10 Better Ways to Do Grownup Eye Makeup

4. Gently hold lids taut to get a smooth line

There’s a great trick to this. Look straight into the mirror and gently pull your eye taut (but not tight!) at the outer edge while applying the liner to your upper lids. This decreases the lids enough so you can draw a sleeker line without bumps and wiggles. Work from the outer eye inward and try to keep your eye slightly open to control the line so it doesn't get too thick or heavy. Resting your elbows on a table or desktop steadies your hands and makes the process easy. Use a lighter hand when lining below the eyes so the effect there is softer. However, there’s an exception: For deep-set hooded eyes, emphasizing the lower lash line with liner or lining the inner lower rim (also known as the waterline) can help give eyes a much stronger shape.

(Left to right) Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeshadow in Blackout-Matte; Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in Intense Black; NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Waterproof Eyeliner Vegan Formula in Black

Sephora; Ulta Beauty; Target

5. Double up on the line

Another trick really powers up the effect of pencil liner. Go back over the pencil line with a same or similar dark powder eye shadow — like Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeshadow in Blackout-Matte ($19, sephora.com) or the darkest shade from your palette of shadows (see tip number 7). This fills in any gaps between pencil and lash roots and reinforces the intensity of the liner. It really dramatizes eye shape, which is exactly what aging eyes need most. Those with deep-set, hooded or watery eyes should double line with a marker-like pen liner — such as the Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in Intense Black ($23, ulta.com) or NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Waterproof Eyeliner Vegan Formula in Black ($10, target.com) — instead of powder shadow. If you go the liquid-liner route know that pencil lining first makes using the pen easier, but be sure to keep the emphasis at the base of the lashes. Don’t try to get tricky and draw a "wing." Double lining with shadow gives a smokier effect; with liquid liner you get a sharper one. Both add definition without a hard look, thanks to the layering.

(Left to right) Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Shadow in Caramel; Nudestix Magnetic Matte Eye Color in Taupe; Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow Stick in Taupe

Sephora; Ulta Beauty; Sephora

6. Contour the crease to get bigger-looking eyes

Contouring the crease works for everyone except those with deep-set lids where the crease is not visible. Use a neutral medium-toned shadow crayon — like the Nudestix Magnetic Matte Eye Color in Taupe, Chocolate or Slate ($26, ulta.com), Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Shadow in Caramel or Cobblestone ($32, sephora.com) or Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow Stick in Taupe ($32, sephora.com) — that’s in sync with your skin tone. Trace the hollow of the eye right above the crease but keep the emphasis on the outer half of the eye. Then blend the line with a brush to slightly soften it and retrace it with a similar shade of powder shadow in a brown or gray — depending on whether your eye makeup is on the warm brown or cool gray side. The creamy crayon works as a base so the shadow clings.

(Clockwise from top left) Milani Gilded Eyeshadow Palette in Nude 120; Morphe 18T Truth or Bare Artistry Palette; Wet n Wild Color Icon 10-Pan Eyeshadow Palette in Nude Awakening

Target (3)

7. Depend on foolproof neutral shadows

Shadow palettes with six to 12 neutral shades are the update to our old quads. They’re fun and let us layer our beiges, browns and grays, mattes and shimmers, lights and darks for a customized effect. But for a fast daily look, you really need only a light shade on the lids, a medium shade for the crease and a dark shade to double line over your pencil. It’s the contrast of lighter lid, medium crease and very dark liner at the lash line that creates the illusion of bigger, more sculpted eyes. Choose a palette of practical neutral shades — not trendy colors — like the Wet n Wild Color Icon 10-Pan Eyeshadow Palette in Nude Awakening ($5, target.com), Milani Gilded Eyeshadow Palette in Nude 120 ($15, target.com) or the Morphe 18T Truth or Bare Artistry Palette ($20, target.com). Save those shade-of-the-minute colors for your nails!

​8. Use a lash curler and black mascara

We all know curling lashes opens the eyes, but here’s another trick. Once lashes are securely in the curler, turn your wrist away from you as you squeeze to get maximum curl. Squeeze the closed curler for a few seconds, relax it, then squeeze again — and always curl before mascara, never after. Black mascara is the best shade for everyone, but the formula makes the difference. At age 50-plus most of us have short or thin lashes that benefit from a lightweight plumping formula — like the CoverGirl Simply Ageless Lash Plumping Mascara in 110 Soft Black ($10, target.com) — rather than a heavy, gimmicky lash-lengthening one. Go for volume, not length. And, of course, for those with watery eyes or moist lids, a waterproof mascara like L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Mascara in 360 Waterproof Black ($9, target.com) or Maybelline Full ‘N Soft Waterproof Mascara in 311 Waterproof Very Black ($8, target.com) is a must.

(Left to right) Kiss MLBB Lashes; Duo Lash Adhesive Brush On Clear; Ardell Naked No. 433 False Eyelashes

CVS; Target (2)

9. Try false lashes

How much effort you’re willing to put in to a daily “eye” is a very personal choice. Mascara does plenty, but for an extra boost try fake lashes. They can make all the difference to mature eyes, especially at parties or evening events (where the lighting is usually terrible or dim) and, of course, in photos. Forget looking overdone and choose a natural-looking strip — like the Kiss MLBB Lashes ($5, cvs.com) or Ardell Naked No. 433 False Eyelashes ($4, target.com) — rather than over-the-top, superthick statement styles. Lashes do give our mature eyes — especially those that are small, deep-set or have crepey, softened lids — a fresh, wide-awake look. No need to splurge. Inexpensive drugstore lashes are super-evolved with flexible skinny or transparent bases. Try an updated clear glue like Duo Lash Adhesive Brush On Clear ($5, target.com), which doesn't contain latex or formaldehyde, and is odorless, water resistant, quick drying and easy on sensitive eyes. Get one set for starters before springing for a multipack.

(From top to bottom) JOAH Brow Down To Me Precision Brow Pencil; L'Oréal Paris Brow Stylist Micro Ink Pen; Maybelline Brow Fast Sculpt Eyebrow Gel

CVS (2); Maybelline

10. Do your brow tails

Finally, brow makeup is the finishing touch that makes any eye makeup look better. Most women in their 50s, 60s and 70s are missing brow tails or have very sparse outer brows. You don’t need to fuss or get into a complicated multistep routine. Just finish and lift your brow shape by extending it outward to stretch the shape. It expands the look of your entire eye area and makes you look groomed. Try a firm, fine-tipped pencil such as the JOAH Brow Down To Me Precision Brow Pencil ($9, cvs.com) or a waterproof brow pen like the L'Oréal Paris Brow Stylist Micro Ink Pen ($13, cvs.com) — both make drawing realistic hairlike strokes to fill gaps and duplicate a tail easy. For super quick color and grooming, try a mascara-like tinted gel such as the Maybelline Brow Fast Sculpt Eyebrow Gel ($9, cvs.com) to shape wiry, unruly brows. Those above come in plenty of authentic-looking shades. When in doubt, always go a shade lighter than you think.

Lois Joy Johnson is a beauty and style editor who focuses on women 50 and older. She was the beauty and style editor at Ladies’ Home Journal and a founding editor of More magazine. She has written three books: The Makeup Wakeup, The Wardrobe Wakeup and The Woman's Wakeup.

Editor's note: This article was originally published on Dec. 24, 2020. It has been updated with new products.