13 Top Eyeshadows for Older Women and Age-Defying Looks

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We’ve all been there: standing in front of the makeup aisle, struggling to find the perfect eyeshadow for our mature skin. 

As we age, our eyelids become more delicate, and finding the ideal eyeshadow to complement and enhance our eyes can feel like an impossible task. 

A nude eyeshadow palette on a pink background.

But fear not! There is a world of beautiful and flattering eyeshadow options geared specifically toward mature ladies.

And we’re here to take the guesswork out of selecting the top eyeshadow for older women! 

We’ve researched and compiled a comprehensive list of the top eyeshadows across various categories to suit all your needs and preferences.

So without further ado, here are the top eyeshadows for mature eyes that ensure you’ll walk away with newfound confidence in your eye makeup game!

Urban Decay Naked2 Basics Eyeshadow Palette
Editor's Choice
  • Ensures easy blending
  • Provides all-day wear
  • Flattering and sensitive to mature skin
IT Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Essentials Eyeshadow Palette
Premium Pick
  • Designed with anti-aging ingredients
  • Smooth application
  • No creases
  • High-pigment colors
Revlon Crème Eyeshadow Palette
Budget Pick
  • Offers pigment-rich colors for older women
  • Can be used alone or as a base for powder shadows
  • Resists creases
  • Easy to blend

Factors To Consider in Choosing Eyeshadow for Mature Women

Before you make your purchase, it’s important to ensure the product you choose highlights your best features, avoids highlighting fine lines and wrinkles, and fits your needs and preferences. 

Here’s a brief guide to the factors you need to consider when picking an eyeshadow product: 

Type

When you’re trying to select the top eyeshadow for older women, it’s essential to consider the type of eyeshadow itself. 

There are three main types: cream, powder, and liquid eyeshadows. 

For mature eyes, cream eyeshadow is often the most suitable option. They’re gentle on the delicate skin around the eyes, and they can provide long-lasting, crease-free results. 

Most older women steer clear of powder eyeshadows because these tend to accentuate fine lines. 

However, there are also plenty of powder products that don’t settle into wrinkles. Instead, they have a smooth, creamy texture that makes applying eyeshadow to mature hooded eyes effortless. 

That means you can always opt for an easy-to-apply powder eyeshadow as long as it has a blendable formula. 

Take note that you should avoid liquid eyeshadows altogether as they may be too difficult to apply on mature skin. 

Color

Older women should choose eyeshadow colors that complement their skin tone and eye color. 

For instance, shades of purple and mauve along with warm browns and golds can complement green eyes or deep skin. Those with hazel eyes or fair to medium skin may benefit from gold or copper. 

As always, warm-toned eyeshadow colors will flatter skin with warm undertones, while cool-toned eyeshadows will look gorgeous on skin with cool undertones.

But older women can always go for neutral shades like browns, grays, and nudes as a safe choice for a sophisticated look and a subtle, natural-looking glow. 

Finish

In general, matte eyeshadows are recognized as the top eyeshadows for older women as they are less likely to settle into creases and wrinkles and they create a smooth and even finish. They also help lift hooded eyes.

Another great option for older women is satin-finish eyeshadows. These have a slight sheen to them, which can help brighten the eyes. 

On the other hand, it’s best to avoid highly metallic or glittery eyeshadows as they draw attention to creases and wrinkles. 

Instead, go for eyeshadow colors with a slightly shimmery finish or layer matte and shimmery shadows together for a subtle sparkle.

Brand

The top eyeshadow brand for mature eyes should offer a range of shades specifically designed for older women, with formulations that cater to their unique skin concerns. 

Although popular brands may be more expensive than lesser-known alternatives, investing in a high-quality eyeshadow will result in a smoother, long-lasting look that showcases your eyes in the best possible light.

13 Top Eyeshadows for Older Women

In this list, you’ll discover eyeshadows that are specifically tailored to enhance your mature skin and boost your self-confidence. So let’s dive in and find your new favorite eyeshadow!

1
Urban Decay Naked2 Basics Eyeshadow Palette

The Urban Decay Naked2 Basics Eyeshadow Palette is a must-have for anyone looking for the best eyeshadow for aging eyes! 

Benefits: Ensures easy blending; provides all-day wear on older women's eyelids; flattering and sensitive to mature skin

Features:

  • Six taupe and brown matte shades
  • Cruelty-free
  • Travel-friendly size with a mirror included

Bring out your natural beauty with this palette’s six neutral matte shades!

 

One of the best things about this amazing eyeshadow palette from Urban Decay is its range of light and dark neutral colors, which bring out the beauty of your eyes.

And despite its powder form, it has a velvety texture that ensures it’s easy to blend and customize. The formula is also gentle on aging eyes, providing a long-lasting finish that lasts all day. 

Older women will appreciate the understated appearance of this eyeshadow, making it suitable for everyday wear. So if you want a subtle, sophisticated look that flatters mature eyes, this palette is for you! 

2
Revlon Crème Eyeshadow Palette (Skinlights)

Tired of struggling to find cream eyeshadow that won’t crease or fade after a few hours? Try Revlon's Crème Eyeshadow Palette —  the best drugstore eyeshadow for mature eyes!

Benefits: Offers pigment-rich colors for older women; can be used alone or as a base for powder shadows; resists creases; easy to blend

Features:

  • Four sheer shades with a buildable formula
  • Ophthalmologist-tested
  • Includes a mirror for on-the-go touch-ups

This versatile palette offers a wide range of luminous colors with a safe, ophthalmologist-tested, and blendable formula

 

The Revlon Crème Eyeshadow Palette is designed for older women who want a safe and versatile makeup product. 

You can create everyday makeup styles or more glamorous evening looks with this one. The formula has been tested by ophthalmologists, ensuring its suitability for sensitive eyes.

What makes this eyeshadow stand out is its highly pigmented and blendable formula. And aside from being easy to apply, it also offers a long-lasting and crease-free finish. 

This flattering formula is also available in other flattering colors: Black Magic, Not Just Nudes, Precious Metals, and Wild Orchids.

3
IT Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Essentials Eyeshadow Palette

Want natural-looking, high-quality shades that won't crease or cake? Choose the IT Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Essentials! 

Benefits: Designed with anti-aging ingredients; smooth application; no creases

Features:

  • Six neutral matte shades and one Hello Light shade
  • Talc-free formula 
  • Travel-friendly size 

The travel-friendly size and high-quality formula of this palette make it the ideal choice for daily use and on-the-go touch-ups.

 

With hydrolyzed collagen, silk, and peptides, the IT Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Essentials is specifically designed to provide anti-aging benefits for mature skin, making your eyes look brighter and your skin smoother. 

Besides that, the matte finish and powder-based formula also ensure a smooth application without creasing, which is why we consider it the top eyeshadow for wrinkled eyelids. 

It also comes with six beautiful shades in stunning, highly pigmented neutral colors. And it has one shade — the Hello Light shade — that transforms the matte shadows into satin for a velvety finish! 

One user, a 59-year-old, expressed satisfaction with the sheerness of the palette, stating that it brightens the eyes without the need for intense pigmentation!

4
Maybelline The Blushed Nudes Eyeshadow Palette

Make your eyes glow with the Maybelline The Blushed Nudes Eyeshadow Palette!

Benefits: Easy to blend; works well with aging eyes; versatile enough for different looks

Features:

  • 12 nude shades in matte and shimmer finishes
  • Enriched with rose gold pigments
  • Comes with double-ended sponge applicators

This eyeshadow palette will help you embrace your age confidently and define your eyes effortlessly.

 

Featuring 12 stunning shades infused with beautiful rose gold pigments, this eyeshadow palette is enriched with colors that cater to different occasions and preferences. 

