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If eyeliner suddenly feels harder to apply or starts skipping and smudging, it’s probably not your skills—it’s the formula. The best eyeliners for older women are all about glide, flexibility, and smooth application. As the skin around the eyes gets thinner and more delicate, the approach just needs a tweak: Think glide over tugging, soft definition over harsh lines, and formulas that stay put instead of settling into fine lines.
So what should you look for? Elisa Flowers, a makeup artist in New York City, says a creamy pencil is the easiest place to start for everyday wear because it “glides and creates soft, eye-framing definition without pulling at your skin.” And contrary to what you might think, kohl isn’t off the table—as long as it’s super creamy and blendable, not the dry, draggy kind.
Our Top Eyeliners for Older Women
- Best Overall: Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner, $34
- Best Kohl: Hung Vanngo Soft Velvet Creamy Kohl Eyeliner, $22
- Best Luxury: Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof, $35
- Best Drugstore: Nyx Professional Makeup Epic Wear Waterproof Eyeliner Stick, $9
- Best Gel: Sarah Creal Eyes Up Creamy Kajal Longwear Eyeliner, $35
- Best Liquid: Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Matte Liquid Liner, $21
- Best Waterproof: Hourglass Voyeur Waterproof Gel Eyeliner, $28
- Best Long-Wearing: Make Up For Ever Aqua Resist Color Pencil Eyeliner, $26
- Best Shade Range: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil, $23
- Best Precision: Uzo Beauty Blaque Liquide Eyeliner, $24
If you want longer wear, a gel eyeliner is a great next step. “Gel gives you more control. It’s precise, but the thickness lets you apply it like a pencil—without rubbing your eye or leaving gaps,” says Kate Johnson, a makeup artist based in Chicago. A flexible liquid liner can also work on mature lids, as long as the tip is fine and the formula isn’t too stiff. Bonus points for liners made with nourishing ingredients like vitamin E, castor oil, or panthenol (as in our best overall pick), which help condition the lid so the color glides instead of skipping. Below, discover the eyeliners experts swear by for definition without tugging, skipping, or smudging.
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- Can people with mature skin use waterproof eyeliners?
- What ingredients should you look for if you have dry eyes?
- How do you apply eyeliner for mature lids?
- Which eyeliner colors help brighten or open up mature eyes?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner
Victoria Beckham Beauty
Satin Kajal Liner
Nordstrom
Bluemercury
Violet Grey
Why it's worth it: If you want proof that a celebrity beauty brand can be more than just a name on the packaging, look no further than Victoria Beckham Beauty’s Satin Kajal Liner. The majority of the experts we spoke with named it the top pick. Flowers calls it “soft, creamy, and comfortable on mature lids. It glides effortlessly and blends into a gentle haze that frames the eyes in the most flattering way.” Since mature lids can be more delicate and prone to tugging, New York City-based makeup artist Christian Briceno says this one “gives you time to play before it sets, with no pulling or skipping—plus a built-in smudger that makes softening edges on hooded eyes a breeze.”
And with 22 elegant shades, there’s no shortage of flattering options. Los Angeles-based makeup artist Valerie Harvey loves Bordeaux for “the intensity of a black without the harshness,” while Flowers swears by Cocoa for soft, natural definition. (There’s even a new sparkly Cocoa Pavé shade if you want shimmer.) In short, it checks off all the boxes: modern pigment, luxe feel, and a formula that makes mature eyes look softly lifted.
Tester feedback from content director Kara McGrath
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“I'm convinced this is the creamiest eyeliner on the planet. The shade Cinnamon—a rich, warm brown with just a hint of shimmer—also creates the quickest, easiest I-put-some-effort-into-my-makeup-today look: Just throw some in your waterline then blend it out using the built-in smudger. It'll last all day (or night), I promise.” —Kara McGrath, content director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: chamomile, panthenol, vitamin E, silica pearl
- Shades: 22
- Waterproof: yes
- Finish: satin
Best Kohl: Hung Vanngo Soft Velvet Creamy Kohl Eyeliner
Hung Vanngo
Soft Velvet Creamy Kohl Eyeliner
Sephora
Why it's worth it: When a pro makeup artist shouts out another pro’s product, you know it’s the real deal. Hung Vanngo’s namesake brand, which launched this year, is already getting that kind of praise with his Soft Velvet Creamy Kohl Eyeliner. “It has such a smooth, creamy texture that lets you sketch along the lash line and smudge into a soft-focus haze with no precision required,” says Tonya Riner, makeup artist based in Houston. The formula—packed with squalane and coconut oil—“never looks chalky or dry, even on mature lids,” she says, which is key if your eyeliner usually skips or settles.
