Finding the perfect liner to create our eyes pop can be tricky as we get older. That is because as we grow older, the skin around our eyes gets thinner, which makes it prone to damage. Fine lines and wrinkles already include the territory when we're 50 plus, and and eyeliner pencil that pulls or tugs in the delicate skin around our eyelids only means they are worse. That's why, in addition to a liner that won't run, smudge, flake, or irritate your eyes, you'll need one that will be gentle on your skin and make a smooth, even line with a minimum of effort. Not to worry, though – finding the right eyeliner for older women just got easier, because we've put together all our favorites for you the following!
Keep scrolling to shop our picks, or find out more for answers to all of your burning questions regarding how to pick the best eyeliner for older women.
What is the greatest eyeliner for older women?
Trust us, the very best eyeliner for older women not just exists, and can glide on effortlessly to intensify your peepers and bring out their gorgeous color, making you look well-rested and refreshed. Scroll down for any selection of the very best eyeliner for older women that can create sharp, precise, long-lasting lines without wearing down your skin.
How should women 50 plus apply eyeliner?
As Ny City-based dermatologist Sejal Shah, MD, told The Healthy, something that causes friction close to the delicate skin around the eyes – including pulling skin taut for eyeliner application – can pronounce unwanted wrinkles. “Rubbing this sensitive area stretches skin and stops working collagen and elastin, which could result in wrinkles,” she said. That means it's extremely important to choose items that go on smoothly, offering as little resistance as you possibly can.
Contact wearers or individuals with sensitive skin might also need a formula with fewer chemicals and nourishing ingredients that will protect their skin from dryness and irritation. Folks with oily lids could find that pencils and powders work better than liquid liners and gels, while ladies with dry skin, on the other hand, might prefer a product with extra hydrating properties, such as aloe.
What's the best eyeliner for mature eyes?
The best eyeliner for older women is not a “one size fits all” situation. Each kind has its own pros, and the best option for you might not work as well for another person. Where one woman may prefer a gel, liquid, or felt-tip pen eyeliner – which will work wonders when opting for sharp winged eyes or perhaps a cat eye – others may opt for crayons or powder to produce a gorgeous smoky eye. Eyeliner pencils can do both, and are generally lovely for adding pop of color. Learn more about the different types below.
- Gel eyeliner is great for creating both thin and thick lines. It may be a bit harder to manage than other forms of eyeliner, but it typically lasts longer and has an extra-bold pigment.
- Pencil eyeliner is ideal for maximum control. While the pencils of yore happen to be recognized to drag and tug skin, new beauty innovations have made this kind of eyeliner practically effortless regarding application.
- Crayon eyeliner is really a mix from a pencil along with a gel. These liners generally have a creamier consistency and does not dry up the skin. They're ideal for dry eyelids and smooth application.
- Liquid eyeliner is well-known for its optimal control and smudge-proof properties, which makes it a tried-and-true pick you cannot go wrong with.
- Felt-tip eyeliner, or pen eyeliner, is really a cross between a liquid and pencil eyeliner. Felt tips offer long-wearing color, maximum control, and high pigment, making them ideal for makeup touchups.
- Powder eyeliner, or shadow eyeliner, can be used to create straight lines, but it is a touch tougher to complete. They're perfect for getting that intentionally “smudged” look.
Our list of the very best eyeliner for older women includes all of these various kinds of products, as well as great options for every style and budget.
To complete your thing, make sure to take a look at our roundups of the greatest under-eye concealers for ladies over 50 and also the best retinol eye creams for women over 50. Keep scrolling to learn more about our picks for the best eyeliner for older women, and kiss smudging, fading, and flaking goodbye!
