These Eye Shadows Simply Cease to Crease (2024)

The best eye shadows for mature skin create all the stunning lid looks, whether subtly matte or serious shimmer, without seeping into teensy fine lines. Regardless of age, we all have creases along our eyes and lids—it’s simply a human trait—but they can mess with our meticulous glam when their formulas start caking and emphasizing texture. So, we tapped the experts (as in, professional makeup artists) to find their tried-and-true eye shadow favorites that provide a smooth, even finish. These easy-gliding formulas are approved by testers of all ages, including our very own editors. Case in point: We’ve included quite a few Allure Best of Beauty Award winners. Happy shopping and swiping!

Our Top Picks

• Best Overall: Merit Beauty Solo Shadow, $24
• Best Cream: Jones Road Just A Sec, $26
• Best Liquid: Armani Beauty Longwear Eyeshadow, $38
• Best Bold Shades:Laura Mercier Caviar Stick, $33
• Best Neutral Shades: Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Shadow Stick, $34
• Best Eye Shadow Pot: Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerize, $35
• Best Splurge: Sisley-Paris Ombre Éclat Liquide Eyeshadow, $65
• Most Longwearing: Ami Colé Liquid Matte Shadow, $16

Frequently Asked Questions

• What type of eye shadow is best for mature skin?
• How should you prep your skin before applying eye shadow?
• How should people apply eye shadow to mature skin?
• Meet the experts
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

Best Eye Shadow For Mature Skin Overall: Merit Beauty Solo Shadow

Why it's worth it: Merit Beauty's Solo Shadow (pictured above in Studio, a reddish taupe) has a unique cream-to-powder texture, meaning it applies smoothly as a cream and then dries as a richly pigmented powder that won't smear or crease. Notable ingredients include peptides to plump fine lines, magnolia bark to smooth texture, and sunflower seed oil to moisturize. Plus, how chic is that gold-topped container? If you've got mature eyes, consider a matte eye shadow. "When it comes to eye shadows, matte textures are the best choice for mature skin," shares Los Angeles-based makeup artist Tamara Delbridge. "They offer opaque coverage, which helps conceal the darkening of the lids common in aging eyes."

Tester feedback: "I'm not great with eye shadow, so I rely on a smudge-and-go technique whenever I feel the urge to add a touch of color and dimension to my eyelids," associate manager of special projects, Talia Gutierrez, previously told Allure. "The Merit Solo Shadow pods bring a user-friendly, no-brush-needed application approach that's practically mistake-proof. I use the tip of my index finger and swirl it into the eye shadow pod to soften and warm up the product before smudging the pigment onto my eyelids."

Key ingredients: peptides, magnolia bark extract, chamomile extract, calendula extract | Shades: 8

Best Cream: Jones Road Just A Sec

Why it's worth it: Jones Road's Just A Sec cream eye shadow feels like a cushiony putty, but each swipe of its easy-glide formula turns into a thin veil of buildable shimmer that won't make a mess like powder formulas. In fact, its vitamin E-spiked formula leaves your lids feeling velvet-smooth without color smearing throughout the day. This layerable, goof-proof eyeshadow is available in eight metallic and soft shimmer shades that can be used for day looks and date night eyes alike.

Tester feedback: “Constant creasing turned me off shadow for years—then I met Jones Road's Just a Sec cream-but-not-too-creamy formula," says executive beauty director Jenny Bailly. "I can apply it in the morning before work and it's still intact when I leave the office for dinner. Is it a bit faded? Sure. Is it creasy? No. And it fits perfectly in my generally brush-free makeup routine. I just dip a finger in the pot and blend the shimmery, cushiony magic over each lid. Linen is my daily go-to for a little easy brightness; I love Bronze for a night out (sometimes I even dip my finger in the pot twice for extra color pay-off...I know, I'm wild).”

Key ingredients: vitamin E | Shades: 8

Best Liquid: Armani Beauty Longwear Eyeshadow

Why it's worth it: New York City-based makeup artist Lisa Aharon has only good things to say about the Armani Beauty Longwear Eyeshadow. "These [shadows] glide on seamlessly, have amazing hold, and are great on their own but also work well layered with other shadows," she explains, adding that she especially recommends the shadow's matte finishes for people with mature skin. If you want a more glam vibe, shop this liquid formula in a range of shimmer finishes—like Night Viper, a metallic deep burgundy pictured above.