These days, “kohl” is mostly a marketing term, but the name has deep roots. It comes from an ancient pigment made from ground minerals like galena, once used for protection and adornment thousands of years ago. As Allure previously reported, modern formulas pay homage to that smoky, lived-in look—minus the heavy metals—by using soft, blendable pigments that flatter every eye shape. Riner says that’s exactly what makes this liner especially flattering on hooded or aging eyes: “Defined lines often disappear under the fold, so blending up and out gives the eye lift and elongation.”
More to know
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- Key ingredients: squalane, coconut oil, silica, vitamin E
- Shades: 3
- Waterproof: no
- Finish: matte
Best Luxury: Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof
Chanel
Stylo Yeux Waterproof
Nordstrom
Chanel
Why it's worth it: If eyeliner tends to skip, smear, or disappear on your lids, Chanel’s Stylo Yeux Waterproof solves the problem. The waterproof formula “glides on smoothly for an even line and sets quickly so it actually stays put,” says Flowers, who loves that it gives “soft definition that keeps the eyes looking bright and lifted.” Briceno calls it “silk meeting precision—the texture is firm enough for control but soft enough to adapt to movement, which is essential for lids that have lost some firmness.” And because there’s no bigger buzzkill than realizing you don’t have a sharpener on hand, the retractable tip keeps that precise point ready to go, every time.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: dimethicone, kaolin, carnauba wax
- Shades: 17
- Waterproof: yes
- Finish: matte
Best Drugstore: Nyx Professional Makeup Epic Wear Waterproof Eyeliner Stick
Nyx Professional Makeup
Epic Wear Waterproof Eyeliner Stick
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Why it's worth it: With a tip so ultra-precise and pigmented, we’ve practically mistaken this Nyx Professional Makeup’s Epic Wear Waterproof Eyeliner Stick for an actual writing pencil. This high-impact, waterproof, smudge- and fade-resistant formula glides on smoothly and lasts up to 36 hours. “This is a fantastic pen liner that has a zero learning curve, and you can get a fine tip or a fat tip when you angle it on its side. It also has great colors to try,” says Johnson. Speaking of the colorways, there are 30 matte and shimmer shades, from everyday espresso to bold sapphire. If you think shimmer feels like too much, don’t stress: These are more refined metallic sheens than chunky glitter, so they brighten without emphasizing texture.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: dimethicone, microcrystalline wax, tin oxide, silica
- Shades: 30
- Waterproof: yes
- Finish: shimmer or metallic
Best Gel: Sarah Creal Eyes Up Creamy Kajal Longwear Eyeliner
Sarah Creal
Eyes Up Creamy Kajal Longwear Eyeliner
Sephora
Why it's worth it: Sarah Creal Beauty doesn’t just claim to be made for women over 40. The Eyes Up Creamy Kajal Longwear Eyeliner, for example, is showcased exclusively on models 40 and above on the brand’s site, so you can actually see how it performs on real, textured lids. The formula is packed with skin-supportive ingredients like allantoin to soothe the delicate area and ceramides to help strengthen the moisture barrier (a huge win if dryness or crepiness makes eyeliner skip or smear). “The formula blends cream and gel for a smooth glide and true 24-hour wear. Because it sets quickly, I always finish the full look for one eye before moving to the next,” says Riner. She adds that the tapered brush “blends without tugging,” and the seven shades are thoughtfully curated for a natural look: “Everyday Taupe cancels darkness on fair skin, and Rich Cocoa is gorgeous on deeper tones.”