The Best Eyeliner for Older Women
Bobbi Brown Perfectly Defined Gel Eyeliner
Best overall eyeliner
Buy from Nordstrom, $28
Why we love to it:
- Available in 4 neutral colors
- Lightweight texture
- Built-in sharpener
There's grounds Bobbi Brown's makeup is so popular – the brand just gets it when it comes to knowing which staples women want in their makeup bags all the time. This Perfectly Defined Gel Eyeliner is no exception, which is why it's our pick for the best overall eyeliner. Available in four lovely neutrals (we want them all!), the sweat- and humidity-resistant formula was made with longevity in mind, and glides up with ease, which means you do not possess to worry about any pulling or tugging at your eyes' sensitive skin. The saturated pigment stays vibrant for approximately 12 hours without flaking, fading, or smudging, along with a built-in sharpener guarantees precision, so you can create as bold or thin a line as you wish.
Reviewers rave about the endurance of the eyeliner, with one even saying she's started putting it on throughout the house just because it's “so simple to apply!“
Stila Stay All day long Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
Best Eyeliner for Wrinkled Eyelids
Buy from Nordstrom, $22
Why we like it:
- Available in 8 neutrals and colors
- Easy to use, even for beginners
- Marker-like tip
When it comes to makeup, it truly is by pointing out details. Sometimes, fat-tip eyeliner pens or smudgy gels can be hard to control, which is not ideal when you're working with wrinkled terrain. The micro-tip on Stila's Stay All day long Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner is tiny enough more specifically when working with uneven surfaces, but still has enough pigment power to draw thick, saturated strokes. It's easy to apply, dries quickly, and stays on all day. Plus, its waterproof capability makes it an ideal hot weather essential, making certain sweat, sea water, pool splashes, and humidity won't ruin your look.
Many fans of the product call it the “only eyeliner” they normally use, because of its “ease of application” cheap it “doesn't streak or fade.”
Tom Ford Eye Defining Liquid Liner Pen
Best two in a single eyeliner
Buy from Nordstrom, $59
Why we like it:
- Includes an excellent tip and brush
- Paraben-, sulfate-, and phthalate-free
- Can be employed to create a selection of looks
Having options is never a bad thing, and when it comes to makeup, the greater the merrier! Eye shadows in particular is one thing we may alter with respect to the occasion – for instance, we may opt for a cat eye for going out during the night, or go for a more subtle effect for work. With that in mind, this Eye Defining Liquid Liner Pen by Tom Ford is the perfect versatile product when it comes to creating multiple designs. One one end, a brush tip gives you a precise, clean line that can extend the entire period of your eyelid, or provide some contrast for the fine calligraphy tip on the other end, which may be used for bolder, dramatic flourishes. Either way, you will have fun experimenting with different combinations which will last all day.
A cosmetologist, who said she's tried every product available, called this eyeliner a “home run” and was amazed by its “amazing control” and “stay-on-all-day quality.”
Laura Mercier Kohl Eye Pencil
Best Eyeliner Pencil That Doesn't Smudge
Buy from Nordstrom, $25
Why we love to it:
- Available in gray, navy, gold, and violet
- Formulated for the inner eyelid
- Great for developing a smoky eye
Folks often avoid lining the inside of their lids, and even for good reason: Many products sting, bleed, and flake, why bother? Laura Mercier has a solution that won't compromise with regards to deep, luscious color or perhaps your comfort. Its Kohl Eye Pencil is creamy, glides on easily, and is available in several deep, jewel-toned colors to boot. An emphasized look without smudging? We'll go!
One satisfied customer said she typically experiences smudging on her behalf “semi-hooded eyes,” but was “flabbergasted” to discover that this one “barely moved.” Other reviewers praised this eyeliner's “rich, long-lasting” colors and easy-glide application.
Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayon
Best Crayon Eyeliner
Buy from Marc Jacobs Beauty, $13 (originally $26)
Why we love to it:
- Available in 20 colors
- Malleable formula
- Built-in sharpener
Marc Jacobs' Highliner Gel Eye Crayon glides on effortlessly which last for approximately 12 hours. It comes in a gorgeous variety of colors that are richly pigmented and contain no glitter, which could not just look just a little juvenile, but irritate your eyes – particularly if you wear contacts. The bottom of this stick even has a camouflaged pencil sharpener, so that you can take it on the go with no fear of ever using a dull tip.
