Eye Makeup Tips: How to Make Older Eyes Look Less Tired and More Youthful.

Sometimes the simplest eye makeup tips can be the most effective.

One area of the face that really shows our age is the eyes, which can make us look older or more tired than we feel.

by: Linda Robison / Facial Fitness Specialist @ ABZ

Not to worry, as women, we have lots of cosmetic options like eyeliner, mascara, eyeshadow, and concealers which can help us look younger and more awake.

So, let's get started and try some of these easy tips!

Eyeliner tips for older women

How to define your eyes

Without any eye makeup, many women over a certain age can look washed out or tired. I think most women can benefit from some type of eyeliner makeup, a little color around the eyes, to help define them and make them stand out.

Here are a few tips and tricks you can try to define your eyes without overwhelming them with too much eye makeup.

1. Soft, Smudged Eyeliner:

Instead of harsh lines, try a softer, smudged eyeliner look. Apply eyeliner close to the lash line and blend it outward for a smoky effect that makes eyes look larger and more awake.

For more advice on eyeliner techniques tailored for older skin, check out these top eyeliner tips for aging eyes.

Apply in the OUTER corner in a < shape.

The trick is to go lightly, don't use too much on the lower lids, and only line the outer corners in a < shape. Try lining the outer corner of the upper lid first and see how you like it. Then, try adding a little to the outer corner of the lower lid.

ABZ Tip: If it's not working, you might not using the right eyeliner formulated for wrinkled eyelids.

2. Monochromatic Eyeshadows:

If you're not confident using eyeliner pencils or gels, try using a bit of dark eyeshadow. Using eyeshadows that match your skin tone can create a seamless, natural look that enhances your eyes without drawing attention to fine lines.

3.  Tightlining:

For a more defined look, try tightlining your upper lash line with eyeliner. This technique makes your lashes appear thicker and your eyes more open without emphasizing drooping eyelids.)

Visit How To Apply Eyeliner and get step-by-step tips and see my pictures on how to do this.

Eye makeup hacks for brighter-wider look

As we age, the skin around the eyes can lose its natural brightness, making the eyes look smaller or more tired.

WHAT TO DO:

1. Use White Eyeliner:

For an instant eye-opening effect, apply white eyeliner to the inner corners of your eyes or along the lower waterline. An off-white shade works best for most people, as it brightens without looking too harsh. I personally prefer a creamy off-white pencil over a bright white for a more natural look.

2. Minimal Mascara:

Avoid heavy mascara on your lower lashes, as it can draw attention downward. Instead, focus mascara on your upper lashes to lift and open up the eyes, giving them a more awake, youthful appearance.

3. Try Colored Eyeliner:

I LOVE this tip because it really makes a difference. Special colored eyeliners, like certain green shades, can make the whites of your eyes appear brighter. These shades contrast with the eye’s natural color, giving the illusion of larger, whiter eyes.

Check out my eyeliner makeup video to see how the right eyeliner can whiten your eyes instantly!

4.  Dot White Concealer:

A very simple way to enhance older eyes, try adding a tiny dot of bright concealer to the inner corner of your lash line and just above the iris on your upper eyelid.

This helps to widen and brighten the eyes, giving them a more awake and refreshed look.

How do you cover up dark circles?

Dark circles are usually caused by puffiness under the eyes, not just discoloration. A lot of women make the mistake of applying concealer all across the under-eye area, but this can actually make the puffiness more noticeable.

Instead, try applying your concealer in an upside-down triangle shape. This helps brighten the area, draw attention upward, and blends with your natural face shape. It hides the dark circles and lifts the whole eye area, giving you a fresher, more awake look.

WHAT TO DO:

1. Prep Under Eye Area:

Make sure to prep your skin with hydrating under eye cream or primer to smooth the area, reduce eye wrinkles and make makeup go on more evenly.

2. Apply a creamy concealer:

Apply a creamy highlighter in an upside-down triangle shape 🔻under the eyes, not across the entire puffy area. As shown in the photo above.

3. Nose Highlight Trick for Brighter Eyes:

Blend a highlighter down the center of the nose to help reduce appearance of dark circles

For eye makeup tips to brighten the eye area and lighten dark circles, try drawing a straight line down the center of your nose with a highlighter or concealer.

This technique creates a contrast that brings light to your face and draws attention away from dark circles. Be sure to use a shade a few tones lighter than your skin tone for the best result.

Eye makeup tips for puffy eyes

Puffiness is a problem for all ages, but tends to be worse as we get older. In the tip above, using concealer under the eye area and down the center of the nose can help reduce the appearance of puffiness. 

But another option is to try a lifting serum. YES! Many of under eye serums are terrible, but I found a few that work. I have tried over 7 different puffy eye serums (from Preparation-H to Plexaderm) over the years.

Check out my top under eye serum reviews to see which one is the best!

Makeup tips for eyebrows

Emphasizing your eyebrows are one of the most important eye makeup trick for older eyes. Defining this area can really impact how youthful you look.

As many older women realize, the brows fade in color and thin out with age. This will always make someone look tired and washed out.

You don’t want heavily drawn eyebrows, but try using a very pointy eyebrow pencil to fill in the in missing spots using a color a few shades darker than your current hair color.

Be sure to use a sharp eyebrow pencil and "draw in tiny like hairs". Then use an old toothbrush to smooth everything in.

Brush up, over, and out to the outer corners of the eyes. This will blur the line of the eyebrow pencil too.

Tips for longer eyelashes

UGH! My eyelashes were getting thinner and more faded every year! And, there aren't many makeup tips to make them look longer or thicker.

Applying a bit of powder before putting on mascara can help define the lashes. Also, L'Oreal makes a lash primer to be used before the mascara, and it works great!

For permanently longer lashes, this healing serum works for me, and it's cheap and lasts forever. I'm still on the first tube that I purchased 5 months ago. Get more tips and ideas for naturally long lashes!

Final Takeaway:

For a more youthful, awake look, these eye makeup tips can make all the difference.

Soft eyeliner, brightening techniques like white eyeliner, and well-defined brows instantly refresh your face. Don’t forget your lashes—primer and a little powder go a long way to make them look fuller and more voluminous.

For even better results, check out these eyeliner tips for different eye shapes to help you choose the best eyeliner for your unique features.

These tips will help you achieve a flawless, youthful look every time!

ABZ Tip: Unsure about your eye shape? Here’s how to determine your eye shape for perfect eyeliner every time.

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