Eyeliner Makeup: Tips For Women Over 40: Make Your Eyes Pop!

by: Linda Robison / Facial Fitness Specialist @ ABZ

See how eyeliner makeup can perk up tired looking eyes. I'll show you some quick easy tips especially for older women that looks classy and natural.

Eyeliner makeup Tips. Makeup artist applying eyeliner to a woman over 40 for a natural, youthful look.Tips for eyeliner on older eyes.

Just want to let you know—before we dive in: I’ve tested a lot of eyeliner tricks over the years, but these 10 tips for aging eyes are the ones I swear by. They’re all easy, surprisingly effective, and perfect for mature lids. Don't forget to check them out too!

Here's what you'll find on this page:

  • Personalized advice on eyeliner application for women over 40.
  • Expert makeup tips and insights from makeup artist Debra Rubin-Roberts.
  • Gel shadow alternatives to traditional eyeliner for a more natural appearance.
  • Tips to brighten tired eyes and make them look and whiter.
  • Recommendations for eyeliner colors and techniques to enhance your look.
  • Product suggestions for best results.

At what age should a woman stop wearing eyeliner?

I say Never!  It’s never too late to wear eyeliner!

I love wearing eyeliner and I still do, even though I'm over 60! The trick is finding unique tips to make it work for you. While many makeup artists offer "rules" about eyeliner for older women, I prefer a personalized approach that enhances our natural beauty rather than limiting our choices. 

The key is to adapt your technique to look fresh and natural, without harsh lines or overdone makeup

Is there a wrong or right way to wear eyeliner?

Close up of eye wearing too much eyeliner. How to use pencil eyeliner.

No, it’s all about finding what works best for you!

Many people suggest avoiding dark eyeliner or skipping it entirely for mature eyes, but there is no "wrong" way to wear eyeliner as long as it suits your face and enhances your features. It’s about finding a style that feels comfortable and natural for you.

Tips for eyeliner on upper lid

I used to think eyeliner was making my eyes look smaller—and sometimes it was. Especially on tired days or when my lids looked more creased. But once I adjusted how I applied it (and what I used), everything changed.

Here’s what made a difference:

  • Go softer on formulas. Creamy pencils or gels glide on without tugging, which is especially important for textured or sensitive lids.
  • Avoid taking eyeliner all the way across. I only line the outer third of the upper waterline—it’s a subtle trick that adds lift and makes eyes look more awake.
  • Don’t fear dark colors. With the right technique, even black can brighten and define without overwhelming mature eyes.
how to put on eyeliner on upper lidsHow to apply upper eyeliner called tightlining.

Want to see how I do it, step by step?

This is how I start lining the upper waterline—but I’ve got a detailed step-by-step over here if you want to see exactly how I do it.

Tips for Eyeliner on lower lid

Experts will tell you never apply dark liner to lower lids. It will exaggerate wrinkles, fine lines, dark circles and even make your eyes look smaller.

Showing how to apply eyeliner on lower eyelid. Best white eyeliner for waterline.How to do bottom eyeliner.

Here’s what I do:

I apply small amount of black liner to the outer 1/3 of the inner lower lid works well. The trick is to never draw the line all the way into the inner corners of the eyes. You can find more details on how I line the lower lids here. 

Note: Got crinkly or crisscross lines under your eyes? Check out this review of the top 7 under eye puffy serums. You'd be surprised which ones are the worst!

Want to wear eye makeup without eyeliner?

If you skip eyeliner but still want definition, try gel shadow or a soft highlighter. In this picture I used a champagne color called: Golden Caramel Brown Any Wear Cream here—it’s water and smudge-proof, and doubles as a brow and cheek highlighter.

Best eyeliner tips. Shimmery golden caramel Any Wear cream on upper and lower eyelids.Here I'm using gel eye shadow instead of regular liner to help minimize the look of under eye wrinkles and lines.

How to apply eyeliner shadow: Video tutorial

Here, makeup artist and owner of Mommy Makeup, Debra Rubin shows how to use eyeshadow as an eyeliner and more.

What's nice about this color is that it accentuates the eyes without having to use dark eyeliner and brings a lift to the upper eye area! It's also a great eyeliner color for blondes.

eyeliner cream Golden Caramel Mommy MakeupMommy Makeup Any Wear Cream in Golden Caramel

How to make eyes look whiter

According to Debra Rubin-Roberts, Award-Winning Makeup Artist: "Choosing the right eyeliner color can make all the difference, regardless of your eye color. Certain shades of green eyeliner, like hunter green, can make the whites of your eyes really pop!"

How to make eyes brighter

Another eyeliner makeup trick for mature eyes that really works to brighten and open them up is applying a bit creamy white eyeliner inside or along the rim of the lower eyelids.

  • Tip: Apply creamy white eyeliner to the waterline or inner corners of your eyes. Keep it to the inner 1/3 of your eye for the best effect. This will help the whites of your eyes appear larger and brighter.
  • Note: Be sure to use a creamy formula that won’t irritate your eyes. A long-lasting formula works best for staying in place throughout the day.
How to apply white eyeliner. Best white eyeliner for waterlineAPPLY WHITE EYELINER TO WATERLINE

Best white eyeliner for the waterline

Originally, I was using a cheap drugstore brand, wooded pencil eyeliner, but it was too white, it didn't last long, and irritated my eyes.

So I switched to Maybelline TattooStudio Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil. It's a hybrid of a gel and pencil that last all day and works very well on the waterline.  I have sensitive eyes, but surprisingly, Maybelline eyeliners don't irritate me, even though they're not labeled hypoallergenic.

How to choose the right eyeliner?

Speaking of choosing the right white eyeliner—let's talk about something that can be tricky for a lot of us: choosing the right eyeliner for mature eyes.

And I get it—I’m right there with you! As one of the millions of women who struggles with mature skin, wrinkles, puffiness, and smudging, I know firsthand how hard it can be to find an eyeliner that actually works for us.

When shopping for eyeliners, here’s what to look for:

  • Formula: Go for creamy, smooth formulas like gel or pencil that glide on easily without tugging at delicate skin.
  • Avoid Harsh Lines: Dark, thick eyeliner can actually make eyes look smaller and draw attention to wrinkles. Instead, opt for softer shades and gentler application for a more natural, lifted look.
  • Waterproof & Long-Lasting: If you have oily eyelids or deal with smudging, look for waterproof formulas that won’t fade throughout the day.

Want some easy tips on choosing the perfect eyeliner for wrinkled lids? Check out my article on How to Pick Eyeliner for Wrinkled Lids.

Final eyeliner tips

Final Eyeliner Tips

To get the best look for your eyes, you really have to experiment with different types of eyeliner to find what suits you best.

Personally, I find pencil and gel liners easy to use, but liquid liners are a no-go for me! They tend to be too intense and apply more product than I can control, which can overwhelm my small eyes.

Hopefully, at the end of the day, you’ll find the best combination of eyeliner makeup tips that'll make your eyes just pop!

If you're looking for more detailed advice, check out these additional resources:

Also, find some of my favorite and quick beauty hacks to make your eyes look less tired.

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About the Author:
Linda Robison is a Facial Fitness Specialist and the founder of Anti-Aging Beauty Zone. She shares expert insights on skincare, facial rejuvenation, and beauty treatments—blending traditional wisdom, personal experience, and science-backed research for both at-home and in-office solutions.

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