A bit of dour, though not surprising, news: The aging process isn’t always kind to eyelashes. But as lashes become shorter, thinner, and more sparse over time, the best mascara for older women steps in to lift the hairs and the spirits. “At 53 years old, and with lashes that I call my sads, mascara is my desert-island product,” says Pilar DeMann, a Connecticut-based makeup artist. “I try them all!”
During her research, DeMann has found a handful of mascaras that seem to have magic in their wands. “They make my puny, thin, short lashes look thick, long, and amazing,” she says. We’ll open your eyes to those exact products below.
Vogue’s Favorite Mascaras for Older Women
But first, it’s worth noting that results are even more impressive when one knows how to wield the wand like a makeup magician—and for that, makeup artists have a few tried-and-true tips. For instance?
Celebrity makeup artist Tonya Riner tells clients to look down into a mirror while applying mascara. “Keep your gaze lowered for a few seconds until the formula has dried,” she instructs. This helps prevent transfer onto the upper lid—a common concern for mature eyes with softer, sagging, or hooded lids.
A light-handed approach is especially flattering on mature women. “Going too bold can weigh the eyes down and make them appear smaller,” Riner notes. “Use feather-light strokes to avoid applying too much product at once. It is always easier to add than take away.”
She also advises moving the wand in one direction, working from the base of the lashes to the tips in clean, precise strokes. “This helps the product distribute evenly,” she explains. “Avoid back-and-forth motions, which increase the likelihood of clumps.”
Since sagging skin can make the lashes harder to reach, it also pays to know a few hacks for making application a breeze. To wit: “I take the makeup wand and slightly bend it so it’s more at a 45-degree angle,” says Chicago-based hair and makeup artist Kate Johnson. “This allows you to hold the mascara wand at a more comfortable angle while getting closer to the lash line.” (Bonus: Johnson says there’s no need to straighten the wand out before inserting it back in the tube—it will automatically adjust.) Meanwhile, Riner likes using a wand with “small, tooth-like bristles” for easy, ultra-precise application.