Makeup Artists Always Recommend *This* Type of Eyeshadow for Mature Skin—Plus the Best to Shop (2025)

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Flow Space may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Just as your personal style and beauty preferences shift as you age, so do the needs of your skin — which means that the skincare products and makeup you loved in your 20s and 30s might not quite fit the bill anymore. Especially once you hit perimenopause and menopause, you might notice your skin getting drier and less elastic thanks to hormonal changes like estrogen loss, as well as developing more wrinkles, uneven pigmentation, and different textures. To put it simply: our skin naturally changes as we age, and that can influence what the right makeup is for you as time goes on. The best eyeshadows for mature skin meet you — and your skin — where you’re at now, while delivering the flattering pigments and lasting wear you deserve.

Of course, you can wear any kind of eye makeup, whenever and wherever you want. But if you’re looking for eye shadows with ingredients that are tailored toward your specific needs, there are a few worth considering. Check out our top picks for the best eyeshadows for mature skin, and keep scrolling down for advice from a dermatologist and makeup artist on elements to look for (and avoid) when shopping for this essential beauty product.

Best Eyeshadow for Mature Skin at a Glance

Best Overall: Laura Mercier Waterproof Caviar Eye Color Stick Set, $28
Best Easy-to-Blend Eyeshadow: , $32
Best Eyeshadow at Amazon: Charlotte Tilbury Bigger Brighter Exxager Eyes, $49.90, was $69.99
Most Affordable: Revlon Crème Eyeshadow Palette, $6.48, was $8.39
Best Long-Lasting Eyeshadow: Charlotte Tilbury Eyes To Mesmerize Cream Eyeshadow, $35
Best Matte Eyeshadow: Merit Solo Shadow Cream-to-Powder Soft Matte Eyeshadow, $24
Best Liquid Eyeshadow: Stila Shimmer Glow Liquid Eye Shadow, $24
Best Crease-Proof Eyeshadow: Kulfi Zari Eyes Long-Lasting Crease-Proof Cream Eyeshadow, $30
Best Splurge: Tom Ford Eye Color Quad Crème Eyeshadow Palette, $90
Best Eyeshadow with SPF: Supergoop! Shimmershade Illuminating Cream Eyeshadow SPF 30, $24
Best Eyeshadow-Primer Combo: MAC Cosmetics Pro Longwear Paint Pot Cream Eyeshadow, $28

What type of eyeshadow is best for mature skin?

It’s important to kick things off with skin prep before you apply your makeup, says makeup artist Erica Taylor. “If your skin is not properly hydrated and exfoliated, you are already at a disadvantage,” she says.

When it comes to the type of eyeshadow, she suggests looking for creamy formulations. “Cream textures are more forgiving to mature skin and are way easier to apply,” she says. These can be dabbed or gently brushed on to avoid unintentionally irritating your skin during the application.

Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research at The Mount Sinai Hospital, agrees. “Cream makeup formulas tend to be more hydrating to give additional skincare benefits in addition to cosmetic coverage,” he says.

What to avoid in eyeshadow for mature skin

There are a few things to consider when choosing eyeshadow for mature skin. It’s important to avoid products with fragrances, since these can be irritating, says Dr. Zeichner. If you’re going with a stick-based eyeshadow, you’ll want a creamy formula that glides on easily — otherwise, you risk irritating your eyes with pressure needed to apply it, he adds.

Also, it may be helpful to avoid overly matte products. “There is a misconception that mature skin should wear matte, but matte textures can come across as dry and dusty,” Taylor says. “I tell everyone to look for products that are luminous and silky but stay away from thick sparkles and glitter.” Why? Fine lines and wrinkles can cause the finish to look slightly messy and uneven.

What kind of eye makeup should a woman wear as she ages?

Any kind you want! Wear what makes you feel your best irrespective of your age. Still, if you want specific guidance, “eyeshadows that have implemented additional moisture like hyaluronic acid, squalene, and ceramides are a few to look for,” Taylor says.

Just keep this pro tip in mind from Dr. Zeichner: Don’t overly stretch or pull your skin when you put on or take off your eye makeup. “Even low grade inflammation from removing eye makeup can contribute to premature aging, pigmentation, and wrinkling over time,” he says.

  • Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Cream Eyeshadow

    Makeup Artists Always Recommend *This* Type of Eyeshadow for Mature Skin—Plus the Best to Shop (1)

    best overall

    Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Cream Eyeshadow

    Buy Now On Amazon $28.00

    Buy Now from ulta beauty $33

    Laura Mercier’s waterproof Caviar set features cream eyeshadow in a stick form that goes on easily. You can use the two shades separately or together for buildable color, and the eyeshadows come in shimmer and matte finishes to give you options.What we love most about this formula is that it stays crease-free and transfer-resistant all day long, which is great for those of us with eye wrinkles, and the neutral colors that complement your whole makeup look so you don’t need to worry about color-clashing.

