11 Best Mascaras for Older Women To Lengthen Thinning, Aging Lashes, Tested by Makeup Artists ...Saudi Arabia

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If your mascara suddenly looks clumpy, flaky or just not as good as it used to, it might not be the mascara itself—it could be your lashes. They've changed, and nobody warned you it was going to happen. Just like the hair on your head, eyelashes thin out, become more brittle, lose their curl and even start going gray as you age. Hormonal shifts, years of curling, heavy formulas and stress all take a toll. The thick, dark lashes you had in your twenties are gone, and applying mascara the same way you always have just highlight what's missing. Sound familiar? You'll likely benefit from a list of the best mascaras for older women.Most women respond by piling on more product, thinking more layers equals more impact. But makeup artists who work with mature clients daily see this backfire constantly. Heavy coats can weigh down already fragile lashes, making them look clumpy instead of voluminous and actually close up the eye rather than opening it. The waterproof formulas you rely on? They might be drying out your lashes and causing breakage every time you rub them off. And if you're skipping the lash curler because you think it's damaging, you might be missing the single easiest way to instantly lift and open your eyes.Here's what actually works: lighter formulas, strategic application techniques and—this is important—taking care of your lash health between wears. We talked to celebrity makeup artists who've worked with everyone from Jennifer Lopez to Quinta Brunson to find out which mascaras perform best on mature lashes and how to apply them correctly.Related:13 Best False Eyelashes for 2026, Tested by Celebrity Makeup Artists

Best Overall:IT Cosmetics Superhero MascaraBest Luxury:Tom Ford Extreme MascaraBest Drugstore:Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High MascaraBest for Lift:Lancôme Lash Idôle MascaraBest Thickening:Fenty Beauty Hella Thicc Volumizing MascaraBest Lengthening:ILIA Limitless Lash MascaraBest Waterproof:Lancôme Monsieur Big WaterproofBest for Sensitive Eyes:Tower 28 Make Waves MascaraBest Tubing Formula:Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions MascaraBest Natural Look:Well People Expressionist Pro MascaraBest Budget:Essence Lash Princess Mascara

Do Eyelashes Change as We Age?

Yes, and it's something everyone notices but nobody talks about enough. All five makeup artists confirmed the same thing: lashes absolutely change as you age, and it's completely normal.Scott Barnes, whose clients include Jennifer Lopez and Celine Dion, explains what happens.

"Hair, brows and lashes can become thinner and less dense as women age due to hormonal changes and the hair follicles spending more time in sleep mode than in growth mode," he tells Parade. "Lash color can also fade due to loss of melanin pigment and some women even experience breakage due the natural decline of oil production."

Renée Loiz, who works with Quinta Brunson and Uzo Aduba, gets specific about what changes: lashes can become more sparse, more brittle and the natural curl pattern can change. “You may also start to see a few gray lashes coming in," she adds.

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Technique matters more than you think—and most women are doing it wrong.

Before you even start, Barnes says to apply your eye cream first (before your moisturizer) so the eye cream has time to sink in and not get on eyelashes. 

Then onto the actual application.

Celebrity makeup artist Avital of Puzzle Makeup, makes a bold claim: with the right technique, you can achieve a great look with 95% of the mascaras already out there. Alright!

Her method is specific and game-changing: before you apply, create space. Gently pull the skin at your temple outward to create more room between your lashes and your eyelid. “This prevents mascara from transferring onto your lid, a game changer for mature skin," she explains.

Then comes the two-pass technique: "Place the body of the brush as close to the roots as possible on the top side of your lashes and brush all the way to the tip. Then flip the brush and repeat from the underside, sweeping upward from root to tip.” She says you'll see the difference immediately: lashes that look longer, thicker and lifted.

Molly R. Stern, who works with Chelsea Handler and Maya Rudolph, has a little extra tip that actually sounds pretty fun. "You really want to wiggle the wand into the base of the lashes.” Not only is this a good time, it’ll give the effect of a defined lash line.

Related: 11 Best Natural, Clean Mascaras, Tested by Professional Makeup Artists

Can You Wear Mascara on Your Bottom Lashes When You're Older?

Yes, but the approach needs to change. The consensus is that bottom lash mascara is fine—encouraged, even!—but requires a lighter hand and sometimes different products.

Avital has a specific recommendation that surprised us. "As we age, the under-eye area changes. More pigmentation, dark circles and puffiness become common, and black mascara on the bottom lashes can draw direct attention to all of those areas.

The fix is simple: switch to a lighter color on your bottom lashes. A soft brown or light brown mascara brings warmth and definition to the eye without creating heaviness underneath.

Her application technique is different too. For bottom lashes, dab, don't brush. Use the body of the wand in light dabbing motions along your bottom lashes for a natural, defined finish.

Related: The Genius Mascara Trick for Perfect Lashes Every Time, According to Dua Lipa’s Makeup Artist

The most common error? Thinking more product equals better results. Barnes sees women overdoing it constantly.

