10 Top Eyeliner Tips for Aging Eyes

by: Linda Robison / Facial Fitness Specialist @ ABZ

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! 

A mature woman applying eyeliner with a smooth, pigmented pencil for defined, youthful eyes.

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. 

And don't miss expert tips on How to Apply Eyeliner Over 40, with solutions for hooded eyes, wrinkles, and contact lens wearers—featuring advice from a world-renowned makeup artist!

Smart eyeliner tips for a youthful look

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

Here’s how to get it right.

1. Apply a concealer over Upper lids

A mature woman applying concealer on upper eyelids to cover discoloration and create a smooth base for long-lasting eye makeup. Ideal for aging eyes and wrinkle-free makeup application

Don't miss this anti-aging tip!  Concealer is essential because it covers discoloration and redness that develops as the skin around the eyes thins with age. 

TIP: I always prep with a hydrating eye cream—it makes concealer glide on smoothly.

Concealers also brighten 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 small amount across your lid and let it set for a minute before adding makeup or eyeliner.

Here are some tips on how to choose and use concealers.

2. Use a well pigmented eye pencil

The purpose of eyeliner is to define and shape your eyes, so choose a liner with a rich color—dark enough to create definition without looking harsh. Look for an opaque formula that provides full coverage, but avoid overly pigmented liners that can come off as too intense

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 these two on Amazon and just love how easy they are to apply!

These are a great example of liners that aren’t overly pigmented. Even the blackest shade goes on smooth and subtle, which is exactly what you want for defining your eyes without it looking too harsh or garish.

Here are the two I use:

  • The Rich Muted Brown: I use on upper and lower eyelids for definition.
  • The Pink Rose Shimmer: I apply a small dot on my upper eyelid (in line with my iris) and add a touch to the inner corners to brighten them up.

Julep When Pencil Met Gel Eyeliner

Julep Pencil Gel Eyeliner

3. Choose a smooth eyeliner pencil or gel 

As we age, our skin loses moisture and elasticity, making makeup application more challenging. A liner that’s too creamy can settle into fine lines, while one that’s too hard can skip, leaving an uneven look.

The gel/pencil by Julep shown above (which I use) has a very smooth application, but if you prefer a thinner liner, it might not be the best fit.

For the best results, a waterproof gel eyeliner is ideal. It offers a creamy, smooth texture that glides on easily, but with just the right firmness to prevent smudging and bunching.

This balance gives you a soft, even application that enhances your eyes without the drawbacks of overly creamy or hard formulas.

Mommy Makeup makes a super thin gel brush and smooth waterproof gel-liner that's perfect if you want razor thin line.

The eyeliners come in 11 beautiful shades designed for mature skin. The soft muted colors flatter all tones and blend well with blond, silver or grey hair. I like that it defines without harsh lines, creating a natural look that enhances aging skin and hair.

mommy makeup gel liner picture with description.
Pointed eyeliner brush for applying gel liner.

In this picture, I'm wearing a beautiful soft Champagne Golden Brown shade—check out how it enhances my eye color!

See other favorite top recommend eye-friendly anti-aging eyeliners—they're gentle, easy to apply, and perfect for keeping your eyes looking beautiful!

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. See how I line my upper lids.

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)

a 50+ woman applying eyeliner to the lower outer third of her eyelid for a subtle, eye-brightening effect.

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. See how I line my lower eyelid.

7. Use White eyeliner on inner corners (optional)

A woman using a white eyeliner pencil on the inner corners of her eyes to enhance brightness and create a wide-eyed look. Perfect for brightening aging eyes and making them appear more awake.

A white or beige eyeliner on the inner corners can make your eyes look wider and more awake. This anti-aging trick works wonders for small close-set eyes, puffy or tired eyes.

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, eggplant, or navy. These softer shades provide definition without overwhelming your eyes, which is especially important for mature skin.

Mommy Makeup makes the most Gorgeous soft, yet defined gel liner colors that I've ever seen. The micropigments make the colors pop without being harsh. Check them out!

9. Make eyes look bigger with Contouring shadow

A woman applying eyeshadow in the upper eyelid crease.

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



Makeup artist applying eyeliner.

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!



Question: Is liquid or pencil eyeliner better for mature eyes?

Answer: For mature eyes, pencil eyeliner is often better because it’s easier to apply and blend, giving a softer look. Liquid eyeliner can be harsher and may emphasize fine lines.

Question: What color eyeliner makes eyes look bigger?

Answer: To make your eyes look bigger, go for lighter shades like beige, white, or soft pastels on the waterline. Darker shades, like deep brown or navy, can define the eyes without closing them off. If you want more definition, consider using a special green eyeliner; it brightens the eyes and helps create the illusion of larger, more vibrant eyes.

Question: I love wearing eyeliner, but it can make my under-eye puffiness more noticeable. Will Plexaderm or Preparation H help reduce that puffiness? Do they work the same way?

Answer: You can try Plexaderm but don't use hemorrhoidal cream for puffy eyes. Read my page on: Plexaderm is not the same as Preparation-H. Also, see my. I tried ALL of those and tell all here.



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