The Best Eyeshadows For Older Women, According To Celebrity Make-up Artists

Sisley

Les Phyto-Ombres Eyeshadow

• Why it’s Vogue-approved: Sisley Paris’s single shadows have a half-cream, half-powder texture that melts into the skin, leaving a fine, smoothing film on ageing eyelids. Available in five finishes, which range from matte to silky and sparkling, the shades are formulated with camellia seed and rosehip seed oils to soften and soothe the skin. For extra antioxidant protection, the three “Glow” shades – including silver, gold, and pearl – are infused with green tea extract and white lily oil. Safe for sensitive eyes, the shadows have been tested by dermatologists and ophthalmologists.
• Texture: Cream-powder
• Finishes: Matte, metallic, silky, glow, sparkling
• Shade range: 19

Victoria Beckham Beauty

EyeWear Eyeshadow

• Why it’s Vogue-approved: “These have a creamy, blendable texture that glides on smoothly without tugging,” Aharon says. “This formula minimises the risk of product settling into fine lines or creases, creating a smooth, even application.” The waterproof formulation is designed to stay in place for up to eight hours, and it’s made with red-grape derivative vitas vita, which can boost collagen production. Another key ingredient is seaweed oil, which protects the skin around the eyes from free-radical damage. The 10-shade colour range includes “Pecan,” a matte, deep brown, and the shimmery bronze “Caramel.”
• Texture: Cream
• Finishes: Shimmer, matte
• Shade range: 10

Merit

Solo Shadow Matte Eye Color

• Why it’s Vogue-approved: “Don’t sleep on matte shades for mature skin!” says celebrity make-up artist Lisa Aharon. “They give a soft, diffused look without highlighting texture. Think of them as the gentle filter your eyelids deserve.” A go-to for Martha Stewart, who’s still luminous at 84, Merit’s Solo Shadows come in eight matte hues, ranging from Stewart’s preferred “Vachetta,” a warm beige, to “Social,” a soft mauve. The formulation is infused with chamomile and calendula extracts, which soothe the delicate skin around the eyes. It also has peptides to diminish the appearance of fine lines, magnolia bark extracts to smooth the skin, and sunflower seed oil for antioxidant protection. Though if you decide to play with a hint of shimmer, the brand just debuted eight sheen hues – from a stunning rose gold to a bronzed creme – that glisten without intense sparkle.
• Texture: Cream to powder
• Finish: Matte
• Shade range: 8

• Why it’s Vogue-approved: “I adore Lisa Eldridge Liquid Silk Liquid Eyeshadow,” says celebrity make-up artist Jewels Grogan. “I love how easy they are to apply.” The liquid shadow comes in five user-friendly shades, which range from Ione – a cool-toned, mauve-beige – to Thalia, a deep rosewood. “They’re neutral tones and they have a soft-focus matte finish, which means no sparkles getting caught in fine lines,” Grogan says. “For mature skin, I’m a huge fan of one colour over the lid as a more refined enhancement to the eyes. A multi-[colour] look can look ‘muddy’ and be ageing.”
• Texture: Liquid
• Finish: Matte
• Shade range: 5

Trinny London

Eye2Eye Cream Eyeshadow

• Why it’s Vogue-approved: Celebrity make-up artist Fiona Stiles leans toward cream shadows for mature clients, and notes that Trinny London’s crease-resistant formulation “stays put.” The Eye2Eye shadows also have a stamp of approval from Aharon, who notes: “These glide effortlessly onto your eyelids and blend easily, meaning there’s no tugging or pulling at your lids and you can easily build intensity.” Available in 25 highly pigmented shades – ranging from the cool rosy “Vision” to the shimmery, plummy “Passion” – the shadows are easy to use. For a light wash of colour, tap a single layer of shadow onto the lids with the ring finger; use another finger to blend it in. For more intensity, add another layer of colour or use a brush to apply a smoky accent hue to the outer corners of the eyes. The versatile shadows can also be used as eyeliners.
• Texture: Cream
• Finish: Subtle shimmer
• Shade range: 25

• Why it’s Vogue-approved: Designed to last for 24 hours without smudging or creasing, Bobbi Brown’s creamy shadow sticks have proven their merit to the pros. “These glide on effortlessly and don’t crease – even on drier lids,” says celebrity make-up artist Liz Olivier. The formula comes in 11 shades and three finishes, including matte, shimmer, and multi-chrome. Designed for everyday use, “the tones are rich but wearable,” per Olivier. “Truffle and Golden Bronze are my staples for subtle definition.” Plus, the formula is also waterproof.
• Texture: Cream
• Finishes: Matte, shimmer, multi-chrome
• Shade range: 11

