The Best Eyeshadow for Older Women

Age is no barrier to beauty. Whether in your 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, or beyond, you can still look and feel refreshed and vibrant. But especially for mature women, navigating aisles of countless mismatching hues can be intimidating and exhausting.

That’s why we’ve compiled our top picks of eyeshadows specifically designed for older women.


These makeup formulas are infused with innovative ingredients that minimize fine lines and wrinkles while helping improve the overall appearance of one’s complexion.

Each product also contains long-lasting pigments that provide rich color payoff and help lock in color throughout the day.

Start With Hydration

Well-hydrated skin is essential for achieving a long-lasting makeup look. Exceptional beauty requires exceptional ingredients.

We love the Viseart Neutral Matte Palette for exactly this reason. It has an array of neutral shades and is specially formulated with hydrating ingredients to keep your skin looking its best.

Another one of our favorites is Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Weightless Eyeshadow Primer. This light formula is packed with glycerin, ensuring lasting hydration for your eyes.

For a bolder, more daring finish, explore Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Push-Up Eyeshadow Sticks and enjoy a creamy texture that locks in moisture while creating an intense color payoff.

Cream vs. Powder

Cream or powder, the choice is yours. But if you’re looking for a smooth application on mature eyes, cream eyeshadow is often the way to go. There’s something special about the creamy texture that can’t be found with naturally pigmented powdered products — and it’s worth seeking out.

But be careful: Cream shadows can settle into fine lines and age the face, while too many bright or dark shades only exaggerate wrinkles. Instead, opt for a powder shadow.

MAC’s Pro Longwear Paint Pot is an ideal option—it comes in several neutral hues that create a subtle yet flattering look. The powder applies evenly and easily, allowing you to mix different shades as needed.

Additionally, powder shadows tend to last longer than creams, so you don’t have to worry about reapplying throughout the day.

Whether you want a natural look or something more complex, powder shadows can deliver results.

Avoid Shiny Eyeshadows

Metallic eyeshadow isn’t an option. The shining particles settle into the creases and wrinkles, making them stand out more than we would like. Even though it can be tempting in certain situations, we should resist this temptation as shiny makeup creates a look that counteracts our rationale for going with something natural in the first place.

Instead, stick with neutral colors and look for texture within the shades you choose rather than through the eyeshadow itself. Neutral tones will help your features remain understated while making a subtle impact — which is exactly what mature women should aim for.

The key here is harmony; work with your features instead of trying to alter them in any significant way. Stick with neutrals in both colors and finish to get the most natural-looking results possible for mature skin.

Flattering Colors for Mature Eyes

For mature eyes, matte is always the safest bet. Stick to nudes, browns, and taupes for their subtlety. Opt for soft rose tones for some added flair.

The Viseart Eyeshadow Palette 01 Neutral Matte offers just what you need to bring out your best look.

A carefully curated range of neutral tones gives you plenty of options to create the perfect look while still keeping it natural.

Each shade is velvety smooth with an incredible color payoff, giving you rich coverage without fuss.

Avoid Dark Colors

Dark eyeshadow colors are too harsh and draw attention to wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots — so let’s avoid these. Choose lighter shades that will naturally enhance our expression; nudes, pale browns, taupes, or soft pinks all work beautifully.

For added definition, apply a slightly darker shade around the eye sockets and keep your look natural. Maybelline Color Tattoo Cream Eyeshadow Pot is an excellent choice with 19 rich shades perfect for deeper skin tones.

Plus, its creamy texture appears more hydrating than powder eyeshadows which can accentuate aging features more prominently.

Makeup offers us the gift of redefining ourselves as we age; let’s use it wisely!