From cream shadows to versatile eyeshadows, the best eyeshadows for mature skin won’t accentuate fine lines. Skin texture is completely normal, but if you don’t want to draw attention to yourself, we’re here to help. We consulted makeup artists with experience working with mature skin to determine which eyeshadows are best.
Some shadows for mature skin are easy to apply in one swipe. While others are fine powders that work well for creating a layered look. Keep scrolling for the best eyeshadows for mature skin.
Best Overall: Armani Beauty Longwear Eyeshadow
Why it’s worth it: Several of the makeup artists we used for this story recommended Armani Beauty Longwear eyeshadows. “They glide on smoothly, have amazing hold, and are great on their own but also work well with other shadows,” shares Lisa Aaron, a New York City-based makeup artist who recommends any matte shade for people with mature hair. Leather. For a more glamorous look, this liquid formula is available in a variety of shimmery shades.
Best Powder Eye Shadow: Jones Road The Best Eyeshadow
Why it’s worth it: Makeup artist Tamara Delbridge recommends Jones Road Blending Powder Eyeshadow (pictured above in Rose Gold. Champagne with Silver Glitter), which comes in 15 matte and shimmer shades. While you should always apply a light eye cream or serum to your lids, each shade contains rice extract to help lock in moisture for longer. Depending on the level of pigment you want, you can use a soft brush for full coverage or a dense brush to apply shadow.
Best Cream Eye Shadow: Smashbox Always On Cream Shadow
Why it’s worth it: Delbridge says cream eyeshadows like Smashbox Always On Cream Shadow provide extra hydration and a smooth texture that makes them easy to apply. This shade is available in a variety of nude shades (like Barista, the dark brown pictured above), as well as some vibrant options (like festival-ready Emerald Shimmer or futuristic Metal Charcoal), which are perfect if you are looking to create a more dramatic scene. Scene. It’s also oil-free, so it’s ideal for people with oily or combination skin.
Best for Hooded Eyes: Merit Beauty Solo Shadow
Why it’s worth it: Merit Beauty’s Solo Shadow (pictured above in the studio, a cool taupe) has a unique cream-to-powder texture, meaning it glides on smoothly like a cream and then dries like a richly pigmented powder that doesn’t fade. . and not swollen. Fold. Notable ingredients include peptides to smooth fine lines, magnolia bark to smooth texture, and sunflower seed oil to nourish. Plus, how cute is this container with the gold top?
Best Pigmented: Ami Colé Liquid Matte Shadow
Why it’s worth it: Ami Colé liquid matte eyeshadow is another Delbridge recommendation. A 2023 Best of Beauty winner, these high-pigment eyeshadows are a one-touch wonder. They contain ingredients like baobab seed oil, aloe leaf, and vitamin E, making them a specially nourishing choice for mature skin. We also admire the strong and unique colour combination of Harlem (light brown), Bed-Stuy (dark brown), St. Louis (marigolds pictured above), and Los Angeles (sky blue).
Most Versatile: Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Shadow Stick
Why it’s worth it: Bobbi Brown Longwear Stick Shadow (pictured above in creamy beige Truffle) is a 2023 Allure Best of Beauty winner, and we have a feeling it’s about to become the best product in your makeup bag. With 27 different shades to choose from, including mattes, metallics, and shimmers, as well as some with colour-changing shades, it’s hard to resist picking more than one. These versatile, smooth-glide sticks can be used as eyeshadow, eyeliner, or even highlighter or lip colour—depending on the shade you choose.
Best Long-Lasting: Gen See Mixed Media Matte Liquid Shadow
Why it’s worth it: Aaron recommends the Gen See Mixed Media Matte Liquid Shadows because they’re incredibly long-lasting. If you prefer a more subtle look, she says these eyeshadows can be blended with your fingers (or a brush). But we have to say that if you prefer a brighter look. Orchid (the soft matte lilac shade pictured above) will get a ton of compliments. The brand claims they can be safely applied to both cheeks and lips!
Best Travel Eye Shadow: Nudestix Magnetic Eye Color
Why it’s worth it: Nudestix Magnetic Eye Color is an eyeshadow that has both matte (like chocolate in the photo above) and shimmer (like copper foil. A warm bronze shade). If you want a more saturated colour, choose a matte shade. For a more colourful look, try a satin finish. Aaron recommends this product because it blends easily with your fingers or a brush. It can also be used on eyebrows, cheeks, lips – almost anywhere on the face.