Rituel de Fille Ash & Ember Eye Soot

• Why it’s Vogue-approved: Another one of Stiles’ go-to shadows for mature eyes, Rituel de Fille’s Eye Soot washes the lids with an iridescent, satiny colour. The shadows’ 11-colour range includes subtly shimmery shades of soft mauve, lavender, champagne-rose, and “Mineralia,” which is a rich, chocolate brown. “Using dark grey or deep-brown shades defines the eye but without the harshness of a black shadow,” Stiles notes. Rituel de Fille’s formulas prioritise plant-based ingredients; its eye colors are infused with soothing rosemary leaf extract and hydrating sunflower seed oil.
• Texture: Cream-powder
• Finish: Satin
• Shade range: 11

Chantecaille

Mermaid Eyeshadow

• Why it’s Vogue-approved: Stiles also uses Chantecaille’s high-shine shadow on clients with ageing skin. Designed to smooth onto eyelids without creasing or settling into fine lines and wrinkles, the shadow has dual functionality – much like its namesake mystical creature. It can be used wet or dry and serves as both a shadow and a liner. The formulation is infused with silk tree bark extract, which gives the eyelids a more youthful, lifted look, and it comes in three pearlescent hues. With names like “Starfish” (a warm mauve) and “Seashell” (a soft, glistening gold), the colours play into the oceanic theme.
• Texture: Cream-powder
• Finish: Metallic
• Shade range: 3

Laura Mercier

Caviar Eye Stick

• Why it’s Vogue-approved: As part of her day-to-night make-up routine, 64-year-old Julianne Moore uses Laura Mercier’s classic eye stick. Her preferred hue is “Amethyst,” which she revealed in her Beauty Secrets video, and she uses her finger to apply the creamy, shimmery mauve along her lash lines. The classic formula, also a favourite amongst make-up artists, glides onto the eye without tugging or creasing. What’s more, it’s infused with hyaluronic acid, which hydrates and primes the skin.
• Texture: Cream
• Finishes: Shimmer and Matte
• Shade range: 12

TOM FORD

Eye Color Quad Eyeshadow Palette

• Why it’s Vogue-approved: When documenting Sarah Jessica Parker’s glam for the And Just Like That Season 2 premiere, make-up artist Elaine Offers revealed that she’d used this Tom Ford palette to get the 60-year-old actress’s eyes ready for primetime. “I dip small brushes in water, swirl on the shadows to pick up the pigments, and paint them on,” Offers wrote on Instagram. “The colour becomes much more saturated like a cream eyeshadow, and there’s no fallout to clean up afterwards.” Each palette contains four colours designed to sculpt and highlight the eyes, and the non-creasing powders are formulated with emollients to keep the skin moisturised. Pro tip: Certain powders are imprinted with a TF logo, which indicates that they can be used dry or, as Offers prefers, wet.
• Texture: Powder
• Finishes: Sheer sparkle, satin, shimmer, matte
• Shade range: 11

Dior

Backstage Eyeshadow Palette

• Why it’s Vogue-approved: “Dior eyeshadows are a great choice for mature skin because of their luxurious, finely milled formulas that blend effortlessly and sit smoothly on the lids without highlighting fine lines,” Aharon says. “I think that I’ve got every palette they make in my kit.” Options range from the Diorshow 5 Couleurs Palette to the limited-edition Couture Palette, which has five eyeshadow shades as well as blushes and lipsticks. The Backstage Eyeshadow Palette – favoured by celebrities like Cynthia Erivo – comes with a primer and eight buildable, highly pigmented eyeshadow shades. Inspired by Dior’s runway shows, the palettes have colour themes ranging from “Celestial Purple” to “Warm Neutrals,” and their finishes range from matte to holographic.
• Texture: Powder
• Finishes: Matte, pearlescent, metallic, holographic, glittery
• Shade range: 4

RMS Beauty

Eyelights Cream Eyeshadow

• Why it’s Vogue-approved: RMS’s creamy shadows are formulated with ingredients that soothe and protect ageing skin. To wit: Organic green tea extract shields the skin from free-radical damage, while peptide quinoa extract smooths and firms the eyelids. Crease-proof and ophthalmologist-tested, the shadows come in 10 luminous shades with a light-reflective finish. From a modern taupe to a mossy green, the colours are easy to apply, gliding on seamlessly with a brush or a finger, and they dry quickly. What’s more, they rinse off easily with water.
• Texture: Cream
• Finish: Metallic
• Shade range: 10

Emporio Armani

Eye Tint Longwear Liquid Eyeshadow

• Why it’s Vogue-approved: With a water-infused formulation that binds seamlessly to eyelids, the liquid hues were formulated for lasting wear. “These glide on seamlessly and have amazing hold,” Aharon says. They can stay in place for up to 16 hours without creasing, have no fallout, and are also water-resistant and smudge-proof. “They’re great on their own but also work well layered with other shadows.” Available in matte, shimmery, and metallic finishes, the eye tints have a multipurpose applicator: Use the fine side to apply the shadow like a liner, or the wide side for an all-over wash of colour on the lids.
• Texture: Liquid
• Finishes: Shimmer, metallic, matte
• Shade range: 21

Makeup By Mario

Master Mattes Cream Eyeshadow