Dramatic liner looks can be trickier with fine lines and hooding. While a full-fledged cat eye might not translate, you can get a great lift at the outer corner by doing a “kitten eye” instead, says Zomnir. Or, perhaps more accurately, a kitten flick: Start liner at about the same point as the outer edge of your pupil, thicken it toward the corner, and flick just slightly past the outer corner, says Taylor: “It doesn’t have to turn into a cat-eye; the goal is simply to reroute the [naturally downward] direction of the eye. This creates a more lifted look.”
Back at the counter, to my surprise, Ruiz also applied the same bronzy shade he used to tightline my upper lids along my lower lash line, debunking yet another over-40 eye makeup myth. “Lining the lower lashes doesn’t make eyes smaller. If you use a soft shade, it actually frames the eyes more,” he said. The look really came together with concealer and mascara. He finished my whole face, and I got excited over a bronzer and lipstick, more fun discoveries. Overall, the experience was a nice reset. The “I can’t wear that anymore” shadow was lifting.
After re-discovering some new products and getting comfortable again with application, I’ve realized: makeup at this age takes a certain level of being comfortable with your face. When things are changing, and you’re on a natural path of less resistance, your makeup routine also becomes a kind of self-acceptance practice. Not to get all woo-woo, but spending time in front of a magnifying mirror (a necessity when you need readers!) requires some self-love and kindness. A plus side of midlife: I’ve finally reached the age where a magnifying mirror does more good than harm. I need it to see close-up, but I’m past the hyper-fixation phase where pore size matters.
Brown, who is 68, notes the connection between how we feel and how we show up: “I think we need to embrace who we are at every age and come to terms with the fact that as we get older, our skin changes, and we need to take better care of ourselves, inside and out. So, before you use any products, drink some water. Eat a protein-rich breakfast and take a walk. I guarantee you’ll look and feel better almost immediately without putting anything on your face.” I think she’s right. I do feel much cuter plopping in front of my vanity after I’ve taken an Orange Theory class in the morning and lifted some heavy weights. (Perimenopause must!)
So where am I now? Wearing a full eye—a little shimmer, liner, mascara—a few times a week, even if I have nowhere to go that day. I’m editing my makeup bag with new essentials, and having fun playing again. I never thought I’d be reaching for shimmer the most, but a smoky bronze eye feels sexy and boho for summer. Turns out, when you cut back on TikTok, you have more time for old hobbies and more headspace to give yourself some grace—without measuring every tiny change in your face.
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