What’s the Best Eyeshadow for Mature Skin?

Choosing the right eyeshadow can be tricky when you’re trying not to emphasize fine lines and crow’s feet around the eye area. While there are a variety of formulas out there that hydrate, brighten, and create dimension, celebrity makeup artist and Neen founder Jeanine Lobell says that it’s easy to assume the wrong one is best for mature skin. While hydrating cream formulas might sound nice in theory, they can be a bit too slippery. Lobell says powder actually suits a mature eyelid because sticks and creams tend to crease easier, emphasizing fine lines. She prefers powder formulas that are a bit more matte because they’re easier to control, longer-wearing, and less messy.

If you’re on the hunt for a good powder formula, Lobell says there are a few things to consider. First, you’ll want to invest in high-quality matte formulas, as they blend smoother without getting patchy. You also should avoid eyeshadows with a lot of fallout, as well as those that have gray undertones, because they can make hollow eyes look worse. Lobell recommends trying rosier, warmer tones for a brighter overall look. 

Bobbi Brown All Nudes Palette in Rosey Nudes is a great option. Although it’s good to stick to matte powder formulas for the most part, you shouldn’t count out the occasional shimmer. Lobell loves to combine both mattes and shimmers to bring life and extra brightness to mature skin. “I love a nude eyeshadow combo to recess and correct a hooded or droopy eye,” she says. “I always use the Neen Pretty Shady Trio in Bare, as it has three colors to easily correct, contour, and give a great everyday eye look. One color for the hood, one color to subtly create more of a crease — and contour under the eye to make it pop — and one to line. I then add a little shimmer like Pretty Shady in Beam to the inner corner and thinly on the lid area to open the eyes and bring some brightness.”

For easy eyeshadow application on mature eyelids, Lobell recommends using a fluffy eyeshadow brush. It Cosmetics’ Airbrush Dual-Ended Eye-Transformer Brush #135 is a stellar choice. Using the larger side of the brush, sweep a neutral shade slightly deeper than your skin tone all over your lids, from your lashes to the brow area. Then, flip the brush and use the thinner side to add a slightly deeper shade in the crease and sweep it up under the arch. “I do this with the eyes open to find the exact placement and avoid putting a crease that's way too high or too low,” Lobell explains. Finally, take a liner brush and use one of your darkest shades to create a thin line on the upper lashes. You can repeat this step on the lower lash line with your medium shade to widen the eyes a bit. Lastly, brush a little shimmer on the inner corners for something extra.