Any good eyeshadow can add depth, dimension, and a pop of colour to the gaze – but the best eyeshadows for older women aren’t just any good product. Since the skin on the eyelids gets thinner, drier, and more prone to irritation with age, eyeshadows with hydrating ingredients are a boon. And, those that have a thumbs-up from dermatologists or ophthalmologists are typically gentler on sensitive skin. Formulas that glide on easily, without tugging or settling into fine lines, wrinkles, or crepiness, are also a plus.
When it comes to colour, experimentation is a beauty-lover’s right at any age. But for a day-to-day look, make-up artists generally agree that softer, more neutral shades will give the eyes a more lifted, well-rested look. On the other hand, anything too dark may enclose the eyes, making them look smaller and even a bit harsh.
’s pick of the best eyeshadows for older women at a glance:
When playing up the eyes, women over 50 are generally advised to avoid anything that sparkles – just ask Martha Stewart, who sticks to her matte eyeshadows. But just because sparkles are out, that doesn’t mean that dullness is in. “For women over 50, I like products with a subtle luminosity,” make-up artist and RMS Beauty founder Rose-Marie Swift previously told . “That light-reflecting property makes the skin look dewy, moist, and most of all youthful.” Ahead, brush up on the eyeshadows pro make-up artists and celebrities over 50 use for the best results.
- Why it’s -approved: Sisley Paris’s single shadows have a half-cream, half-powder texture that melts into the skin, leaving a fine, smoothing film on ageing eyelids. Available in five finishes, which range from matte to silky and sparkling, the shades are formulated with camellia seed and rosehip seed oils to soften and soothe the skin. For extra antioxidant protection, the three “Glow” shades – including silver, gold, and pearl – are infused with green tea extract and white lily oil. Safe for sensitive eyes, the shadows have been tested by dermatologists and ophthalmologists.
- Matte, metallic, silky, glow, sparkling
- Shade range: 19
- Dermatologist and ophthalmologist-approved
- May crease on oily eyelids or in humid weather
- Why it’s -approved: “These have a creamy, blendable texture that glides on smoothly without tugging,” Aharon says. “This formula minimises the risk of product settling into fine lines or creases, creating a smooth, even application.” The waterproof formulation is designed to stay in place for up to eight hours, and it’s made with red-grape derivative vitas vita, which can boost collagen production. Another key ingredient is seaweed oil, which protects the skin around the eyes from free-radical damage. The 10-shade colour range includes “Pecan,” a matte, deep brown, and the shimmery bronze “Caramel.”
- Shade range: 10
- Made with antioxidants
- Can be slow to dry
Solo Shadow Matte Eye Color
- Matte shades are creamy that wear comfortably
- Sets relatively quickly, which can make it more difficult to blend
- Safe for sensitive eyes, hydrating
- May fade quickly on oily lids without primer
- No tugging, easy to build
- May need touching up throughout the day
- Why it’s -approved: Designed to last for 24 hours without smudging or creasing, Bobbi Brown’s creamy shadow sticks have proven their merit to the pros. “These glide on effortlessly and don’t crease – even on drier lids,” says celebrity make-up artist Liz Olivier. The formula comes in 11 shades and three finishes, including matte, shimmer, and multi-chrome. Designed for everyday use, “the tones are rich but wearable,” per Olivier. “Truffle and Golden Bronze are my staples for subtle definition.” Plus, the formula is also waterproof.
- Shade range: 11
- Easy to blend, long-lasting
- The packaging can be faulty, with product falling out of the tube
Rituel de Fille Ash & Ember Eye Soot
- Why it’s -approved: Another one of Stiles’ go-to shadows for mature eyes, Rituel de Fille’s Eye Soot washes the lids with an iridescent, satiny colour. The shadows’ 11-colour range includes subtly shimmery shades of soft mauve, lavender, champagne-rose, and “Mineralia,” which is a rich, chocolate brown. “Using dark grey or deep-brown shades defines the eye but without the harshness of a black shadow,” Stiles notes. Rituel de Fille’s formulas prioritise plant-based ingredients; its eye colors are infused with soothing rosemary leaf extract and hydrating sunflower seed oil.
