Despite what you might have heard or previously read, there are no hard and fast rules for what eye makeup you “should” and “shouldn’t” wear once you turn 40. Makeup is a form of self-expression and can be used to enhance your already gorgeous natural features. So as you move into your forties and beyond, if the shimmery eyeshadow or cat eye you’ve worn in your twenties and thirties doesn’t look quite the same, that doesn’t mean you have to shelf them. Simply make a few tweaks to how you apply your eye makeup.
“A great thing to do is sit down with a makeup artist and learn what looks best on yourself,” says MUA Jamie Greenberg. But not everyone needs to do this, especially if they know their face or don’t have access to a makeup artist. If this sounds like you, we tapped Greenberg for her best eye makeup tips for those over 40.
Meet the expert
Jamie Greenberg is a celebrity makeup artist and the founder of the Blighlighter. Greenberg’s clients include Rashida Jones and Catherine O’Hara.
Keep reading for six of our favorite celeb-inspired looks—along with product picks—ahead.
Shimmery Eyeshadow
Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images
“One of the biggest mistakes I see is when women tend to blend shimmery eyeshadow too high above their crease,” Greenberg shares. “The shimmery eyeshadow can accent any textured skin, so I tend to place it in areas that you don’t have much texture.” She recommends applying shimmer to the lid as an accent for extra pop or using it as a light eyeliner.
Inner Corner Highlight
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Yep, you can highlight your inner eyes like you would your cheekbones. Greenberg says she likes to add a bit of shimmer to this area of the eye, too. Take Gwyneth Paltrow’s shimmery champagne eyeshadow she tapped on the inner corner of her eyes, for example.
The Colorful Smoky Eye
Taylor Hill/FilmMagic
While a charcoal or pewter smoky eye is what instantly comes to mind when you think of the classic eye makeup look, dark colors aren’t the only options. “Just because it’s a ‘smoky’ eye doesn’t mean you have to go super black or super dark,” Greenberg explains. “Smoky ideally can be any color, [so long as you] have darkest shades at the root.” Just look at J.Lo’s lavender smoky eye. The makeup artist likes filling in the lash line with a black liner or shadow for subtle depth.
Below the Crease
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Greenberg recommends keeping dark colors below the crease when you’re creating a smoky eye, as seen on Victoria Beckham. “Don’t bring the darker colors above the crease unless you have untextured dry skin. That will also draw attention to textured skin,” she says.
Cat Eye Eyeliner
Taylor Hill / Getty
“I am in my 40s and as I’ve gotten older, I’ve just had to change the area I put the cat eye,” Greenberg says of the timeless eyeliner style. She recommends making the length of the wing a bit shorter. This will also prevent drawing attention to any texture or line lines around the eyes.
To nail the perfect cat eye, Greenberg suggests creating the shape with eyeshadow first. Begin by drawing the line with shadow and then going over it with the liquid liner, she instructs.
Keep It Balanced
Jon Kopaloff / FilmMagic
“Less can be more on the eyes, and the key is to balance the eye look with the rest of the face,” says Greenberg, especially if you have fair skin and blue eyes. In addition to adding a few individual lashes, she recommends accentuating the cheeks with a creamy, blendable blush like her Blightlighter. Greenberg is also a fan of a bold lip—in any shade. Just look to Cameron Diaz’s slightly copper shimmery eyes, rosy cheeks, and matching lip for inspiration.
Our Favorite Products
Beautycounter Lid Glow Cream Shadow
Ulta
The creamy texture of this product helps prevent it from clumping in areas that are less spry than they used to be. You can use it as a regular eyeshadow all over your lid or you can take a little to the inner corner of your eye to highlight it.
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil
Courtesy of Urban Decay/Amazon
In our search for the best eyeliners for women over 40, the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil reigned supreme. We love that there are more than three dozen shades available. It’s also a huge pro that this product is cruelty-free and that the pigmentation really complements mature eyes.
Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara
Courtesy of Thrive Causemetics
When it comes to lashes for people over 40, lengthening is key. Thrive Causemetics’ Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara does the trick. It comes in brown and black and adds a lot of length and volume to your lashes.
KVD Beauty Tattoo Liner
Courtesy of KVD Beauty
If you prefer a liquid liner to a pencil, we’d suggest the KVD Beauty Tattoo Liner. Like the Thrive mascara, this eyeliner is available in brown and black. The standout quality is how pigmented this product is.
