Growing older often means becoming wiser, but it also means that our skin becomes more delicate and sensitive. However, aging doesn’t have to stop us from having fun with makeup. Eyeshadow is always a favorite, and there are some tips to ensure a smooth application and longer wear, no matter your level of experience.
Professional makeup artists have shared 11 stunning and flattering eyeshadow looks that are perfect for women over 50 this summer. Follow their expert advice for the best beauty practices and enjoy experimenting with makeup!
Read on for tips, suggestions and insight from Kerrin Jackson, celebrity, film and television makeup artist and creator of The Makeup Refinery blog, Oscar Velasquez, professional makeup artist and beauty expert, Jenny Stokes, beauty expert and founder/ CEO of MinimalJapan, Mandie Brice, professional makeup artist and instructor, Margina Dennis, celebrity makeup artist and beauty expert and Saffron Hughes, professional makeup artist at False Eyelashes UK.
@thekerriesmart As I age I find myself moving toward more natural makeup. Simple & classic. Don’t get me wrong, I still like a bold look every now and then, but this is perfect for everyday. Mature skin ladies, (that’s me ) you are going to LOVE these shadow sticks – they are a go-to for me. Link in LTK • In our 40+ and doing whatever we want era • #makeupover50 #makeupover40 #easymakeup #simplemakeup #eyeshadowtutorial #quickmakeup ♬ original sound – Kerrie Smart
11 Effortless Anti-Aging Eyeshadow Looks To Try This Summer
1. Satin Finish Shadows
When it comes to the type of shadow to look out for, satin finish eyeshadows boast a subtle hint of radiance, lending a dimension that is neither completely flat like matte nor too flashy like shimmer. As a result, they are an excellent choice for women above the age of 40, who desire a moisturized and smooth appearance.
Velasquez notes that when it comes to eyeshadow colors for mature beauties, looking at your natural eye color and then finding “shades on the opposite side of the color wheel” is a great place to start.
@ericataylor2347 Fall eye look #patrickta #majordimension3 #makeupover40 #matureskinmakeup #matteeyeshadow #eyeshadowtutorial #matte #falleyeshadow #eyeshadow #neutraleyeshadow #sephora ♬ original sound – Erica Taylor
2. Neutral Matte Shadows
Since metallic or sparkly shadows can “cause lines and wrinkles to look more pronounced” than they actually are, Jackson says that the best bet for mature beauties is to “avoid these products and stick with neutral colors and matte eyeshadow types instead.”
“If you must use a shimmer eye shadow, try a cream-based product that you can blend in softly,” she advises. This will be “far more flattering and flexible on your skin” than a powdery metallic or shimmery eyeshadow.
@mtagbeauty Im using the Morphe Natural Wonder Eyeshadow palette for this eyeshadow tutorial purchased @Ulta Beauty #eyeshadowlooks #eyeshadowtutorial #easyeyeshadowtutorials #naturaleyeshadowlook #brightereyes #glameyeshadow #glowup #makeupover40 #over40makeup #hoodedeyes #hoodedeyesmakeuptips ♬ original sound – Melissa | MATURE BEAUTY
3. Subtle Nude Shadow For Daytime
To enhance your eyes during the daytime this summer, Stokes suggests adding a nude eyeshadow. For the nighttime, a slightly darker color is the way to go. “Sweep a nude eyeshadow for day makeup, and for nights, apply a slightly darker shade to the crease to add definition to the eyes,” Stokes says. “Avoid using eyeliner and don’t apply eyeshadow to your brow bone as this can add years to your face.”
@hollybonnetmrscb3 The New Mirage Eyeshadow Palette in its simplest form! All matte and perfect for women over 40!! Love the neutrals! #eyeshadowlook #makeupover40 #farmasi #rockstarbeauty #mirage ♬ Dance You Outta My Head – Cat Janice
4. Darker Nude For The Night
Stokes also recommends never neglecting your lower lids. “Opening up your eyes can give you a modern, youthful look,” Stokes says. She continues: “Apply the darkest shade in your eye palette to the lower lid just below the lashes and soften the look with a makeup brush.”
@amyshrumbeauty Want to make your blue eyes pop??? #blue #blueeyes #hoodedeyes #easyeyeshadow #makeupteacher #easymakeup #womenover40 #matureskinmakeup #eyeshadowtutorial ♬ original sound – Amy
5. Earth Tones For Blue Eyes
Blue-eyed babes can enhance their peepers with “earthy tones such as bronze, copper, and warm browns,” according to Velasquez. He notes that these shades are a great go-to in a pinch as they always “complement blue eyes remarkably well.” In addition, he shares that “shades of peach and coral also provide a lovely contrast.” He also notes that “shades on the opposite side of the color wheel,” such as orange and gold, “can intensify blue eyes.”
