Everything You Need To Know About Applying Eyeliner To Older Eyes

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One universally acknowledged struggle for many people over 40 is figuring out how to get your makeup right. It's tempting to go with a more is more approach; applying more product to conceal imperfections and dryness. But ultimately, this often results in an unintentionally aged appearance, or worse cakeyness and flakiness. 

If you've been struggling to get your makeup right, it might not be the foundation that's the problem. It could be your eyes. Just as there are some mascara mistakes that can make you look older, your liner can be the culprit behind an aging appearance. "Heavy lines, lining the entire eye, or using products that are too harsh can make the eyes appear smaller and more sunken," says professional makeup artist Jade Griffin in an exclusive chat with Women.com. Often, these errors aren't intentional; but they are a signal it's time to update your routine to accommodate your changing skin. With each passing year, the skin around the eyes becomes thinner, eventually leading to sagging and fine lines.However, this means you need to be careful with how you apply product. As such, it's a good idea to let go of eyeliner habits that aren't serving you anymore. The good news is a few simple tweaks to your beauty routine can deemphasize these changes while still adding definition to your eyes and lash line. Instead, go more subtle. Bonus: these recommendations all pair beautifully with our tips for applying makeup to mature skin.

One of the single best ways to upgrade your beauty routine as you age is simply by opting for lighter application. "Heavy lines, lining the entire eye, or using products that are too harsh can make the eyes appear smaller and more sunken," Jade Griffin exclusively tells Women.com. A lighter application will offer definition without weighing features down or overwhelming them. "Soft, thin lines help keep the eyes looking open and defined," she explains.

Focus on lightly lining your upper lid and just your upper lid. You'll look more awake. Lining the bottom lashes or filling the waterline can emphasize the appearance of sagging or make eyes look small. "I just do a tiny bit under my upper lash line, outer 1/2-3/4," shared one Reddit commenter on r/AskWomenOver40. "Apparently heavy eyeliner on top of the lash line weighs your eyes down and makes them look saggy."

Because the skin around the eyes become thinner and more delicate with age, older women will enjoy better results with a soft textured formula that applies easily without tugging or pulling, like Charlotte Tilbury Cream Eyeliner Pencil. "Cream and gel pot eyeliners are ideal for mature eyes because they glide on smoothly and are easier to control," Jade Griffin exclusively tells Women.com. Applying with a brush will allow you to build color gradually and achieve a more subtle effect.

Griffin also recommends avoiding the intense, matte look of liquid eyeliner. "Heavy liquid liners should be avoided, as they can be drying and may emphasize fine lines and texture," she explains. A creamy formula will create a blended, diffuse look rather than the graphic sharpness of liquid products.

Finally, it's important to be thoughtful about the ingredients in your makeup products at any age, but especially as your mature, since older women can be more prone to irritation and dry eyes. "Choosing hypoallergenic formulas helps reduce the risk of sensitivity," advises Griffin. Better yet, as with mascaras for older women, look for ingredients that calm and plump skin like hyaluronic acid or vitamin E.

The shape of your eyeliner can go a long way toward making your eyes look more open and lifted. In the same way, the wrong application can weigh them down. "For mature eyes, eyeliner should be placed just above the lash line so it doesn't disappear into skin folds," Jade Griffin exclusively tells Women.com. Once you've applied your product, you can use a brush to soften the line into your lashes.

Avoid thick lines at the inner corners, which can make eyes appear droopy. Instead, focus on lining the outer third of the upper lid to draw the shape upward. "Eyeliner needs to be drawn up and out instead of out and down, plus you'll need to exaggerate the flick, giving it a dramatic angle at the end," celebrity makeup artist Sofia Schwarzkopf-Tilbury told Good Housekeeping. Want to amp up the appearance of lift even more? It's all about the outer corners. "A small, subtle wing at the outer corners can create a gentle lifting effect without weighing the eyes down," Griffin tells Women.com.

Black might be a default eyeliner color for many people, but as you age, it's better to steer clear of this shade. That's because the harshness can make your eyes look small, or draw attention to sagging lids or crow's feet. The same goes for bright colors and sparkling metallics that can act like a spotlight on fine lines and crepey texture.

Instead, choose a softer neutral color. "I often recommend smoky brown or black-brown for a softer, more flattering finish on mature eyes," makeup artist Alexa Perisco told Vogue. Both colors are perfect for anyone who likes the bold definition of black liner. Alternatively, consider this your invitation to play with colorful shades, especially dark hues like navy or olive. "When it comes to color, browns, purples, greens, and deep blues are flattering options," says Griffin.

If you like to fill in your waterline or line your lower lash then opt for something brightening, since a dark color on the bottom lid can weigh your eye down and emphasize the appearance of sagging. "If lining the lower eye, lighter or flesh-toned shades work best to maintain a bright, open appearance," says Griffin.

When it comes to makeup, smudged is officially no longer a bad thing, especially when it comes to aging eyes. That's because another great way to avoid harshness is by steering clear of opaque, crisp lines and opting for a more blurred look. "I would say the trick is not doing sharp precise liner, pen or pencil," offered one commenter on the subreddit r/MakeupAddiction. "Go soft, smudged, smokey."

Blurred liner helps you achieve a no-makeup makeup look that emphasizes your eyes' natural beauty without overpowering them. "Softly smudging the liner creates a more flattering, blended finish that enhances mature eyes rather than overpowering them," Jade Griffin exclusively tells Women.com. This approach adds definition while still being forgiving to textured skin. Plus, you don't need to stress about being so precise with your application, since everything can be smoothed out to a more diffuse look with a brush or sponge.