How to Apply Eyeliner Over 40: Step-by-Step Pictures and Tutorial Videos

Q: Q: How should a 60-year-old woman wear eyeliner?

A: First, it's best to use one with a tiny, thin applicator - like a thin brush. Pencils are difficult because you have to sharpen all the time and sometimes those sharp points can hurt and tug on soft, loose skin. Second, a water-proof gel liner like the one mentioned above with a very tiny, thin, talon brush would work great for your situation. It's smooth and will glide on easily without tugging on your eyelid skin.

Best eyeliner tips for older women

by Linda Robison

How to apply eyeliner. Step by step eyeliner makeup hacks.

How to Apply Eyeliner Step by Step with Pictures

If you're over 40 or want to know how to apply eyeliner for older women you've come to the right place. This guide is packed with practical tips on how to wear eyeliner if you have hooded eyelids, eyelid wrinkles, shaky hands, or wear contact lenses.

Plus, step-by-step pictures and a video tutorial on best eyeliner application tips for older women from renowned makeup artist Debra Rubin-Roberts.

What You'll Learn:

How To Choose Right Eyeliner

When it comes to eyeliner for mature eyes, gel-based are often your best bet. And waxy pencils come in second. These types provide more control and won't smudge or skip over lose eyelid skin, or fine lines, giving you a smoother application.

Watch the video tutorial: how to apply gel based liners

Ready to see the techniques in action? Watch this eyeliner video tutorial below for a step-by-step guide on applying eyeliner perfectly for older eyes. Debra Rubin-Roberts shares her expert tips to help you achieve a flawless look.

Are gel eyeliners better than pencil?

Gel liners are especially easy for those who have no experience using liners or have a hard time applying them (like me!). Or for older women who may have issues with unsteady hands, wrinkles, or loose skin around the eye area.

For a long-lasting and smudge-free application, waterproof gel liners are your go-to. They are particularly useful for those with contact lenses.

TIP: Look for gels that don’t dry too fast, giving you time to make adjustments as needed.

Best waterproof gel eyeliner- iMO

Just my opinion: These gel liner come in over 10 colors and a super thin, super pointy-brush that makes them so easy to apply. Plus, these gel liners have staying power, don’t smudge, or irritate the eyes, which can get more sensitive with age.

Click on the pics below to learn more...

Showing soft gel liner and thin brush. This is the best eyeliner for mature eyes.

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how to apply gel eyeliner using a gel brush

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What Color Gel Eyeliner Is Best?

Whether your eyes are green, blue, hazel, or brown, all look good with eyeshadows or liners in the dark brown, taupe, or rusty warm colored family.

But, if you have issues with dark circles or eye wrinkles, softer colors are a better.

I'm wearing shimmery carmel brown gel liner, It seems to work with everyone's skin tone. It a can also be used as a highlighter, so I applied it above my eyebrows too!

See this GOLDEN CARMEL BROWN ANYWHERE EYE CREAM

How to make your eyes whiter

Want brighter, whiter eyes? Certain eyeliner colors can help. CLICK HERE to learn watch the video

Certain eyeliner colors can enhance the whiteness of your eyes. While white pencils can sometimes look harsh, shades like dark green can brighten your eye area. Here Debra shows how to use eyeliner gel brighter looking eyes.

Do You prefer Pencil liners?

Don't want to use a gel? That's ok, a pencil is just as good for mature skin and simple to use. Just stay away from soft crayon types, they smear easily. Waxy ones last longer.

See how I apply it below...

How to put on eyeliner pencil: step-by-step

applying pencil on lower lid:

This is perfect for making tired eyes stand out. Apply lightly and avoid depositing too much color.

Apply a thin line on the outer third of the lower waterline for definition.
Avoid drawing a full line to keep the look soft.

Applying pencil on upper lid:

This is great for hooded or droopyeyelids. It also makes eyelashes look thicker.

Top eyeliner tutorial pencil. How to apply eyeliner step by step with pictures to the upper waterline.

Here, I'm applying a Maybelline eyeliner pencil in black to the inside of my upper eyelid.

Warm up your pencil by running across the inside of your wrist a few times
Lift your upper lid and use short dashes. Do Not drawing a continuous line
Start from the outer corner and work your way in
Line the outer 1/3 of the eye only. Don't go too far in or your eyes will look smaller.

How do you lift your eyes? Winged eyeliner for older eyes

Here is a simple trick for a quick lift.

After you've finished applying your liner, just give the corner a little flick upwards. Simply draw one line straight up from the end of your eyelash line.

This helps lift the corners of the eyes. Perfect for women over 50!

How to apply eyeliner with pictures. How can I make my eyes lift?

Simple, easy way to apply winged liner over 50. This little, tiny tip will make your eyes look more lifted.

Remember, don't draw the line out (like cat eyes style) as this will most likely draw attention to any sagging of the eyelids. You need to compensate by drawing a tiny line straight up.

