How To Wear Eye Makeup Over Fifty

As we age, the skin around our eye area can start to sag a little bit and unfortunately, as we start to lose fat in the area, our eyes can look a little droopy. Many women over fifty shy away from eye makeup thinking that it will make them look older. But knowing how to apply makeup when you’re over fifty can bring definition back to your eyes, making you look younger. Because our faces change when we age, we need to mix up our beauty routines. The good news is that you can actually use eyeshadow to lift and brighten the eye area.

Here are our top five tips and techniques for how to apply eye makeup over fifty.

Prep the eyelid first

Always prep the eyelid with concealer before applying eyeshadow to even out the eye area. This will conceal redness and veins, plus it brightens the area so you look more awake. It will also allow help to bring out the full pigment of the eyeshadow colour that you’re applying.

Use cream eyeshadow

As a base, cream eyeshadow is perfect for older women. It has a silky, smooth texture that leaves a soft, yet modern finish on the eyelids. And you can just use your fingers to apply it – so easy! I always opt for a neutral toned eyeshadow for a base as you can add deeper colours later. For older women I always suggest avoiding shimmer shades and choosing matte shadows, because sometimes shimmer shadows can bring out fine lines.

Add definition to the outer corners

Once you’ve applied your base, you can start to lift the eye area by adding definition to the outer corners of your eyes. By bringing the shadow upwards, you can counteract any droppiness. The biggest thing to remember when you’re doing this is to look straight ahead so that you’re not bringing the shadow down as this will bring your eye down too. I would then grab a coloured shadow that is slightly lighter than the shadow you just used in the outer corners, and softly blend it out in the outer corners of your lower lash line too.

Try shadow eyeliner

So many older women want to know if they should be wearing eyeliner and then answer is, absolutely! But, I love to recommend shadow eyeliner for older women. Shadow eyeliner is simply using an eyeliner brush to apply eyeshadow as eyeliner. This works best when the brush is slightly damp as this will deepen the colour of the shadow. This works best with a dark brown, chocolate shade. And when you’ve got the shadow on the end of the brush, simply push the shadow into the lash line. It’s so hard to go wrong with shadow liner and it’s a much softer, flattering look.

Final touches

If you still feel like you want a touch more definition after you’ve applied your eyeliner, one of my favourite tricks is to grab your eyebrow pencil. Your eyebrow pencil is already a natural colour that works well with your complexion, so it won’t look over the top. You can just use it to go over the shadow that you already have on your lower lash line, and you will instantly enhance your eyes more, without looking over the top.

Here are a few of my favourite eye makeup products for women over fifty: ulta3 Eyebrow Pencil, RMS Beauty Eye Polish in Magnetic ($41, mecca.com.au), Urban Decay Naked2 Basics Eyeshadow Palette ($47, mecca.com.au),

Did you find the tips in this article helpful? What are your favourite eyeshadows to wear?

57 Member Comments

talk-a-lot 27 May 2020 9:32 PM

I generally like wearing powder eyeshadow. Less is best for me plus it depends on the day if I wear eyeshadow or not. These are great tips, thanks.

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Candyfairy 22 Nov 2019 2:34 PM

I feel like I already do these things and I am only 35. But I feel in the middle and that I can't get away with crazy colours anymore. But I'm ok with that. I'm over the liquid liner and have switched to shadow liner and I am loving it!

S-P 2 Nov 2019 3:21 PM

I tend to use less product because I'm always scared of looking too over done.

Rose_P 9 Sep 2019 7:34 PM

Great article! I’m 51, and I love wearing eye make up. I keep it simple and stick to neutral colours. I love cream eyeshadows, and I find the best way to blend them is with a concealer brush. I also find that using an eyeshadow primer makes a huge difference to the longevity of my eyeshadow. I’m using a BareMinerals one at the moment which is quite good, but I’d prefer the tried and tested Urban Decay one.

Margi59 31 Aug 2019 6:53 PM

Interesting article will definitely look at using a brown eyeliner and mascara instead of black just to see if it makes a difference to the overall look.

sharon152 17 Jun 2019 2:16 PM

I love eye shadow, but I must admit loving the new fresh looks for younger women and what actually works for me does fill me with a little bit of eye shadow envy. I love the Urban Decay Naked 2 Basics I sometimes feel it was made with me in mind.

Lucy16 6 Jun 2019 9:50 PM

Love these tips.

Lucy16 6 Jun 2019 9:49 PM

Kris Jenner looks fab.

Sharing this with my MIL.

Sootyhere 18 May 2019 3:05 PM

Looks like cream eyeshadow is the way to go for me.

Shop A Everyday 26 Apr 2019 7:18 PM

I like to experiment with different colour shadows and liners, and how I am feeling on the day, if I feel awful, I still wear makeup, but for eg no black

Samy_Butler 25 Feb 2019 6:57 PM

The eyes are the most beautiful part of every woman. If the woman makes her eye makeup, then the beauty of that lady is still open. I take great care of my eyes always and do make-up with my eyes, especially if there is a party, marriage, or some other function. For that, I go to Arch 2 Arch Spa and Salon in Memphis, TN I have always been doing make-up to them, they make pretty eye make-up. That's why our face becomes more good-looking. They are offers more services like Microneedling , Microdermabrasion Facial , Facial Hair Removal, Chemical Peel, Permanent Makeup, Eyelashes Extensions, Eyebrow, Waxing, threading, Brazilian Wax, Facial Therapies and much more.

Susmat 19 Feb 2019 10:06 PM

I used to use powder eyeshadow but it is not a good look now; creme ones should work better

Shop A Everyday 5 Feb 2019 9:37 PM

Great tips for eye makeup to last all day!

Marclaire 30 Nov 2018 12:07 PM

I don't use eyeshadow often and when I do I usually use powder eyeshadow. Perhaps I should try a cream eyeshadow to see the difference. I'm not very good at the application, cream eyeshadow may be easier?

RitaB 28 Nov 2018 1:36 PM

Great article! I will pass these tips to my mum. I agree with cream eyeshadows - it looks a lot flattering than powder on the eyes.

Gilliey 23 Nov 2018 2:18 PM

Some good tips.

Am1851 23 Nov 2018 10:17 AM

I think using Kris Jenner as an example probably doesn't suit most of us. All the Kardashian girls have dark eyes and really know how to emphasize that look along with their natural appeal. Perhaps having a lady in the age group being discussed with a before and after picture would appeal more to us ordinary ladies who want to look 'extra-ordinary' with a simple guide on how to!

CLWoods 21 Nov 2018 10:51 PM

Better remember these next time I'm doing my Mum's makeup!

preppa 19 Nov 2018 9:31 PM

Something else to worry about as I age...

misfortune8 19 Nov 2018 12:19 PM

I find that powder shadow as eyeliner makes my eyes go red - I still prefer liquid. I change from black to brown or navy if I'm feeling my age. Navy especially is good at making my scleras look their whitest.

josella432 17 Nov 2018 10:05 PM

Shadow as liner always looks good.

Peach perfect 16 Nov 2018 10:44 PM

Not quite there yet...but interesting information

Karenelle 16 Nov 2018 4:09 PM

All good, but I still use a shimmer and believe I can get away with it, as well as regular eye liner. I've always smudged it over on top with a powdered eyeshadow, because I prefer a blended look. Lashes, lots of lashes. Benefit, They're Real, makes the most of any lashes you're packing!

bebeautiful34 16 Nov 2018 9:34 AM

I love cream eyeshadow, it's excellent as a base and works as a one step eye look for the lazy days

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