"They over apply to get impact, often too many layers which get clumpy and flakey," he explains. "They don't use eye makeup remover, so there is still residue from the prior days of mascara. Not only does this lead to clumping and flaking, it is also irritating to the eye and can cause issues such as styes and infections.”

So, not only does it look bad, it can be dangerous. Celebrity makeup artist Jenepher Reynolds, who has worked with Norah Jones and Harry Connick, Jr., agrees and says just do two to three “intentional passes with the right technique” for perfect results. 

Reynolds also thinks that women should never skip using an eyelash curler. "Curling the lashes is one of the easiest ways to lift and open the eyes, yet it is often overlooked. It makes a noticeable difference before mascara is even applied."

And don't forget this pro tip from Barnes: "Do not pump the wand in and out of the mascara tube, that just pushes air into the tube and dries out the product, which will result in flaking and raccoon eyes.” Instead, swivel the wand in the tube to pick up the product and pull the wand directly out of the tube.

Related:We Asked 4 Dermatologists the #1 Habit That Makes Skin Look Older—and They All Said the Same Thing

The 11 Best Mascaras for Older Women, Tested by Makeup Artists

Best Overall: IT Cosmetics Superhero Mascara, $28

Sephora

Barnes calls this his "go to staple. I buy them 10 at a time and give them to clients." When a celebrity makeup artist is purchasing in bulk to give away, you know it's reliable. The formula delivers volume and length without clumping, and it performs consistently day after day. It's the mascara you reach for when you just need your lashes to look good without thinking about it.

Best Luxury: Tom Ford Extreme Mascara, $60

Sephora

Barnes chose this for "best formula and intense black pigment—luxury but worth it." When you want the most sophisticated, deeply pigmented black that makes your lash color pop and your eye whites look brighter, this is the investment piece. The formula feels luxurious during application and delivers results that justify the price.

Best Drugstore: Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara, $12

Ulta

Both Reynolds and Barnes love this affordable option. Reynolds calls it "lightweight and lengthening with a flexible formula that stays clean throughout the day," while Barnes names it "best lengthening from the drugstore." The Sky High formula went viral for good reason—it delivers serious length without the weight or clumping you'd expect at this price point.

Best for Lift: Lancôme Lash Idôle Mascara, $30

Sephora

Reynolds specifically chose this because it "reaches even the smallest lashes and lifts them cleanly without weighing them down." The curved wand is designed to grab every single lash, even the tiny ones at the inner corners that other mascaras miss. For mature eyes that need serious lift, this delivers.

Best Thickening: Fenty Beauty Hella Thicc Volumizing Mascara, $22

Sephora

Loiz loves that "this one really builds volume fast. It thickens at the root and adds fullness without collapsing the curl, which keeps the lashes looking bold but still lifted." When your lashes have thinned and you need serious volume, this delivers without sacrificing curl—a rare combination.

Best Lengthening: ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara, $29

Ulta

Loiz chose this because "it separates and lengthens beautifully without clumping. There's also a lash comb on the wand to brush out any lashes stuck together. Genius."

The built-in comb is perfect for mature lashes that need definition without heaviness. The clean formula is gentle on fragile lashes.

Best Waterproof: Lancôme Monsieur Big Waterproof, $30

Sephora

Loiz specifically loves this waterproof option because "it locks in curl and volume and holds through humidity or long days. But it's also easy to remove and doesn't dry out your lashes." Finding a waterproof that removes gently is crucial for mature lashes—this delivers staying power without the damage.

Best for Sensitive Eyes: Tower 28 Make Waves Mascara, $20

Sephora

Both Stern and Loiz rave about this clean formula. Stern loves that it's "vegan great for sensitive eyes. Lashes look voluminous and longer with use." Loiz calls it "an overall classic mascara that's always sold out for a reason. It does the job of keeping lashes soft and flexible while also adding lift and separation."

For eyes that have become more reactive with age, this is the safe choice that still performs.

Best Tubing Formula: Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara, $34

Sephora

Reynolds chose this because it "coats each lash for defined length and removes easily without rubbing." Tubing mascaras create tiny tubes around each lash that slide off with warm water—no rubbing, no pulling, no damage to fragile mature lashes.

Best Natural Look: Well People Expressionist Pro Mascara, $20

Ulta

Reynolds loves this because it's "lightweight and clean with just enough definition to enhance without heaviness." For days when you want your lashes to look better but not obviously made up, this delivers subtle enhancement with a clean formula that's gentle on aging lashes.

Best Budget: Essence Lash Princess Mascara, $5

Ulta

Reynolds chose this for "impressive length and volume at a very accessible price point," while Barnes calls it "best overall from drugstore." Getting professional-quality results for $5 is remarkable. This cult favorite delivers on its promises without the cult price tag.

Up Next:

Related: 9 Best Tubing Mascaras, Tested by Celebrity Makeup Artists

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Hence then, the article about 11 best mascaras for older women to lengthen thinning aging lashes tested by makeup artists was published today ( Thursday 16/04/2026 - 04:27 PM ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.

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