Eyeshadow for older women does not have to be complicated. But it does mean taking into account our aging, mature skin. And no 20-something beauty editor can know anything about that. But I have figured out what works, what doesn’t, and what old “rules” to throw out the window. If you want to know about the best eyeshadow for older women, ask an older woman! Trust me, I’ve been a makeup girl for most of my 57 years, and I have tried them all. So let’s get to it! Here’s my carefully curated list of the eyeshadow for older women you want—tested, tried, and genuinely loved by me! But first, some eyeshadow tips for mature eyes!
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Eyeshadow for Older Women – Tips for Dazzling Eyes
I have been experimenting with eyeshadow since I was 13 years old. By my count, that’s 43 years! I have come to know 2 things – Eyeshadow for most women is overlooked as a tool, and eyeshadow for older women can change your whole look. And here’s the thing… It doesn’t have to change you, or your personal style. Wearing eyeshadow, even if you haven’t ever worn it before, does not mean working your way up to a Tammy Faye moment. It means accentuating the beauty already there in your eyes, and bringing that beauty to light.
Your eyes are the first thing anyone notices when they look at you. Let them tell your story. And your story, whether you know it or not yet, is that you are a beautiful woman who has a story to tell. That’s what aging does for us. It gives us that. And who wants to spend time with someone who doesn’t have a good story? 😉
Here are my easy eyeshadow tips so you can dazzle, at any age!
Use primer.
Always use a primer on your eyelids before eyeshadow. Trust me, this will make sure it stays all day, does not crease, and goes on smoothly, like silk. (Check out my post, Best Makeup Primers for Mature Skin!)
Conceal darkness, not wrinkles.
We all want the area around our eyes to look like we were 30 again. But we aren’t 30. We are proudly over 50+! Use a good concealer to cover dark circles and discoloration, but don’t pile it on, thinking it will hide those wrinkles. The more makeup layers you add, the more pronounced the wrinkles look. Use the rest of my tips to make your eyes bright, fresh, and dazzling, and no one will even care about those wrinkles! Besides, they are a badge of honor! (Check out the best concealers I use here.)
Stay simple.
Use matte or satin eyeshadows. Anything with too much glitter in it will magnify those lines. Also, make sure the colors you choose are subtle for everyday wear. Save the bold colors for fancy evenings.
Use the right eyeshadow brushes.
If you are still using that little sponge applicator that comes with drugstore makeup, let me shake up your world. Using the right eyeshadow brushes, especially on mature eyes, changes everything. You will be shocked at how different your eyes will look using the right tools. Later in this post, I recommend the very set of eyeshadow brushes I use.
Apply eyeshadow in three steps.
- Apply a light color all over the lid, from the lashes to your brow.
- With a fluffy eyeshadow brush, blend a darker color into the crease. Start with a tiny amount of product on the brush. Swipe the brush back and forth like a windshield wiper and add more color as needed. Keep blending until there are no harsh edges. For hooded eyes, bring the crease color just above the crease to make that area recede.
- Use a clean fluffy brush and sweep away any shadow that has dropped under or around your eye. Done!
Cream shadow tips.
Cream shadow can be difficult to use to contour and highlight. They tend to set really fast, so you must blend very quickly. Try dampening your eyeshadow brush with water to extend the drying time. Also, try using a brush with shorter bristles to help the cream shadow blend better. And choose synthetic over natural bristles for cream, they absorb less of the product.
Choose the right shades for your eyes.
Picking the right eyeshadow colors for your aging eyes is a lesson in color theory. But an easy one! Take a look at any color wheel, and pick an eyeshadow shade that’s on the opposite side of your eye color for the most vibrant effect. Complementary colors naturally enhance each other, making your eyes stand out beautifully. For example, if you have green eyes, shades of purple are your go-to. It doesn’t have to be a bold, primary purple—choose a tone that complements your skin tone for a seamless, flattering look. A soft lavender or a deep plum can make those green eyes pop. Don’t worry, I’ll dive into more details below!
What Color Eyeshadow to Choose
Best Eyeshadow for Blue Eyes
Copper, bronze, browns, and warm plums are all good eyeshadow bets for blue eyes!
Eyeshadow for Brown Eyes
Brown eyes are lucky, since they are neutral in and of themselves, they can wear any color!
Eyeshadow for Green Eyes
Purples, violets, pinks, and reddish browns all make green eyes pop!
Eyeshadow for Hazel Eyes
Eyeshadow for hazel eyes is a little trickier because every person who has hazel eyes has a little bit of a different color variation. You might have more blue in your eyes, or more green. Or maybe brown is dominant? Find your top two colors in your eyes, then look to those for ideas. For instance, if your eyes are mostly green and brown, you can try using the recommendations for both green and brown eyes, and see which ones are most effective for your special shade of beautiful!
