13 Best Mascaras for Older Women
The one makeup item that I simply can’t live without is mascara. I wear it every day, and sometimes that’s the only thing I put on for those natural-look days.
I have been wearing mascara since I was a teenager. Needless to say, I have tried many different brands and types throughout my life. What I have found is that my mascara needs have changed over the years as my lashes have gotten thinner and sparser.
Here is our list of the best mascaras for older women:
- Sumptuous Extreme Lash Multiplying Volume Mascara by Estée Lauder – adds volume, lifts, and curls the lashes for a great full-lash effect.
- DIORSHOW Lash Extension Effect Buildable Volume Mascara – volume-building mascara enriched with microfibers that optically reproduce the effect of lash extensions.
- Lights, Camera, Lashes by Tarte – vegan, cruelty-free, and made with all-natural ingredients.
- L’Oréal Age Perfect Lash Magnifying Mascara – specially designed for mature skin. The formula contains a conditioning serum and jojoba oil to create soft, supple yet defined lashes.
- Clinique High Impact Waterproof Mascara – safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.
- It SUPERHERO VOLUMIZING WATERPROOF MASCARA – gives your eyelashes super volume, length and elastic stretch.
- Emotionproof Mascara from TOM FORD – rave reviews for its natural volumizing effect and all-day staying power.
- CLINIQUE Lash Power Mascara Long-Wearing Formula – Clinique’s brown mascara is perfect for blondes and light-haired women.
- Great Lash® Royal Blue Washable Mascara – comes in royal blue to give a pop of color that flatters all eye colors.
- Controlled Chaos Mascara Ink from SHISEIDO – an innovative mascara that balances bold, buildable volume with precision and exceptional control.
- L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara – provides great volume and the dark shade gives lashes length without clumping or flaking.
- Lash Sensational from Maybelline – The curved brush applies just the right amount of product and lifts lashes naturally.
- Total Temptation Mascara from Maybelline – perfectly fans out the lashes without clumping.
It can become overwhelming when you’re standing in the aisle in front of the numerous selections available. Some volumize, some lengthen, some curl, and some are all of that plus waterproof to top it off. You even get to choose from a variety of colors: brown, black, blue, green, and even purple.
I find as I get older, I tend to look for mascaras that have natural ingredients, that condition, and that are not harsh on my lashes. Can’t afford to lose any more precious lashes!
Want to learn more about 100% natural and organic mascaras? Read my article about the best natural mascaras for older women.
I’ve put together a list of some of my favorite mascaras that I feel are suitable choices for women over 50.
Wondering if you’re applying your mascara right? Check out the video below for tips and tricks from a professional makeup artist on how to properly apply mascara.
Best Volumizing Mascaras for Older Women
Celebrity makeup artist Ariane Poole suggests that what we should be looking for as we get older are fatter and fuller lashes. We don’t necessarily want the length because long lashes can make us look spidery. When you go shopping for a mascara, what you want to look for is the word volumizing.
Sumptuous Extreme Lash Multiplying Volume Mascara by Estée Lauder
This volumizing mascara by Estée Lauder adds volume, lifts, and curls the lashes for a great full-lash effect. The formula is a blend of three high-volume fibers in a mousse-type base that is fortified with conditioning Lash-Advancing Vitamin Complex.
DIORSHOW Lash Extension Effect Buildable Volume Mascara
Christian Dior offers a volume-building mascara enriched with microfibers that optically reproduce the effect of lash extensions. The mascara clings to the lashes and naturally thickens them without clumping. It’s a cult favorite mascara among runway makeup artists all over the world.
Lights, Camera, Lashes by Tarte
I originally bought this mascara from Tarte Cosmetics because it is vegan, cruelty-free, and made with all-natural ingredients. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting much, but I was pleasantly surprised at the natural-looking volume it gave my lashes without any clumping or flaking. I also really like the waterproof version of this mascara.
L’Oréal Age Perfect Lash Magnifying Mascara
L’Oréal Age Perfect Lash Magnifying Mascara is specially designed for mature skin. The formula contains a conditioning serum and jojoba oil to create soft, supple yet defined lashes.
Best Waterproof Mascaras for Older Women
Waterproof mascaras are great for all-day wear without smudging. They’re excellent in the summer or while doing water activities. No more raccoon eyes!
However, they do require a good makeup remover to completely remove from your lashes. They are not recommended for everyday use as they can be a tad harsh on your lash hairs.
I always have both regular and waterproof mascaras in my makeup bag at all times. I choose depending on the weather and what my activities of the day will be.
Clinique High Impact Waterproof Mascara
I’m a huge Clinique fan for their fragrance-free, natural products, and this waterproof mascara doesn’t disappoint. It’s safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers like me.
iT SUPERHERO VOLUMIZING WATERPROOF MASCARA
It SUPERHERO Volumizing Waterproof Mascara delivers dramatic volume, length, and intense black pigment to your lashes. This waterproof formula ensures all-day wear, resisting smudging and flaking. Achieve bold, beautiful lashes that defy the elements with It SUPERHERO Mascara.