  • Laura Geller Blend Away Rosy & Rustic 8 Multi-Finish Eyeshadows

    Makeup Artists Always Recommend *This* Type of Eyeshadow for Mature Skin—Plus the Best to Shop (2)

    Best Easy-to-Blend Eyeshadow

    Laura Geller Blend Away Rosy & Rustic 8 Multi-Finish Eyeshadows

    $32Buy Now from walmart

    Laura Geller’s palettes are massively popular, and with good reason. This palette features eight pressed colors in rosy tones that are shimmery and matte. You can mix and match them for the perfect natural-looking smokey eye.

  • Charlotte Tilbury Bigger Brighter Exxager Eyes

    Makeup Artists Always Recommend *This* Type of Eyeshadow for Mature Skin—Plus the Best to Shop (3)

    Best Eyeshadow on Amazon

    Charlotte Tilbury Bigger Brighter Exxager Eyes

    On Sale 29% off

    $49.90Buy Now On Amazon

    $55Buy Now from ulta beauty

    This rose-gold eyeshadow palette is free of fragrances, parabens, and alcohol. It’s also cream-based, to infuse extra moisture into your skin and go on smoothly.

  • Revlon Crème Eyeshadow Palette

    Makeup Artists Always Recommend *This* Type of Eyeshadow for Mature Skin—Plus the Best to Shop (4)

    most affordable

    Revlon Crème Eyeshadow Palette

    On Sale 23% off

    $6.48Buy Now On Amazon

    $6.48Buy Now from walmart

    This set of four cream eyeshadow colors from Revlon is crease-resistant, for a smoother look. It provides a mix of blendable matte and luminous finishes that you can mix and match to get your perfect shade. The kit comes in nude and brighter colors, to give you plenty of options.

  • Charlotte Tilbury Eyes To Mesmerize Cream Eyeshadow

    Makeup Artists Always Recommend *This* Type of Eyeshadow for Mature Skin—Plus the Best to Shop (5)

    Best Long-Lasting Eyeshadow

    Charlotte Tilbury Eyes To Mesmerize Cream Eyeshadow

    $35Buy Now from sephora

    $35Buy Now from ulta beauty

    Charlotte Tilbury’s Eyes to Mesmerize eyeshadow is a cream formula with a silky finish that glides on easily. It has a metallic finish for a little luminosity without being over-the-top. Choose from eight shades.

  • Merit Solo Shadow Cream-to-Powder Soft Matte Eyeshadow

    Makeup Artists Always Recommend *This* Type of Eyeshadow for Mature Skin—Plus the Best to Shop (6)

    Best Matte Eyeshadow

    Merit Solo Shadow Cream-to-Powder Soft Matte Eyeshadow

    $24Buy Now from merit beauty

    This cruelty-free eyeshadow goes on creamy for easy application. It has a soft-matte finish and includes plenty of soothing ingredients like chamomile and calendula. The clean eyeshadow contains peptides, too, to reduce the appearance of fine lines. Merit’s Solo Shadow is available in nine shades, ranging from a cool taupe to a bold navy blue.

  • Stila Shimmer Glow Liquid Eye Shadow

    Makeup Artists Always Recommend *This* Type of Eyeshadow for Mature Skin—Plus the Best to Shop (7)

    Best Liquid Eyeshadow

    Stila Shimmer Glow Liquid Eye Shadow

    $24Buy Now from dermstore

    $25Buy Now from ulta beauty

    Luminosity can really highlight your eyes, and Stila Shimmer Glow Liquid Eye Shadow delivers. This eyeshadow glides on with the help of an included applicator. It comes in two pretty shades—the purpley Cloud and pinkish Kitten.

  • Kulfi Zari Eyes Long-Lasting Crease-Proof Cream Eyeshadow

    Makeup Artists Always Recommend *This* Type of Eyeshadow for Mature Skin—Plus the Best to Shop (8)

    Best Crease-Proof Eyeshadow

    Kulfi Zari Eyes Long-Lasting Crease-Proof Cream Eyeshadow

    $30Buy Now from sephora

    Looking for eyeshadow that really pops? Kulfi’s Zari Eyes cream eyeshadow comes in five bold shades, including Disco Dreams, which shifts from green to blue, and the cranberry-colored Auburn Aura. It’s crease-proof, so it won’t highlight your fine lines and wrinkles.

  • Tom Ford Eye Color Quad Crème Eyeshadow Palette

    Makeup Artists Always Recommend *This* Type of Eyeshadow for Mature Skin—Plus the Best to Shop (9)

    best splurge

    Tom Ford Eye Color Quad Crème Eyeshadow Palette

    $90Buy Now from saks fifth avenue

    $95Buy Now from nordstrom

    This eyeshadow palette offers a range of shades to help create a perfect smokey eye, whether you’re looking for a daytime look or evening wear. The palette features long-lasting pigments in a formula that’s resistant to creases and flakes.