Additionally, it works well with hooded eyes and wrinkled eyelids.

Its shades also come in matte and shimmer finishes, so you can choose to top your matte eyeshadow off with a little shimmer for a subtle shine. 

Best of all, the double-ended sponge applicators make it convenient for application and touch-ups. 

This formula is also available in two other shade combinations: The Nudes and 24k Nudes.

5
Honest Beauty Get It Together Eyeshadow Palette

Introducing Honest Beauty's Get It Together Eyeshadow Palette, the perfect choice of eyeshadow for older women looking for a pigment-rich palette made with clean ingredients.

Benefits: Offers a smooth formula for effortless application on mature lids; suitable for sensitive skin; doesn’t irritate the skin

Features:

  • Collection of 10 velvety shades, ranging from shimmers to satins to mattes
  • Free of parabens, silicones, phthalates, talc, and mineral oil
  • Dermatologist-tested

A great choice for older women who want to experiment with eye makeup without worrying about skin irritation!

 

This eyeshadow palette offers a wide variety of blendable neutral shades ranging from light to dark, so it’s ideal for different skin tones and eye colors.

Each shade is designed to stand out, look vibrant, and last all day on mature skin, which is often more challenging to achieve due to the changes in skin texture and tone that aging causes. 

Another great benefit is that this eyeshadow palette is made with clean ingredients. It’s free of harmful ingredients such as parabens, mineral oil, and silicones that can irritate mature skin. 

6
Laura Geller Blend Away Berry & Bright Eyeshadow Palette

Searching for an eyeshadow palette with shades that aren’t boring and a formula that’s still suitable for mature skin? Your search ends here!

Benefits: Enhances the eyes with rich color payoff; velvety smooth texture for easy blending; crease-proof and long-wearing

Features:

  • Eight matte and shimmer shades inspired by berries and florals
  • Sleek, luxurious packaging
  • Travel-friendly compact design

The best eyeshadow for women over 50 with hazel eyes!

 

The Laura Geller Blend Away Berry & Bright Eyeshadow Palette features a creamy, velvety smooth texture that makes it easy to blend and helps create a seamless finish. 

It prevents the eyeshadow from settling into fine lines and wrinkles to avoid making the eyes look more aged. 

Also, if you’re a mature woman with hazel eyes, this palette is perfect for you! The berry tones in the palette can complement the green and brown tones in hazel eyes, making them appear brighter. 

7
Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick in 20 Heather Steel

Say goodbye to fading, creasing, settling, and flaking with the Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow Stick!

Benefits: Creamy formula for smooth application; stays put all day; feels light 

Features:

  • 20 Heather Steel shade with a creamy finish 
  • Stick applicator for convenience
  • Made in the United States

Now you can create endless beautiful looks with the best cream eyeshadow for mature eyes.

 

The creamy formula of this eyeshadow stick glides smoothly over the eyelids without creasing or emphasizing the signs of aging. Instead, it creates a polished, revitalized appearance.

And with its long-lasting wear, you can be sure that your eye makeup will stay put throughout the day. Its stick applicator allows you to easily apply the eyeshadow precisely where you want it — no more mistakes or do-overs.

The 20 Heather Steel shade is an ideal choice for mature women as it defines the eyes and lifts hooded lids. 

But those who want a bolder look can opt for 01 Vanila, 02 Violet Plum, 04 Golden Pink, 09 Golden Bronze, 23 Dusty Mauve, 38 Malted Pink, 42 Shore, and other wonderful shades.

8
E.l.f. No Budge Matte Shadow Stick in Thrift Shop

Matte never looked so good with the E.l.f. No Budge Matte Shadow Stick!

Benefits: Long-lasting formula; has a creamy and blendable texture that makes it a breeze to apply; suits mature hooded eyes

Features:

  • Rich, warm-toned brown color with a matte finish
  • Convenient twist-up design with built-in sharpener
  • Available in seven other vibrant shades inspired by classic ’70s styles

Users love the twist-up design that makes shadow application easy, allowing them to achieve a beautiful look with just a few swipes.

