7 Makeup Tips That'll Make All the Difference for Women Over 50, According to Pros

You hit a certain age in life where makeup rules suddenly change and what you once knew becomes less applicable. Sometimes, old tricks can even start working against you. Eye makeup is the perfect example since this delicate area of the face becomes hooded, thinner, more “crepey,” and drier as we get older.

“Not only is this where our thinnest skin is located, but unlike most other areas of the face and body, the eyelids are equipped with extra skin by design to allow the eye to blink and close,” explains Bryan Cantor, celebrity makeup artist. “So, where you might only be seeing slight sagging or wrinkles on other parts of your face, this effect will be exaggerated on the eyelids.”

Sometimes the tiniest tweaks make all the difference, so we reached out to makeup artists for their best eye makeup tips for mature skin. Their pro tips are less about “following beauty standard rules” and more about figuring out what works best to show off your features.
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Apply Concealer or Foundation to Your Lids
As skin ages it naturally gets thinner, which can reveal discoloration and veins. Before applying eye shadow, “even out your eyelids by applying a lightweight foundation, concealer, or a skin-tone neutral eye shadow,” says Sara Kuhl, makeup artist and product education and training director for SeneGence. “This creates an even canvas, allowing eyes hadows to appear true to color without requiring multiple layers that can get cake-y.”

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Use Satin or Soft-Matte Formulas
You’ve probably heard the rule about avoiding glitter or shimmer on mature eyes. This isn’t a hard rule by any means, but it can emphasize and draw attention to the texture here.

“My favorite formulas for the eye area on mature eyes are satin or soft-matte formulas because they reflect just enough light to give skin a healthy glow without enhancing the texture of the eye area,” Cantor says. “Matte cream eye shadow formulas can work well, too. They will give a matte effect and camouflage the texture without making the skin appear too dry.”

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Reach for Hydrating Eyeshadow Sticks
While you can always use powder eye shadow, consider adding some eye shadow sticks to your beauty routine.

“Shadow sticks make it easy—no primer needed,” says Tonya Riner, editorial makeup artist. “I like to apply a small amount at the base of the lashes, then tap it in with my fingers. The blending happens naturally without tugging on delicate skin. To prevent creasing, light layers are key. This keeps excess product from settling into the lid’s natural folds.”

Shadow sticks are also usually hydrating compared to powder, which is great for this area that naturally becomes more dry with age.

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Apply Shimmer in the Eye Corners or Center
While glitter and shimmer can emphasize wrinkles, dryness, or crepey texture, that doesn’t mean you have to forgo the glitz altogether. The key is to use shimmer and glitter in strategic ways.

“If you do choose a shimmer, apply it strategically in minimal amounts, such as only on the inner corner or center of the lid, rather than the entire eyelid,” Kuhl advises. “Or, apply shimmer over a matte highlight on the brow bone for subtle enhancement.”

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Create Crease Definition
Applying a medium-tone eyeshadow slightly higher than your natural crease can help visually lift and open up the eyes, minimizing the effect of any droopiness or hooding. “As skin ages and eyelids become hooded, a medium-tone shadow visually pushes back the crease, creating a more sculpted and youthful eye shape,” Kuhl explains.

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Tightline the Upper Lash Line
Applying eyeliner to eyelids is already tricky enough, but when applying eyeliner on mature eyes it becomes doubly tricky. This is because the skin is looser and moves around more, which can create wobbly or uneven lines.

“Another great tip for applying makeup to mature eyes is to tightline the upper lash line for definition rather than applying eyeliner to the lid,” Cantor says. He adds that heavy or hooded lids will partially or fully cover the liner on your lid when your eye is open, anyway!

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Define Your Brows & Lashes
Along with eyeshadow and eyeliner, a quick swipe of mascara and eyebrow product can make a huge difference. “Curling the eyelashes helps open the eyes and create a more lifted appearance. Curl lashes before priming them with a strengthening and conditioning lash primer if desired,” Kuhl says. “Define your brows gently, following the direction of natural hair growth, and slightly lift the eyebrow arch for a youthful effect.”