“No smudging” is really a phrase that commonly appears in reviews for this product, with many happy customers touting the truth that it “goes on smoothly” and stays invest day.
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil
Best Gel Eyeliner
Buy from Sephora, $22
Why we love to it
- Available in 15 colors
- Hydrating formula
- Paraben- and cruelty-free
This 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil from Urban Decay definitely lives up to its name! We don't understand what you'll love more: the silky consistency which goes on oh-so-smoothly (no pulling or tugging here!), or even the fact that there will be no flakes, smudges, or bare spots any place in sight. As though that weren't enough, the super-hydrating formula is made with e vitamin, jojoba oil, and cottonseed oil, so you won't have to worry about it becoming dry your skills area.
This eyeliner scores kudos with reviewers, thanks to its “great staying power” and “rich color.”
Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil
Best Colored Eyeliner
Buy from Sephora, $20
Why we love to it:
- Available in over 20 colors
- Can also be employed for lips and brows
- Chic matte finish
It's a common misconception that bold, flashy hues are reserved for kids and teens. Color looks just as fabulous on women within their 50s! Make Up For Ever's Artist Color Pencil works being an eyeliner, lip liner, along with a brow pencil, killing three birds with one stone. While there are plenty of flattering neutral reds, browns, and grays available, gleam nice choice of greens, blues, purples, and pinks: You would be amazed at all the creative looks you can create with one of these pretty hues!
Reviewers love how versatile this pencil is, with one 59 year old customer saying that, while she doesn't wear lots of makeup, “this is really a staple,” and that it's ideal for her “mostly dry eyelid skin.”
Charlotte Tilbury The color of eyes Magic Eyeliner Pencil Duo
Best two in one colored eyeliner
Buy from Nordstrom, $30
Why we like it:
- Includes matte and metallic eyeliners
- Available in 4 gorgeous colors
- Lasts for approximately 16 hours
We could all use a little pop of color from time to time, which Eye Color Magic Eyeliner Pencil Duo by Charlotte Tilbury is really a fabulous two-in-one to increase your makeup collection. Select from blue, copper, green, and maroon tones to include an exciting boost for your lids that will increase your eyes' natural splendor without upstaging them. We love that this pencil includes two tips for each color Body matte and one metallic – for everyone up an array of stunning looks that you could play around with. Natural waxes make applying this eyeliner very simple, and also the rich colors last for as much as 16 hours, so you shouldn't have to reapply during the day.
A reviewer from Texas am impressed this eyeliner didn't melt or smudge – despite heat and humidity – that she ordered one out of every color!
Givenchy Khol Couture Waterproof Retractable Eyeliner
Best Waterproof Eyeliner
Buy from Sephora, $27
Why we love to it:
- Available in black or chestnut
- Waterproof formula
- Includes a built-in sharpener
This Givenchy Khol Couture Waterproof Retractable Eyeliner is formulated to remain put, come rain or tears. It comes in basic black and brown, and seamlessly glides on the skin to produce a clean, smooth line. This eyeliner also comes with a hidden sharpener at the end to get rid of any dull tips in a flash.
One 55 years old reviewer called it her “favorite eyeliner,” saying it stays on even though her allergies make her eyes water frequently.
Kevyn Aucoin The Precision Liquid Liner
Best Eyeliner for Oily Lids
Buy from SkinStore, $34
Why we love to it:
- Ultra-fine applicator
- Quick-drying formula
- Ergo-dynamic grip
Say goodbye to unsightly smudges and stains from oily lids with Kevyn Aucoin's The truth Liquid Liner. When you apply this classic black liner, it won't budge one inch, offering you an eye-catching look that lasts all day. The ergo-dynamic grip also enables better control, so you can attain the perfect, precise cat eye without any wobbling.