More to know
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- Key ingredients: allantoin, ceramides
- Shades: 7
- Waterproof: yes
- Finish: shimmer or matte
Best Liquid: Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Matte Liquid Liner
Rare Beauty
Perfect Strokes Matte Liquid Liner
Sephora
Why it's worth it: If you’ve ever written off liquid liner because skipping, tugging, or creasing made it too frustrating, the trick is finding one with a tip so precise, it sets quickly and doesn’t fade. Rare Beauty’s Perfect Strokes Matte Liquid Liner was inspired by calligraphy and, according to Riner, “The ultra-ine brush nestles right into the base of the lashes, and I use a stamping technique, pressing gently along the lash line rather than sweeping, to avoid skipping on textured lids.” The formula lists a castor-oil derivative, which helps spread the ultra-black, waterproof ink smoothly across the lash line—a plus when lids are drier. “Since shine can be distracting, the matte finish adds structure to the eye and makes lashes appear fuller," says Riner. The flexible brush tip lets you adjust pressure for a whisper-thin line or a bold wing, all in a rich, classic black.
More to know
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- Key ingredient: castor oil
- Shades: 1
- Waterproof: yes
- Finish: shimmer or matte
Best Waterproof: Hourglass Voyeur Waterproof Gel Eyeliner
Hourglass
Voyeur Waterproof Gel Eyeliner
Amazon
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Why it's worth it: Even though Hourglass Voyeur Waterproof Gel Eyeliner is technically a gel, it comes in a stick format, which means you get the smooth glide of a gel pot without the brush, mess or learning curve, which is especially helpful if your lids are drier or more textured. It promises 12 hours of waterproof wear, but the real magic is in the application. “The ultrafine tip makes it easy to define right at the base of the lashes, perfect for tightlining or a tiny flick that won’t overwhelm hooded eyes,” says Flowers. She also notes that you get a few seconds to soften the edge before it sets. After that, “it stays in place without smudging under the eyes.” The range is small (four matte neutrals plus one shimmery bronze), but versatile, with Bronze being the standout: “It brings warmth and definition while still looking soft and polished,” Flowers says.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: silicones, microcrystalline wax
- Shades: 5
- Waterproof: yes
- Finish: four matte and one shimmer (Solstice)
Best Long-Wearing: Make Up For Ever Aqua Resist Color Pencil Eyeliner
Make Up For Ever
Aqua Resist Color Pencil Eyeliner
Nordstrom
Sephora
Why it's worth it: If your eyeliner tends to smudge, migrate, or fade, “Make Up For Ever Aqua Resist Color Pencil Eyeliner has a smooth gel texture that glides on easily without tugging, and once it sets, it won’t budge,” says Flowers. The waterproof, gel-like formula uses film-forming silicones and waxes to create a flexible yet budge-proof seal that locks pigment in place. That lasting power means your liner stays crisp without constant touch-ups, and the built-in sharpener keeps the tip neat for precise application. And with 10 flattering shades, including Bronze and Deep Sea, Flowers says it’s easy to “get beautiful definition while still looking natural.”
More to know
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- Key ingredients: dimethicone, microcrystalline wax, mica (in shimmer finishes)
- Shades: 10
- Waterproof: yes
- Finish: matte or pearly
Best Shade Range: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil
Urban Decay
24/7 Glide On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Why it's worth it: We believe colorful eyeliner has no age limit. Urban Decay’s 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil won a 2025 Allure Best of Beauty Award, thanks in part to its huge 38-shade range and five finishes—matte, shimmer, glitter, satin, and metallic—so you can go subtle or statement without feeling out of your comfort zone. “Softer browns like Whiskey or Bourbon naturally enhance the lash line for everyday definition. Mushroom, a taupe-grey, keeps eyes defined but still bright and open, and soft greens add warmth and light without ever looking harsh,” says Flowers. One unexpectedly flattering pop? Deep End, a teal blue that brightens the whites of the eyes and makes them look wider. The creamy formula glides on easily, even on drier lids, and stays put, thanks to skin-conditioning ingredients like jojoba seed oil and sunflower seed oil that prevent tugging and skipping.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: jojoba seed oil, cottonseed oil, microcrystalline wax, sunflower seed oil, silica. mica (in shimmer finishes)
- Shades: 38
- Waterproof: yes
- Finish: matte, shimmer, glitter, satin, or metallic
Best Precision: Uzo Beauty Blaque Liquide Eyeliner
Uzo Beauty
Blaque Liquide Eyeliner
Amazon
Why it's worth it: If your lids can’t handle even the slightest dragging of liner back and forth, Uzo Beauty’s Blaque Liquide uses a felt-tip applicator that’s firm enough for control but flexible enough to glide over texture. “The sharp felt tip and sleek design make handling this tool intuitive, and that’s necessary with mature eyes. You don’t want to fuss; you want it right the first time,” says Harvey. She loves that the deep black pigment “grabs the skin as it glides, leaving no gaps in nooks or crannies, just pure color.” And even though it’s long-lasting, the formula is infused with aloe, vitamin C, and vitamin E to soothe, moisturize, and protect the delicate eye area.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: aloe, vitamin C, vitamin E
- Shade: 1
- Waterproof: yes
- Finish: satin
Frequently Asked Questions
Can people with mature skin use waterproof eyeliner?
