×

10 Lipstick Shades That Age You & 10 That Make You Glow


10 Lipstick Shades That Age You & 10 That Make You Glow


Lipstick Choices That Truly Matter

The right lipstick can brighten your whole face and pull your look together effortlessly. But some shades have the opposite effect, making you look more tired than refreshed. It’s about what really works for you. A few simple color tweaks can make all the difference. So, stick around to discover which shades help you glow and which ones might be doing you no favors. Let’s begin with the lipstick colors that can age you.

woman wearing red flat capAli Pazani on Unsplash

1. Frosted Mauve

What once turned heads in the '90s now works against you. Frosted mauve’s shimmer catches every fine line, while its cool undertone fights with warm skin. Under daylight, it also looks chalky and dull, erasing your lip’s natural shape rather than enhancing it.

a close up of a woman's lips and noseTony Litvyak on Unsplash

2. Deep Plum

This shade may look bold in a magazine spread, but it rarely flatters in real life. Deep plum pulls warmth from mature skin, highlights thinning lips, and easily bleeds. Add in its tendency to yellow teeth, and the drama just isn’t worth it.

1.jpgBERRY AND PURPLE SHADES I AM LOVING THIS SEASON | DRSMILEUP| #WINTERHUES #BERRYPURPLELIPS by Navneet Sandhu

3. Brick Brown

Brick brown’s flat matte finish pulls moisture from your lips, making them appear smaller and drier. Though it ruled in the '90s, it now clashes with today’s blush tones and adds a muddy layer to mature skin rather than a modern, sculpted edge.

pedro furtadopedro furtado on Pexels

Advertisement

4. Metallic Rose

Many think metallic rose adds instant glamour, but the finish proves tricky. Its reflective shine magnifies lip lines, and the icy undertone often fights against natural coloring. Rather than creating dimension, the shade throws the lips off balance and photographs poorly.

2.jpgRose Pose | Metallic Matte Liquid Lipstick | Beauty Bakerie Cosmetics Brand by beautybakerie

5. Taupe Beige

Instead of enhancing, taupe beige often blurs the lip line into the skin to create a tired, washed-out look. It’s easily confused with concealer, and without contrast, your face loses dimension. Rather than soft and subtle, the shade makes everything feel muted and drained.

3.jpgAnastasia Beverly Hills NEW Lipsticks Review & Demo by Ask Candace

6. Pale Pink

Barely there and easily forgotten, pale pink fails to frame the lips. Its weak pigment fades into uneven patches to leave behind a washed-out effect. And on deeper tones, it disappears entirely and clashes with adult features.

two pink lipsticks sitting on top of each otherMockup Free on Unsplash

7. Coral Orange

What starts as a pop of color quickly turns overpowering. This vivid coral clashes with mature skin and enhances every trace of redness. Under natural light, it feels loud and artificial. On top of that, outfit pairing becomes an exhausting game of trial and error.

4.jpg#orange lipstick #coral Maybelline creamy matte 685 - Craving coral || Review & Swatch by Mou Singh

8. Dusty Lavender

Cool-toned and muted, this lavender leans more theatrical than timeless. It drains warmth from golden undertones, washing over lips without vibrance. Often tied to retro aesthetics, it rarely aligns with modern makeup looks and leaves the face looking faded instead of fresh or glowing.

5.jpgPURPLE LIQUID LIPSTICK COLORS FOR DARK SKIN AND WOC by omo salewa

9. Light Peach

This barely-there peach softens the lips so much that they nearly disappear. Its flat finish blends too closely with the skin, especially on deeper tones. So without contrast or shape, the lips lose presence, and in photos, the face looks unfinished rather than subtly enhanced.

Ali PazaniAli Pazani on Pexels

Advertisement

10. Cool-Toned Berry

Cool-toned berry may seem bold, but its blue undertones work against warmer skin. In natural light, it can appear too harsh and mismatched with bronzers or blush. Over-matte formulas also highlight texture, and instead of radiance, the effect often makes your skin look tired.

6.jpgTop Berry Summer Lipstick Shades 🍓|DrSmileup| #lipstick by Navneet Sandhu

Now it's time to shift the focus to lip shades that enhance your features and add a radiant touch.

1. Warm Rose

Want something that works every time? Go for warm rose. It brings out your natural flush, flatters pretty much every undertone, and never feels heavy. It’s the kind of color that makes your whole face look brighter—and is perfect for weddings or any daytime occasions.

7.jpgThe BEST and MOST Flattering Pinky Nude Lipsticks (Drugstore + Luxury) | Your Lips but BETTER by Ashley Aye

2. Rosy Beige

Rosy beige adds just enough warmth and shape while still looking natural. Perfect for those “no-makeup” makeup days, it works year-round and gives off an easy elegance, even if you’re just wearing mascara and confidence.

8.jpgMy top 10 lipsticks | Elena Rachitskaya by Elena Rachitskaya

3. Luminous Coral Pink

A luminous coral pink catches the light in all the right places to make you glow. The shade brightens tired skin and makes lips look fuller, and it’s ideal for sunny days, weddings, or when you want a little extra radiance without trying too hard.

MART  PRODUCTIONMART PRODUCTION on Pexels

4. Apricot Blush

There’s something instantly cheerful about apricot tones. They mimic that fresh-from-the-sun flush and bring just the right amount of warmth to deeper complexions. The color plays nicely with bold eye looks or soft glam, and always leaves your face looking bright and springtime-ready.

9.jpgHow to use #BYOT Lipstick Trio - Peach Sorbet by Iba Cosmetics

5. Dewy Peach Tint

Nothing says “fresh-faced” quite like a dewy peach tint. It flatters warm and neutral tones while adding a soft, healthy glow that ties the whole look together. With roots in K-beauty, this juicy tint brings skin to life.

10-1.jpgThe *VIRAL* Etude House Fixing Lip Tints Swatches & Review On Brown Skin NC40 | INDIA by TheTrendDiaries

Advertisement

6. Terracotta Rose

Think of this as a cozy upgrade for your lips. The warm, earthy rose with terracotta tones adds instant depth without going overboard. It looks amazing on olive and medium skin, giving a sculpted yet soft glow that feels super effortless.

1-1.jpg💋 TOP 10 TERRACOTTA/EARTHY Lipsticks! by UR beautifull

7. True Red

Every makeup bag deserves a true red. With a balanced undertone that flatters all ages, it brightens the teeth, sharpens the look, and instantly lifts your presence. No matter the moment, this iconic color always delivers bold, unforgettable impact.

woman in pink shirt holding lipstickEugenia Pan'kiv on Unsplash

8. Glossy Mulberry Tint

This shade is all about easy shine. The berry tint with a glossy finish makes lips look fresh and plump without stealing the show. It catches the light just right and works year-round for casual days or a night out.

2-1.jpgMARS LIP DRIP MIST SWATCHES ! ♥️ Viral Korean Rom&nd Lip Tint Dupe? ✨🫣by TheTrendDiaries

9. Vibrant Berry Pink

Vibrant berry pink turns up the energy to keep things graceful. The color smooths and plumps lips, complements cooler and neutral tones, and adds just enough brightness for day looks. It’s a go-to for fresh, age-defying beauty that never tries too hard.

3-1.jpgTop 10 Berry Toned Lipsticks | Pink Berry & Plum Berry Lipsticks by Infinite Reflections By Antariksha

10. Juicy Cherry Tint

One swipe of cherry tint can shift the mood of your entire face. It melts into the lips, smoothing texture while adding a just-bitten glow. On days when full glam feels like too much, this playful tint keeps things effortlessly polished.

Antonio FriedemannAntonio Friedemann on Pexels