Quick answer: The reverse lipstick hack means lining your lips, applying lip gloss first, then pressing lipstick on top. The gloss sheers the color out as you press—almost like a lip stain—so a bold red or bright fuchsia reads soft and wearable instead of heavy. It is Nikol's favorite way to make an intimidating shade feel approachable at any age.
Key takeaways
- The reverse hack: gloss first, then lipstick, sheers a bold shade into a soft, stain-like wash.
- Sheen belongs on mature eyes. Strategic glow brings the face to life; a matte palette with a touch of light in the center works if lids are crepey.
- Bold lips are a power move. Red and fuchsia, worn unapologetically at 49.
- Don't skip eyeliner. A soft, smudged, defined liner flatters mature eyes—advice from a pro makeup artist, not a trend.
- Color is essential. Blush, bronzer, and a bright lip keep a mature face from looking washed out.
Hey ladies—if you have been told that bold lipstick, a little sheen, and eyeliner are off-limits once you hit 40, this one is for you. In this tutorial, Nikol Johnson (49 and wearing all three) walks through the full look and the reverse lipstick hack that makes even a bright fuchsia feel easy to wear.
What rules is Nikol done following after 40?
When Nikol turned 40, she was told to tone it down, keep it neutral, and stay in her lane. She realized the pressure was never about her beauty—it was about someone else's discomfort with aging. Her take: makeup is expression, not erasure. This look pushes back on the three rules she hears most—no sheen on mature eyes, no bold lipstick, and skip eyeliner—all of which she wears with intention.
How does the reverse lipstick hack work?
It is the trick that gives the video its name, and it takes just a few steps:
- Line your lips first (Nikol uses her Unapologetic liner) and soften the lines with a fingertip so nothing looks harsh.
- Apply your lip gloss before the lipstick—Nikol reaches for the Manifest & Glow gloss, a golden sheen.
- Press your bold lipstick on top (she uses a new fuchsia shade, Fleur, or her Confidence red). The gloss sheers the color out on its own, with no blending required.
- The finish reads almost like a lip stain: soft, bright, and wearable instead of full-intensity and heavy.
Prefer full drama instead? Apply the lipstick first and the gloss on top—the order is the entire trick.
How do you build the full mature-makeup look?
Nikol works in three stages—eyes, complexion, then lips. Here is the full breakdown of the products she actually uses on camera.
- Eyes: Start with the #1 Eye Primer, tapped from the lash base upward to neutralize pigmentation, then the Le Bottled Blonde sheen palette—the middle shade on the lid, the lightest on the brow bone, the darkest as a soft contour. Curl the lashes, add a soft waterproof eyeliner smudged with a short brush for a smoky finish (lift slightly at the outer corner rather than dragging down), and coat with Volume Up Mascara.
- Complexion: Prep with Fiercely Smooth for a hydrating, smoothing base, place Just Peachy corrector wherever discoloration actually is, then buff in one pump of BB Cream in Light/Medium with the Foundation Buffing Brush. Add Creamy Concealer only where needed with wispy strokes, and finish with the Classic Beach Glow cream palette for blush, bronzer, and highlight.
- Lips: Line, gloss, then lipstick—the reverse hack above—using the Fleur fuchsia or Confidence red. A dewy setting mist adds a final touch of glow.
The bottom line
This is not just another tutorial—it is a reminder that mature women are not invisible and do not owe anyone a toned-down version of themselves. Wear the bold lip, keep the sheen, define your eyes, and do it louder. Explore lips, lip gloss, and eyes to build your own version of the look.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the reverse lipstick hack?
It is applying lip gloss before your lipstick instead of after. You line the lips, add gloss first, then press a bold lipstick on top. The gloss sheers the color as you press, giving a soft, stain-like finish that makes a bright fuchsia or red far easier to wear than a full, opaque application.
Can women over 40 wear bold or bright lipstick?
Absolutely. Nikol wears bold reds and bright fuchsias at 49 and considers them a power move. If a bright shade feels intimidating, the reverse lipstick hack sheers it into a softer wash so you can ease in. Bold color is a personal choice, not something age takes away.
Is sheen or shimmer okay on mature eyes?
Yes. Nikol says strategic glow actually brings a mature face to life, and she has worn a sheen eyeshadow for years. If your lids feel crepey and a full sheen is not comfortable, use a matte palette and add just a touch of light to the center of the lid for a soft reflection.
Should mature women skip eyeliner?
No. As a professional makeup artist, Nikol considers a soft, defined liner one of the most flattering steps for mature eyes. Stay close to the lash line, lift slightly at the outer corner rather than dragging down, and smudge it with a small brush for a soft, smoky finish that defines without looking harsh.
How do you keep a bold lip from looking too heavy?
Two ways. Line and soften the edges with your finger so nothing looks stark, then use the reverse method—gloss first, lipstick second—to sheer the color into a stain-like wash. If you want full intensity instead, simply reverse the order and apply the gloss over the lipstick.