While people with mature lids don’t have to completely avoid waterproof eyeliners, “the issue with long-lasting formulas is that the ingredients can potentially irritate the eye, and because they’re so hard to remove, people often end up rubbing or tugging at the fragile eyelid area,” says Diane Hilal-Campo, MD, a board-certified ophthalmologist based in Oakland, NJ. Repeated friction can even contribute to ptosis (eyelid drooping) by weakening the muscle that lifts the lid. That said, you can still wear a waterproof liner, it just shouldn’t be your everyday default. And remove it with a gentle, oil-based remover and let it slowly dissolve rather than rubbing aggressively.
Lancôme
Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover
Nordstrom (4.2 Oz)
Amazon (6.7 Oz)
Clarins
Instant Eye-Makeup Remover
Amazon
Nordstrom
What ingredients should you look for if you have dry eyes?
If you have dry eyes, the ingredients in your eyeliner matter just as much as the formula. “Mature women are more at risk for developing dry eye syndrome, so it’s important to choose eyeliners made with nonirritating ingredients that won’t cause inflammation or worsen dryness,” says Dr. Hilal-Campo. She recommends avoiding formulas with harsh preservatives like BAK (linked to dryness and irritation) and steering clear of pigments that use carbon black, noting that studies show it “can be highly inflammatory to the ocular surface,” which only worsens dryness and irritation. Instead, look for liners made with hydrating or soothing ingredients: “Hyaluronic acid, castor oil, or vitamin E can help nourish the delicate skin around the eyes while still being gentle on lids,” she says.
How do you apply eyeliner on mature lids?
Once you have the right formula, application makes all the difference. Riner recommends using short, feather-light strokes rather than drawing a single long line, and concentrating most of the depth in the outer third of the eye to achieve lift. Flowers adds a positioning trick: Place a mirror flat on the table and look slightly down into it. “This steadies the lid and makes the lash line easier to see, so you’re not pulling at the skin,” Flowers explains.
Which eyeliner colors help brighten or open up mature eyes?
Soft, rich neutrals are some of the most flattering eyeliner shades for mature eyes because they add definition without the harshness of true black. Briceno recommends “charcoal, navy, deep chocolate, or softened plum” because they create contrast while still looking lifted and elegant against graying lashes or more delicate skin. You can, of course, still wear black, he says, but “you’ll often achieve a more flattering effect with dark brown or a softened black, especially if the lids are hooded or the skin tone around the eye is uneven.” If you want brightness rather than depth, Briceno suggests trying “a warm bronze or brown on the upper lash line and a nude or soft gold pencil on the waterline to open the eye without the hard look.”
Meet the experts
- Christian Briceno is a makeup artist based in New York City.
- Elisa Flowers is a makeup artist based in New York City.
- Valerie Harvey is a makeup artist based in Los Angeles.
- Diane Hilal-Campo, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist and founder of Twenty/Twenty Beauty based in Oakland, NJ.
- Kate Johnson is a hair and makeup artist, cofounder of Glossed Finishing Studio, and founder of The Bridal Beauty Team based in Chicago.
- Tonya Riner is a makeup artist based in Houston.
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range that includes consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best eyeliners for mature skin, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, and contributors, with a particular focus on our 40-plus reviewers. We also relied heavily on trusted makeup artists to speak to the efficacy of these products on mature skin. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product's performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete review process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine. You may simply be browsing for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from are folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
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