13 Best Eyeliners For Women Over 50 (Aging Eyes)

Get flawless eye makeup with easy to draw liners that work wonders on mature skin.

Reviewed by Mary Ajaka, Makeup Artist
Written by Srijita De, Certified Style & Image Consultant
Edited by Srijani Roy Chowdhury, Certified In Makeup Artistry, Certified Style & Image Consultant
Fact-checked by Madhumati Chowdhury  • 
All products recommended on StyleCraze are independently selected by our editorial team. If you make a purchase through any of these links, we may receive a commission. Learn more about our product selection process here.

Your eyes become sensitive as you age and it is not always recommended to experiment with eye makeup, especially if you have eye issues. Mary Ajaka, Makeup Artist, says, “Using the wrong eyeliners that are too dry or tough to remove can continuously pull at the skin and aggravate the problem.” However, this does not mean you should miss out on the fun! Some of the best eyeliners for older women do not irritate the sensitive skin around your eyes but help make them pop. She adds, “You need eyeliners that glide smoothly, can last throughout the day, do not crease and smudge, and contain eye-friendly and nourishing ingredients. Moreover, they should not be tough to remove.” Here, we have prepared a list of the 13 best eyeliners for women over 50. Scroll down to take your pick.

Top Picks
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Best Fragrance-Free:Clinique Quickliner For Eyes
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Best Color Payoff:Lancôme Paris Artliner Liquid Eyeliner – Black
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Best Smudge-Proof:Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
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Best Ophthalmologist-Tested:Almay Mechanical Eyeliner Pencil
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Best For Smokey Eye Makeup:Julep When Pencil Met Gel Long-Lasting Eyeliner
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Best Water-Resistant Formula:Jane Iredale Mystikol Powdered Eyeliner
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Best For Anti-Aging Benefits:IT Cosmetics No-tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner
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Best For Sensitive Eyes:Physicians Formula Eye BOOSTER – Ultra Black
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Best Cruelty-Free:Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eyeliner Pencil – Perversion
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Best Creamy Texture:Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Eye Pencil – Onyx
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13 Best Eyeliners For Women Over 50

1. Best Fragrance-Free:Clinique Quickliner For Eyes

4.5
Clinique Quickliner — Really Black Image: Clinique

The Clinique Quickliner For Eyes is a waterproof, gel-based pencil eyeliner. The long-lasting formula offers a soft, creamy, and transfer-resistant application that glides smoothly on your eyelids for a clean and intense look. This allergy-tested eyeliner smudges to a smooth blur of color with the convenient smudge tool on the opposite end.

Color: Really Black | Product Dimensions: 0.4 x 0.4 x 7 inches | Weight: 0.4 Ounces

Pros

  • Long-lasting
  • Allergy-tested
  • Fragrance-free
  • Paraben-free
  • Mineral oil-free

Cons

  • Contains sulfates
  • Might cause irritation to sensitive skin

protip_icon Pro Tip
Mature eyes are sensitive and can get easily irritated. So choose an eyeliner with a thicker texture so that it does not drip into your eyes.

Price at the time of publication: $16.75

2. Best Color Payoff:Lancôme Paris Artliner Liquid Eyeliner – Black

As you age, the crow’s feet at the corner of your eyes become prominent. This means that achieving the winged eyeliner look could be tricky. But not to worry! We present to you Lancôme Paris Artliner, which is an amazing eyeliner for older women and is ideal for creating winged or cat-eye look. It is richly pigmented and features a unique double film-forming set of polymers that deliver an intense color payoff that is long-lasting. Furthermore, this liquid formula provides precise and easy application and glides effortlessly; thanks to the felt-tip applicator.

