Women over 50 have different mascara concerns than we did in our younger years. This is a complete guide on choosing the best mascaras for your beauty concerns as a mature woman.

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Can older women wear mascara?

Older women can absolutely wear mascara. It can enhance the eyes and make them appear more open and youthful. It is usually recommended to choose a formula that is suitable for your lash type, be it lengthening, volumizing, or curling.

In this post, we’ll cover which are the best mascaras for mature women (including drugstore options), should you put mascara on your bottom lashes, which colored mascaras are best for women over 50, as well as the best mascaras for thinning lashes and hooded lids.

Choosing the Right Mascara

When selecting mascara, consider your specific needs and concerns. Here’s a more detailed guide to choosing the right mascara:

Formula:
- Hydrating/Nourishing: As we age, lashes can become more brittle and prone to breakage, making it essential to choose a mascara with hydrating and nourishing ingredients like Vitamin E or oils.
- Non-clumping and Non-flaking: Mascara that doesn’t clump or flake is crucial, providing a smoother, more natural look and avoiding eye irritation.
Type:
- Lengthening: Ideal for shorter lashes, these types focus on extending the length of the lashes, giving the appearance of longer lashes.
- Volumizing: Suitable for thin or sparse lashes, volumizing mascaras make the lashes appear fuller and thicker.
- Curling: Curling mascaras help lift the lashes upward, making the eyes look more open and awake.
Color:
- Choosing a color that complements the individual's hair color and skin tone is also important. Brown or soft black can often look more natural and less harsh on older women, especially those with lighter hair and skin tones.
Application:
- Proper application is also key. Using an eyelash curler before applying mascara can open up the eyes more. Applying a wiggling motion from the roots to the tips can help coat each lash evenly without clumping.
Removal:
- Since the skin around the eyes becomes more delicate with age, using a gentle eye makeup remover is essential. It’s important to avoid tugging or pulling at the lashes during removal to prevent damage and loss.
Sensitivity:
- Older eyes may be more sensitive, so hypoallergenic formulas or those suitable for sensitive eyes may be preferable.
Brush Type:
- The type of brush can also make a difference. A smaller, more precise brush can help in coating each lash without smudging, which is especially important for those with smaller or hooded eyes.

Mascara can be a wonderful tool to enhance your natural beauty and make you feel more confident in your appearance. It’s all about finding the right product and application technique to suit your needs and preferences, allowing for a more refined and youthful look. Regardless of age, you can feel beautiful and express yourself through makeup.

What mascara is good for 50-plus women?

For women over 50, finding nourishing, non-clumping mascaras that can enhance the appearance of the lashes is crucial. Here are several mascaras that are well-suited for mature women:

1. PrimeLash Mascara: This mascara offers innovative volumizing and lengthening properties. It is designed to enhance and define lashes with a lightweight pH-balanced formula for all-day wear, making it perfect for women over 50 seeking a youthful, revitalized look.

2. Maybelline Full ‘N Soft Mascara: A hydrating formula provides a natural look without clumping.

3. Estée Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Lash Multiplying Volume Mascara: Provides volume without clumping and has a gentle formula.

4. Lancôme Definicils High Definition Mascara: A lengthening mascara known for its ability to separate lashes for a defined look.

5. Clinique High Impact Mascara: Suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers, it adds volume and length with minimal clumping.

6. CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume Mascara: Known for its volumizing effect and ability to resist smudging and flaking.

7. Buxom Lash Volumizing Mascara: Provides volume and definition without weighing down the lashes.

8. Almay Thickening Mascara: Suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers, it’s known for its thickening formula.

9. IT Cosmetics Superhero Elastic Stretch Volumizing Mascara: Provides volume, length, and elasticity, ideal for thinning lashes.

Should women over 50 wear mascara on bottom lashes?

Whether or not to apply mascara on bottom lashes for women over 50 is indeed subject to individual preference, style, and facial features. Below are some expanded thoughts and tips on this topic:

1. Consideration of Eye Shape and Features: The decision to apply mascara to the bottom lashes can depend largely on eye shape, size, and the presence of under-eye concerns such as dark circles or wrinkles. Some may find that applying mascara on the bottom lashes enhances their eyes, making them appear larger and more defined, while others may feel it makes their eyes appear smaller and draws attention to undesired areas.

