What is Best Type of Eyeliner for Aging Eyelids: Top Picks for Older Wrinkled Eyes

by Anita G.
(Atlanta, Ga.)

Best kind of eyeliner for aging eyelids applied on mature skin

What's the Best Eyeliner for Aging Eyelids?

by Anita G. (Atlanta, GA)

Hi Linda,

What's the best kind of eyeliner for aging, wrinkled eyelids?

I'm over 50 and I've noticed those tiny lines creeping in around my upper and lower lids. Just like you, I love eyeliner—but lately, it just doesn't look the same. I think the wrinkles are making it harder to apply smoothly, and honestly, I don't feel like myself without it.

Eyeliner is pretty much the only makeup I wear. Without it, I look tired and my eyes just disappear.

Do you have any suggestions for the best eyeliner for mature eyes?

Editor's Note:

Hi Anita!

Oh, I know exactly what you mean! I love my eyeliner too, and I feel like my eyes just disappear without a little definition around them.

But as my eyelids have gotten older, I've had to change how I apply it and even the type of eyeliner I use.

For years I used pencils, but once my eyelid skin started getting thinner and a little crepey, I noticed the pencil would skip over those tiny folds and leave an uneven, broken line. Sound familiar?

What eyeliner works best on my wrinkled eyelids?

For me, it's a creamy gel eyeliner applied with a very thin, firm brush.

I like having control over how much product goes on my lids. A skinny brush lets me get right along the lash line without creating a thick, heavy line that makes my eyes look smaller.

And because the gel goes on smoothly, I don't have to keep dragging a pencil over delicate eyelid skin trying to fill in those little gaps.

But gel isn't the only good choice. Some women do better with a soft, long-wearing pencil, especially if they want something quick and easy.

If you're trying to decide which texture might work best for you, I compare the different options in my guide to choosing the right eyeliner formula for mature eyes.

One little trick that makes a big difference

Here's something I've learned from applying eyeliner to my own aging eyelids: check your eyeliner with your eyes open!

Sometimes I'll apply a line that looks perfectly smooth when my eyelid is stretched out a little. But once I open my eye and relax my face, that same line can look thicker or uneven.

So I like to keep the line thin, work in small sections, and check how it looks with my eyes open before adding more.

I've found that a little eyeliner in the right place looks much better on me than a thick line all the way across my lid.

If you'd like to see exactly how I apply mine, I have pictures and step-by-step tips in my eyeliner tutorial for women over 40.

Want some eyeliner recommendations?

If you're looking for actual products to try, I've put together a list of eyeliners for aging eyes, including different options depending on how you like to apply your makeup.

And for more little tricks I've picked up over the years, take a look at my 10 eyeliner tips for aging eyes.

Anita, I wouldn't give up on eyeliner! Sometimes all it takes is switching to a different formula, using a smaller brush, or changing where you place the line.

After all, we're not trying to give up the makeup we love just because our eyelids have changed. We just need to find a way to make it work for us now. 😊

Hope this helps! And let me know if you try a gel liner. I'd love to hear how it works for you.

Best,
Linda