With age, our eyes get more sensitive. That means that your tried-and-true mascara may now irritate your eyes or flake off. While it’s easy to feel discouraged when our favorite products no longer perform the way we remember, there are many mascaras for older women that will outshine your old favorites.
Experts Say
“Choosing products that are sensitive eye safe doesnt mean that you cant have the cosmetic look you want! You can find mascaras that promise length and volume while also being eye safe, especially for older eyes.”—Dr. Ashley Brissette, ophthalmologist
We interviewed an ophthalmologist and a makeup artist to find out what makes the best mascaras for mature eyes. Plus, we tested each and every one ourselves.
These are the best mascaras for older women.
Our Top Picks
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Formulated with conditioning ingredients, like keratin, shea butter, and beeswax
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Easy to remove, so you can be gentle on the eye area
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Volumized, curled, and lengthened without flaking or clumping
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We couldn’t find any!
Mascaras should contain ingredients that take care of your eyelashes, not destroy them. This is especially important when it comes to mature eyes. This Ilia mascara contains keratin, shea butter, and beeswax, which nourish brittle eyelashes.
We also found this mascara easy to remove, so you won’t have to tug at the thin skin around your eyes before bedtime. We loved the effect this mascara gave us thanks to the double-sided brush. One side of the applicator curled and volumized, while the opposite side lengthened and separated.
Formula type: Clean | Size: 0.27 ounces | Ophthalmologist tested: Yes | Shades: 1
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![Closeup of a person applying ILIA Limitless Lash Lengthening Clean Mascara]()
PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao
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![ILIA Limitless Lash Lengthening Clean Mascara displayed on a counter next to an eyelash curler and makeup powder]()
PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao
Experts Say
“I recommend looking for moisturizing ingredients in the mascara which can help to nourish the lashes.”—Dr. Ashley Brissette, ophthalmologist
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No bleeding, budging, or flaking with this waterproof formula
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Buildable for a natural or voluminous look
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Lightweight, flexible hold
If you’re looking for a top notch beauty product, the Lancôme Big Waterproof Mascara is not only one of our favorites — its a makeup artist favorite, too. The high-quality waterproof formula won’t ever flake or transfer onto the under-eye area, making it a great pick for those with watery eyes.
It’s also buildable for a more voluminous look, so those with thin or sparse eyelashes can get the illusion of a fuller lash. It requires a little extra elbow grease to remove, so if thin skin is a concern, we recommend you opt for a non-waterproof formula.
Makeup Artist Recommended
“If waterproof is preferred, there is nothing better in the world than a Lancôme waterproof mascara! My favorite is Monsieur Big Waterproof but any of their formulas are top rated!”—Michelle Spieler, makeup artist
Formula type: Waterproof | Size: 0.33 ounces | Ophthalmologist tested: No | Shades: 1
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Tubing formula is simultaneously easy to remove and long-wearing
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Contains shea butter and castor oil for lash nourishment
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Formula never clumped, flaked, or smudged
We love the natural finish of this mascara, which lengthened each lash with ease. Tubing mascara forms tubes around each lash, creating great separation and length. The formula is easy to remove with warm water, but it’s also long-wearing, so it won’t flake or smudge off throughout the day.
The formula also contains hydrating ingredients like shea butter and castor oil, which will nourish your lashes. The heavy wand is easy to grip, making for even easier application.
Best of all, this mascara comes in a brown shade, which both ophthalmologist Dr. Ashley Brissette and makeup artist Michelle Spieler recommend for mature eyes.
Experts Say
“I’ve personally used tubing mascara in the heat/humidity working long days on set for North Carolina TV/Film and after 16 hour days my mascara stayed in place, no smudging or flaking.” —Michelle Spieler, makeup artist
Formula type: Tubing | Size: 0.27 ounces | Ophthalmologist tested: Yes, and dermatologist tested | Shades: 2
People / Jessica Juliao
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Creates a full, natural lash in just two coats
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We didn’t experience any clumping, smudging, flaking, or shedding
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Truly waterproof, so it’s a good match for watery eyes
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Difficult to remove
We love this waterproof mascara that never clumps, smudges, flakes, or sheds. During testing, we found it creates a really beautiful natural-looking lash in just a couple of coats, though the formula is buildable if you prefer more drama. It’s offered in three different shades, so you can opt for black, black/brown or black honey depending on your preference.
