What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (2024)

What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (1)

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There’s a reason beauty pros like Bobbi Brown and Laura Geller tout the importance of mascara. While some formulas cater to those looking for sky-high lashes and added volume, those with mature skin may find themselves on the hunt for a specific iteration of the beauty essential. More specifically, the best mascara for older women tackles common issues like watery eyes and thinning lashes, without aggravating sensitive eyes.

Meet the experts: Lisa Aharon, celebrity makeup artist; and Brian Boxer Wachler, M.D., ophthalmologist and medical reviewer for All About Vision.

While the formula will differ between mascaras depending on the effect you’re going for (lengthening, volume, curl), there are some that are ideal (and gentler) for watery eyes. “Water-based formulas are generally gentler on your eyes than waterproof formulas, which can be harder to remove. Consider using a waterproof mascara only occasionally for special occasions,” explains Brian Boxer Wachler, M.D., ophthalmologist and medical reviewer for All About Vision.

If you want to go for a truly black mascara or opt for a colorful option to have fun with your makeup, it’s your choice, says Lisa Aharon, celebrity makeup artist. “I love to have fun with makeup no matter your age. Using mascara with color is a subtle way to explore new possibilities in your makeup routine,” she says.

Ahead, find the best mascaras for older women, including the best drugstore and luxe options for sensitive eyes, watery eyes, thinning lashes, and more.

1

Best Overall Mascara for Older Women

ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara

Pros
  • What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (9)Easy to remove
  • What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (10)Dual-sided brush
  • What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (11)Does not easily transfer
Cons
  • What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (12)Not ideal for super-watery eyes as it’s not waterproof

Ilia has a cult following for a reason, and this mascara is at the top of fans’ lists. “It builds and separates lashes with a dual-sided brush (one creates volume and one side is a comb),” explains AharonTransfe. “It doesn’t transfer easily or flake and I love that the formula is clean.”

What reviewers say: “This is by far the best mascara I’ve found! I have sensitive eyes, and most other brands irritate my eyes and make them puffy. This mascara washes off clean and doesn’t leave any residue under my eyelids. It lifts, separates, and lengthens my eyelashes!”

2

Best Mascara for Older Women That Makes Lashes Look Thicker

Jones Road Beauty The Mascara in Pitch Black

What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (13)

Pros
  • What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (14)Editor-loved
  • What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (15)Lasts a long time
  • What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (16)Buildable
Cons
  • What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (17)Some reviewers struggled with the fullness of the brush

From Bobbi Brown’s latest venture, Jones Road Beauty, this mascara is worth the hype. Research Director Sonya Maynard recommends the mascara. “I love that it doesn’t clump or run down my face when I exercise. And it’s so easy to wash off at the end of the day!” she says. “it makes my lashes super-thick without looking fake.”

Brown previously told Prevention of the mascara: “It doesn’t flake, it doesn’t smear, and honestly it’s easy to take off at night. It is literally my favorite mascara ever and it is back!”

What reviewers say: “Wow!! Love this mascara so much! Made my lashes look so thick!”

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Pros
  • What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (20)Available in four shades
  • What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (21)Highly-rated on Amazon
  • What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (22)Affordable
Cons
  • What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (23)Though washable, some reviewers say it’s difficult to remove

“This really lengthens the lashes and has a rich black color,” says Aharon. “The brush deposits the right amount of product and doesn’t clump on the top or lower lashes.” And with over 100,000 ratings on Amazon and nearly five stars, shoppers love the affordable pick.

What reviewers say: “The blue on this mascara is beautiful! I get compliments every time I wear it. I have green eyes and it makes them pop! I am 60 years old and was at an event and this 28-year-old kid complimented me on how awesome it looked on me. It also does a good job of lengthening my lashes. It does take two to three coats though. Will be repurchasing.”

4

Best Affordable Mascara for Older Women

tower 28 beauty Beauty MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara

Pros
  • What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (25)Stays put
  • What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (26)Easy to remove
  • What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (27)Buildable
Cons
  • What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (28)Some reviewers found the formula clumpy

Aharon recommends this pick for those who like to swipe on more than one coat of mascara. “It makes the lashes fluffy and you can really build it up. It also washes off easily,” she says.

What reviewers say: “I think I’ve bought every mascara at the drug store trying to find one that doesn’t leave me with raccoon eyes by lunchtime. This is IT! Stays put, looks beautiful, comes right off with makeup remover. Please don’t ever stop making it.”

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5

Best Non-Clumping Mascara for Older Women

COVERGIRL Lash Blast Volume Mascara in Very Black

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What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (30)

Pros
  • What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (31)Highly rated
  • What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (32)Looks natural
  • What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (33)Washes off easily
Cons
  • What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (34)Some Amazon reviewers say they received dried-out product

A classic for a reason, this mascara comes recommended by Stephanie Dolgoff, director, Health News Room. “I love that this mascara doesn't clump, washes off easily, and looks like my real eyelashes, but better. The one thing I will say is that you need to be careful when purchasing as the waterproof and not waterproof packaging looks identical—especially if you’re not wearing your reading glasses.”

Plus it boasts over 44k ratings and nearly five stars on Amazon.