- Shade range: 11
- Contains soothing, plant-based ingredients
- Application can take some trial and error
- Why it’s -approved: Stiles also uses Chantecaille’s high-shine shadow on clients with ageing skin. Designed to smooth onto eyelids without creasing or settling into fine lines and wrinkles, the shadow has dual functionality – much like its namesake mystical creature. It can be used wet or dry and serves as both a shadow and a liner. The formulation is infused with silk tree bark extract, which gives the eyelids a more youthful, lifted look, and it comes in three pearlescent hues. With names like “Starfish” (a warm mauve) and “Seashell” (a soft, glistening gold), the colours play into the oceanic theme.
- Shade range: 3
- Can be used as a shadow or a liner
- Limited shade range
- Why it’s -approved: As part of her day-to-night make-up routine, 64-year-old Julianne Moore uses Laura Mercier’s classic eye stick. Her preferred hue is “Amethyst,” which she revealed in her video, and she uses her finger to apply the creamy, shimmery mauve along her lash lines. The classic formula, also a favourite amongst make-up artists, glides onto the eye without tugging or creasing. What’s more, it’s infused with hyaluronic acid, which hydrates and primes the skin.
- Shade range: 12
- Hydrating, easy glide
- May crease on oily eyelids
Eye Color Quad Eyeshadow Palette
- Why it’s -approved: When documenting Sarah Jessica Parker’s glam for the Season 2 premiere, make-up artist Elaine Offers revealed that she’d used this Tom Ford palette to get the 60-year-old actress’s eyes ready for primetime. “I dip small brushes in water, swirl on the shadows to pick up the pigments, and paint them on,” Offers wrote on Instagram. “The colour becomes much more saturated like a cream eyeshadow, and there’s no fallout to clean up afterwards.” Each palette contains four colours designed to sculpt and highlight the eyes, and the non-creasing powders are formulated with emollients to keep the skin moisturised. Pro tip: Certain powders are imprinted with a TF logo, which indicates that they can be used dry or, as Offers prefers, wet.
- Sheer sparkle, satin, shimmer, matte
- Shade range: 11
- Formula contains moisturising emollients
- Some wish there were more colour payoff
- Why it’s -approved: “Dior eyeshadows are a great choice for mature skin because of their luxurious, finely milled formulas that blend effortlessly and sit smoothly on the lids without highlighting fine lines,” Aharon says. “I think that I’ve got every palette they make in my kit.” Options range from the Diorshow 5 Couleurs Palette to the limited-edition Couture Palette, which has five eyeshadow shades as well as blushes and lipsticks. The Backstage Eyeshadow Palette – favoured by celebrities like Cynthia Erivo – comes with a primer and eight buildable, highly pigmented eyeshadow shades. Inspired by Dior’s runway shows, the palettes have colour themes ranging from “Celestial Purple” to “Warm Neutrals,” and their finishes range from matte to holographic.
- Matte, pearlescent, metallic, holographic, glittery
- Shade range: 4
- Comes in a range of finishes
- The delicate shadows can crack in the palette
- Why it’s -approved: RMS’s creamy shadows are formulated with ingredients that soothe and protect ageing skin. To wit: Organic green tea extract shields the skin from free-radical damage, while peptide quinoa extract smooths and firms the eyelids. Crease-proof and ophthalmologist-tested, the shadows come in 10 luminous shades with a light-reflective finish. From a modern taupe to a mossy green, the colours are easy to apply, gliding on seamlessly with a brush or a finger, and they dry quickly. What’s more, they rinse off easily with water.
- Shade range: 10
- Soothes aging skin
- The packaging tends to dispense too much product
Eye Tint Longwear Liquid Eyeshadow
- Why it’s -approved: With a water-infused formulation that binds seamlessly to eyelids, the liquid hues were formulated for lasting wear. “These glide on seamlessly and have amazing hold,” Aharon says. They can stay in place for up to 16 hours without creasing, have no fallout, and are also water-resistant and smudge-proof. “They’re great on their own but also work well layered with other shadows.” Available in matte, shimmery, and metallic finishes, the eye tints have a multipurpose applicator: Use the fine side to apply the shadow like a liner, or the wide side for an all-over wash of colour on the lids.
- Shade range: 21
- Stays in place for up to 16 hours
- The finish on some shades is too shimmery for some
Why it’s -approved: Celebrity MUA Mario Dedivanovic’s palettes remained popular through the clean girl era thanks to an approachable suite of shades that sculpt the eye. Now, the artist is introducing those shades in an effortless mousse format that practically blends itself. This is a foolproof formula that serves experts and novices alike – it offers a quick wash of colour that self-sets with no transfer, even on teary eyes.