Emotionproof Mascara from TOM FORD
A little on the pricier side is the Emotionproof waterproof mascara from Tom Ford. However, it has rave reviews for its natural volumizing effect and all-day staying power.
Best Color Mascaras for Older Women
There’s nothing new about color mascaras. They’ve been on the market for ages, but can we use them again after 50?
Ariane says that “Color mascara is great for those ladies who may not be feeling comfortable wearing eye shadow. Perhaps they believe that eye shadow draws the wrong kind of attention to their eyes.”
Back in the 80s, we had those bright color mascaras that we could get away with when we were younger. Truthfully, bright colors, used in a subtler way, can be worn by any age group.
Ariane mentions that “the difference here is that you’re using them as an accent color rather than a statement color. You use them either on the tips of your black (or black-brown) mascara or you can put them all over the black mascara. It almost looks like you’re wearing eye shadow but you’re not.”
Let’s take a look at my offerings of the best color mascaras for women over 50.
CLINIQUE Lash Power Mascara Long-Wearing Formula
Most mascara brands state black as their number one sellers. But some of you have mentioned that you don’t like wearing black mascara because you have blonde or very light hair. Clinique has a long-wearing mascara in a perfect brown tint for you.
Great Lash® Royal Blue Washable Mascara
Best-selling mascara Great Lash from Maybelline comes in royal blue to give a pop of color that flatters all eye colors. It’s also very affordable!
Controlled Chaos Mascara Ink from SHISEIDO
Another much talked about colored mascara is offered by SHISEIDO. It’s an innovative mascara that balances bold, buildable volume with precision and exceptional control.
Best Discount Mascaras for Older Women
Mascaras don’t need to cost an arm and a leg. Actually, many drugstore mascaras provide great results without breaking the bank.
L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara
I have been using L’oreal’s Voluminous Carbon Black mascara for several years and love the volume and dark shade it gives my lashes without clumping or flaking. Over 25,000 reviewers give it an overall 4.5-star rating, so I’m not the only one who loves this mascara!
Lash Sensational from Maybelline
Another drugstore mascara that I really like is the Maybelline Lash Sensational. The curved brush applies just the right amount of product and lifts my lashes naturally.
Total Temptation Mascara from Maybelline
Another of my go-to favorite drugstore mascaras is the Total Temptation mascara from Maybelline. It perfectly fans out the lashes without clumping. I had a video call with my daughter the first time I tried it on, and she commented on how great my lashes looked! I also really like the waterproof version of this mascara.
5 Extra Mascaras for Older Women
Many of you have mentioned your favorite mascaras in the comments below. Here is your list of recommended mascaras from the Sixty and Me readers.
Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara
Charlotte Tilbury offers a mascara that gives lashes instant and long-lasting volume, length, and lift with an exclusive “Load, Comb, and Lift” technology brush. It is also now offered in a new light brown tint.
Bobbi Brown No Smudge Mascara
Bobbi Brown No Smudge Mascara is a buildable formula. You can go for a natural look or apply several coats to achieve a more dramatic look.
Physicians Formula Organic Wear Natural Origin Mascara
Physician’s Formula has an Organic Wear Natural mascara that is made with complex, natural silk cotton and natural fibers that volumize, thicken and separate each lash for a super dramatic eye.
The recyclable eco-brush defines each lash with ultra-soft plastic bristles.
Lancôme Dèfinicils
Lancôme Dèfinicils High Definition Lengthening Mascara is a defining mascara that creates the look of longer lashes with a flake-free, non-clumping formula.
Almay Thickening Mascara
Almay Thickening mascara has been praised by women with sensitive eyes. This mascara is hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and cruelty-free and doesn’t irritate eyes.
Read WHICH LOOKS BETTER – MY MOST EXPENSIVE OR MY LEAST EXPENSIVE DRUGSTORE MAKEUP?
Also read FALL 2023 BEAUTY TRENDS: 5 LOOKS YOU CAN DO!
Let’s Have a Conversation:
Do you have a tried and true mascara? What kind was the last mascara that you bought? Did it accomplish the effect you wanted? What is your application technique? Please share your own tips in the comments. Let’s have a conversation!
For many decades I used Marathon Mascara by Mabeline. Then they discontinued it and I have not been able to find another mascara that works for me! 😢Now I just don’t use any, but I know I’d look better if I did. I always end up with raccoon eyes or worse. Help anyone?
Hi Linda,
Maybe consider eyelash extensions? here is a link to my article about my experience with them.
https://staging.sixtyandme.com/eyelash-extensions/
Not listed here is JONESROAD BEAUTY MASCARA. Hands down the best mascara I have ever used ( made by Bobbi Brown) my second is the L’Oréal voluminous. For a less expensive every day look.