Color: Noir: satin black | Product Dimensions: 0.95 x 1.06 x 4.85 inches | Weight: 0.5 Ounces

Pros

  • Long-lasting wear
  • Does not scratch or tug
  • Offers ultimate precision
  • Defines eyes
  • Provides intense color payoff
  • Available in other colors

Cons

  • Expensive
Why It’s Worth Buying: With 507 positive reviews on Amazon, this product has become a bestseller.
Price at the time of publication: $40.9

3. Best Smudge-Proof:Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner – Intense Black

This waterproof, intense black liquid eyeliner lives up to its name! It stays put until you are ready to remove it and glides smoothly, like butter, along your upper lash line. This crease-resistant, long-wearing eyeliner includes a micro-tip that offers ultra-precise and even application. Additionally, the fine tip is tiny enough to fill in between lashes to give you fuller-looking lashes. Moreover, this is a fast-drying formula that does not smudge or flake.

Color: Intense Black | Product Dimensions: 0.94 x 0.5 x 5 inches | Weight: 0.03 Ounces.

Pros

  • Glides on easily
  • Makes lashes look fuller
  • Waterproof and buildable formula
  • Anti-transfer
  • Anti-creasing
  • Long-wearing
  • Easy removal
  • The ultra-thin tip provides precise application.

Cons

  • Some people may not be comfortable using the short tip.

protip_icon Pro Tip
Do not skip applying a primer before an eyeliner. Make sure you prep your eyelids with a hydrating primer so that your eyeliner stays long without creasing.

Price at the time of publication: $23.0

4. Best Ophthalmologist-Tested:Almay Mechanical Eyeliner Pencil – Black Pearl

What’s not to love about this mechanical eyeliner pencil that is specially formulated to stay put for long hours and goes on easily on your upper eyelids? Rest assured that you won’t have to worry about this retractable pencil pulling or tugging on your skin. It features a smooth, pointed tip that helps you create precise lines while the built-in sharpener integrated into the cap ensures the pencil stays forever sharp. As the color suggests, it creates a beautiful pearlescent finish that makes any eye color pop! Enriched with vitamin E, this eyeliner pencil nourishes and protects your skin.

Color: 209 Black Raisin | Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 2.2 x 1.3 inches | Weight: 0.01 Ounces

Pros

  • Long-wearing and water-resistant formula
  • Does not smudge
  • Fade-resistant
  • Ophthalmologist and dermatologist-tested

Suitable for sensitive eyes

  • Hypoallergenic
  • Cruelty and fragrance-free
  • Affordable

Cons

  • The pencil tends to be a bit fragile.
Price at the time of publication: $6.99

5. Best For Smokey Eye Makeup:Julep When Pencil Met Gel Long-Lasting Eyeliner – Blackest Black

4.1
Julep Beauty Pencil Image: Julep

The Julep eyeliner pencil is waterproof, long-wearing, ultra-creamy, and does not drag your skin, making it one of the best eyeliners for crepey eyelids. This blackest black eyeliner delivers a rich and saturated color payoff in just a couple of swipes, making it the perfect eyeliner for all you smokey-eye lovers out there. With the combination of gel and pencil, this eyeliner glides smoothly along the lash line while also helping you achieve thin or thick eyeliner lines based on how much pressure you apply. This eyeliner’s waterproof quality ensures that the formula sets in 30 seconds and lasts for more than 10 hours.

Color: 01 Blackest Black | Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.25 x 0.25 inches | Weight: 0.32 Ounces.

Pros

  • Contains extra-finely milled pigments
  • Delivers intense finish
  • Glides smoothly
  • Waterproof formula
  • 10-hour wear
  • Ophthalmologist-tested
  • Paraben and sulfate-free
  • Cruelty-free
  • Made without formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde resin, and camphor.

Cons

  • May not be suitable for sensitive eyes
Price at the time of publication: $10.2

6. Best Water-Resistant Formula:Jane Iredale Mystikol Powdered Eyeliner – Onyx

3.9

Do you prefer powder eyeliners to liquid or gel liners? And you’re afraid to use it on your mature skin as powdered eyeliners tend to crease into your fine lines and wrinkles? Then consider this powder-cream formula by Jane Iredale. This eyeliner is formulated with coco glycerides that give it a creamy consistency, helping you create a smooth and even finish. This is an excellent choice if you want to go for the bold smudged look or sensuous smokey eyes. Additionally, this is a water-resistant formula that stays put all day long.