2. Under-Eye Concerns: For those with prominent dark circles, wrinkles, or bags under the eyes, applying mascara to the bottom lashes can sometimes accentuate these concerns. A well-formulated concealer can help in masking such issues if one prefers the look of mascara on the bottom lashes.

3. Subtlety is Key: If one chooses to apply mascara to the bottom lashes, a subtler, more natural look is often more flattering, particularly for daytime wear. Using mascara with a smaller, more precise wand can help achieve a clean, defined look without smudging or clumping.

4. Color Choice: Opting for a brown or a softer shade of mascara can create a less harsh and more natural look, particularly for those with lighter hair and skin tones. A softer color can define the lashes without overwhelming the eyes.

5. Technique: Applying with a light hand is crucial to avoid a heavy, overdone appearance. Consider wiping off excess mascara from the wand or using a clean spoolie to comb through the lashes for a more refined look.

6. Alternatives: Those who find mascara on the bottom lashes too intense may consider a clear lash gel for subtle definition or focus on enhancing the upper lashes to lift and open up the eyes.

7. Trial and Error: Experimenting with different products, colors, and application techniques can help determine whether mascara on the bottom lashes complements one's overall look and style preferences.

Best drugstore mascara for over 50

When looking for drugstore mascaras for mature lashes, you want to look for options that offer hydration, don’t clump or flake, and ideally provide nourishing ingredients to condition the lashes. Here are several drugstore mascaras that are suitable for women over 50:

1. Maybelline Full 'N Soft Mascara: As mentioned, this is known for its hydrating formula and provides a natural, soft look without clumping, making it an excellent choice for mature lashes.

2. CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume Mascara: It is recognized for giving lashes a fuller appearance without smudging or flaking, a crucial factor for mature skin.

3. Almay Thickening Mascara: Great for sensitive eyes and those who wear contact lenses, it is known for its ability to thicken lashes without irritating them.

4. Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara: Besides providing length and volume, it also has a lash-growing formula that benefits those experiencing thinning lashes.

Application Tips:

Use a lash curler before applying to open up the eyes and lift the lashes.
Wipe off excess mascara from the wand to avoid clumping and apply in a zig-zag motion from root to tip for an even coat.
Opt for a mascara that suits your specific needs, whether for lengthening, volumizing, or curling and consider a waterproof formula if smudging is a concern.

What is the best color mascara for women over 50?

Selecting the best mascara color for women over 50 involves considering individual hair color, skin tone, eye color, personal style, and the desired look one is aiming for. Here's a more expanded perspective:

1. Individual Attributes and Preferences: Personal attributes like hair color, skin tone, and eye color are crucial in determining the best color choice for mascara. Individual style preference and the intended look – whether natural or dramatic – are also key considerations.

2. Neutral and Soft Shades: For a more natural, everyday look, softer shades like brown or gray can be more flattering, especially for those with lighter hair and skin tones. These shades can enhance the eyes without appearing too stark or overpowering.

3. Black for Drama and Contrast: Black mascara can create a more dramatic, defined look and work well for those with darker hair colors or those seeking more contrast. It can be particularly suitable for evening wear or special occasions.

4. Complementary Shades: Experimenting with shades complimenting your eye color can yield beautiful results. For example, burgundy or plum shades can enhance green or hazel eyes, while navy or cobalt can make blue eyes pop.

5. Consider the Overall Makeup Look: When choosing mascara color, considering the overall makeup look is also important. A balanced look where the eyes, lips, and cheeks harmonize well can be more flattering. For instance, a softer mascara shade might be more suitable if the eye shadow or eyeliner is bold or dark.

6. Subtlety with Age: As the skin matures, subtler makeup shades can often harmonize and enhance, adding definition without drawing attention to lines or wrinkles. However, makeup is also a medium for self-expression, and bold choices can be empowering and refreshing.

7. Experimentation and Variety: There is no one-size-fits-all answer, and experimenting with different shades and formulations can help find what works best for each individual. Various mascara colors can offer flexibility to create different looks suitable for different occasions.

8. Event and Time of Day: The event and time of day can also influence the best choice of mascara color. Daytime and casual events might call for more neutral and soft colors, while evenings and formal occasions might allow for bold, dramatic choices.

Is brown mascara better for older women?

