After Dozens of Tests, We Found the 6 Best Eyeliners for Mature Skin (2024)

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TL;DR

Our overall favorite eyeliner for older women is the MAC Colour Excess Gel Pencil Eye Liner—a smooth formula that delivers precise lines and an impressive color payoff. We also loved our best waterproof pick, Victoria Beckham's Satin Kajal Liner—a luxurious formula with gorgeous color options that stay put despite humidity, sweat, and eye-rubbing.

Our Top Picks

Formula: Gel pencil | Shades: 14 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This gel pencil liner from MAC checks all the right boxes. It glides gently onto mature eyelids with no skipping, delivering a precise line and impressive color payoff that’s great for creating bold liner looks. The formula comes in 14 color options, from soft brown to bright teal, but our tester noted she did have to layer it on to reach full vibrancy and opacity, so take a more-is-more approach with this one. It’s also a waterproof formula, so you can relax knowing your liner will stay put for up to 24 hours with no smudges. Just don’t rub your eyes, or our tester says it will start to fade.

Karla, tester: “I love the vibrant color payoff and the thin tip that allows for precise lines, whether thin or bold.”

Formula: Pencil | Shades: 6 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Fans of classic eyeliner pencils will love this option from Jones Road, which lives up to the promise of its name. Inspired by the dense formulas of 1970s pencils, it glides on nicely and is buildable for a strong color payoff. Our tester loved how versatile this liner is, noting that it’s capable of creating “crisp, graphic shapes” as well as smoky eye effects—especially when layered over a shadow. The liner comes in six shades, including monochromatic shimmer options for more dramatic or creative looks.

Ashley, tester: “My favorite feature of this eyeliner pencil is how soft it is upon application, which makes it easier to apply in between the eyelashes for a tightline look.”

Formula: Liquid | Shades: 1 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Getting a precise line becomes more challenging when the skin on your eyelids is less firm than it used to be. That’s when a fine-tipped liquid liner like this one comes into play. It applies easily without skipping or tugging, and you can choose how thick and dark the formula appears—apply light pressure for sharp, fine lines or add more pressure for a thicker, bolder look. Our tester appreciated that the liner remains moist and “workable” for some time, making it easier to fix mistakes or build up to your desired intensity. Once it’s dry, the brand says the waterproof formula should remain smudge-proof and long-lasting, but our tester did experience some transfer on a particularly hot day.

Taylore, tester (not pictured): “This pen created precise lines and went on smooth without skipping or tugging.”

Formula: Gel pencil | Shades: 7 | Cruelty-Free: No

The consistency of the Lancôme Drama Liqui-Pencil is Smooth, creamy, and “luxurious” according to our tester—perfect for mature eyes. It glides on beautifully, creating precise lines with no tugging whatsoever. Our tester also appreciated how easy it was to blend—you can even diffuse it to create an eyeshadow effect if desired. She found the first swipe slightly subtle for her tastes but created a more dramatic effect by layering the formula. The longevity of this liner was impressive, too—it lasted all daywithout smudging, and she experienced just the tiniest amount of fading.

Karla, tester: “This eyeliner feels luxurious, and the application is effortless. It glides on, and I truly appreciate that.”

Formula: Gel pencil | Shades: 5 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Pat McGrath Labs is known for its artistic flair and richly pigmented formulations, and the brand’s PermaGel eye pencil is no exception. This liner comes in five classic colors, including black, brown, and blue—in gorgeous matte or shimmer finishes—and has an unparalleled color payoff. Our tester loved how vibrant the liner was from the first swipe. She also appreciated the smooth and seamless application process; the creamy formula makes creating thin and thick lines a breeze. The liner has a lovely creamy texture, but that comes with a downside—don’t press too hard, or the tip might snap, and beware of smudging when rubbing your eyes.

Karla, tester: “The pigmentation of the PermaGel Eyeliner Pencil is impressive. The color is vibrant and true to the advertised shade. You need about one to two swipes for full pigmentation.”

Formula: Pencil | Shades: 19 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

When you’ve put effort into perfecting an eyeliner, you want it to stay pristine all day, and with this waterproof formula from Victoria Beckham, it really will. Our tester was amazed by its staying power—humidity, sweat, and even eye-rubbing were no match for this formula. It comes in 19 unique shades, including shimmer and glitter liner options that lend themselves to creative looks, and the sponge-tip end allows you to blend and diffuse effortlessly. According to our tester, the creamy texture makes the application feel like “gliding silk across your skin.” Using this liner is a luxurious experience from start to finish.

Karla, tester: “I wore it to an outdoor event, and it stayed put all day. The color remained vibrant without smudging, even if I accidentally rubbed my eyes. It's genuinely impressive how well it holds up against humidity and sweat.”

FAQ

• How should you apply eyeliner to mature eyes?

  Our experts agree that older women should take a more minimal approach to eyeliner, with precise application and a lighter touch. Hoag recommends tightlining—applying liner right at the lash line—as a useful technique. “It subtly defines the eyes by filling in the upper lash line, creating the appearance of fuller lashes and brighter eyes,” she explains. Riner advises using an angled brush to sweep the liner up and out. “This is especially important if the outer corners of your eyes have a downward tilt, she says. “Be sure to stop just before the end of the lash line, and cheat the line upward for a lifted effect.”

• How do you prevent eyeliner from smudging on mature eyes?

  Start by prepping your eyelids using a good eye primer, which will create a smooth surface for application and hold your liner in place for longer. When it comes to formula, opt for a pencil or gel liner, which both set quicker than liquid. “Just make sure you finish one eye completely before starting the next,” says Riner, or you’ll lose the window of workability.

• How can I make my eyes look bigger with eyeliner as I age?

  Eyes can start to appear smaller as we age, but with some handy eyeliner tricks you can create the illusion of bigger eyes. As we’ve established, tightlining the upper lash line will help to define your eyes without overwhelming them. Try adding a white liner on the bottom waterline to open up and brighten your eyes and experiment with gently smudging your line for a softer, more open-eyed appearance.