While we’ve tested (and loved) this formula, Brissette recommends a similar Clinique mascara: the High Impact High-Fi Full Volume Mascara. If you prefer a little more volume (and don’t need a waterproof finish), this alternative formula is ophthalmologist tested and safe for sensitive eyes.
Formula type: Non-waterproof | Size: 0.28 ounces | Ophthalmologist tested: Yes | Shades: 3
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![A tube of Clinique High Impact Waterproof Mascara next to its box]()
PHOTO: People / Kaitlin Greif
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![A person holds up a tube of Clinique High Impact Waterproof Mascara]()
PHOTO: People / Jhett Thompson
Experts Also Recommend
Spieler is a makeup artist who specializes in mature makeup. She recommends the following formulas, which are her go-tos for mature eyes.
What to Know About Mascaras for Older Women
Eye Sensitivity
If you’ve noticed increased sensitivity, redness, irritation, and blurry vision with age, you’re not alone. Brissette tells PEOPLE that dry eye disease can be caused not only by aging, but also by the hormonal changes of menopause.
“The eyes tend to be more sensitive and prone to irritation with age,” Brissette says. “Choosing products that are allergy and/or ophthalmologist tested and safe for sensitive eyes is important.”
This means mature eyes also tend to be more teary, making a long-wearing formula even more important. “The number one question I’m asked about mature eyes is how to keep eyeliner and mascara on,” Spieler tells PEOPLE. She recommends tubing mascara for smudge-proof, easy-to-remove mascara.
Moisturizing Ingredients
Brissette suggests looking for ingredients that nourish the lashes, since our lashline tends to get thinner and sparser with age.
During testing, we loved the Ilia Limitless Lash Lengthening Clean Mascara, and it’s formulated with keratin, shea butter, and beeswax, which condition the lashes. The Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara is another nourishing formula we loved, thanks to the formula’s shea butter and castor oil.
Shade
Both Brissette and Spieler recommend using brown mascara, rather than black mascara, on mature eyes. “When I do mature women for special occasions, I always use brown or black/brown mascara,” Spieler says. The Clinique High Impact Waterproof Mascara comes in two brown shades, while the Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara comes in brown as well.
Still, many women prefer to stick with their tried-and-true black shade as they age. Black mascaras provide even more definition and drama. At the end of the day, it all comes down to preference. Those who prefer black mascaras have ample choices, and all the mascaras we recommend are available in black.
People / Jessica Juliao
Behind the Scenes
We asked our experts how to identify the best mascaras for older women, and we even considered their personal recommendations. Then, we consulted results from two different PEOPLE Tested tests (totalling 54 mascaras) to identify the best waterproof and non-waterproof mascaras for older women, based on the following criteria.
- Length of Wear: Mature eyes are often teary, making it more likely for mascara to smudge and flake. Each product we recommend is long-wearing, so you won’t have to worry about touch-ups and reapplication. Waterproof and tubing mascaras are typically the most longwearing options, though some traditional formulas also provide lasting results.
- Ingredients: We considered ingredients, giving preference to those mascaras that provide extra nourishment to the lashes. Since mature eyes often struggle with sparse or thin lashes, taking care of the lashline is more important than ever.
- Ease of Removal: Not only is the lashline more fragile, but the skin around your eye also thins with age. This means gentle removal is extra important. We considered ease of removal, giving extra points to mascaras that don’t require any rubbing or tugging to remove. We made sure to note if any products were stubborn to remove.
- Volumizing Effect: Due to a thinner lashline, older women might prefer more volumizing effects. We chose products that gave the illusion of a full lashline, and we especially preferred the products that are buildable for a natural or dramatic effect.
Why Trust PEOPLE?
Genevieve Cepeda is a shopping writer for PEOPLE, with experience writing beauty, fashion, and lifestyle content. She has stubborn, straight, fragile eyelashes — so she knows how hard it can be to find a mascara that works for you. In order to identify the best mascaras for older women, she interviewed ophthalmologist Dr. Ashley Brissette and makeup artist Michelle Spieler. She also consulted testing results for 54 different mascaras, using expert insights to identify the mascaras that are truly great.
Our Expert Panel
- Dr. Ashley Brissette is an assistant professor of ophthalmology at Weill Cornell Medicine and the founder of eyecare brand Daily Practice
- Michelle Spieler is a professional makeup artist, who specializes in mature makeup. She is also the founder of Mature Makeup Masterclass, a Youtube channel where Michelle shares her beauty expertise.
What is PEOPLE Tested?
We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.
But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.
In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.
