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Your go-to beauty products of your 30s may not hold true in your 50s. With age, it’s normal to experience a change in everything from your skin to your eyes—even the skin around your eyes. But this doesn’t mean you have to forgo a stunning beauty look (or even making your eyes stand out). The best eyeliners for older women cater to common issues that arise with age while delivering rich, long-lasting color.
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“Eyeliner plays a pivotal role in enhancing your makeup look, especially as we mature,” explains Makeup Artist and Owner of her eponymous beauty brand, Laura Geller. “I always recommend using top liner to accentuate the eyes, even for those with hooded lids.”
Meet the experts: Makeup Artist, Beauty Pro, and Founder of her eponymous makeup brand, Laura Geller; and Nydia Figueroa, celebrity makeup artist
The hue you choose is also important, notes Nydia Figueroa, celebrity makeup artist. If you’re looking for “drama,” Figueroa suggests black; brown for something softer. “A navy blue to make the whites of their eyes brighter or a plum to make brown eyes pop,” she explains.
Whatever color you choose, you’ll want to ensure you’re picking the right formula. “I would avoid anything that is too liquidy as it can be hard to apply and also too harsh on the eyes,” she says. Geller mirrors this thought, “For those who may not have extensive experience with eyeliner application, I recommend steering clear of liquid formulas. While they can create stunning looks, liquid liners can be tricky to master and require a steady hand and a bit of practice to apply successfully.”
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Ahead, find the best eyeliner for older women, according to beauty experts.
Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner
“The Maybelline Eye studio lasting drama gel eyeliner has been my holy-grail liner when it comes to a smooth and long-lasting application,” says Figueroa. “The Brown shade is great for both top and bottom lash lines and using an angle brush, it can be applied with precision or blended out for a softer look. This is great for someone who feels comfortable with eyeliner but not ready for liquid just yet. Brown is a great shade for a mature woman who just wants to look polished but not overdone.”
What reviewers say: “Love this product it goes on so easily and smoothly. Product is excellent and I love it.”
The Best PencilUltra Opaque
If you are looking for an eyeliner that’s great for sensitive eyes, Figueroa says this can’t be beat. It “can be used as a soft eyeshadow as well when blended. I love the color choices on this formula like shades of emerald, violet and midnight blue. This is great for an older woman to play with color in a subtle way.”
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What reviewers say: “I have tried so many pencils over the years, and this one is by far the very best! Goes on with ease without skipping or making the line a mess. It is great! Hands above all the rest!”
Stay & Play Gel Eyeliner
“This is a great eyeliner for older women because it glides on smooth and the brown is perfect to create a soft diffused eyeliner look when blended. This is great for a mature woman who wants something soft but long-lasting,” Figueroa says.
What reviewers say: “I love the black one! This time I got the brown one. Super creamy, blendable, and lasts all day without moving once dry!”
ColorStay Micro Easy Precision Liquid Eyeliner
Though experts don’t recommend liquid liner for older women, that doesn’t mean you have to forego it altogether. Assistant Editor Shannen Zitz’ mom, Eileen Betz, loves this pick from Revlon. “I live and breathe by this eyeliner. It stays on all day, and it’s so thin and easy to apply, which is great—I hate a thick eyeliner,” she says.
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What reviewers say: “I, like many, struggle with eyeliner and this was my first time not using a pen, and it was so much better! It was easy to apply and it stays on really well! I have hooded eyes so I can’t apply liner the same way many do but this liner made it simple to use. I will only use this liner!”
INKcredible Waterproof Gel Eyeliner Pencil
“Our INKcredible Waterproof Gel Eyeliner Pencil glides on effortlessly because it's a gel formula but has the control and staying power of a pencil,” says Geller. “It is gentle enough for tight-lining and everyday wear, yet strong enough to withstand rain, humidity, sweat, or tears and comes with a built-in sharpener to keep the tip always on point for expert precision.”
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What reviewers say: “I never have had luck with eye makeup. I’ve always had under-eye dark circles and an unsteady hand. The products tended to migrate making my circles worse. This liner glided on easily in a fine line and stayed put. Even minor eye rubbing didn’t smear it, so it’s a keeper for me.”