Once you apply masacara you won't notice the winged line at all!

A Note About Eyeliner Makeup:

Don't Forget About Your Eyebrows!

You'll be amazed at how important well-defined eyebrows are in accentuating your eyes and framing your face.😲

Best all day eyeliner pencil for older eyes?

When it comes to pencil liners for a casual daytime look, I prefer a hard waxy pencil (over a soft crayon) because it gives me control for color deposit and stays on all day.

My first favorite is: Maybelline Pencil Wood Liner. It's hard to find in drugstores, so I often get in on Amazon.

This is my two pack of Maybelline Black Eyeliner pencil.

my 3 other top picks

As an older woman, I look for eyeliners that are smooth, glide on easily, won't creas and have staying power. BUT, most important, ones that won't irritate, as my eyes have become more sensitive with age.

Here are my top 3 picks for eyeliners:

URBAN DECAY 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil. Lasts forever!
Almay All-Day Intense Gel Eyeliner, Longlasting, Waterproof. This one sharpens easily to a nice rounded point.
Pat Mcgrath Labs Permagel Ultra Glide Eye Pencil. This eye pencil has a shimmery finish. So I don't use it inside the waterline.

What type of eyeliner to avoid for waterline

Avoid this type of eyeliner for contact lenses

This is a really nice pencil. It works well on upper lids and makes a great eyeshadow. However, avoid using soft eye makeup, like Kohl pencils or thick crayon-type liners, on the waterline. They’re hard to control, can leave residue on contact lenses, and tend to smudge or fade quickly

It's hard to find this at the local drugstore, but can you find it on Amazon.

Eyeliner Tips for Hooded and Other Eye Shapes

Eyeliner applied on different eye shapes.

Eyeliner Styles for 9 Different Eye Shapes: A Visual Guide

Applying eyeliner on hooded and other eye shapes can be challenging. This tutorial offers 9 tips to highlight your eyes' best features.

Done right, eyeliner can make you look more awake, brighter, and sexier!

Finally:

If you have any eye issues or medical conditions, always consult with an ophthalmologist before applying eye makeup. Also, some ophthalmologists suggest that applying it to the waterline may cause dry eye syndrome overtime.

FAQ - How to apply eyeliner

Have questions about application? See below…

Do you have a favorite eyeliner or application tip that works well for mature eyes? We'd love to hear about it. Come-on, join the conversation or post your pictures.

Q: Should liner go on top or bottom?

A: That's a personal preference. You should try it both ways and see which looks better on you. If your eyes are very small, or you have dark under eye circles, it's better just keeping it on the upper eyelids.

Q: How do you draw straight lines?

A: You really don't draw a straight line when applying eyeliner. It's much easier and looks more natural to draw tiny dashes (- - - ) across the eyelid. Celebrity makeup artist Debra Rubin shows you how to easily do this in this step-by-step tutorial.

Q: Can you wear eyeliner if you wear contacts, and which is best?

A: The most important feature of eye makeup for contact lens wearers is to make sure it's not sticky or too soft, because the eyeliner residue can stick to your lenses. A waterproof gel liner or a hard waxy type pencil seems to be easy for most women.

Liquid liners work too, but many women find them hard to apply because they deposit too much color too fast.

Q: How should a 60-year-old woman wear eyeliner?

A: First, it's best to use one with a tiny, thin applicator - like a thin brush. Pencils are difficult because you have to sharpen all the time and sometimes those sharp points can hurt and tug on soft, loose skin.

Second, a water-proof gel liner like the one mentioned above with a very tiny, thin, talon brush would work great for your situation. It's smooth and will glide on easily without tugging on your eyelid skin.

Q: Can you use liquid on waterline

A: I don't like to use liquid liners. But, everyone is different. You can try it and see how it works for you.

Q: What waterline color makes brown eyes pop?

A: For brown eyes, I would try earthy tones like rich browns, deep plums, and dark greens can make them pop. These colors create a contrast that enhances the natural warmth of brown eyes. Experiment with different shades to find what works best for you.

Q: Is waterline eyeliner safe?

A: Some doctors feel that applying eyeliner to the top or bottom waterline may not be safe. They say that the waterline, (that's the inner part of your eyelid) has tiny glands that make tears to keep your eyes comfy.

When you put it there, it can block these glands, kind of like putting a cork in a bottle. This can mess up the production of tears, making your eyes dry and uncomfortable. So, it's like a traffic jam for tears, and that's not good for your peepers.

Is it bad to put eyeliner on your waterline?

Applying to your waterline (tightlining) isn't "bad," but there are a few things to keep in mind:

Some find it may irritate. Especially if they have sensitive eyes.
It may cause your eyes to appear smaller.
Test a small area first, even with ophthalmologist-tested pencils. They can still cause issues, as I've experienced.
Keep pencils and eyeliner brushes clean.

The only two I can use on the waterline are Maybelline pencils and Mommy Makeup waterproof gel liners.

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