Eye Makeup Tricks for 65 yr. Old Woman with Puffy Eyes

by Roseanne

Simple eye makeup for mature eyes: adding definition without looking heavy

I am 68 years old and would like some eye makeup tricks and advice, and perhaps a list of products or types of products I should look for to create a simple eye makeup routine.

It is confusing because there are so many products on the market, but not many seem geared toward women over 60.

I'm especially looking for advice on eyeliner, concealer, mascara, and eye shadow.

I have fair skin, and puffy eyes are my biggest issue.

Thank you,

Roseann

Hi Roseann!

I completely understand. Eye makeup can get trickier as we get older because the skin around the eyes changes, and techniques that worked years ago may suddenly make puffiness, crepey skin, or uneven lids look more noticeable.

I prefer a simple, natural-looking eye makeup routine too. I want the makeup to define my eyes without looking heavy.

Eyeliner

I like a softer liner on mature eyes rather than a heavy black line. One color I use a lot is hunter green because it gives my eyes definition without looking as harsh as black.

I also tend to concentrate the liner along the upper lash line and outer part of the eye. That helps my eyes stand out without putting too much emphasis underneath, where puffiness can already draw attention.

See how I apply hunter green eyeliner on my own mature eyes.

How I apply hunter green eyeliner to the outer eye.

Eye shadow

I don't use a lot of eye shadow. For everyday makeup, I usually add a little medium brown shadow to the upper lid. It gives my eyes some definition without making them look overly made up.

As we get older, our eyes can sometimes seem to fade into the face a little more, so I like just enough color to make them stand out again. For me, softer and simpler works better than piling on several dark shades.

Mascara

Mascara is one of the easiest ways to make the eyes look more defined without adding a lot of makeup. I concentrate mostly on the upper lashes.

See the mascaras I like for older women and mature lashes.

Concealer

With puffy eyes, placement matters. I prefer to brighten the darker tear-trough area rather than putting a thick layer of concealer directly over the puffiness, which can make the fullness stand out more.

Use a small amount and blend it well. A concealer that is too pale can also make the under-eye area look unnatural, especially on fair skin.

I place concealer in the darker tear-trough area instead of directly over the puffiness.

What about the puffiness?

I deal with under-eye puffiness myself, so I've tested several instant tightening products on my own eyes.

If you want to see how two of the better-known ones actually wore on me over several hours, I compared Plexaderm with Peter Thomas Roth and photographed the results.

Plexaderm on my under-eye area after 1 hour.

Peter Thomas Roth on my under-eye area after 8 hours.

See my Plexaderm vs Peter Thomas Roth wear test.

If you want more general tips for reducing puffiness, I also have a separate page here:

How to reduce puffy eyes

My biggest suggestion is not to feel like you need a huge collection of products. A softer eyeliner, a little brown shadow, mascara, and carefully placed concealer can define the eyes without making them look heavy.

Hope this helps!

Take care,

Linda