  • Supergoop! Shimmershade Illuminating Cream Eyeshadow SPF 30

    Makeup Artists Always Recommend *This* Type of Eyeshadow for Mature Skin—Plus the Best to Shop (10)

    Best eyeshadow with spf

    Supergoop! Shimmershade Illuminating Cream Eyeshadow SPF 30

    $24.00Buy Now On Amazon

    Supergoop! Shimmershade contains SPF 30 to protect the delicate skin around your eyes. It’s designed to reduce the development of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots around your eyes, while delivering long-lasting color. This eyeshade contains rose, roman chamomile, jasmine, and sunflower extracts to soothe the area around your eyes.

  • MAC Cosmetics Pro Longwear Paint Pot Cream Eyeshadow

    Makeup Artists Always Recommend *This* Type of Eyeshadow for Mature Skin—Plus the Best to Shop (11)

    best eyeshadow-primer combo

    MAC Cosmetics Pro Longwear Paint Pot Cream Eyeshadow

    $28Buy Now from target

    $28Buy Now from nordstrom

    MAC’s Pro Longwear Paint Pot is designed for longer use, with a finish that will stay put until you’re ready to remove it. The formula works as an eye primer and cream shadow, going on smoothly and providing full coverage. It’s also water resistant, in case you get teary-eyed or stuck in a rainstorm.

  • Maybelline Color Tattoo Eye Shadow

    Makeup Artists Always Recommend *This* Type of Eyeshadow for Mature Skin—Plus the Best to Shop (12)

    Maybelline Color Tattoo Eye Shadow

    $14.99Buy Now On Amazon

    $13.50Buy Now from walmart

    Enjoy up to 24 hours of wear with Maybelline’s Color Tattoo eyeshadow. This formula is waterproof and crease-resistant, with a creamy texture you can smooth on with your fingertips. Saturated pigments give you plenty of coverage.

  • Danessa Myricks Beauty Colorfix

    Makeup Artists Always Recommend *This* Type of Eyeshadow for Mature Skin—Plus the Best to Shop (13)

    Danessa Myricks Beauty Colorfix

    If you prefer multi-functional products, consider Colorfix from Danessa Myricks Beauty. This cream formulation can be used on your eyes, cheeks, and lips to deliver all-over color. Choose from a massive range of colors in matte and luminous finishes.

  • Jolie Waterproof Indelible Creme Eye Shadow

    Makeup Artists Always Recommend *This* Type of Eyeshadow for Mature Skin—Plus the Best to Shop (14)

    Jolie Waterproof Indelible Creme Eye Shadow

    $24.99Buy Now On Amazon

    $18.20Buy Now from walmart

    Jolie’s waterproof eyeshadow glides on easily with the help of your finger or a brush and dries quickly to help it stay put. It’s creaseless and designed for long use, so you can put it on in the morning and still look put-together at night. Choose from 22 shades.

  • Ilia Liquid Powder Eye Shadow Tint

    Makeup Artists Always Recommend *This* Type of Eyeshadow for Mature Skin—Plus the Best to Shop (15)

    Ilia Liquid Powder Eye Shadow Tint

    This clean formula comes in matte and metallic finishes to give you options. The liquid eyeshadow comes with its own applicator to make it easy to slide on. It’s long-wearing, too, and won’t fade once it’s in place.

  • KVD Beauty Super Pomade Vegan Eyeliner, Shadow & Brow Pigment

    Makeup Artists Always Recommend *This* Type of Eyeshadow for Mature Skin—Plus the Best to Shop (16)

    KVD Beauty Super Pomade Vegan Eyeliner, Shadow & Brow Pigment

    $25Buy Now from sephora

    $16.91Buy Now On Amazon

    Another multi-functional product, the KVD Beauty Super Pomade works triple duty as an eyeliner, eyeshadow, and brow pigment. It’s a cream formula that’s also waterproof, so you can put it on and go about your day. This product comes in eight different shades.

Makeup Artists Always Recommend *This* Type of Eyeshadow for Mature Skin—Plus the Best to Shop (2025)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Greg Kuvalis

Last Updated:

Views: 5533

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (55 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Greg Kuvalis

Birthday: 1996-12-20

Address: 53157 Trantow Inlet, Townemouth, FL 92564-0267

Phone: +68218650356656

Job: IT Representative

Hobby: Knitting, Amateur radio, Skiing, Running, Mountain biking, Slacklining, Electronics

Introduction: My name is Greg Kuvalis, I am a witty, spotless, beautiful, charming, delightful, thankful, beautiful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.