Brown mascara is often a more suitable option for older women due to its subtlety and softer appearance, particularly for those with lighter hair colors and complexions.

Here’s a deeper dive into the topic:

1. Natural Appearance: Brown mascara offers a more natural, understated look than black mascara. It defines the lashes without overwhelming the eyes, making it a suitable option for everyday wear or for those who prefer a more muted makeup look.

2. Softens Features: As skin matures, features can become more pronounced, and softer makeup shades can help maintain a balanced and harmonious appearance. Brown mascara can soften the look of the eye area and is less likely to accentuate fine lines and wrinkles compared to darker shades.

3. Complementing Hair and Skin Tones: Brown mascara can be particularly flattering on those with lighter hair colors and fair to medium skin tones, as it complements the overall color palette and enhances the eyes without appearing too stark.

4. Versatility: Brown mascara can also be versatile, working well for casual, daytime looks, but it can also be built up for more intensity for evening or special occasion wear.

5. Personal Preference and Desired Look: The choice between brown and black mascara ultimately depends on your style, preferences, and the look you aim to achieve. You may prefer the dramatic, bold definition black mascara provides, especially for evening looks or special occasions, while others may opt for the subtlety of brown mascara.

6. Experimentation: Experimenting with different shades of brown, from lighter to darker tones, can help find the most flattering shade. Some brands offer options like dark brown for those who prefer a middle ground between soft brown and intense black.

7. Color Variation: Beyond traditional brown, exploring other softer shades like grey or burgundy can also offer a flattering and interesting variation to eye makeup, adding a hint of color while maintaining a softer appearance than black.

Choosing the Right Mascara: Regardless of color, choosing a mascara with a suitable formula (hydrating, non-clumping) and application wand for one’s lash type and preferences is also crucial.

While brown mascara can be more flattering and natural-looking on older women, it is not a strict rule. Makeup is a form of self-expression; individuals should feel free to explore and wear what makes them feel most confident and happy. Balancing personal style with complementary choices can lead to the most satisfying results.

Best mascara for for thinning lashes?

When addressing thinning lashes, you typically want a mascara that offers volumizing, lengthening, and possibly fortifying benefits to create the illusion of fuller, longer lashes. Here are several mascara options that are suitable for thinning lashes:

1. Buxom Lash Volumizing Mascara: This mascara is known for its volumizing properties, providing fuller and thicker-looking lashes.

2. PrimeLash Mascara: It boasts a specially formulated serum that volumizes and extends lashes and promotes lash health, making it ideal for those with thinning lashes seeking both enhancement and nourishment.

3. L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Original Mascara: This affordable option is renowned for its volumizing and thickening capabilities, making it a suitable choice for those with thinning lashes.

4. Maybelline The Falsies Lash Lift Mascara: It provides a double-curved lifting brush and a fiber-infused formula designed to deliver a dramatic length and volume, mimicking the effect of a lash lift.

5. Dior Diorshow Mascara: Though pricier, this mascara is notable for its luxurious volumizing formula and the ability to build up for more dramatic looks without clumping.

6. Benefit They’re Real! Lengthening & Volumizing Mascara: It offers both length and volume, ideal for those wanting to achieve a more dramatic look with thinning lashes.

7. Estée Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Lash Multiplying Volume Mascara: This mascara promises to lengthen, volumize, and create high-definition lash looks with its fiber-rich formula.

8. CoverGirl Clump Crusher Extensions LashBlast Mascara: The curved brush design and fiber-stretch formula offer great length and definition without clumping, making lashes appear fuller and longer.

9. Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara: Acclaimed for its volumizing and lengthening properties, this mascara has an hourglass-shaped brush that coats each lash for a fuller appearance.

10. Lancôme Hypnôse Drama Instant Full Body Volume Mascara: Its S-shaped brush and intense black pigment provide volume and definition to each lash, ideal for those with thinner lashes seeking a bold look.

11. Clinique Lash Power Mascara Long-Wearing Formula: This option is ideal for those looking for long-lasting wear and a formula resistant to smudging and smearing.

Considerations for Thinning Lashes

Primer: Using a lash primer before applying mascara can also help achieve more volume and length, such as Urban Decay Subversion Lash Primer, Lashfood Conditioning Collagen Lash Primer, and Benefit They’re Real! Tinted Lash Primer.
Gentle Removal: Opt for a gentle makeup remover to avoid damaging lashes during makeup removal.
Nourishing Ingredients: Look for mascaras that contain nourishing ingredients like peptides and biotin, which can promote lash health.

