier, lose definition and develop fine lines, traditional lipsticks and glosses may feather or require frequent touch-ups. That’s where lip stains come in, offering a lightweight wash of color designed to stay put for hours.
However, not every stain is equally flattering or easy to apply. Some formulas can emphasize texture or settle unevenly, making the search for the best lip stain for women over 60 a little more complicated. Ahead, celebrity makeup artists explain how lip stains perform as you age, share their best application tips and recommend the formulas that work especially well on mature lips.
Featured Experts
- D’Andre Michael is a celebrity makeup artist
- Sandy Linter is a celebrity makeup artist
Why Choose a Lip Stain Over Lipstick for Mature Lips?
Unlike lipstick, which sits on top of the lips and can migrate into surrounding lines, a lip stain deposits lightweight color that becomes part of the lips’ surface. That difference can mean less feathering, fewer touch-ups and a more natural-looking finish.
“Since mature lips have a loss of volume, shape and contour, lip stains may behave differently,” Michale explains. “They are mainly water-based, so they are absorbed into the skin, and the dyes are used to give color and tint to the lips, which gives an even coverage on your lips with less chances of gathering in and around lip wrinkles in the way that some lipsticks and glosses would. Plus, you don’t have to worry about reapplying so much.”
How to Apply Lip Stain on Mature Lips
Because stains can grab onto dry patches, prepping the lips first can help the color go on more evenly. Michael recommends exfoliating and moisturizing before application. “You can build on the coverage by applying your lip stain, allowing it to set and applying a second coat,” he adds.
The 9 Best Lip Stains for Mature Lips
1 / 9
“Gloss” might not be the first word that comes to mind when you think of a lip stain, since the formulas are traditionally matte, but e.l.f. flips that idea on its head at the most affordable price on our list. The glossy finish makes mature lips look smoother and plumper before fading into a sheer, lasting tint.
2 / 9
If e.l.f.’s glossy stain is for those who prefer a sheer wash of color, this one is its bolder, juicier counterpart. The shiny formula helps mature lips look smoother while providing up to 12 hours of hydration, and when the gloss eventually wears off, plenty of color remains behind.
3 / 9
This marker-style stain earns praise from shoppers with mature lips for adding lasting color without feeling heavy or making lip lines look more noticeable. Its lightweight, non-drying formula can be worn all over the lips for a soft wash of color, though reviewers recommend exfoliating first for the most even finish.
4 / 9
Including a trendy peel-off lip stain was nonnegotiable. Unlike a traditional stain, this one is applied around the lip line, left to set and then satisfyingly peeled away to reveal long-lasting color underneath. It’s especially helpful for mature lips because it creates the look of a more defined lip border and won’t disappear the moment you layer balm, gloss or lipstick over it.
5 / 9
Shoppers with mature lips rave that unlike many other lip products they’ve tried, this stain doesn’t bleed into fine lines around the mouth. Its lightweight, transfer-resistant color stays put for hours without the slippery feel that can cause traditional lipsticks and glosses to migrate.
6 / 9
A tried-and-true favorite with decades of staying power, Benetint is another of Michael’s recommendations for mature lips. Its sheer, buildable tint brings back a natural-looking flush, making it easy to add as little or as much color as you want while keeping the final look soft and fresh.
BUY ON ULTA – $28
BUY ON SEPHORA – $28
7 / 9
Another of Michael’s recommendations for mature lips, Maybelline Super Stay Vinyl Ink promises up to 16 hours of glossy color and uses Color Lock technology to resist smudging and transferring.
BUY ON AMAZON – $14
BUY ON ULTA – $14
8 / 9
The Peripera’s Ink Velvet Lip Tint goes on smoothly and lasts all day. It features an adhesive, double-layer formula that fills in the fine curves of the lips, enhancing your natural features.
BUY ON AMAZON – $16
BUY ON NORDSTROM – $10
9 / 9
In my humble opinion, no one does lip products like Fenty, and Michael agrees, listing this hydrating, long-lasting liquid lip stain as a fan favorite for all lips, no matter the age.
BUY ON ULTA – $28
BUY ON FENTY BEAUTY – $28