Editor's tip: The arrow shape of the doe allows the product to be applied in a wide sweep as a shadow or a fine swipe as a liner.

Key ingredients: talc, beeswax, iron oxides, mica, hydrogenated coconut oil | Shades: 14

Best Bold Shades:Laura Mercier Caviar Stick

Why it's worth it: You know what's cheaper than caviar and kind of just as luxe? The Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eyeshadow. Kind of. Let's just say it is. This creamy formula has major staying power—we're talking 24 hours (please get some sleep, though), and maintains its pigment all the while. It's crease-proof, smudge-proof, moisture-proof, and chill for sensitive skin. Plus, it includes hydrating hyaluronic acid, castor seed oil, and raspberry oil.

Editor's tip: "I'm a die-hard fan of the Laura Mercier shadow stick in Cocoa [rich chocolate with bronze pearl pictured above]," New York City-based makeup artist Kirin Bhatty previously told Allure. "I always have them in my kit as they are super versatile, and you can create something very natural to something very smokey in a few swipes."

Key ingredients: dimethicone, hyaluronic acid, castor seed oil, raspberry oil | Shades: 31 (15 original, 12 matte, and 4 RoseGlow)

Best Neutral Shades: Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Shadow Stick

Why it's worth it: The Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Shadow Stick (pictured above in Truffle, a creamy beige) is a 2023 Allure Best of Beauty winner and we have a feeling it's about to become the MVP of your makeup bag. There are 27 different shades to pick from, including matte, metallic, and shimmer finishes—some even have color-shifting finishes—so it'll be hard to resist picking up more than one. These versatile, smooth-gliding sticks can be used as eye shadow, eyeliner, or even highlighter—depending on the shade you choose.

Editor's tip: This product is waterproof, so you'll need a hefty makeup remover, like a cleansing oil, handy when it's time to take it off. Key ingredients: synthetic beeswax, silica, mica, citric acid, iron oxides | Shades: 35 (12 matte, 20 shimmer, and 3 metallic)

Best Eye Shadow Pot: Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerise

Why it's worth it: Charlotte Tilbury’s Eyes To Mesmerise comes in seven glimmering shades that glide onto skin like butter. As its cream-based formula dries down, Charlotte Tilbury’s eye shadow contains hydrating antioxidant vitamin E to plump and smooth skin. That, along with its glimmering finish and soft-focus pigments, minimizes the look of fine lines along your lid for a more youthful appearance.

Key ingredients: vitamin E | Shades: 7

Best Splurge: Sisley-Paris Ombre Éclat Liquide Eyeshadow

Why it's worth it: The instant pigment payoff and impressive crease resistance of Sisley-Paris’s Ombre Éclat Liquide Eyeshadow makes it a winner for us—literally, considering it’s an Allure Best of Beauty Award winner. The luxury French brand’s liquid eye shadow comes in eight satin and shimmer finishes to swipe on and blend to your liking. This buildable formula leans sheer, but you can layer it for more intense pigment. No matter how much you add, the finish will be smooth.

Tester feedback: "I'm perpetually running five minutes behind during my morning beauty routine, but two swipes of the Sisley-Paris liquid shadow (in Copper and Pink Gold) and I'm ready to head out the door with that sparkle that adds a little pep in my step during the day," says social media director Kassidy Silva.

Key ingredients: glycerin, silica | Shades: 8

Most Longwearing: Ami Colé Liquid Matte Shadow

Why it's worth it: Ami Colé’s Liquid Matte Shadow is another Delbridge recommendation. A 2023 Best of Beauty winner, this highly pigmented shadow is a one-swipe wonder infused with ingredients like baobab seed oil, aloe leaf, and vitamin E, making it a particularly nourishing pick for mature skin. We adore the capsule color range, too: Harlem (light brown), Bed Stuy (dark brown), St. Louis (marigold pictured above), and Los Angeles (sky blue).

Editor's tip: Liquid eye shadows tend to set more quickly, so if you want to blend them out, you'll want to move quickly.