Neutral Eyeshadow Palette
You can never fail with a neutral eyeshadow palette. The best ones have a mix of earthy browns or warm plums. These shades can be used on any color eye. No fail!
Best Eyeshadow Palettes Over 50
So being a makeup girl, I love eyeshadow palettes because they allow you to combine colors for a different look every day if you wish. I can also blend two colors together to get a whole new shade! And I know you may hear from “experts” over and over that older women should only use cream eyeshadow on aging eyes. I think that’s nonsense. Not that cream eyeshadow doesn’t have its place. It’s just that it limits you to a one-note wonder kind of look. Now, that look is perfect if you just want a quick swipe of color or a very natural look.
But if you want to use eyeshadow to create coutourand dimension, then a quality powder eyeshadow palette is my number 1 pick. If you choose a good brand (like the ones I have below) then you don’t have to worry about the issues some powder shadows have for mature eyes. You don’t want a cheap brand because you will get shadow fallout under your eyes, fading, and poor color payoff. And the color is the show, my friends! So dip your toes into the powder pool with me, and see if it doesn’t change the game for the best eyeshadow for mature eyes!
Jane Iredale PurePressed Eyeshadow Palette
My number one. I love this palette because the colors are beautiful, they last, they are made with healthy skincare ingredients, and they are safe for sensitive eyes. They are silky smooth and the perfect blend between subtle and saturated colors. It’s a good travel size too! I like the color choices naturally matte and pure basics.
Tarte Eyeshadow Palette
For years I have used Tarte eyeshadow palettes for my eye makeup look. I love the brand itself, and the product delivers good color saturation, beautiful shades, and a quality set of ingredients that is good for your eyes. Oh, it also glides on like silk, blends gorgeously, and lasts all day. (Especially if I use a primer!) I love the Tarte Palettes so much, I own 5!
Wander In Neutral Eyeshadow Palette
Another fantastic choice with warm, neutral tones, quality ingredients, and a company I can stand behind for its dedication to cruelty-free cosmetics. This has the perfect neutrals for any eye color! (Their gel eyeliner and powder foundation are also winners!)
Thrive Eyeshadow Palette
Finally, we have Thrive. Thrive Causemetics is an amazing company that donates a portion of its profit to amazing causes. And, they have one of the top-selling mascaras in the world, with good reason. (And I use, everyday! See Best Mascara for Older Women to learn more!) But also, this simple and natural eyeshadow palette has hydrating ingredients and a formula that stays put without creasing. I recommend the warm palette for aging skin to counteract any sallowness we tend to develop as we get older.
Cream Eyeshadow for Older Women
If you like the cream eyeshadow formula, I have found several that glide on without tugging, blend well, and have good colors that aren’t too glittery. (This can be a problem with many cream shadows.) Remember, you don’t have to apply cream shadows with your finger. You can apply with a short, fluffy eyeshadow brush and blend, or with your fingers then use the brush to blend afterward. Cream shadow dries down very quickly, and you must blend before it dries. This is one of the reasons I prefer powder shadow. But again, this is personal preference! Here are the cream eyeshadows I have tested and loved!
Amazonian clay cream shadow
This stuff is so pretty! It has a little shimmer to brighten the eyes, but not so much that it settles into wrinkles. I love the taupe and the rose! Easy to blend with a shadow brush. If any cream shadow was going to make me a convert, this would be it!
Best Cream Eyeshadow Sticks
NARS Total Seduction Eyeshadow Stick
Beautiful colors, good blendability, lasts all day! Shades for all skin tones!
Julep Eyeshadow 101 Crème-to-Powder Eyeshadow Stick
Affordable quality cream eyeshadow stick that comes in tons of great colors. And its made using high-quality, good-for-you ingredients. Did I mention it’s waterproof? I also love their lip balm!
Set of Eyeshadow Brushes
I use both of these sets of eyeshadow brushes every single day. There is no need to spend a lot, both these brands are affordable and offer great brushes that do the job well and feel soft on your eyes.
EcoTools Daily Defined Eye Makeup Brush Set
Real Techniques Everyday Eye Essentials Makeup Brush Set
So these are the exact eyeshadows for older women that I recommend. And as always, the ones I use myself! I hope you find one (or more!) that helps you create that look that makes you feel brighter and more youthful. And don’t forget, let the world see you through those beautiful eyes!
Feel free to share this post with others who might also love to know my favorite picks for eyeshadow for older women!
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Back to the Blog for more great articles!
More “Best in Beauty – Mature Edition”!
Best Concealer for Mature Skin
Best Moisturizer for Mature Skin
Best Mascara for Women Over 50
Best Makeup Primer for Mature Skin
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