Color: Onyx

Pros

  • Includes a built-in, soft-textured brush
  • Powder-cream formula
  • Provides smooth and mess-free application
  • Helps you create the dramatic, smokey-eye look
  • Water-resistant
  • All-day staying power

Cons

  • May be a little difficult to use

protip_icon Pro Tip
If you have mature eyes, switch your black eyeliner for a brown one. A brown eyeliner will give you natural-looking eyes while black one can bring attention to the dark circles.

Price at the time of publication: $20.8

7. Best For Anti-Aging Benefits:IT Cosmetics No-tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner – Highlight

Thanks to its innovative no-tug technology, IT Cosmetics Gel Eyeliner allows you to create any eyeliner look you want with ease. It features a soft pencil tip that glides smoothly across your delicate eyelids and delivers an intense, saturated finish. This automatic no-tug eyeliner is formulated using anti-aging technology. It contains ingredients like hydrolyzed silk, collagen, vitamins, and antioxidants that moisturize your skin and make it firm. This waterproof formula is easy to use, offers intense pigmentation, and is clinically proven to last for 12 hours.

Color: Onyx

Pros

  • Long-wearing and no-tugging formula
  • High-pigment eyeliner
  • Features anti-aging technology
  • Keeps skin moisturized
  • Waterproof
  • Paraben and sulfate-free
  • Fragrance-free

Cons

  • Tends to clump
  • Thick consistency
Price at the time of publication: $28.99

8. Best For Sensitive Eyes:Physicians Formula Eye BOOSTER – Ultra Black

4.3
Physicians Formula Eye BOOSTER Image: Physicians Formula

You can trust Physicians Formula to come up with a 2-in-1 eyeliner + serum that has all the qualities of a good liquid eyeliner and has the ability to enhance your lash line. Hailed as one of the best eyeliners for sensitive eyes, as it prevents sensitive eyelids from drying. This sleek liquid eyeliner pen helps define and accentuate your eyes with its intensely pigmented shade. Plus, it includes a precise brush-tip applicator that enables you to create crisp lines every time. It also conditions and nourishes your lashes. This eyeliner is long-lasting and water-resistant.

Color: Ultra Black | Product Dimensions: 0.94 x 1.88 x 5.63 inches | Weight: 0.02 Ounces

Pros

  • 24-hour wear
  • Water-resistant and smudge-proof
  • Accentuates your eyes
  • The serum enhances the appearance of lashes
  • Hypoallergenic
  • Suitable for sensitive skin and eyes
  • Includes ultra-precise brush-tip applicator

Cons

  • The eyeliner may be a bit dry.
Price at the time of publication: $8.98

9. Best Cruelty-Free:Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eyeliner Pencil – Perversion

4.3
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil Image: Urban Decay

Urban Decay is popularly known for its highly-pigmented and cruelty-free makeup line, and this eyeliner pencil is all that and more! It has a buttery texture and glides over your upper and lower eyelids smoothly to deliver a luscious, vibrant color that does not budge, come rain or tears. Once applied, it stays soft and creamy, giving you enough time to blend it to create a subtle eye shadow effect. Alternatively, you could use it to create a thin layer for a neutral eyeliner makeup look. This eyeliner pencil is infused with hydrating ingredients like vitamin E, cottonseed oil, and jojoba oil, which moisturize, condition, and soften your skin.

Color: Perversion (matte blackest black) | Product Dimensions: 0.83 x 0.83 x 4.33 inches | Weight: 0.04 Ounces

Pros

  • Long-lasting formula
  • Waterproof
  • Has a creamy, blendable texture
  • Enriched with skin-hydrating ingredients
  • Glides on smoothly
  • Intense color payoff
  • 100% cruelty-free

Cons

  • It may not be suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.
Price at the time of publication: $16.5

10. Best Creamy Texture:Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Eye Pencil – Onyx

4.4
Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Eye Pencil Image: Estee Lauder

Looking for an eyeliner that is easy to use, provides smooth application, and lends a rich color payoff? Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Eye Pencil is the one for you. It is a water-resistant and non-smudging formula that manages to stay put all day. It glides on smoothly without causing friction on thin, delicate skin. While this quick-drying eye pencil lends a clean and well-defined line, it can also create a smudged look; thanks to the built-in smudger on the other end of the pencil. This double-wear formula sets in seconds and lasts for 24 hours straight.

