A lip wardrobe for mature women includes a hydrating lip treatment, a waterproof lip liner (like Crystal Clear to stop feathering), a range of lipstick shades from light to bold, and a lip gloss to layer on top—mixed and matched rather than relying on one single lipstick color for years.
Key takeaways
- Nikol encourages building a lip 'wardrobe' with several shades instead of wearing the same lipstick for decades.
- Hydrated lips are the foundation—use a lip treatment before any color so lipstick applies smoothly.
- Crystal Clear Invisible Water-Proof Lip Liner is used first to stop lipstick from feathering into fine lines.
- Lip liners can be worn alone, used to fill in the whole lip for longer-wearing color, or mixed with lipsticks.
- Lipstick shades move from soft and sheer (Pretty Smart, Actually I Can) to bold statement colors (Fleur, Beach House, Confidence).
- Lip glosses can soften a bold lipstick or be worn alone, and specific gloss-and-lipstick pairings are shown throughout.
Nikol's step-by-step routine
- Start with hydrated lips using Rose Lip Balm during the day or Dream Melt Lip Mask for deeper, heavier hydration (especially at night).
- Apply Crystal Clear Invisible Water-Proof Lip Liner around the lips first to create a grip and prevent lipstick from feathering into fine lines.
- Choose a lip liner shade that matches your natural lip or the lipstick you plan to wear, using light pressure with the soft, waterproof pencils.
- Fill in the entire lip with the liner as a base layer for longer-lasting color before adding lipstick on top.
- Apply a lipstick shade on top, choosing lighter options for a natural day look or bolder shades for an evening statement look.
- Finish with a lip gloss over the lipstick for shine, or use gloss alone over a bold lipstick to soften and sheer it out.
- Blot the inner lip line with a finger to remove excess color before it transfers onto teeth.
Why build a lip wardrobe instead of wearing one lipstick?
Nikol opens the lip-focused livestream by explaining why she wanted to go through the full lip collection together: liners, lipsticks, and glosses. She says she doesn't want women to feel stuck wearing the same single lipstick color for decades.
She compares it to having a fragrance wardrobe—just as you'd switch up your perfume, you can switch up your lip color depending on your mood, outfit, or the occasion.
What lip treatments should you use before applying color?
Nikol starts with lip treatments, noting dry, chapped lips aren't flattering at any age. She demonstrates Rose Lip Balm, a clear, fragrance-free balm that can be worn during the day or at night and helps lipstick glide on more smoothly.
For deeper hydration, she shows the Dream Melt Lip Mask, a heavier balm with shea butter and safflower oil applied with a silicone tip. She says she wears it at night, applying it generously beyond the lip line to keep the surrounding skin hydrated.
How do you stop lipstick from feathering into lip lines?
Nikol's favorite trick is the Crystal Clear Invisible Water-Proof Lip Liner. She applies it first around the lips to create a border that feels like a primer and helps keep color from migrating into fine lines, especially with darker lipsticks.
She also mentions using it to fill in texture around the lips so foundation or concealer doesn't settle into creases, depending on how much makeup you're wearing in that area.
What are the Nikol Beauty lip liner shades?
After Crystal Clear, Nikol goes through her lineup of WaterProof Lip Liner Pencils from lightest to deepest: Silk (a light, pinky nude), Rosé All Day (a pretty pink), Cameo (her natural lip shade), Organza (a brighter rosebud), Coral, and Unapologetic (a flattering pinky-red that pairs with several lipsticks).
She notes the pencils are waterproof, soft, and highly pigmented, and can be worn alone, used to fill in the entire lip as a base, or even swept lightly on cheeks for a monochromatic flush.
What lipstick shades make up the lip wardrobe, from light to bold?
Nikol walks through her lipstick shades starting with the lightest. Pretty Smart is a soft, dusty pink for a natural look, followed by Actually, I Can for a slightly deeper step up. Aperitif brings in a mauve-berry tone, NikRay (named after her and her husband) is her most-worn everyday shade, and 1975 offers more depth for evening.
For bolder color, she shows Fleur, a fuchsia she wears often, Beach House, a warm 'burnt coral,' and Confidence, a red-berry shade. She pairs these with coordinating liners like Unapologetic and shows how to apply with lighter pressure for a soft look or straight from the bullet for more intensity.
How do you layer lip liner, lipstick, and gloss for longer-lasting color?
Nikol explains that filling in the whole lip with liner first, then applying lipstick on top, gives longer wear so you don't have to reapply as often throughout the day. She also shows applying a gloss like Manifest & Glow underneath a bold lipstick to soften and sheer it out, rather than applying full-strength straight from the bullet.
She demonstrates mixing lipstick shades together—like Pretty Smart with Actually, I Can—to create a custom in-between color, and touching up with a lip gloss later in the day instead of reapplying full lipstick.
What are Nikol's favorite lip gloss and lipstick combinations?
Nikol shares several go-to pairings from her own routine: Coco 13 Lip Gloss over NikRay for her signature everyday look, Champs Lip Gloss over Aperitif for a glowy evening touch, and Upgrade Lip Gloss over Fleur to add shine.
She also layers Defiance Lip Gloss over Beach House for a glossy coral 'popsicle' lip, and finishes 1975 with Ignite Lip Gloss for a cranberry-toned evening look, calling the pairing one she reached for often in her professional makeup kit.
Shop the look
Nikol uses Rose Lip Balm #100, Dream Melt Lip Mask, Crystal Clear Invisible Water-Proof Lip Liner, WaterProof Lip Liner Pencils. Explore the lips collection for more of the pro-aging makeup she created for women over 40.
Frequently asked questions
What's the best way to keep lipstick from feathering into lip lines?
Nikol applies Crystal Clear Invisible Water-Proof Lip Liner first to create a border and grip that helps keep color from migrating into fine lines.
Can you mix lip liners and lipsticks together?
Yes—Nikol regularly mixes shades like Pretty Smart with Actually, I Can, or Fleur with Unapologetic liner, to create custom in-between colors.
How do you keep lipstick off your teeth?
After applying, Nikol puts a finger just inside the lips and pulls it out to remove excess color from the inner lip line before it can transfer to teeth.
What order should lip products go on?
Hydrate first with a lip treatment, apply lip liner (filling in the whole lip for longer wear if desired), add lipstick, then finish with gloss if you want extra shine.
Which lipstick shades are good for beginners who don't wear much lip color?
Nikol suggests starting with Pretty Smart or Actually, I Can for a soft, natural look before moving into bolder shades like Fleur or Confidence.
