With the help of eyeshadow, it’s possible to enhance your favorite features and achieve a radiant, supple glow that complements your eye shape, color, and skin tone.
This versatile cosmetic tool is a must-have for anyone who wants to give their eyes a pop this summer and enjoy the anti-aging benefits that come with it.
We checked in with seasoned makeup artists and professionals who shared their expert tips on how to apply eyeshadow effectively for maximum impact.
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, Gargi Patel, celebrity makeup artist at Vashanti Cosmetics and Jenny Stokes, beauty expert and founder/ CEO of MinimalJapan.
9 Essential Anti-Aging Eyeshadow Tips From The Pros
1. Opt For 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.
As Jackson stresses, skipping red colors and anything that is too shimmery is essential (we'll get more into this below), as these could inadvertently highlight wrinkles and fine lines.
2. Try 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.
3. Contour Eyes with Shadow Just Like Your Cheekbones
While you may typically associate contour makeup with accentuating the cheekbones, it's important to note that the same principle can be applied to enhancing the appearance of the eyes. "To put it simply, the contour trick means creating the illusion of depth on a part of your eyelid that doesn’t naturally have depth. ie. your hooded eyelid," Jackson explains.
"By using the right product and the right brush," she adds, "you can very quickly and easily create this look on your own hooded eyelids." According to Jackson, contouring hooded eyelids can aid in achieving a youthful appearance through enhancing the definition and form of your eye shape.
Additionally, it can help in reducing the impact of loose skin that often leads to the formation of hooded and/ or aging eyelids. "By using a shade that’s slightly darker than the skin on your eyelid, you can help make that skin recede," Jackson notes. Good to know!
4. Skip Red Shades
One eye makeup color Jackson suggests skipping if you want to look younger is a red, scarlet or crimson one. "Red eyeshadows can add years to your face simply by making your eyes look tired, irritated and generally giving a look of being unwell."
There is very little that is flattering about a red eyeshadow, Jackson stresses, and she always advises "avoiding red on the eyes altogether. I generally avoid red eyeshadow because it is such a tricky shade to get right on the eyes," Jackson points out. This, she says, is purely because of the "color of our blood," which is red.
"What happens when we cry, or have an allergic reaction to something, rub our eyes, or get a bruise? Our skin and eyes go red," she adds.
This, she emphasizes, is why using a red eyeshadow can inadvertently look like "you have been crying, have allergies or something unpleasant altogether is going on. It’s not a very appealing or flattering look."
5. Avoid Metallic Shadows
As seen on Euphoria, BeautyTok and elsewhere, "metallics are back," Jackson says, and "for us over 40s, that may not be such good news anymore." A shimmer eye shadow, she emphasizes, can be "particularly cruel to even the most slightly textured skin."
Due to the light-reflecting flakes or ingredients in many shimmer products, this kind of eyeshadow can "end up highlighting every wrinkle, line or textured surface you usually spend your makeup time trying to soften," Jackson warns.
As a makeup artist, she says she "avoids metallic eyeshadows on older skin because shimmers and metallics are so harsh on textured and wrinkled complexions."
6. Always Prime Your Eyelids Before Applying Shadow
Before even applying eyeshadow at all, Patel explains that it is essential to use a primer on your eyelids. This, she says, will prevent smudging and smearing throughout the day as primers are designed to lock in your eyeliner in place. "The goal is to always keep the eyeliner in places you want it to stay," she says.
In order to prevent looking older with a smudged look, Patel stresses that you should always "start with preparation of the eye area." Using a good primer "suitable for the eye area," she explains, will "help to keep not only your eyeliner in place, but also your eyeshadow."
She shares that your primer "should also hydrate the eye area so liquid eyeliners will not dry out, causing pieces to land in places that will not give a clean look."
7. Try A Nude Shadow For The Daytime And A Darker Shade For Night
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.”
8. Add A Subtle Dark Shade To Your Lower Eyelids
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.”
9. Never Forget Concealer At The Inner Corners
Eyeshadow can look its best, Stokes says, when paired with strategic concealer to cover one's dark circles and under-eye areas.
“To look younger and fresher, apply concealer to dark areas around your eyes,” Stokes says. “Choose a shade or 2 lighter and apply to the inner corners of your eyes as these tend to darken first.”
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.”
