Save this story Save Story Save this story When I shop for eyeliner these days, I feel like I’m going into a restaurant with a list of dietary restrictions. I have always had hooded eyes, but at 46, the hooding is more pronounced. I have sensitive eyes, too, and fine lines starting to set in. In short, I’m looking for an eyeliner to play up my gaze while downplaying any discomfort or signs of aging. It’s a balancing act, to be sure, but it’s one that the best eyeliners for older women can accomplish with finesse—and if it becomes tempting to skip eyeliner altogether, consider this advice from a pro: “Eyeliner actually becomes more important as we age,” says makeup artist Stevi Christine . “Lashes tend to thin over time, and a liner at the roots helps bring back that youthful fullness.”
Since I’ve found a few formulas that I swear by—including the Laura Mercier pencil that’s on this list—I see what Christine means. On days when I do wear eyeliner, I look more awake, chipper, and polished than on days when I don’t. The trick? Finding formulas that are not only flattering, but gentle on the eyes. Formulas for older women should also be easy to apply and remove without tugging at the lids. Ahead, find the eyeliners that check every box.
What type of eyeliner is best for mature eyes? What to Look for in an Eyeliner for Older Women How should you apply eyeliner to mature eyes? How We Tested Meet the Experts Best Overall: Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal Liner Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Victoria Beckham Beauty
Key Ingredients: Chamomile extract, panthenol, vitamin E, mineral-based silica pearl Shades: 21 Type: Creamy kajal pencil Waterproof: Yes Love It Leave It Creamy formula glides on easily Rich pigment requires a light hand Built-in smudger creates a soft, diffused look; stays in place Creamy texture can transfer before setting Best for Versatile Wear: Sarah Creal Eyes Up Creamy Kajal Longwear Liner Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Sarah Creal
Key Ingredients: Cream-gel matrix technology, allantoin Shades: 16 Type: Kajal pencil Waterproof: Yes Love It Leave It Cream-gel formula resists transfer and creasing Sets quickly, leaving little time to blend Included blending brush creates a smoky, diffused finish Shimmer shades may require more layering for payoff Best for a No-Makeup Makeup Look: Laura Mercier Caviar Tightline Eyeliner Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Laura Mercier
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid Shades: 7 Type: Gel-like pencil Waterproof: Yes Love It Leave It Gel-like formula fills lash roots for natural-looking fullness Slim tip can be tricky to control Glides on without tugging Tightlining requires a careful hand Resists smudging and transfer Best for a Smoky Eye: Charlotte Tilbury Rock N Kohl Eyeliner Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Charlotte Tilbury
Key Ingredients: Argan oil, panthenol, matricaria flower extract Shades: 6 Type: Creamy kohl pencil Waterproof: Yes Love It Leave It Creamy, intensely pigmented formula blends easily Texture sets quickly, limiting blending time Built-in smudger makes creating a smoky eye effortless; waterproof wear Thicker pencil tip is less suited to ultra-precise lines Best for Sensitive Eyes: Clinique Quickliner For Eyes Eyeliner Pencil Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Clinique
Key Ingredients: Vitamin E Shades: 11 Type: Creamy automatic pencil Waterproof: No Love It Leave It Retractable design eliminates sharpening May require touch-ups throughout the day Gentle, ophthalmologist-tested formula Easy to blend for a softer look Best Clean Formula: Westman Atelier Eye Love You Eye Pencil Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Westman Atelier
Key Ingredients: Organic jojoba oil, shea butter Shades: 2 Type: Kohl pencil Waterproof: No Love It Leave It Conditioning jojoba oil and shea butter nourish delicate skin Limited shade range Velvety pigment Safe for the waterline Best for Lasting Wear: Lancôme Le Stylo Waterproof Long Lasting Eyeliner Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Lancôme
Key Ingredients: Synthetic wax, iron oxides, mica, hydrogenated polyisobutene Shades: 9 Type: Creamy pencil Waterproof: Yes Love It Leave It Creamy formula with easy glide Sets quickly, leaving limited time to blend Sets to waterproof, long-lasting wear Waterproof formula can require a dedicated eye-makeup remover Versatile shades work for day or night Best Vogue -Approved: Jones Road The Best Pencil Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Jones Road
Key Ingredients: Vitamin E Shades: 7 Type: Highly pigmented pencil Waterproof: No Love It Leave It Highly pigmented color May smudge or fade throughout the day Versatile enough to double as a brow pencil; vitamin E helps condition delicate skin Limited shade range Best Liquid: Lisa Eldridge Kitten Flick Liquid Eyeliner Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Lisa Eldridge
Key Ingredients: Castor oil Shades: 1 Type: Ultra-fine liquid pen Waterproof: No Love It Leave It Ultra-fine flexible tip offers exceptional precision Only one shade available Continuous ink flow creates smooth, even lines Formula may smudge or transfer on oily lids Ideal for lifting, elongated wings Everything You Need to Know What type of eyeliner is best for mature eyes?
“Because of its rich color payoff, a smooth gel or cream eyeliner pencil is a great choice for enhancing mature eyes,” says Wagener. “Eyeliner with a creamy texture glides on effortlessly, providing a defined line that won’t tug at delicate skin.” On the other hand, Wagener tells her mature clients to steer clear of most liquid felt-tip liners. “They can be less forgiving and very difficult to use,” she says.
What to Look for in an Eyeliner for Older Women
When it comes to choosing an eyeliner for women over 50, makeup artists keep a few key factors in mind.
How should you apply eyeliner to mature eyes?
“Depending on the eye shape, I often line only the outer third or outer half of the upper lash line and then tightline the whole length of the lash line from underneath,” says Patinkin. “This is a great technique for lots of reasons.” First, she says, it contributes to a lifted look at the outer corner of the eyes, where the shadow is thicker. The technique also helps define the shape of the eyes without “eating up lid space,” she says. Tightlining is another technique makeup artists favor for mature eyes. “It makes the lashes look thicker because you’re filling in gaps between the roots of the lashes,” Patinkin says.
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue ’s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity makeup artists—to gain professional acumen on the industry’s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to eyeliners for older women, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, texture, eyeliner type, shade range, and ease of application. To do this, we paired our tester feedback on each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
Jenny Patinkin is a makeup artist and founder of the Jenny Patinkin brand. Stevi Christine is a makeup and brow artist and the founder of Naturally by Stevi Christine. Tayaba Jafri is a makeup artist and the global beauty director of Laura Mercier . Laura Geller is a makeup artist and the founder of Laura Geller Beauty . Charlotte Tilbury is a makeup artist and the founder of Charlotte Tilbury Cosmetics . Dani Wagener is a makeup artist and licensed esthetician. Genevieve Herr is a celebrity makeup artist. Alexa Perisco is a professional makeup artist and brand founder. Jillian Dempsey is a celebrity makeup artist and brand founder. Marcia Williams is a makeup artist and the founder of Embellish Beauty . Discover More Beauty Recommendations From Vogue Shopping The Best Eyebrow Pencils for Older Women Create Natural-Looking Volume and Fullness
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Source: Lifestyle
