10 Top eyeliner tips for aging eyes

by Linda Robison

Want to boost your confidence and make your eyes pop? Check out these 10 must-know eyeliner tips for aging eyes that’ll leave you looking fabulous! 

As we age, our eyes can lose some of that youthful sparkle. They may look a little swollen, puffy, crinkled or deep set. But don’t worry—perfecting your eyeliner technique can make a world of difference. I know first-hand! 😊

Here at Anti-Aging Beauty Zone, we’ll give you 10 simple, yet powerful tips for applying eyeliner specifically designed for aging eyes.  Go ahead, try some of these eyeliner secrets and feel confident wearing eyeliner makeup again. 

smart eyeliner tips for a youthful look

Aging eyes can look great if the right eye makeup technique is used. Eyeliner—my favorite—can really enhance your eyes, making them look more defined without emphasizing puffiness or sagging.

Here’s how to get it right.

1. apply a concealer over Upper lids

Don't miss this step!  Concealer is essential because it covers discoloration and redness that develops as the skin around the eyes thins with age. It evens out the lid’s tone, brightens your eyes, and enhances the staying power of your makeup by creating a smooth base that prevents creasing.

Use a beige color (never white) that matches your skin tone. Apply a very small amount across the entire lid and let it set for a minute before adding your makeup or eyeliner.

Just make sure the concealer matches your skin. Here are some tips on how to choose and use concealers.

2. choose a smooth eyeliner pencil or gel 

As we age, our skin loses moisture and elasticity, making makeup application trickier. A liner that's too creamy can gather in the fine lines and one that's too hard can skip leading to an uneven look.

For the best results, a water-proof, gel eyeliner works best. It combines a creamy, smooth texture that glides effortlessly with a firm consistency that helps prevent smudging and bunching. This balance ensures a soft, even application that enhances your eyes while avoiding common pitfalls of more extreme formulas.

Check out our favorite eye-friendly eyeliners specifically designed for aging skin—they're gentle, easy to apply, and perfect for keeping your eyes looking fabulous!

3. use a well pigmented eye pencil

The whole point of using eyeliner is define and shape your eyes. So choose a pencil with a rich color—dark enough to define your eyes but not so heavy it looks harsh. You want an eyeliner that is opaque, meaning it provides full, solid color with no see-through spots, unlike a sheer liner, which is too thin. And avoid liners that are overly pigmented, as they can appear too intense or harsh.

If you're not sure, here is a test to check opacity:

• Swipe the liner on your hand. An opaque liner shows solid, rich color with no gaps. If it's patchy or see-through, it might not be opaque enough.

There are a lot of pencil/gels on the market. If it's any help, I found this one to be dark enough to define but not too harsh. And it goes on smoothly without skipping.

Revant Gel Eyeliner for Mature Women

4. apply liner to upper lid (tightlining)

I always line the upper waterline, just under the upper lashes and into the lash roots. This makes lashes look fuller and eyes more defined without a visible line on the lid. It's a subtle way to enhance your eyes, making them look larger and more awake.

Note: If your eyes are on the smaller side, a thick line above the lashes can make them look even smaller and may appear harsh on aging eyes. That’s why I prefer to keep the liner close to the lash roots, both above and below.

5. invisible eye lift tip

Create the illusion of lifted eyes with this subtle eyeliner trick:

After you've applied your primer and tightlined your upper waterline using a very thin waterproof gel or well sharpened pencil liner, you're now ready to create a lift.

• To create the lift, keep your eyes open and look straight ahead.
• Draw a thin small line  from the outer corner  of your eye straight up. The line should be pointing towards the tail end of your eyebrow.
• This line should be nearly invisible when your eyes are open. But once you apply mascara you won't see the line, but the corners of the eyes will appear lifted.

6. apply color to lower lash line (optional)

If you like the look of liner on your lower lid, this is a great tip to subtly make your eyes pop! Apply pencil on the outer 1/3 of your lower lash line with a very light touch. This brightens the eyes and makes them stand out. Be careful not to apply too much, as it can make your eyes look smaller and more aged.

For a softer look, apply lightly and blend with a brush or your finger. Stick to lighter shades, as dark colors can accentuate fine lines and make your eyes appear smaller.

7. use White eyeliner on inner corners (optional)

A white or beige eyeliner on the inner corners can make your eyes look wider and more awake. This trick works wonders for small close-set eyes. Or on days when your eyes need a little extra help to look bright and refreshed. Just make sure to smudge or brush to blend the lines well. I use a white/beige pencil to draw the < line and then a thin brush to smudge and blend it in.

8. Choose eyeliners in natural rich tones for a youthful glow

Deep blacks, harsh colors, and metallics can make eyes look smaller and more tired. Instead, opt for natural colors in rich tones, such as brown, charcoal, or navy. These softer shades provide definition without overwhelming your eyes, which is especially important for mature skin.

9. make eyes look bigger with Contouring shadow

Contouring the eye crease means adding a darker shade of eyeshadow to the natural fold or hollow of your eyelid. This creates a shadow that gives the illusion of depth, making your eyes appear more defined and sometimes larger. It's a way to enhance the shape of your eyes and give them more dimension.

Use a medium toned shadow that matches your skin tone. Brush it into the entire crease of the upper eyelid.

10. curl lashes and apply mascara

Complete your look by curling your lashes and applying mascara. This step opens up the eyes and adds a polished finish. For added lift, focus on applying mascara to the roots of your lashes and lightly coat the tips.

For the most eye-opening effect, apply mascara only to your upper lashes. Adding mascara to your lower lashes might emphasize dark shadows, so experiment to see what works best for you

Takeaway: eyeliner tips for aging eyes

Incorporating these tips into your routine can make a noticeable difference in how your eyeliner looks on aging eyes. Remember, the key is to enhance your natural beauty without drawing attention to any areas of concern. Try out these techniques and see how they work for you!

---

before you go...

If you enjoyed this content, show some love by tapping the 💙 in the bottom right corner (you'll find it on almost every page). It lets me know you found it helpful and fun. Thanks a bunch!

TOP