Though makeup rules are seldom universal, mature skin is often encouraged to rotate certain products out of their make-up collections for good. (Sparkly shadows, prone to emphasising texture, come to mind.) However, the best eyeliners for mature skin are in no such danger of forced retirement.
’s favourite eyeliners for mature skin:
“Eyeliner actually becomes important as we age,” says pro makeup artist Stevi Christine. “Lashes tend to thin over time, and a liner at the roots helps bring back that youthful fullness.”
That said, not types of eyeliners—or application techniques – will flatter the mature gaze. Christine’s first rule of thumb (or, ahem, ) for mature clients? “Swap harsh black liquid liners for softer pencils or gel eyeliner, and focus on blending the product right into the lash line, rather than drawing a hard edge,” she advises. “Smudged, kohl formulas define the eyes without overpowering them.”
So, which formulas deserve a spot on lash lines? And, what’s the liquid black eyeliner that gives women over 50 the perfect cat-eye? (Indeed, there are always exceptions to a makeup rule!) Keep reading. Ahead, we’ve rounded up the eyeliners makeup artists keep on hand for mature clients, though these formulas also work for sensitive, watery, or hooded eyes of any age. However you draw the line, these are the expert-approved best eyeliners for older women for an instant eye lift.
- Why it’s -approved: Legendary makeup artist and brand founder Laura Geller, now in her 60s, takes the concerns of mature women into account when formulating her products. This soft kohl pencil eyeliner – which has a built-in sharpener – is no exception. “Our Kajal Longwear Eyeliner is filled with vitamin E, so it glides right on and doesn’t pull the skin around the eye,” Geller tells . Richly pigmented and long-wearing, “this won’t smudge or crease, which is especially great for older women whose eyes might water or be more sensitive,” Geller says. The formula also has a jolt of caffeine, which can help reduce puffiness and redness around the eyes.
- Key ingredients: Vitamin E, caffeine
- Why it’s -approved: “As we get older, the skin around our eyes can start to lose elasticity, which can make applying eyeliner a little trickier,” says makeup artist and brand founder Charlotte Tilbury. “This is why I recommend using my Rock ‘N’ Kohl, which has a smooth, creamy texture and intense colour payoff, meaning it glides effortlessly onto the eye area without skipping or dragging”. Tilbury explains that the kajal formula is waterproof, long-lasting, and easy to use. “It even comes with its own smudger brush tip, which can be used to blend out the liner for a soft, smoky effect,” she explains. To create the sultry look, “Simply glide the pencil along the lash line, then gently run the smudger brush tip back and forth over the liner,” Tilbury instructs. She adds that a diffused, smoky liner look flatters mature eyes, as it doesn’t emphasise fine lines or wrinkles as much as a sharper line tends to do. “I love using a shade like Smokey Bronze on my more mature clients as it creates a softer, more natural definition and doesn’t overwhelm the eyes,” she says.
- Key ingredients: Argan oil, panthenol, matricaria flower extract
Quickliner For Eyes Eyeliner Pencil
Eye Love You Eye Pencil
- Why it’s -approved: “I adore this liner because it’s ultra-nourishing and packed with clean conditioning ingredients that respect the delicate skin around the eyes,” Perisco says. “It delivers a rich, velvety pigment that melts into the lash line and creates a natural definition that enhances, rather than ages, the eyes.” Made with organic jojoba oil and shea butter, the kohl pencil is also safe for use on the waterline. “This is easy to use with instant beauty impact,” explains Williams. “It glides and defines, which is great for that everyday woman who is on the go and wants a simplified look. It’s also ideal for the woman who is conscious of harsh chemicals.”
- Key ingredients: Organic jojoba oil, shea butter
Le Stylo Waterproof Long Lasting Eyeliner
- Why it’s -approved: When ’s beauty shopping editor Kiana Murden tested the entire Jones Road collection, a few products floated to the top of her list. “Some products I liked, others I wholeheartedly loved,” Murden wrote. This eyeliner, infused with vitamin E, made it onto the “love” list, and brand founder Bobbi Brown, 68, happens to love it too. “It’s the best eyeliner I’ve ever used, as it goes on easily,” Brown told Murden. The makeup mogul applies the brown liner for an easy, day-to-day look, and she also uses it to fill in her brows – and even a stray grey root – in a pinch.
