Frequently Asked Questions
What type of eye shadow is best for mature skin?
Cream eye shadow comes out on top every time. “[Creamy shadows] have a smoother texture and are less likely to settle into fine lines and wrinkles,” says Aharon. While cream eye shadows come in matte, shimmer, or metallic finishes, Katy Holland (an Austin-based makeup artist at Boom! Beauty) and Aharon vouch for matte formulas since they provide a soft and diffused look that doesn’t emphasize the skin’s texture.
How should you prep your skin before applying eye shadow?
Aharon likes “to start by cleansing the area with something gentle like micellar water, followed by a light application of eye cream.” After that, she goes in with an eye shadow primer to smooth fine lines on the lids and ensure the makeup adheres and blends evenly.
For drier skin types, Tamara Delbridge, a makeup artist based in Jersey City, New Jersey, recommends prepping with an emollient eye serum infused with lipid-restoring ingredients, such as antioxidants and hyaluronic acid (like the EltaMD Renew Eye Gel), to hydrate the delicate skin around the eyes and on the lids. If you have oily skin, she suggests a sebum-balancing eye serum (perhaps the Paula’s Choice Resist Eye Gel) that can help absorb excess oil, paired with a silicone-based eye primer (try the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion) that helps prevent the migration of eye shadow.
How should you apply eye shadow to mature skin?
For starters, use an eye cream or eye serum to ensure the skin around your eyes is clean and adequately hydrated. Once your skin is nice and juicy, you can add an eye shadow primer to lock in your shadow and prevent creasing or fading. With most formulas, you can apply eye shadow with your fingers, a brush, or an included applicator. Whatever shadow vehicle you opt for, ensure it’s nice and sanitary.
Holland notes that as people age, their eyes may become more hooded, so she applies a setting powder all over the eyes to keep the area smooth and dry. Don’t close your eyes when it’s time to use the eye shadow. “The best way to sculpt hooded eyes is to begin with your eyes open, looking straight ahead into the mirror,” Holland explains. “Blend in the same direction toward your nose using an eye shadow brush.” You can finish with a dash of shimmer at the inner corner of your eye, and some mascara for a beginner-friendly but elevated makeup look.
Meet the experts
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best eyeshadows for mature skin, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and makeup artists who work with mature skin to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what’s involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we can fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
Mature skin deserves top-tier makeup—and we’ve got even more non-fine-line-emphasizing recs for you:
