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According to makeup artist Laura Geller , swiping on a good mascara “makes the world of difference” in your mature makeup routine —especially since lashes naturally become thinner, sparser, and more fragile with age. Luckily, the best mascaras for older women not only add volume and length but also hydrate, nourish, and lift—all without clumping, flaking, or irritating sensitive eyes—to transform thinning, brittle lashes.
“As a 52-year-old and someone who’s worked with clients of all ages for decades, I’ve seen firsthand how lashes change—and how frustrating that can be. They thin out, lose their curl, and somehow seem to just disappear,” says Kat James , celebrity makeup artist and mature skin expert. “Whether it’s struggling to get a clean application or feeling like your lashes aren’t giving you that same wide-eyed look, it’s a common shift—but there are ways to work with those changes instead of against them.”
Meet the Experts: Kat James , celebrity makeup artist and mature skin expert; Ashley Brissette, M.D., M.S.C., F.R.C.S.C. , a leading ophthalmologist in New York City; and Lisa Aharon , celebrity makeup artist.
Generally, experts recommend those with mature eyes opt for mascara formulas that are hydrating and easy to remove, in addition to being ophthalmologist-tested and safe for sensitive eyes. Ashley Brissette, M.D., M.S.C., F.R.C.S.C. , a leading ophthalmologist in New York City, says fragrance-free mascaras that contain nourishing ingredients—such as “hydrating oils”—that “help condition and protect lashes” are best. “For formulation, I recommend that patients choose water-soluble mascaras over waterproof because they’re easier to remove [less pulling and rubbing the eyes],” she adds.
Ahead, we corralled all the best mascaras for older and mature women as recommended by experts and tested by our own editors—including the best drugstore and splurge-worthy picks for thinning lashes, watery eyes, and more. Swipe them on (along with a good eyelash growth serum !) for your most dazzling, defined eyes yet.
1) ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara
This mascara from ILIA is a cult-favorite for a reason. “ It builds and separates lashes with a dual-sided brush (one creates volume and one side is a comb),” explains Lisa Aharon , celebrity makeup artist. “It doesn’t transfer easily or flake, and I love that the formula is clean.” The formula contains nourishing and strengthening lash care ingredients, including arginine, biotin, shea butter, and beeswax—and it glides on without clumping and resists flaking and smudging for up to 12 hours, according to the brand. Plus: It’s ophthalmologist-tested and removes easily with warm water.
What a reviewer says:“Fabulous. This is the absolute best mascara I have ever used in the past 20 years. My lashes are sparse, short and old,” shared one reviewer. “I’ve tried and thrown away dozens of mascaras ranging from inexpensive drugstore brands to high end boutique brands. ILIA does NOT clump, smear, flake, irritate eyes but DOES go on smoothly, stays on all day and washes off cleanly with face wash and water. I won’t have the extra long, curly full lashes that I had 45 years ago, but it enhances my look and I absolutely love it!!”
2)
Maybelline
Lash Sensational Sky High Washable Mascara
This popular pick from Maybelline is currently Amazon’s number-one best-selling mascara , boasting a 4.5 star rating from nearly 180,000 shoppers. “This really lengthens the lashes and has a rich black color,” says Aharon. “ The brush deposits the right amount of product and doesn’t clump on the top or lower lashes.”Along with the flexible, spiral brush wand, it also has a lightweight formula that’s infused with bamboo extracts for stronger, healthier lashes that feel weightless. Plus: It’s ophthalmologist-tested and suitable for sensitive eyes.
What a reviewer says: “This is hands down the best, most affordable mascara I have ever used! I highly recommend this mascara. It does not smudge like all the others, and it lasts all day,” said an Amazon shopper. “I am a 54-year-old busy teacher, so it’s amazing to me that I don’t look like a raccoon by the end of the day with this mascara! Finally!”
3) Laura Geller Always There Waterproof Mascara
For a great waterproof option, makeup artist Laura Geller recommends her brand’s Always There Waterproof Mascara. “I never liked waterproof mascaras because when you went to take them off, sometimes it could pull out your lashes, but not with this one,” Geller told Prevention in a previous interview . “It coats and hydrates your lashes, without causing any harm.” The makeup guru also noted that it has great, “extra bold” volumizing power in addition to being gentle on your eyes. “This brush is designed with both soft and wavy fibers so it can fully coat your lashes without clumping,” she said.
What a reviewer says:“Very impressed with this mascara...I am 81 years old and my brows and lashes need a little help. This mascara showed me eyelashes I didn't know I have!” one reviewer wrote. “It goes on so easily and coats every little hair without a lot of clumping...There is no smearing throughout the day, even on very hot days or with happy tears. Also, it comes off fairly easily with soap and micellar water.”
4)
Charlotte Tilbury
Exagger-Eyes Instant Volume Mascara
If you’re looking for truly thick, dramatic lashes, Charlotte Tilbury’s newest mascara has you covered. It delivers root-to-tip volume with a formula that resists smudges, flakes, sweat, clumps, and humidity for long wear.It’s infused with jojoba waxes that condition and enrich lashes, as well as vinyl-black polymers that plump lashes for more volume. The ultra-curved brush also helps give a curl effect, featuring ultra-fine bristles that are soft on one side and sharp on the other to help define and fan out lashes.