Color: Onyx | Product Dimensions: 0.7 x 0.5 x 6.9 inches | Weight: 0.1 Ounces

Pros

  • Double-ended pencil
  • Long-wearing for 24 hours
  • Dries quickly
  • Lightweight and creamy
  • Waterproof and smudge-proof
  • Fragrance-free
  • Ophthalmologist-tested

Cons

  • May be difficult to sharpen
Price at the time of publication: $28.49

11. Best For Contact Lens Wearers:Neutrogena Nourishing Eyeliner

4.4
Marcelle Waterproof Eyeliner Image: Marcelle

The Neutrogena Nourishing Eyeliner is formulated with olive oil and rainforest shea butter. It glides smoothly on your eyelids without smudging or fading for long hours. The subtle light diffusers help make the whites of the eyes appear whiter. The dermatologist-approved and ophthalmologist-tested formula is gentle on the lashes and safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. This eye pencil includes a built-in sharpener for precise makeup application and definition, and the contoured smudger helps achieve a soft, blended, smoky eye look.

Color: 30 Spiced Chocolate | Product Dimensions: 1.18 x 1.18 x 1.18 inches | Weight: 0.11 Ounces

Pros

  • Anti-fading
  • Anti-smudging
  • Built-in sharpener
  • Dermatologically tested
  • Ophthalmologically tested

Cons

  • Contains silicone
Why It’s Worth Buying: It has received 3,575 reviews on Amazon and is a popular choice among shoppers.
Price at the time of publication: $8.14

12. Best Long-Lasting:Maybelline New York TattooStudio Waterproof Gel Eyeliner

4.3
Maybelline New York TattooStudio Waterproof Gel Eyeliner Image: Maybelline

Besides her songs, Lady Gaga is known for her distinct hairstyles and over-the-top makeup, especially her graphic eyeliner looks. So if you have always wanted your eyes to look as killer as hers, try this black gel eyeliner. The Maybelline New York TattooStudio Waterproof Gel Eyeliner delivers smooth and intense color for a sharp look. The smudge-proof formula stays on for more than 36 hours. This pencil eyeliner offers highly pigmented color for precise definition. It is free of allergens and safe for all skin types.

Color: Deep onyx | Product Dimensions: 0.4 x 1.88 x 5.63 inches | Weight: 0.32 Ounces.

Pros

  • Gluten-free
  • Coconut-free
  • Paraben-free
  • Preservative-free
  • Nickel-free
  • Long-lasting
  • Allergen-free
  • Safe for all skin types

Cons

None

Why It’s Worth Buying: The extensive 28,093 rave reviews on Amazon prove why we are vouching for this product.
Price at the time of publication: $6.3

13. Best Moisture-Locking Formula:RevitaLash Cosmetics Defining Liner – Black

4.4
RevitaLash Cosmetics Defining Liner Image: Revitalash Cosmetics

Draw precise lines in a single stroke like makeup artists with the RevitaLash Cosmetics Defining Liner. It is a silky, creamy formula that gently glides over your upper eyelids without scratching, dragging and skipping your skin. Referred to as satin glide eyeliner, it lives up to its name. With its richly pigmented shade and stay-true color, you can expect an excellent payoff. This eyeliner formula provides long-lasting and smudge-proof wear. What’s more? It also includes a built-in sharpener and contoured smudge tool that enables you to create any eyeliner makeup look.

Color: Black | Product Dimensions: 1 x 0.63 x 5.5 inches | Weight: 0.16 Ounces

Pros

  • Moisture-locking formula
  • Creamy texture
  • Dermatologist and ophthalmologist-tested
  • Hypoallergenic
  • Chemical and fragrance-free
  • Cruelty-free
  • Safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers

Cons

  • The pencil may be too soft and fragile
Price at the time of publication: $28.0

Here are a few points to consider while buying an eyeliner for mature eyes.

