My 60-Year-Old Mom Has Tried Dozens of Eyeliners—These Are the Only 10 She Likes for Mature Skin
From creamy gels to long-wear liquids.
As my mom has gotten older, she's discovered that finding a quality eyeliner that works well for mature skin is surprisingly difficult. Growing up, I don’t think I ever saw her without a perfectly defined flick, which is why I knew the problem wasn’t her technique—it was that the formulas she loved no longer sat the same way on her mature skin. After plenty of trial and error over the years, she finally found liners that glide on smoothly and stay put without dragging, skipping, or settling into fine lines and wrinkles.
If you’ve noticed your eyeliner isn’t applying the way it used to, you’re not alone. As we age, celebrity makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes explains, “The skin around our eyes becomes softer and thinner, and therefore it starts to wrinkle, making makeup harder to apply and leaving eyeliner looking a bit crinkly.” That’s why choosing the right formula—and tweaking your application technique—can make all of the difference. To help eyeliner lay down more easily, Hughes recommends “using an eyeshadow stick to create a creamy base for eyeliner” and “working backward using the shape of the applicator versus drawing it on to limit tugging and pulling.”
Here is my mom's short list of 10 mature-skin-approved eyeliners she swears by for crease-free lines at any age.
You Go, Gel
The gel eyeliners below offer the best of both worlds: They glide on as smoothly as a liquid but provide the control of a pencil. Their creamy texture minimizes tugging on delicate lids, making them an excellent choice for mature skin.
No roundup of my mom’s favorite eyeliners would be complete without a MAC pick. This ultra-creamy gel pencil delivers intense pigment, effortless application, and impressive staying power—and comes in an impressive 18 shades.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly alternative to luxury gel eyeliners, this L’Oreal favorite is hard to beat. Its buttery formula pairs rich pigment with skip-free application, while the built-in smudger lets you blur the liner—an expert-recommended technique that’s especially flattering on mature lids.
Liquid Confidence
Liquid eyeliners offer unmatched precision and long-lasting wear, making them perfect for anyone who loves a crisp, polished look. Just opt for a smooth, easy-glide formula—like the ones below—that won’t skip or pull on mature skin.
Charlotte Tilbury’s liquid eyeliner is the secret to my mom’s crisp, clean wing. Unlike stiffer felt tips that can drag on crepey skin, the flexible, brush-like tip helps the liquid formula glide across the lid with less tugging.
What my mom loves about this liquid liner is its ultra-flexible brush tip, which features up to 800 vegan bristles for extra precision and control. Its lightweight, inky formula goes on like butter, making it easy for her to create thin, even lines with short, controlled strokes.
Pencil, Please
The pencils ahead are a go-to for older skin thanks to their ease of use and soft, blendable finish. They create definition without the stark look of a liquid liner and are ideal for everything from subtle enhancement to a smokey eye.
A favorite of both my mom and Hughes, Victoria Beckham’s eyeliner pencil earns high marks for its satin-like, blendable formula. “Victoria Beckham’s eyeliner pencils are really nice because they’re creamy and soft and come with a tool to smudge out the color,” says Hughes. Plus, it’s available in a whopping 20 shades.
According to my mom, she’s been using Lancôme since high school, so it only makes sense that this tried-and-true pencil made her list. Its formula is creamy-smooth, and it defines, blends, and smudges with ease.
On Point
If you prefer a clean finish, these two precision liners are your best bet. Their ultra-fine tips make it easy to define the lash line with accuracy, allowing you to build definition in small strokes rather than pulling across delicate skin.
According to Hughes, “this is a contour crayon, but if you use a dark enough shade like Engrave, Carve, Ember, or Forge, it will give you that eyeliner look.” Its precision tip is designed for controlled application, while the creamy formula glides on gently without tugging—making it a great option for delicate, mature skin.
If a traditional liquid liner feels intimidating, my mom’s Pat McGrath pick is worth trying. Its flexible precision tip gives her more control, while the inky, waterproof formula applies smoothly without skipping for a clean, polished finish every time.
Ballin’ On a Budget
PSA: A higher price tag doesn't always mean better performance. These budget-friendly eyeliners prove you can get smooth, flattering definition for a fraction of the cost—and they sit just as well on mature skin.
At just $6, you can't beat Elf’s eyeliner. The retractable pencil features a new creamy formula that glides on smoothly with rich pigment before setting to a long-lasting, smudge-resistant finish. Seriously, there’s no budging.
This waterproof gel liner checks all the boxes: a smooth-gliding formula, rich matte-black pigment, and up to 24 hours of transfer-resistant wear. Its silky texture makes it easy to create bold definition without dragging on crepey lids.
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Meet the Expert
Katie Jane Hughes is a celebrity and editorial makeup artist. When she’s not on set or working with clients, Katie captivates beauty enthusiasts worldwide by sharing her expert beauty tips and tutorials online. Her fun and creative style and mission to keep skin looking like skin has cultivated a devoted community around the globe.