What an editor says:“I try almost every mascara that comes on the market—and very rarely do any impress me. This new one from makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury was a pleasant surprise: a few swipes and even puny lashes look as long and thick as falsies,” Beauty Director April Franzino previously shared . “I also love that the formula is buildable in case you want a more natural look. And once it’s set, it doesn’t transfer.”
5)
Clinique
High Impact Mascara
This beloved Clinique mascara doesn’t just have over 10,000 Amazon ratings and counting—it’s also recommended by experts for its buildable formula that adds both volume and length and resists clumps, as well as a soft fiber brush that combs and defines every lash. “I love the Clinique High Impact mascara, it has the Clinique eye safety promise: ophthalmologist-tested, safe for sensitive eyes, and safe for contact lens wearers,” says Dr. Brissette. (She also recommends the Clinique High Impact Zero Gravity Tubing Mascara for its tubing formula that “is great and easy to remove.”)
What an editor says:“This was the first mascara my mom gave me when I first started wearing makeup and her judgment, as usual, was impeccable because it's still the one I always go back to,” says Assistant Editor Jenn Gonick. “The black/brown color is the perfect shade to make my eyes pop without looking too harsh. I’ve tried dozens of mascaras over the years and this buildable formula is one of the few that has never irritated my eyes. Plus, it comes off easily, but never flakes or smudges throughout the day, which is a huge win.”
6) Jones Road Beauty The Mascara
James “loves” this mascara from Bobbi Brown’s iconic brand, Jones Road Beauty , explaining that “it has a softer finish that’s ideal for everyday wear.” The formula contains vitamin E, an antioxidant that conditions and moisturizes lashes—plus it’s easily buildable, meaning you can use a little bit to keep it natural or layer more coats for a bolder, more dramatic look.
Brown herself previously told Prevention of the mascara: “It doesn’t flake, it doesn’t smear, and honestly it’s easy to take off at night.It is literally my favorite mascara ever!” The makeup artist also previously recommended opting for a true black “to add definition and draw attention to your eyes” and swiping on two to three coats “for thicker lashes and the ultimate oomph.”
What an editor says:“I love that it doesn’t clump or run down my face when I exercise. And it’s so easy to wash off at the end of the day!” says Prevention’ s Research Director Sonya Maynard. “It makes my lashes super-thick without looking fake.”
7)
Covergirl
Lash Blast Volume Mascara
A classic for a reason, this popular Covergirl mascara boasts a 4.5 star rating from over 20,000 shoppers on Amazon. The unique spin-shape brush helps coat every single lash for full, voluminous, fanned-out lashes without clumping or smudging—in fact, the brand claims that it creates 10 times more volume than bare lashes. Plus, it’s hypoallergenic and comes in a waterproof version as well as a translucent option .
What an editor says:“I love that this mascara doesn’t clump, washes off easily, and looks like my real eyelashes, but better,” says Prevention ’s Executive Editor Stephanie Dolgoff. “I get dermatitis from beeswax (lots of people do but don't know why they're having issues) and this is the best inexpensive mascara without beeswax that I’ve ever used. It never flakes or runs or settles into my undereye creases.”
8) L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Original Volume Building Mascara
“L’Oréal Voluminous has been in my kit for years— it gives definition and buildable volume without clumping or flaking,” James says. Plus, it’s also a favorite of celebrities Eva Longoria and Heidi Klum and is top-rated on Amazon with over 98,000 ratings and counting. Containing panthenol and ceramide-R to protect and condition lashes, this mascara is formulated to thicken and amplify lashes without clumping or flaking while also keeping lashes soft.
What reviewers say:“I’ve been using this mascara since the 80s so that speaks volumes!” one Amazon customer wrote. “Inexpensive, makes lashes the longest and thickest they can ever be, separates, doesn’t dry them out, stays put all day without smudging and washes off one two three with any cleanser or soap. It really doesn’t get any better than L’Oréal Voluminous!”
9)
Tower 28
MakeWaves Mascara
Aharon recommends this pick for those who like to swipe on more than one coat of mascara. “It makes the lashes fluffy and you can really build it up. It also washes off easily,” she says. Not only is the formula super buildable, it’s also powered by Aquaflex Technology (conventionally found in haircare) to help keep lashes lifted and defined even in humidity.The curved, dual-sided brush features short bristles to build volume, and long bristles to lengthen and define. Plus: The formula is ophthalmologist-tested, hypoallergenic, and safe for sensitive eyes.
What a reviewer says:“This mascara has made my lashes look so long and thick. Nothing has ever made my lashes stand out like it,” said one shopper. “I am 63 years old and my lashes are very skimpy compared to when I was young, that is until I started using this mascara It’s fairly easy to remove, doesn’t smudge or flake. It’s a definite winner and I will continue to use it.”