Mascara for older hooded eyes?

For older individuals with hooded eyes, selecting a mascara that avoids smudging and transferring is essential, especially considering the limited eyelid space. Here are several options for mascaras suitable for hooded eyes:

1. Clinique Lash Power Mascara Long-Wearing Formula: As mentioned, this mascara has a slim applicator that allows for precision and is long-wearing, resisting smudging and transfer.

2. Maybelline New York Sky High Waterproof Mascara: The waterproof formula prevents smudges, and the flexible brush allows for precise application on each lash.

3. PrimeLash Mascara: This smudge-proof and long-lasting formula, combined with its precision wand, makes it an excellent choice for mature women with hooded lids. It offers definition and volume without the worry of transfer onto the brow bone.

3. Urban Decay Perversion Waterproof Mascara: It offers a waterproof and long-lasting formula that avoids smudging and is ideal for hooded eyes. It also provides volume and length to the lashes.

4. Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara: The waterproof version of this popular mascara helps prevent transfer and smudging, and the formula provides dramatic volume and length.

5. L'Oréal Paris Double Extend Beauty Tubes Lengthening Mascara: This tubing mascara creates small tubes around your lashes that won't smudge or flake, making it a good choice for hooded eyes.

6. Blinc Mascara: Known as the original tubing mascara, it forms tubes around the lashes that are smudge-proof and water-resistant, making it perfect for hooded eyes.

7. Estée Lauder Double Wear Zero-Smudge Lengthening Mascara: A no-smudge formula ensures longevity and avoids transfer, which is critical for those with hooded eyes.

8. MAC Extended Play Gigablack Lash Mascara: This mascara has a slim brush for precise application and a long-wearing formula to avoid smudging and transfer on the brow bone.

9. CoverGirl LashBlast Volume Waterproof Mascara: It offers a smudge-proof and waterproof formula and a volumizing effect, suitable for hooded eyes.

10. Stila Huge Extreme Lash Waterproof Mascara: The waterproof formula ensures no smudging or transfer, and the wand helps achieve voluminous and defined lashes.

Additional Tips for Hooded Eyes:

Precise Application: A slim applicator helps reach all the lashes without touching the brow bone.
Waterproof Formulas are less likely to transfer or smudge onto the brow bone or under-eye area.
Tubing Mascara: It creates a tube around each lash and is an excellent option for avoiding smudging.
Setting Powder: Applying setting powder on the eyelids can also help prevent transfer.

How do you apply mascara over 60?

Applying mascara over 60 requires a gentle approach and the right products to accentuate the lashes without overdoing it or causing damage. Below is a more detailed step-by-step guide:

1. Choose the Right Mascara: Opt for a mascara with a slim brush for precision, hydrating, and lengthening to avoid clumping and subtly enhance the lashes.

2. Curl your Lashes: Start by curling your lashes with a quality eyelash curler. This helps lift the lashes, making the eyes appear more open and youthful.

3. Apply a Lash Primer (Optional): A nourishing lash primer can condition the lashes and help create a smooth base for the mascara, maximizing its effects.

4. Use a Mirror: Position a magnifying mirror so that you look down into it. This angle will help you see your lashes clearly and prevent mascara from getting onto your eyelids.

5. Mascara Application: Start at the base of your lashes. Use a wiggling motion from side to side as you move the brush upwards towards the tips of your lashes. This technique helps in coating each lash evenly while avoiding clumps.

6. Be Mindful of the Amount: To keep the look soft and natural, apply one or two coats of mascara. Allow the first coat to dry slightly before applying the second coat to avoid clumping.

7. Bottom Lashes (Optional): If you choose to apply mascara to your bottom lashes, use mascara with a smaller brush for more precision and opt for a lighter application.

8. Clean Up: After application, if there is any smudging or excess mascara on the eyelids or under the eyes, clean it up gently with a cotton swab dipped in a makeup remover.

9. Hydration: Regularly using hydrating eye creams or lash serums can help maintain lash health, preventing them from becoming brittle and prone to breakage.

10. Remove Gently: At the end of the day, gently remove the mascara with a mild, eye-friendly makeup remover to avoid lash damage.