- Key ingredients: Vitamin E
- Why it’s -approved: As makeup artists have said many times before (including in this very piece), liquid liners are not always suited for mature lids. Enter the rare exception: Lisa Eldridge’s Kitten Flick. “This is one of the best precision liners for older women who still love a defined wing,” Perisco says. “The brush tip gives you full control, and the deep satin black shade lifts and elongates the eyes beautifully.” For mature lids, she recommends applying the liner in small strokes, moving slightly upward at the outer corners. “This will give the appearance of an instant eye lift,” she says. Eldridge designed the product for ease of use, and previously told : “The liquid liner has a really tiny, very flexible felt tip, and it was important to me that the ink came out perpetually, not in stages, for a smooth and even line.” Eldridge has used the formula on celebrity clients of all ages, including 30-year-old Dua Lipa and 55-year-old Claudia Schiffer.
- Key ingredients: Castor oil
Chantecaille Luster Glide Silk Infused Eyeliner
Why it’s -approved: Yasmin Salmon’s liner of choice, this silky pencil creates beautifully understated definition. The Earth shade is perfect for daytime, while Raven offers a little more intensity without ever looking harsh.
Yves Saint Laurent Crushliner Eyeliner
Why it’s -approved: With a creamy gel-like texture, this velvety formula was practically made for whisper liner. It creates a hazy, softly smoked finish that never feels overdone, whether you’re wearing it with barely-there make-up or a full evening look. And it’s the liner behind many of Zoe Kravitz’s eye make-up looks.
Intense Colour Long Lasting Eyeliner
Why it’s -approved: Soft enough to smudge, but with impressive staying power once it sets, this affordable pencil is ideal if you’re trying whisper liner for the first time. The creamy texture glides on effortlessly and blends beautifully before locking into place.
What type of eyeliner is best for mature eyes?
"Because of its rich colour payoff, a smooth gel or cream eyeliner pencil is a great choice for enhancing mature eyes,” says Wagener. “Eyeliner with a creamy texture glides on effortlessly, providing a defined line that won’t tug at delicate skin.” On the other hand, Wagener tells her mature clients to steer clear of most liquid felt-tip liners. “They can be less forgiving and very difficult to use," she says.
What to look for in an eyeliner for mature women
When it comes to choosing an eyeliner for women over 50, makeup artists keep a few key factors in mind.
- “Since so many women get either dry eyes or watery eyes as we age, my preference is always to use a water-resistant liner or a long-wearing application technique by layering shadow over the liner,” Patinkin says.
- Ease of removal: While Patinkin recommends long-wearing or water-resistant formulas, “I stay away from most waterproof eyeliner products on mature skin since it’s easy to rub too hard when you’re removing them at the end of the day,” Patinkin says. “The last thing mature skin needs is all that tension and pressure on the delicate eyelid skin.”
- For mature lids in particular, makeup artists gravitate toward eyeliners with a smooth, creamy texture, such as those made with kajal or kohl. “Avoid overly dry pencils as they can skip or pull on delicate skin,” Perisco notes.
- : Additionally, consider what’s inside the formula. Beyond the ingredients, keep in mind if the liner is hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, or paraben-free, as these factors can ensure it’s safe for sensitive eyes.
- Tip size: Eyes can become more hooded with age. According to Patinkin, a liner with an ultra-fine tip is ideal for this scenario, as it can help accentuate the eyes without taking up too much lid space.
- There’s always room to play around with colour, and artists gravitate toward different shades for their mature clients. For Perisco, it’s hard to beat shades like deep brown, bronze, or plum to enhance mature eyes. “These enhance eye colour while keeping the overall look soft and elegant,” she says. Patinkin’s take? “I love a navy, grey, or plum liner for tightlining,” she says, reiterating her preference for cooler tones on older eyes. “A blue undertone makes the whites of the eyes pop, and look nice and bright,” she says.
How should you apply eyeliner to mature eyes?
“Depending on the eye shape, I often line only the outer third or outer half of the upper lash line and then tightline the whole length of the lash line from underneath,” says Patinkin. “This is a great technique for lots of reasons.” First, she says, it contributes to a lifted look at the outer corner of the eyes, where the shadow is thicker. The technique also helps define the shape of the eyes without “eating up lid space,” she says.
Tightlining is another technique makeup artists favour for mature eyes. “It makes the lashes look thicker because you’re filling in gaps between the roots of the lashes,” Patinkin says.
How we tested
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on ’s vast network of experts – from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity makeup artists – to gain professional acumen on the industry’s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site. You can find out more about our testing process here.
As it relates to eyeliners for mature skin, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, texture, eyeliner type, shade range, and ease of application. To do this, we paired our tester feedback on each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
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