Eyeshadow Stick Duo
“They are not technically eyeliners (more eye shadow) but they work the same way and because they are not so sharp I don’t look like Alice Cooper,” says Health Newsroom Director Stephanie Dolgoff. “I use the dark brown one just like eyeliner, and then I use the lighter colors... above. Sometimes I do the lining over the shadow too, for more emphasis. Then mascara. It looks more natural than the drawn-on kind.”
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What reviewers say: “Love this product! Easy to apply, lasts all day, and doesn’t come off until I wash my face.”
Stay All Day Smudge & Set Waterproof Gel Eye Liner
Looking for an anti-smudge liner? This one by Stila claims to stay all day (it’s literally in the name). A gel eyeliner in a pencil form, it glides on easily and provides lasting color.
What reviewers say: “I have oily eyelids! I have tried many different long-wear eyeliners and this is the best! It stays on longer than the other top brands!”
No Budge Retractable Eyeliner
Looking for a $5 eyeliner that works as well as a $20 one? With a loyal following and a slew of five-star ratings on Amazon, this highly-rated pick is loved by many. Though, some reviewers note that the formula does not last all day, they do love the rich color and creamy texture of the product.
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What reviewers say: “This eyeliner goes on smoothly! No tugging. Stays put all day!! Beautiful color (coffee). Does not irritate my sensitive skin or eyes. Will be buying more.”
24/7 Glide-On Eyeliner Pencil
Skin tends to get dryer with age, it’s a fact. While perhaps not your first thought when searching for an eyeliner for older women, finding one that boasts hydrating ingredients couldn’t hurt. This pick from popular brand Urban Decay includes nourishing jojoba oil and vitamin E. It’s also a top-rated pick on Amazon, with over 10,000 ratings and nearly five stars.
What reviewers say: “For some reason, Urban Decay is the only eyeliner brand that I am able to use. Something about the special ‘glide’ pencil makes this really easy to apply. Regular ‘pencil’ eyeliners tend to ‘skip’ on my eyelid, and end up much thicker than the fine line that I’m going for. Urban Decay really does glide on easily, and it is so simple to create as fine of a line as you’d like.”
Luxury Eyeliner
“My favorite drugstore eyeliner that has been my best-kept secret for a while,” says Figueroa. “This eyeliner is long-lasting and I love how you never have to sharpen it because it twists up. Pro Tip: I love to use an angled brush and brush it on this eyeliner to stamp on a soft ‘powder’ eyeliner look on the lids for my older clients. This is great for someone who has shaky hands and has trouble with using a pencil to create a straight line. The best part is that it will stay on all day.”
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What reviewers say: “I've only used this eyeliner for the last 15 years and it works well.”
How to choose the best eyeliner for older women
Formula. “It’s essential to choose a long-wearing, waterproof formula that glides on effortlessly without tugging at the delicate skin around your eyes,” says Geller.
Color. “They should look for an eyeliner that is easy to use for them and picking the right shade is essential. If they want drama they can use a black but if they want something softer brown would be the better option. They can pick a navy blue to make the whites of their eyes brighter or a plum to make brown eyes pop,” says Figueroa.
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Geller says, “for top liner, stick to neutral shades such as charcoal, brown, bronze, or deep inky black—these colors beautifully define your eyes without being overly harsh. When applying liner to the waterline, opt for softer hues to achieve a more natural look.”
Type. Most of the eyeliners for older women on our list are gel or pencil. “Pencil eyeliner is generally the better choice. It tends to be more forgiving and easier to work with, allowing for softer, more blended lines that can enhance your features without looking too harsh,” Geller says.
What kind of eyeliner is best for older women?
“A soft gel pencil would be the best because it’s creamy which allows it to glide on easily, it’s blendable, and once it dries it doesn’t smudge or move,” says Figueroa.
How we chose
We tested the Revlon, Julep, and Jones Road Beauty picks, spoke with Makeup Artist and Beauty Pro Laura Geller; and Nydia Figueroa, celebrity makeup artist, for their recommendations. We also scoured reviews and ratings to find the absolute best eyeliners for older women.
Why trust us
For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.
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