What kind of eyeshadow is best for mature skin?
“The most flattering eyeshadow for mature skin is one that has a very soft, subtle sheen,” Stiles says. “Shadows that are shimmery lean unflattering.” This theory is commonly held by industry pros. Swift tells : “Shimmer and glitter eyeshadows on mature skin accent crepiness and dryness, so avoid them.”
In terms of colour, Stiles doesn’t follow any hard and fast rules for mature clients. “Colour is personality-dependent,” she allows. That said, “You can never go wrong with neutrals and warm tones. And generally, I avoid black shadows with more mature clients, opting instead for a rich, dark grey or a warm, deep brown. Black can feel very severe and make the eyes appear smaller.” Stiles favours cream shadows for mature women, particularly those that are crease-resistant, while Aharon also gravitates towards creamy shadows that won’t settle into fine lines or crepey skin.
How should you prep skin before applying eyeshadow?
“Prepping the skin around the eyes is non-negotiable, especially for mature skin,” Aharon notes. “If you want that eyeshadow to stay put and look smooth, I like to start with a gentle cleanse using micellar water, then tap on a bit of hydrating eye cream – nothing too heavy, just enough to keep things moisturised. A little primer after that can work wonders for smoothing out fine lines and making sure everything blends like a dream. And hey, if that sounds like a marathon, grab a cream shadow that can double as a primer! No judgment – sometimes we all need a shortcut!” Infused with hyaluronic acid, Laura Mercier’s Caviar Stick Eye Shadow suits the multipurpose bill; Dior’s Backstage Palette comes with a dedicated priming shade.
Celebrity makeup artist Geo Brian adds another pro tip: “I always let the moisturiser dry down before starting my eyeshadow,” he says. “And if you tend to have oily eyelids, use a light moisturiser, if any at all.”
How to apply eyeshadow for mature skin
According to Stiles, “The way you apply your eyeshadow and the formula you use will help tremendously with having it not settle into fine lines. If the formula is creamy, I like to use a dome-shaped brush that has a bit of stiffness. This allows me to blend the product so that it becomes seamless. For a softer application, use a fluffier eyeshadow brush.” If there’s any fallout, Stiles advises using micellar water to clean the area up, then dotting on a bit of concealer with a brush. Finally, handle mature eyelids with care: “Remember to prioritise the cleanliness of tools and be gentle with the delicate skin around the eyes!” Aharon says. And those interested in ensuring their eyeshadow look lasts for hours, opt for an eyeshadow primer – like this one by Urban Decay.
How to remove eyeshadow on mature skin
“I love an oil-based make-up remover for eyes,” Brian says. “It’s going to break down make-up more efficiently, and it’s going to be softer on the skin when you have to wipe it off.”
Brian’s favourite such make-up remover is Tatcha’s The Camelia Cleansing Oil, which he calls “a magic, magic, ” product. “I have used this on tour with Idina Menzel,” he says. “We needed something that wasn’t harsh but also was effective enough to take off her stage make-up every night… [This] literally melts the eyeshadow and mascara off with minimal rubbing, which is very important for your skin.”
For her part, Grogan likes removing eye make-up with a good double cleanse. “This is ideal for mature skin to maintain good moisture levels and ensure skin is fully cleansed,” she says. “I love to use a hydrating balm cleanser to remove the majority of your eye products, and then I’ll go back over the area with some eye make-up remover on a cotton pad.” Grogan is also a fan of Tatcha’s cleansing oil.
What to look for in an eyeshadow for mature skin
“For mature skin, creamy or satin-textured eyeshadows are your best friends—they glide on like a dream and won’t sneak their way into fine lines or wrinkles,” Aharon says. Ingredients should also be taken into account. “Finding a good-for-the-eyelid formulation is very helpful with older skin,” Stiles says. Merit’s Solo Shadows are formulated with natural ingredients – including chamomile extract and sunflower seed oil – that nurture the delicate skin on mature eyelids. Rituel de Fille’s eyeshadows are also infused with skin-loving natural ingredients, including sunflower seed oil and rosemary leaf extract.
How we tested
As it relates to eyeshadows for older women, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: texture, finish, shade range, blendability, ease of application, colour payoff, and how long the pigment lasts. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
Meet the experts