Frequently asked questions
What should you look for when shopping for mascara for older women?
“You definitely want to find one that doesn’t cause raccoon eyes or smudge on the skin, as that can darken the area above and below the lids, which isn’t flattering for mature women,” says Diane Hilal-Campo, MD, a board-certified ophthalmologist and founder of Twenty/Twenty Beauty. She advises avoiding waterproof formulas, which can be difficult to remove and irritating, and suggests prioritizing nourishing, paraben-free options that are safe for sensitive eyes.
Should older women use mascara on their bottom lashes?
Makeup artist Nina Soriano emphasizes the importance of the lower lash line in completing the face’s frame. Soriano notes, “A little swipe on your bottom lashes can really widen the eye. You can also build this look or just add a layer for dimension. Either way, there’s no age barrier to wearing mascara on bottom lashes.” This technique not only adds a youthful openness to the eyes but also allows for versatility, whether you are going for a subtle everyday definition or a more dramatic finish.
Can you wear mascara with blepharitis?
Managing eye makeup while dealing with blepharitis requires a balance between aesthetics and ocular health. Since the condition involves chronic eyelid inflammation, the products you apply can easily exacerbate the irritation. Julie Chung, MD, an ophthalmologist and eye surgeon specializing in glaucoma and cataract surgery, and cofounder of hair tool maker T3, explains: “There are two types of blepharitis—anterior, which involves crusting and debris on the lashes, and posterior, which is about clogged, inflamed meibomian glands. Mascara can make both worse, particularly when it’s not properly removed. And honestly, most people don’t remove it thoroughly enough. I’m realistic with my patients—I’m not going to say never wear mascara.” Dr. Chung recommends picking a formula that comes off easily and being diligent about removing it completely every night while treating your blepharitis.
What are some tips for thickening lashes?
Keep them healthy and hydrated, Dr. Hilal-Campo suggests. “That means maintaining good hygiene—gently using cleansers like hypochlorous acid to keep bacteria away—and using natural oils to hydrate the lashes,” she explains. She recommends argan oil, noting that it’s rich in alpha-linolenic acid and helps hydrate lash shafts to make them look fuller. “You can also apply a primer before mascara to help lashes appear thicker,” she says.
How do you apply mascara on mature eyes?
Hilal-Campo suggests starting with an eyelash curler to lift the lashes. Then deposit the product, sweeping it up to the tips. Work from the inside out, and when you get to the outer corners, turn the wand vertically and use just the tip to coat those lashes.
If you want to coat your lower lashes, Dr. Hilal-Campo recommends applying mascara sparingly. Use the wand vertically and focus on just the tips, especially at the outer corners. Be sure to clean up smudges with a cotton swab lightly dipped in makeup remover.
How do you gently remove mascara for older women?
Dr. Hilal-Campo recommends a preservative-free micellar remover applied to a microfiber cloth and held against the eye for 30 seconds before gently wiping. (Her pick: Optase Life Sensitive Eye Makeup Remover. It’s a preservative-free micellar water that uses tiny oil molecules to effectively remove makeup.) “The key is to be gentle, so you don’t pull out or break lashes, and to protect the delicate skin around the eyes from becoming more wrinkled,” she says.
What mascara ingredients do ophthalmologists recommend?
Dr. Chung says to look for mascaras that tout the following buzzwords: fragrance-free, oil-free, ophthalmologist-tested, and hypoallergenic.
What color mascara should an older woman wear?
While it’s sometimes said that older women should avoid wearing black mascara lest it look harsh or emphasize lash gaps, Lobell calls this a beauty myth. Now in her 60s, Lobell says: “Black is still my go-to. It gives the eyes the most definition and instantly makes them look brighter and more awake.” For those with fair coloring, “Sometimes I do a coat of brown mascara and then add black to the middle to ends of lashes,” she says. This creates an ombré effect, which helps open the eyes and makes lashes appear fuller.
What mascaras should older women avoid?
“The biggest mistake I see is older women reaching for a mascara that’s too heavy or clumpy,” Lobell says. “Instead, look for a formula that defines, lifts, and separates. A good brush is just as important as the formula because it helps grab every little lash and really opens up the eyes.” Dr. Lee cautions against using waterproof mascaras too liberally. “They can be too harsh if used daily because they require more rubbing to remove,” she says.
Glamour editors with mature lashes swiped through dozens of top-rated formulas, taking note of each mascara’s texture, transfer (or lack thereof), and ease of washing off. We also paid close attention to the brushes’ pitfalls and perks, and noted how each formula actually performed—marketing claims aside—in terms of length, volume, separation, and lift. Finally, we automatically weeded out any mascaras that irritated our testers’ eyes or lids, and spoke to the following experts to get their top recommendations for brittle lashes, gray lashes, and more:
- Diane Hilal-Campo, MD, board-certified ophthalmologist and founder of Twenty/Twenty Beauty
- Nina Soriano, editorial and celebrity makeup artist
- Julie Chung, MD, ophthalmologist and eye surgeon specializing in glaucoma and cataract surgery, cofounder of T3, a prestige hair tools company
- Jeanine Lobell, makeup artist and founder of Stila and Neen
- Nicole Negbenebor, MD, board-certified dermatologic surgeon with UI Health Care
- Erica Taylor, pro makeup artist and IT Cosmetics global makeup coach
- Nicole Lee, MD, board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Epoch Dermatology
