You know what’s worse than the vertical lines around my lips?
RED lines around my lips because my lipstick feathered into them.

I’m 48, and the lip line situation has escalated.  Quickly.  I know I’m supposed to be wearing light pinks on my lips because they are more forgiving and won’t highlight my wrinkles.  Pinks work well…and I do like them.

But there’s only so much shell pink I can deal with.
Sometimes, I crave COLOR.

It’s a dangerous line to walk after 40.  Nude shades can wash you out, but bright colors can feather into your lip lines — adding 10 years to your face.

I’ve found 4 affordable options that are currently working well for me when I want to wear a bright or dark lip color.  Gorgeous colors AND they don’t feather.

1.  Ruby Kisses Forever Matte Liquid Lipstick

If you’re looking for bright, vibrant colors, get yourself some RK Ruby Kisses Forever Matte Liquid Lipsticks.  This formula quickly dries down to matte color.  I sometimes add a little gloss to the center of my lips when I’m in the mood for that.

Also, it can help blend the color. Play with these and find what works for you. Priced at just $2 at CVS, you can afford every color you fall in love with.  NOTE:  I recommend a lip brush for application, more on that later.

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2.  NYX Lip Lingerie

I’ve been using NYX Lip Lingerie for a while now.  I absolutely love their nude shades Ruffle Trim and Bedtime Flirt, and their brick-red color Exotic.   Much like the Ruby Kisses matte formula, once applied, Lip Lingerie dry down to a matte finish.  NOTE:  I recommend a lip brush for application.

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3.  MUA Velvet Touch Anti-Feathering Liptick

These remind me of giant lip liners.  They really do live up to their name.  The color lasts and it stays put, no slipping into wrinkles.  For $8 at CVS, these can’t be beat.  4.  Models Own Jumbo Stick Lipstick

Like the MUA Velvet Touch mentioned above, the Models Own Jumbo Stick Lipsticks are like giant lip liners.  These colors don’t budge!  ULTA carries them for $7.  I would link this to Amazon, but the only color they carry is Plush Peony, and that’s the ONLY color in the bunch that I would not recommend.

My Tips…

I can’t apply lipstick with a couple swipes across my lips.  I need some tools…

• A magnifying mirror and my cheaters because I can’t see anything anymore.
• A lip brush to spread the liquid lipstick around on my lips.  If I use the actual lipstick wand for this, I add too much product to my lips.  I dab on a little color onto my lips using the products applicator, and then spread the lipstick around  with a lip brush.  I can always add more color if I need it.
• All suggested products in this post are matte lipsticks, so there’s no shine and they are not hydrating.  Make sure your lips are not dry and flaky when you apply these.  It won’t be a good look.

Always remember…
Some lines should never be crossed.
And your lip line is one of them.