What reviewers say: “Love this mascara. I have used it for years. It’s a great value for money, great color, and coverage, and does not run or clump. Happy customer!”

Pros
  • What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (36)Nourishing ingredients
  • What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (37)Not prone to flaking
Cons
  • What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (38)No user reviews available on the goop website

Aharon recommends the FeatherLash Lifting Serum Mascara from goop. “You can easily layer it without flaking and it has a gorgeous black finish,” she says. According to the brand, it contains vitamin E, a biotin-tripeptide blend, and jojoba oil to nourish roots.

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7

Best mascara for sensitive eyes

Mineral Fusion So Classy Volume Mascara Black

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What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (40)

Pros
  • What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (41)Fragrance-free
  • What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (42)Great for sensitive eyes
  • What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (43)Long-wearing
Cons
  • What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (44)Some reviewers say it goes on too wet

“This is my absolute favorite fragrance-free mascara for sensitive eyes (especially my own!),” says Aharon. “The mineral formula doesn’t bother contact lens wearers. It’s long wearing and leaves the lashes feeling soft and nourished after removal.”

What reviewers say: “After trying many different natural mascara brands, this is one of my favorites. It goes on well without clumping or flaking off. It lasts quite a long time as well before it starts to dry out. I have bought many tubes and will continue. It adds volume and lift.”

8

Best mascara for older women with watery eyes

19/99 Lash Tint Mascara

What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (45)

Pros
  • What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (46)Tubing mascara doesn’t transfer easily
  • What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (47)Long-wear formula
  • What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (48)Buildable
Cons
  • What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (49)Not many reviews online
  • What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (50)Requires multiple layers to see results

Aharon says watery eyes call for tubing mascara, which is known not to smudge. “The tubing mascara doesn’t deposit much but I love it for a gentle sweep of color that won’t move all day. I especially love using it on lower lashes as it won’t transfer.”

What reviewers say: “This is my go-to daily mascara. I have fine, short lashes but lots of them. Just gives my lashes some definition and I can layer it for a bit more pop.”

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9

Peptide Lengthening Mascara

What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (51)

Pros
  • What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (52)Refillable packaging
  • What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (53)Shiny finish
  • What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (54)Nourishing ingredients
Cons
  • What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (55)Some reviewers reported flaking after wearing all day

Aharon says this mascara has a “rich, shiny finish.” She says it’s “great for both volume and length. And it has refillable packaging!”

What reviewers say: ‘‘This is amazing! I wanted to try a waterproof mascara since it’s the summer and super hot, this mascara does not bleed down your eyes when you get sweaty!”

How to choose the best mascara for mature women

What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (56)

Our experts say to consider the following when choosing the best mascara for mature eyes:

Transfer. This is the number one issue since as we get older our lids tend to drop and touch the lashes more, explains Aharon. “Opt for a long-wearing formula.”

Nourishing formula. “Hair also starts to dull as we age so a formula that leaves the lashes nourished with shine is a great option,” Aharon says. While waterproof mascaras may sound great for those with watery eyes, they can actually be harder to remove, says Dr. Wachler. “Consider using a waterproof mascara only occasionally for special occasions,” he says.

Avoid irritants. “Look for mascaras labeled ‘hypoallergenic’ or ‘fragrance-free’ if you have sensitive eyes. Avoid ingredients like parabens, sulfates, and formaldehyde, which can be irritating,” says Dr. Wachler.

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How to remove mascara without irritating eyes

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Dr. Wachler says to use the right product when taking off mascara. For waterproof options, he says oil-based removers are best. “These break down tough formulas. Look for cleansing balms or oil specifically formulated for eyes.” Micellar water is a gentler option, and in general “skip soap, regular cleansers, or makeup wipes designed for the face, as they can irritate the delicate eye area,” he says.

Dr. Wachler says to use the following steps to remove mascara:

  • Soak it off. Soak a cotton pad in your chosen remover. Hold it gently over your closed eyelid for 30 seconds to loosen the mascara.
  • Swipe, don’t rub. Gently swipe the cotton pad from the base of your lashes outwards toward your temple. Avoid harsh rubbing back and forth.
  • Repeat if needed. If mascara remains, use a fresh cotton pad with more remover. Be patient and avoid excessive swiping.

How we chose the best mascara for older women

What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (58)

We spoke with Lisa Aharon, celebrity makeup artist, for her recommendations; tested mascaras ourselves; and spoke with Brian Boxer Wachler, M.D., ophthalmologist and medical reviewer for All About Vision for his recommendations on what to look for in the best mascara for older women.

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Why trust us

What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (59)

For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.

What Experts Want You to Know About Mascara for Older Women (60)

Emily Goldman

Deputy Editor

Emily Goldman is the deputy editor at Prevention. She’s spent her career editing and writing about health, wellness, beauty, fashion, and food for Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, Bridal Guide, Good Housekeeping, and more. She’s loved all things health and wellness since starting her bi-weekly podcast Pancreas Pals—a series all about the highs and lows of living life with type 1 diabetes. When not podcasting, she spends most of her time curled up with a good book or watching a period piece on BBC.

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