Older women should use eyeshadows that make the area around their eyes look better without drawing attention to texture, creases, or dryness. Julie Chung, MD, an ophthalmologist in Los Angeles and cofounder of hair tool maker T3, says that as we get older, the skin around our eyes naturally gets thinner and more stretched. This is because it is the thinnest skin on the body, which is why fine lines tend to show up there first.
At 41, I’ve noticed new folds on my eyelids, fine lines under my eyes, and small changes in the elasticity of my skin that have completely changed how I do my makeup. But don’t feel trapped. Katey Denno, a celebrity makeup artist who has worked with stars like Sarah Foster, Amanda Seyfried, and Leslie Bibb, says, “The old rule that you shouldn’t wear shimmer after 35 is so not to be followed.” “There are a lot of neutral shimmery toned shadows that look great on lids of people between the ages of 40 and 80.” Below, I looked at the best-rated formulas based on what makeup artists said. Laura Mercier Caviar Stick is our top pick because professionals recommend it, it keeps lids hydrated and it lasts all day. We also have drugstore picks, picks that look best on brown or blue eyes, and more.
Laura Mercier Caviar Stick is the best overall.
You can use Laura Mercier’s Caviar Sticks like a crayon to colour in your lid with a smooth, velvety touch. You can walk out the door after blending with a soft brush or your finger. The formula is especially good for women over 50 because it has ingredients like hyaluronic acid and raspberry stem cells that are very hydrating and nourishing. These ingredients help with moisture and skin barrier health. It is very important to keep the eyes moist because older skin makes less oil and is generally drier. These sticks have a creamy texture, but they won’t smudge or crease and will last all day. Celebrity makeup artist Nina Soriano says she uses this formula on set and in her daily life. “Caviar Sticks are a constant in my kit, both personally and professionally.” It adds just the right amount of colour to the eye and can be built up for a simple wash of colour or a full-on glam look with your tools. It also has a lot of great colours to choose from.
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Best Drugstore: e.l.f. Liquid Velvet Eyeshadow
The e.l.f. liquid to powder eyeshadows are a great deal at $8 and leave a smooth, velvety matte finish. Soriano says they’re “perfect for classic over 40 babes who like a no-fuss look.” The doe foot applicator goes right on the lids and dries with a finish that is powdery and doesn’t transfer or crease. You can easily blend the pigment out with a soft brush or your finger for a softer look, but you need to do it quickly because they dry quickly. You can choose from more than a dozen classic neutral matte shades that are good for work, running errands, or even a simple no-makeup look for a night out.
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Clinique All About Shadow Quad is the best for people with sensitive eyes.
Clinique’s cult favorite powder palettes give a smooth finish and are made with ingredients that last all day. They are whisper-light and won’t crease. Its powders come in four gradient shades that go well together and can be worn alone or used to contour and define. They come in both matte and shimmer finishes. Dr. Chung loves them because they are made of a “very light powder, great for sensitive eyes and ophthalmologist tested.” They are also easy to take off. Dr. Chung says, “Choosing eye makeup that comes off easily and using gentle, thorough removal methods—no scrubbing—is important for the long term health of your eyelids and the surface of your eyes.”
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Best All-Around: Chanel Stylo Eyeshadow Liner Kohl
Soriano says, “Stylo is both an eyeliner and a blendable cream stick. You can use it on its own or layer it with your favourite eyeshadow.” This Chanel all in one eyeliner cream pen may look fancy when you take it out of your bag, but the formula and design are smart and can be used in many ways. This multipurpose liner has an ultra creamy texture and a long-lasting formula that doesn’t move or highlight crepey lids or fine lines. It goes on smoothly on mature lids and the eyeshadow has a thin edge that you can use as an eyeliner, and the wider side is great for blending and shadowing to get a smooth, all-over-color look. The formula is very pigmented and gives you that French girl look that says “I don’t know what.”
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The best cream is Merit Solo Shadow Cream Eyeshadow.
“These eyeshadows are perfect for older eyes and Offers says, “They look beautiful and are flattering in a way that makes them look less made up.” “They can be mixed with a finger or a brush for a wash of colour on a hooded eye, which makes me look more rested and gives my eyes a warm glow and this cream-to-powder eyeshadow formula goes on smoothly and is full of lid-friendly ingredients like chamomile, calendula, and sunflower seed oil that keep the skin healthy. You can use your finger or an eyeshadow brush to apply it, and you can add more layers for more depth and colour. There are 14 colours to choose from, including mattes and sheens made with microfine pearl that give off a more “adult-friendly” shimmer instead of glitter flecks.
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