When it comes to makeup after 50, sometimes the smallest habits can have the biggest impact on how youthful and lifted your features appear. According to Jodi Mannes, one common eyeliner mistake may actually be aging the eyes more than fine lines or wrinkles themselves—and the fix is surprisingly simple.
In a recent beauty video, Mannes explained that harsh, sharp eyeliner can emphasize aging around the eyes instead of enhancing them. “Softer edges have the upper hand when it comes to a flattering look for our more mature skin,” she said. “Sharp lines, they can age us faster than wrinkles.”
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Eyeliner Do's & Don'ts After 50
As skin matures, the eye area naturally changes. Lids can become more hooded, outer corners may begin to droop, and harsh makeup lines can make those features appear even heavier. That’s why Mannes recommends swapping crisp eyeliner for a softer, smudged effect that creates definition without looking severe.
If you prefer using pencil liner, Mannes says the key is all in the blending technique. After applying eyeliner, she suggests going back over the line with a soft smudging brush to diffuse the edges. Instead of leaving behind a stark stripe of color, the result is a softer, blurred outline that still defines the eyes while appearing much more flattering on mature skin.
The makeup expert also shared a pro tip specifically for lifting drooping outer corners. Rather than adding more product, she recommends using whatever eyeliner remains on the smudging brush and lightly blending upward at the outer corner of the eye. This subtle upward motion can help visually “lift” the eye area instead of dragging it downward.
Mannes explained that this technique is especially helpful for hooded or puffy upper lids, which become more common with age. By softening and slightly lifting the outer edge of the liner, the eyes appear more open, refreshed, and naturally elevated without looking overdone.
The bottom line
The takeaway? When it comes to eyeliner after 50, less harshness often equals more youthfulness. A softly blended liner can still provide shape and definition while creating a fresher, more lifted appearance that works with mature features—not against them.