Tarte Fake Awake Eyeliner
Best Brightening Eyeliner for Waterline
Buy from Sephora, $20
Why we like it:
- Brightens eyes to ensure they are look more awake
- Enriched with aloe and antioxidants
- Vegan
Tarte's Fake Awake Eyeliner is a nice, peachy pencil that's ideal for lining your waterline, which is right above your lower lashes. It removes any gray, red, or uneven tones, completely brightening the face along the way. Your eyes will look bigger, providing you with a “wide awake” appearance – an enormous plus on those mornings when you normally look as tired as you feel. Due to its creamy gel consistency, it's a no-tug tool, preventing wrinkles and damage to the eyes. Its pigment is also enriched with aloe and antioxidants – each of which are fabulous for the skin – and you may utilize it to focus on your brow bone arch and the inner corners of your eyes. After working its magic, you'll seem like you always get your nine hours rest in!
Many reviewers said the product helped them look “less tired,” and some with smaller eyes even said hello make their eyes appear larger. Best of all, they are saying it is going on “super smoothly.”
Jane Iredale Mystikol Powdered Eyeliner
Best Powder Eyeliner
Buy from Amazon, $24
Why we like it:
- Available in 5 colors
- Can also be employed as eyeshadow
- Water-resistant
You may know gel, liquid, and pencil eyeliner, but powder? It sounds like a big old mess waiting to happen! The applicator brush found in Jane Iredale's Mystikol Powdered Eyeliner, that has much more of a cream consistency, causes it to be just as easy as your trusty pencil, with superior smudging powers for creating an alluring smoky eye. It's available in a vintage black, but additionally includes a few fun color options you can test out, such as amethyst, topaz, and sapphire.
A reviewer in her 50s said she accustomed to experience smudging prior to trying this eyeliner, but was very happy to find that she could easily blend this one in, saying, “I felt it was the best my eyes have looked inside a very long time with eyeliner.”
Ciaté London Fierce Flicks Liquid Liner
Best Eyeliner for Crepey Eyelids
Buy from Amazon, $22
Why we love to it:
- Matte finish
- Ultra-precise tip
- Smudge-proof
You won't find dryness or flaking here! Ciaté London's Fierce Flicks Precision-Tip Liquid Liner has a consistency that's buttery soft and long-wear pigment that will not budge. The pen rests comfortably inside your hand, and it is felt tip is firm, which makes creating a cat eye or a sharp, dramatic look very simple – for crepey skin. It is a wonderful option for a classic black eyeliner, and due to its ease of use, it is also a must-have for unstable hands. Bonus!
Ona happy Amazon customer claims it “makes the kitty eye itself,” while others love that it “lasts all day” and “won't chafe or crease.”
ILIA Clean Line Gel Liner
Best smooth eyeliner
Buy from ILIA, $26
Why we love to it:
- Available in black or brown
- Effortless application
- Cruelty-free
When you are looking at easy application, this Clean Line Gel Liner by ILIA is our pick. Its smooth-as-butter formula effortlessly glides onto your lids and under-eye to create a defined line, and stays dewy just of sufficient length that you should blend. Once set, it'll stay put all day long. This silky gel eyeliner comes in black or brown (we recommend trying certainly one of each!), and finest of, its clean, carbon black-free composition can also be cruelty-free.
One reviewer with crepey eyelids was hesitant about utilizing a creamy eyeliner, but was wowed because that one stayed in position and was “super blendable” without transferring to her eye crease.
Glossier Pro Tip Brush Point Liquid Eyeliner
Best precision eyeliner
Buy from Glossier, $16
Why we love to it:
- Flexible brush tip
- Quick-drying formula
- Vegan
For the most defined, precise application, we recommend this Pro Tip eyeliner from Glossier, featuring a flexible brush tip to produce the exact line you are going for. The deeply-pigmented, quick-drying formula won't smudge and lasts up to 12 hours, so that you can be assured your bold eye holds strong from day to nighttime. It is also vegan, cruelty-free, and it has even been deemed safe for contact-wearers by ophthalmologists!
One happy customer said this was the “best eyeliner” she'd utilized in 4 decades (!), while another am astounded by the fact that it didn't smudge, she bought extras so she'd never go without!