10) Mineral Fusion So Classy Volume Mascara
“This is my absolute favorite fragrance-free mascara for sensitive eyes (especially my own!),” says Aharon. “The mineral formula doesn’t bother contact lens wearers. It’s long-wearing and leaves the lashes feeling soft and nourished after removal.” The ophthalmologist-tested, hypoallergenic formula also contains a unique blend of peptides, vitamin B, Kaolin clay, and natural gums and waxesto nourish and define lashes without any clumping, flaking, or smudging.
Bonus: In addition to this “So Classy” option that’s ideal for adding volume to your lashes, this mascara also comes in a “So High” option for extension, “So Ageless” for fanned out lashes, and “So Lifted for defined curls.
What a reviewer says:“Fragrance-free, perfect for sensitive eyelids...I finally found a mascara that doesn't irritate my (newly sensitive) eyelids,” one Amazon shopper wrote. “The mascara isn’t too runny or too clumpy. The brush is perfect size and curvature.”
11) How to choose the best mascaras for older women
✔️ Choose the right formula.This is the number one issue since as we get older our lids tend to drop and touch the lashes more, explains Aharon. “Opt for a long-wearing formula,” she advises. Similarly, if flaking is an issue for you, James recommends a tubing formula, which she says are great for mature lashes and don’t budge.
✔️ Look for nourishing ingredients.“Hair also starts to dull as we age, so a formula that leaves the lashes nourished with shine is a great option,” Aharon says. Dr. Brissette agrees, adding that choosing a product with nourishing ingredients “such as hydrating oils” is helpful since these “help condition and protect lashes.”
✔️ Avoid irritants.Look for mascaras labeled “hypoallergenic,” “ophthalmologist-tested,” “safe for sensitive eyes,” and “safe for contact lens wearers,” especially if you have sensitive eyes, Dr. Brissette says. Also, try to find a formula that is fragrance-free and free from other known irritants.
✔️ Opt for mascaras that are easy to remove.While waterproof mascaras may sound great for those with watery eyes, they can actually be harder to remove, notes Dr. Brissette. She says that waterproof formulas “should be used sparingly,” like for a special occasion. If you’re looking for a good waterproof mascara, we recommend the Laura Geller Always There Waterproof Mascara as it’s gentle on your eyes.
✔️ Consider brown mascara.“In terms of color, don’t be afraid to soften it up. A rich black-brown or deep brown can be more flattering than harsh jet black,” James says. “ Tower 28
makes a beautiful brown mascara that gives a soft, lifted look without making lashes disappear.”
12) How to apply mascara for older women
Start with clean lashes.Dr. Brissette emphasizes the importance of starting with clean skin and eyelashes, not just for hygiene purposes, but for the end result as well. “Products apply so much better when the lashes are clean,” she says.
Use an eyelash curler.“Curling your lashes is essential. It’s one of the quickest ways to open the eyes and create lift, especially when lashes start to point straight out or down,” James says.
Don’t apply too much.Try out the “less is more” approach when it comes to mascara. “One good, clean coat is more youthful than three clumpy ones,” James says. She recommends anchoring the wand at the base of the lashes before wiggling upward, as this technique “gives the illusion of more fullness without piling on extra coats.”
Avoid “pumping” the wand.You may think you are getting more product on the brush when you pump the wand into the base over and over again, but Dr. Brissette says this can actually change the viscosity of the mascara over time by introducing too much air to the bottle and causing it to dry out more quickly.
Replace your mascara regularly.“As a general rule, mascara should be replaced every three months to prevent bacterial buildup and preserve the formulation,” Dr. Brissette emphasizes. Also, “Dried out mascara can flake off and get into the eyes!”
13) What mascara is best for older women?
“For mature lashes, I recommend looking for defining or lengthening formulas over thick, volumizing ones. Heavy formulas can overwhelm finer lashes and tend to flake or clump more easily,” James explains. “I love brushes that have a narrower tip or slight curve—they give you more control and help reach every little lash.”
The Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara , recommended by Aharon, fits these criteria and is deemed our best mascara for older women overall.
14) How to remove mascara without irritating eyes
When it comes to mascara, “removal is just as important as application,” says Dr. Brissette. “Make sure you take it off every single night before bed. Never sleep in mascara or eye makeup, as it can flake off and get into the eyes, causing irritation or even scratches.”
Dr. Brissette recommends double cleansing to effectively and safely remove mascara. “Remove eye makeup with a makeup remover , then use a cleanser around the eyes for any residual and to keep the lids and lashes clean and hydrated,” she explains.
Specifically, Dr. Brissette says to opt for a “makeup melting balm” or oil cleanser, “as this is the most gentle and effective way to remove all [makeup] products.” By using an oil-based cleanser or cleansing balm as the first step in your double cleanse, you will easily break down tough formulas (even waterproof options) without the need for harsh rubbing or scrubbing.
15) How we chose the best mascara for older women
We spoke with Kat James , celebrity makeup artist and mature skin expert, and Lisa Aharon , celebrity makeup artist, for their recommendations; tested mascaras ourselves; and spoke with Ashley Brissette, M.D., M.S.C., F.R.C.S.C. , a leading ophthalmologist in New York City for her recommendations on what to look for in the best mascara for older women.
16) Why trust us
For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.
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