Key ingredients: vitamin E, aloe leaf extract, baobab seed oil, shea butter, cocoa seed butter | Shades: 4

Best for Oily Lids: Smashbox Always On Cream Shadow

Why it's worth it: Delbridge says that cream eye shadows like the Smashbox Always On Cream Shadow provide extra hydration and smoothness, which make them extra easy to apply. This one is available in a range of nude shades (like Barista, a deep brown pictured above) as well as a few bright options (like the festival-ready Emerald Shimmer or futuristic Metal Charcoal), perfect if you're looking to create a more dramatic eye makeup look. It's also oil-free, ideal for people with oily or combination skin.

Editor's tip: Cream formulas like this are often very pigmented, so Delbridge recommends applying this product with a light touch.

Key ingredients: candelilla wax, mica, microcrystalline wax, iron oxides | Shades: 3

Best Multiuse: Nudestix Magnetic Eye Color

Why it's worth it: The 2023 Best of Beauty-winning 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's tip: Nudestix’s Magnetic Matte Eye Color and the 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 | Shades: 22 (9 matte, 13 luminous)

Best Shimmer Eye Shadow For Mature Skin:Kulfi Zari Eyes Cream Eyeshadow

Why it's worth it: The Zari Eyes Cream Eyeshadow comes from South-Asian-founded brand Kulfi, which honors the culture's rich beauty history and works to steer the industry toward full-fledged inclusion. You might already know and love Kulfi's Kajal Eyeliner, but what better pairing than with a creamy pot of shadow? Even though, yes, it's creamy, this stuff dries down nicely into an almost matte texture, which helps it stay in place all day (and/or night) long. The also formula includes vitamin E, chamomile, and aloe vera to soothe dull, dry skin.

Tester feedback: "I love the wash of color just one finger-dip of this shadow gives me," says contributing commerce writer Annie Blackman. "It's subtle, bridging the gap between shimmery and not-so-shimmery, and the Auburn Aura shade (pictured above) is a sophisticatedly sexy addition to any look—especially with my bluish green eyes."

Key ingredients: mica, vitamin E, chamomile, aloe vera | Shades: 5 (3 shimmer, 2 metallic)

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of eye shadow is best for mature skin?

Cream eye shadow comes out on top every time. "[Creamy shadows] have a smoother texture and are less likely to settle into fine lines and wrinkles," says Lisa Aharon, a makeup artist based in New York City. While cream eye shadows come in matte, shimmer, or metallic finishes, Katy Holland (a makeup artist at Boom! Beauty) and Aharon vouch for matte formulas since they provide a soft and diffused look that doesn't emphasize the skin's texture.

How should you prep your skin 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." 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.

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 (like the EltaMD Renew Eye Gel) to hydrate the delicate skin around the eyes and on the lids. If you have oily skin, she suggests a sebum-balancing eye serum (perhaps the Paula's Choice Resist Anti-Aging Eye Gel) that can act as an excess oil absorber, paired with a silicone-based eye primer (try the Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Eyeshadow and Concealer Primer) that helps prevent the migration of eye shadow.

How should you apply eye shadow to mature skin?

For starters, use an eye cream or eye serum to ensure the skin around your eyes is clean and adequately hydrated. Once your skin is nice and juicy, 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 shadow vehicle you opt for, ensure it's nice and sanitary.

Holland notes that as people age, their eyes may become more hooded, so she applies a setting powder all over the eyes to keep the area smooth and dry. Don't close your eyes when it's time to use the eye shadow. "The best way to sculpt hooded eyes is to begin with your eyes open, looking straight ahead into the mirror," Holland explains. "Blend in the same direction toward your nose using an eye shadow brush." You can finish with a dash of shimmer at the inner corner of your eye, and some mascara for a beginner-friendly but elevated makeup look.

Meet the experts

• Tamara Delbridge, a makeup artist and dual-licensed esthetician
• Lisa Aharon, a makeup artist based in New York City
• Katy Holland, a makeup artist at Boom! Beauty who specializes in makeup for mature skin
• Kirin Bhatty, a makeup artist based in New York City

How we test and review products

Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?

For our review of the best eyeshadows for mature skin, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and makeup artists who work with mature skin to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we can fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.

Mature skin deserves top-tier makeup—and we’ve got even more non-fine-line-emphasizing recs for you:

• These Primers for Mature Skin Are Key to a Smooth Base
• Every Foundation for Mature Skin That Won't Seep Into Fine Lines
• 14 Best Blushes for Mature Skin for a Bouncy Finish

Done reading? Now, watch Gwyneth Paltrow give you a tour of her bathroom:

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