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Look-younger lipstick tips we love!

Who doesn’t love a good lipstick? A quick swipe can make you feel pretty and pulled together in seconds.

Beauty vlogger and founder of Look Fabulous Forever Tricia Cusden says lipstick is an anti-ageing must-have for mature women, as it adds a pop of colour to the complexion and gives definition back to the mouth.

But if you've been wearing the same lipstick for a while and wondering why it doesn't have the same youth-boosting effects it once did, it could be time to make some changes to your routine.

So, along with Tricia we asked makeup artist Ruby Hammer, Bobbi Brown Pro Makeup Artist Aimee Morrison, and Estée Lauder Pro Artist Emma Tillman what the most common lipstick mistakes are - and what to do instead!

Polishing lips with a sugar-based scrub (or gently brushing with a toothbrush) removes dry, flaky patches, boosts circulation and instantly makes your lips feel smoother and look plumper. "Having smooth lips gives great colour payoff too so weekly exfoliation is a step I never miss," says Aimee.

Once you've exfoliated, locking in moisture will help to fill in lines and keeps lips soft and supple. For an intensive treatment, layer on a rich, buttery balm overnight or dab on a light layer of lip balm before you apply your lipstick. Be sure to remove the excess so the texture isn’t slippery, which could cause your lipstick to smudge.

"Older mouths can look “fuzzy” when wearing lipstick because the product migrates over the edge of the lipline," says Tricia. Lip liners work by creating a barrier between lipstick and your skin, which helps to prevent the lipstick from bleeding into fine lines around the mouth. "As a general rule, a liner that matches your natural lip colour should work with most lipstick shades," says Aimee. You could also use a colour-free, 'invisible' pencil, which will work with every lipstick shade.

"As we age, lips can lose definition so using a lip brush helps to create a stronger, bolder outline," says Ruby. "I like to use the brush to take lipstick right to the edge of the lips for a smoother, cleaner finish. You can also use the brush to add shape back to your cupid's bow."

We think you should wear whichever colours make you happy, but working with your skin’s natural undertones (which are either cool or warm) helps you to choose lipsticks that will instantly lift and brighten your complexion. "Work out your skin’s undertone by looking at the veins in your wrists; if they look green then you’re warm, if they’re blue or purple that means you have cooler undertones," says Emma. "Warmer skin tones suit coral-spiked reds and peach-tinted nudes, while cooler skin tones work well with blue-based reds and pink nudes."