Editor Tip: Top off your look with the Gen See Spectator Sport Mascara, which won a 2023 Best of Beauty Award for best waterproof mascara.
Key Ingredients: Silica, aluminum, iron oxides, synthetic vitamin E | Available Shades: 12 (7 matte, 5 metallic)
Best Travel Eye Shadow: Nudestix Magnetic Eye Color
Why It’s Worth It: The Nudestix Magnetic Eye Color is a long-lasting eye shadow that comes in matte (like Chocolate pictured above) and luminous finishes (like Copper Foil, a warm copper bronze). If you want more intense color, you’ll want to go for the matte finish; for a more glowing look, try the satin finish. Aharon recommends this product because it blends in easily with your fingers or a brush. It can also be used on your brows, cheeks, lips—pretty much anywhere on your face is fair game.
Editor Tip: The Nudestix Magnetic Matte Eye Color and the Nudestix Magnetic Luminous Eye Color are technically different products and are listed as such on Ulta, Nordstrom, and Amazon, so be sure to look at both to find the shade and finish you want.
Key Ingredients: Mica, synthetic beeswax, carnauba wax, iron oxides | Available Shades: 22 (9 matte, 13 luminous)
Best Eye Shadow with Built-In Primer: Clarins Ombre Skin Eyeshadow
Why It’s Worth It: If you’ve been frustrated by powder eye shadows that crease or fade throughout the day, you’ll want to give the Clarins Ombre Skin Eyeshadow (pictured above in Pearly Rosegold) a shot. The ultra-fine powder is formulated with built-in primer (Gripping power! No need for a separate primer!), manioc powder to absorb oil and mattify, and nourishing coconut oil to help your skin hold onto its natural moisture.
Editor Tip: Some of the lighter shades, like Pearly Gold, can also double as highlighter.
Key Ingredients: Organic manioc powder, coconut oil, mica, tapioca starch | Available Shades: 8 (2 matte, 4 shimmer, and 2 satin)
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of eye shadow is best for mature skin?
All three makeup artists we spoke to for this story emphasize that the best eye shadows for mature skin are cream formulas. “They have a smoother texture and are less likely to settle into fine lines and wrinkles,” explains Lisa Aharon, a makeup artist based in New York City. While you can find cream eye shadows in matte, shimmer, or metallic finishes, both Aharon and Katy Holland (a makeup artist at Boom! Beauty), recommend matte formulas since they provide a soft and diffused look that doesn’t emphasize the skin’s texture. However, shimmer finishes can be fun for special occasions or a dramatic everyday look.
How should you prep the skin around the eyes before applying eye shadow?
Aharon likes “to start by cleansing the area with something gentle like micellar water, followed by a light application of eye cream,” she says. After that, she goes in with an eye shadow primer to smooth fine lines on the lids and ensure the makeup adheres and blends evenly. Too many steps? Luckily for you, some cream shadows can double as primer, such as Clarins’ Ombre Skin Eyeshadow.
If you have dry skin, makeup artist Tamara Delbridge recommends prepping with an emollient eye serum infused with lipid-restoring ingredients like antioxidants and hyaluronic acid to hydrate the delicate skin around the eyes and on the lids. If you have oily skin, she suggests a sebum-balancing eye serum that can act as an excess oil absorber, paired with a silicone-based eye primer that helps prevent the migration of eye shadow.
How should you apply eye shadow to mature skin?
For starters, make sure the skin around your eyes is clean and adequately hydrated—you can use an eye cream or eye serum for this. Once your skin is looking dewy, you can add an eye shadow primer to lock in your shadow and prevent creasing or fading. With most formulas, you can apply eye shadow with your fingers, a brush, or an included applicator. Whatever mode you use, just make sure it’s clean.