@caylabliss Purple shadows help make brown eyes look more golden! #colourtheory @maccosmetics #maccosmeticscanada #maccosmetics #purpleeyeshadow ♬ original sound – Cayla Bliss
6. Violets For Brown Eyes
Brown-eyed gals will often find violets, purples, lilacs and lavender-colored eyeshadows to be the most flattering, Dresher explains. “Purple looks amazing on brown eyes,” she says, adding that a great pro tip is to use a classic “color wheel,” as this is the “easiest trick in the book” and can help you figure out what other shades of purple “will look best for your eye color.”
@stephaniemua1 Rose Gold Eyeshadow love how these colors look with green or brown eyes find these eyeshadows at the website on my profile #easyeyeshadow #eyeshadowtutorial #easyeyeshadowtutorials #rosegoldmakeup #wisconsinmakeupartist ♬ Grand – Kane Brown
7. Rose Golds For Green Eyes
If you have green eyes, Dresher reveals that romantic rosy tones can help highlight your features. “I love using rosy tones like rose golds, pinks and really warm browns on my clients with green eyes,” she says. Velasquez adds that “applying a slightly darker shade in the crease of the eye can create depth and make your eyes appear even more striking.”
@jenniferbellemakeup Make those brown and hazel eyes POP woth Kalahari from NARS @narscosmetics #browneyes #hazeleyes #makeupforbrowneyes ♬ original sound – Jennifer Belle Makeup
8. Warm Browns For Hazel Eyes
Hazel-eyed beauties will likely figure out that “burnt orange and warm browns like a bronzer” look stunning for winter makeup looks, Dresher says. Brice also shares that discovering your main skin tone and undertones can also be a fun way to find even more new eyeshadow colors to experiment with.
@patriciaacejo Atty. Minnie wanted a look between soft glam and fresh makeup so I did soft smokey eyes with muted blush and lips. Hair by Rommel #patriciaacejomakeup #softglam #softglammakeuplook #glowingskin #glowingmakeup #freshmakeupph #freshmakeuplookph #smokeyeye #makeuplookph #weddingguestmakeup #entouragemakeup #weddingmakeupartist #bridesmaidmakeup #bridesmaidmakeuplook #fypage #foryoupage ♬ Summer Vibes – GRLN
9. Soft Smokey Eye With Muted Tones
Grunge (messy smokey eye) This look can come off looking harsh because the look is so dark. I would trade this in for another late 90s trend of a soft smokey eye with muted tones like khaki, brown, taupe, grey, deep lavender, and bronze in a satin finish or talc-free mattes. They are more flattering on the lid and don’t attention to crepiness.
@schaebreezy_ Replying to @PortiaDanielle Loveee this look All about layering and building up the eyeshadows for that soft sculpt on the lid. Stuck with 4 shades in this Makeup by Mario palette #cateye #sireneyes #softglam #neutraleyeshadow #90smakeup #makeupbymario #wingedeyeliner ♬ original sound
10. Soft Cat-Eye With Eyeshadow Wing
“When my clients ask how to create a youthful glowy look, I always share this eyeshadow hack. Firstly, I suggest using a dark eyeshadow shade in your outer corner/crease and blending it out and up into a wing. This will add a lifted appearance to your eye look. You should then apply concealer underneath this wine and take it up and out towards your hairline, before blending. This will emphasise the lifted look even further.
@bylakeyasimone Replying to @Des The @e.l.f. Cosmetics Cookies and Dream palette is the only palette I use when it comes to my inner corner highlight! #elfcosmetics #eyeshadowpalette #innercornerhighlight #everydaymakeup #makeuptutorials #makeuptips #blackgirlmakeup #nogatekeeping ♬ Turn Yo Love Up – JAYBeatz
11. Bright Inner Corners
“You should then add a lighter eyeshadow shade in your inner corner and on your eyelid below your crease to really make your eyes pop. Then to further emphasise this, I’d recommend applying white or nude eyeliner to your waterline to help open your eyes and brighten them.
“Finally, apply mascara to your top lashes – focussing mainly on your outer corner lashes. You can even add a half/accent false lash for an extra lifted look. Whatever you do, avoid applying any dark shadows or heavy mascara to your bottom lashes as this will drag the eyes down – making you appear older than you are.”
The Bottom Line
Overall, Stokes concludes that eyeshadow “can emphasize your best features and when done right, it can take years off your face.” She acknowledges that “eye makeup can feel quite tricky” at first, “especially if you have areas you need to correct, but with these hacks, you’ll be applying eyeshadow like a pro.”
"You can find your undertone easily by looking at the veins on the inside of your forearm," Brice says. If your veins have more of a blue hue, you likely have a cooler undertone. If they're more green, she says to choose a warmer option.
Or, if silver jewelry looks "better on you, you’re more suited to cooler tones, but if gold is better, you have a warm undertone," Brice notes, adding that "there’s also the possibility that you’re neutral, which is if gold and silver are equally flattering." (Good to know!)