Best Eye Shadow with Built-In Primer: Clarins Ombre Skin Eyeshadow
Why it’s worth it: If you’re frustrated with powder eyeshadows that crease or fade throughout the day. You can try Clarins Ombre Skin Eyeshadow (pictured above in Pearly Rosegold). The ultra-fine powder is made with a built-in primer (addictive! No need for a separate primer!), cassava powder to absorb oil and mattify, and nourishing coconut oil to help skin maintain its natural moisture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What eyeshadows are best for mature skin?
All three makeup artists we spoke to for this article emphasize that the best eyeshadows for mature skin are cream formulas. “They have a smoother texture and are less likely to develop fine lines and wrinkles. Explains Lisa Aaron, a makeup artist based in New York City. While you can find cream eyeshadows in matte, shimmer, or metallic finishes, Aaron and Katie Holland (makeup artists at Boom! Beauty) recommend matte formulas because they create a soft, diffused look that doesn’t highlight skin texture. However, a glossy finish can be suitable for special occasions or a dramatic everyday look.
How do you prepare the skin around the eyes before applying eye shadow?
Aaron likes to “start by cleansing the skin with a mild, like micellar water, and then apply a light eye cream,” he says. She then applies an eyeshadow primer to smooth out fine lines on the lids and ensure the makeup adheres and blends evenly. Too many steps? Lucky for you, some cream eyeshadows can be used as a base, like Clarins’ Ombre Skin Eyeshadow.
If you have dry skin, makeup artist Tamara Delbridge recommends applying a softening eye serum that contains lipid-restoring ingredients like antioxidants and hyaluronic acid to hydrate the delicate skin around the eyes and on the lids. If you have oily skin. She suggests an oil-balancing eye serum that can act as an excess oil absorber, paired with a silicone-based eye primer that helps prevent eyeshadow bleeding.
How do you apply eyeshadow to mature skin?
First, make sure the skin around your eyes is clean and sufficiently moisturized – you can use eye cream or eye serum for this. Once your skin is wet, you can add an eyeshadow primer to bolt in the shadow and prevent creasing and fading. Most formulas can be applied with your fingers, a brush, or the included applicator. Whichever mode you use, make sure it’s clean.
Another consideration to keep in mind: Holland says their eyes can become more closed as they age, so she applies a setting powder to all eyes to keep them smooth and dry. When it’s time to apply eyeshadow, don’t close your eyes. “The best way to create hooded eyelids is to start with your eyes open and look directly into the mirror,” explains Holland. “Blend the eyeshadow in a direction towards your nose with an eyeshadow brush.” You can finish with a little shimmer in the inner corner of the eye and a touch of mascara for a wearable yet sophisticated eye shadow look.
Meet the Experts
- Tamara Delbridge is a dual-licensed makeup artist and cosmetologist.
- Lisa Aaron is a makeup artist from New York.
- Katie Holland, makeup artist for Boom! A beauty that specializes in makeup for mature skin.
How we test and evaluate products
Before we review any cosmetic product, we ask ourselves several factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide variation of shades to reach consumers of all skin tones and shades? Is it safe for readers with sensitive skin or contact lens wearers? Is it affordable or a big waste of money Is its packaging intentional or unnecessary waste?
To review the best eyeshadows for mature skin, we enlisted the help of several editors. Writers, authors, and makeup artists who work with mature skin to review the products. This ensures that our testing base covers different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We evaluated each product’s performance in four main categories: ingredients, wear and durability, packaging, and usability. More information about what is included in our reporting can be found on our full review process and methodology page.
Our employees and testers
A cosmetic product is a personal purchase. Maybe you’re looking for a face cream for stubborn dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday beauty routine; You might just be browsing the latest new products to hit the hair market. No matter what you’re looking for or your individual needs and concerns. Allure wants you to love everything we endorse in our stories. We believe that having a varied team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of external testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to achieving this goal.
After all, can we say a skin care product is “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we surveyed were people under 30? Can we honestly consider a quality diffuser worth our hard-earn money if it hasn’t been curler-teste? We are proud that our staff covers a wide variety of ages. Skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, meaning we can review any beauty product that comes into the beauty salon.