 

The E.l.f. No Budge Matte Shadow Stick is not just any eyeshadow palette; it’s the top matte eyeshadow for older eyes!

Its finish is perfect for mature skin, helping minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The long-lasting formula won’t crease or fade either, so your eye makeup stays looking fresh all day. 

Its twist-up design and smooth formula will allow you to apply it like a pro! It even comes with a sharpener that lets you sharpen the tip to ensure you a flawless look every time you use it. 

For mature women who love vibrant colors, this shadow stick is also available in Lava Lamp, Stellar, Bombshell, Groovy, Out of Sight, and other shades.

9
Clinique Touch Base for Eyes in #10 Canvas

Experience long-lasting wear and versatility with the Clinique Touch Base for Eyes! 

Benefits: Can be worn alone or as a base for other eyeshadows; no smudging, fading, or creasing; looks gorgeously natural

Features:

  • Mid-toned yellow-nude shade 
  • Matte finish
  • Suitable for various skin tones and eye colors

Frequently named as the best eyeshadow for women over 60 by beauty enthusiasts!

 

The Clinique Touch Base for Eyes is great for mature skin because it stays in place all day long without smudging, fading, or creasing, so it doesn’t emphasize the fine lines around the eyes.

Another great feature of this eyeshadow is its versatile wearability. You can use it alone for a subtle touch of color or as a base to help secure other eyeshadows into place. 

And with its mid-toned creamy yellow-nude shade, it’s perfect for creating a natural, understated look that women over 60 will love for daily wear.

Other subtle shades are also available: Canvas Light and Nude Rose.

10
L.A. COLORS 5 Color Matte Eyeshadow in Nude Suede

Want to upgrade your everyday eye look? Go for the L.A. COLORS 5 Color Matte Eyeshadow in Nude Suede!

Benefits: Soft and beautiful colors; blendable formula; highlights the eyes

Features:

  • Five matte neutral shades
  • Designed for shading and highlighting
  • Amazingly silky texture

Feel free to mix and match the shades in this palette to create an understated eye look with depth and detail.

 

According to plenty of user reviews, the L.A. COLORS 5 Color Matte Eyeshadow in Nude Suede is a hit with older women, and it’s easy to see why. 

With its neutral hues and matte finish, this palette is perfect for everyday use and enhancing your eyes without overdoing it. 

It allows you to achieve any look you want without accentuating wrinkles, making it the top eyeshadow for mature hooded eyes. 

Top tip: Use the lighter shades in this palette to highlight the inner corners of your eyes and the darker shades to create depth and dimension on the outer corners. This will highlight your eyes’ best features!

Other shades are also available. You may opt for blues with Blue Denim, roses with Natural Linen, purples with Plum Pashmina, teals with Teal Argyle, or pink and browns with Tan Khaki.

11
CoverGirl TruNaked Eyeshadow Palette in Roses

Unleash your creativity with the versatile and highly pigmented CoverGirl TruNaked Eyeshadow Palette! 

Benefits: Provides intense color payoff; easy to blend and customize; nourishes mature skin

Features:

  • Eight shades in glitter, matte, and shimmer finishes
  • Infused with skin conditioners
  • Cruelty-free

A must-try if you love dramatic looks!

 

Why should your age stop you from trying out new looks? 

covergirl eyeshadow palette in roses, goldens, and nudes

Whether you want to glam it up for a special occasion or mix up your everyday style, the CoverGirl TruNaked Eyeshadow Palette’s universally flattering shades can help you achieve a look that will turn heads. 

What’s more, it enhances the natural beauty of aging skin with a formula that’s gentle and nourishing. 

Its formula is infused with skin conditioners, making each shade easy to apply without causing irritation or dryness.