The Ultimate Guide To Choose The Best Eyeliners For Women Over 50 Years

How To Choose The Best Eyeliner For Older Women

Type: By now, you must have realized that there are different types of eyeliners such as powder, gel, crayon, liquid, and pencil eyeliners. Always look for something that is easy to use and provides a smooth application.

Formula: Eyeliners for older eyes are meant to be gentle, long-wearing, and smudge-proof. That said, not all eyeliners are suitable for everyone. There are a few factors to look out for when choosing an eyeliner based on the formula. For instance, if you have oily eyelids, you need a formula that stays on for long without running or smudging. And for those with sensitive eyes, look for something that is non-drying and non-irritating to your eyes.

Applicator: Women with fine lines and wrinkles should opt for an eyeliner that comes with felt or precision-tip applicator. Felt-tip brush eyeliners have thin, soft points that help you create defined, clean lines. Some eyeliners also feature a smudge tool to create a dramatic effect.

How To Use Eyeliner For Women Over 50

The Best Eyeliner Tips For Older Women

  • Before applying eyeliner, you need to ensure that your eyes are clean.
  • For a long-lasting application, you could prime your eyelids with a concealer.
  • Liquid eyeliners with felt-tip applicators are considered to be one of the best options as they glide smoothly over crepey eyelids.
  • If you have droopy eyelids, a genius eyeliner hack would be to use white eyeliners that can give you brighter-looking and wide-awake eyes.

Infographic: Eyeliners For Mature Eyes: A Quick Guide

Eyeliners are a central part of our eye makeup. The eyeliner formulas, colors, and applicators play a big role in amping up your look. With advancing age, the staple black eyeliners only accentuate the wrinkles and make the eyes look heavy. To avoid this, you must look away from black towards softer colors. Check out this infographic to find out which colors to opt for instead. Scroll down.

Eyeliners For Mature Eyes: A Quick Guide (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Save the high-quality PDF version on your device now.

Download Infographic in PDF version Download Infographic
Download Infographic in PDF version

The Bottom Line

Aging is inevitable. But aging like wine is in your hands. Eyeliners enhance your eye’s appearance irrespective of your age. The regular eyeliners may be heavy for mature skin and may cause it to dry out. They are often difficult to remove eyeliner from the skin as well. The eyeliners on our list are formulated especially for a woman over 50. Try the Clinique Quickliner For Eyes for creating the perfect smokey eye look. The Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner is ideal for smooth and precise strokes that last all day long, while the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eyeliner Pencil offers rich black pigmentation that glides smoothly over your eyelids to deliver a deep and intense color. These eyeliners contain gentle, nourishing ingredients. They give you flawless applications. They are mess-free, smudge-proof, long-lasting, and easy to clean. However, some products may not suit sensitive eyes. Read the buying guide and reviews to pick the ideal one that meets your needs.

Why Trust Stylecraze

Srijita De is our in-house makeup enthusiast and enjoys writing about makeup products to cater to women of each age group. She shared the best eyeliners for older women in this post. Chaitra has curated this list of eyeliners that smoothly glide on the eyes are smudge-free and gentle on the eyes. In addition, she has scoured user feedback on multiple websites before handpicking these eyeliners.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should you wear eyeliner if you are over 50?

Yes, definitely! As long as you choose an eyeliner that best suits you and you apply it the right way, age should not matter.

What color eyeliner should an older woman wear?

Older women can wear any color they want. While black and brown are generally considered the safest options, dark eyeliner colors can sometimes make your dark circles prominent. You can always opt for bright or light colors like white, metallic blue, or orange in such cases.

What age should you stop wearing eyeliner?

Women of any age can wear eyeliner. There is no age limit to apply eyeliner.


Recommended Articles:

Best Eyeliners For Sensitive Eyes
Best Eyeliners For The Cat-Eye Look
Best Eyeliners In The World
Best Eyeliners For The Perfect Wings
Best Eyeliners For Hooded Eyes


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