For those with different tastes in color, they may opt for Jewels, Queenship, Nudes, Desert Heat, Smoky, and Goldens, among others.

12
Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Shadow in Au Naturel

Grab one of the best cream eyeshadows for mature skin today and enjoy having a luxurious, long-lasting product that complements aging eyes!

Benefits: Rich color that lasts for up to 12 hours; does not crease, transfer, or smudge; works well with mature skin; deemphasizes signs of aging

Features:

  • Nude eyeshadow
  • Matte finish
  • Crayon form 

Effortless application, versatile use, and incredible longevity — all in one stick!

 

For a top-notch eyeshadow that won’t crease, smudge, or highlight wrinkles, look to the Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Shadow in Au Naturel. 

A photo of three eyeshadows stick on a white surface.

Its intense, buildable color allows you to create various looks that complement your eyes. 

One of the top features of this eyeshadow stick is its long-lasting wear of up to 12 hours. This is beneficial for busy older women who don’t have time for constant touch-ups. 

Plus, it glides smoothly across your eyelids, helping you reduce your makeup application time! 

Other shades and finishes are available, such as Bed of Roses, Amethyst, Blossom, Cashmere, Ginger, Fog, Golden, Strapless, and more.

13
Julep Crème to Powder Waterproof Eyeshadow Stick in Putty

Flawless eye makeup is just a swipe away with the Julep Eyeshadow Stick in Putty! 

Benefits: Provides a crease-proof finish; outlasts exposure to sweat and water; suits mature sensitive skin 

Features:

  • Light taupe-pink color with a crème-to-powder formula
  • Enhanced with vitamins C and E
  • Comes with a built-in smudger

No need for a brush — just apply this eyeshadow directly to your lids!

 

This eyeshadow stick makes your eyes pop with a beautiful taupe-pink hue without overpowering your look. 

It’s also enriched with nourishing ingredients like vitamins C and E, which help hydrate and brighten the eye area. This benefits mature skin that’s often drier and more prone to wrinkles.

As one of the top eyeshadows for older women, it has a built-in smudger too, so it requires no brush for application. 

Older women who find it difficult to apply eyeshadows with traditional brushes due to arthritis or other age-related issues will surely appreciate this. 

This formula also comes in a wide range of shades, from greens to gold.

FAQs

How Do You Apply Eyeshadow as a Mature Woman?

Always start with a primer to create a smooth base for your eyeshadow. 

Then apply the shadow to your lids and blend the colors gently, focusing on your crease and outer corners for a more lifted appearance.

What Type of Makeup Should Older Women Wear?

Beauty is timeless! So there are no hard-and-fast rules on what type of makeup we can wear based on our age. 

Just wear what makes you feel confident and comfortable! Remember to choose creamy, hydrating products like cream eyeshadow or cream blush that won’t settle into wrinkles and fine lines. 

Revamp Your Look With The Top Eyeshadows For Older Eyes

Eye makeup for older women need not be boring!

As you can see from our list above, the top eyeshadow sticks and palettes for women over 50, 60, 70, and beyond are beautiful and versatile, so you can easily find one that suits your needs. 

From affordable to high-end options, from bright and bold to simple and elegant shades, these eyeshadow options will impress you and stun everyone around you!

So give our picks a try!

Remember, you deserve to feel beautiful and confident at any age. Don’t be afraid to get creative and play with different eyeshadows and techniques as this can help you discover your preferred style. 

Find More Age-Defying Products Here!

Author

  • Shai Urbano

    Shai is a licensed pharmacist with a Bachelor of Arts in Pharmacy. She uniquely intertwines her medical expertise with a fervent passion for beauty. With an intrinsic understanding of ingredients and formulation, she's the proud creator of her own line of products designed exclusively for naturally curly hair. Over her four-year writing career, Shai consistently delivers content enriched by her distinct blend of knowledge and enthusiasm.

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