These Mascara for Mature Eyes Help Thicken, Lengthen, and Strengthen (2024)

On the list of features susceptible to change as we age: our eyelashes. Is nothing sacred? Apparently not: "Just like the rest of our organs, hair loses steam as we age," explains Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. "Lashes become finer and thinner, and are less likely to grow." That means they may not appear as defined, long, or voluminous as they once did and can seem a bit, dare we say, stubby. But this state of affairs can be rectified. There's no need to break up with mascara, but you may need to bin the formulas you once loved that are no longer working for you. Your new mission is to find a mascara suitable for your current eye type, and we have the best options for mature eyes right here.

What to look for

"I find that the best way to make mature eyes appear brighter and more open is to first curl them with a lash curler and then apply a tubing mascara," recommends makeup artist Brielle Pollara. A tubing mascara adds noticeable length by creating tiny cones around each lash, making it a perfect solution for shorter lashes, she explains (the tiny "cones" easily slip off with warm water as you wash your face). Or, if not a tubing formula, celebrity makeup artist Neil Scibelli recommends choosing one that's especially nourishing. "Many mascaras on the market today have hydrating properties and contain ingredients like panthenol, castor oil, hyaluronic acid, and other humectants. Others have strengthening ingredients, like biotin, keratin, and peptides."

Because eyes can become more sensitive and dry as we age, Scibelli says to be wary of waterproof formulas, which can be hard to take off and just too harsh for our skin and lashes. Ahead, shop mascaras that will transform your lashes and give you a bright-eyed look.

The experts:

• Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Connecticut
• Neil Scibelli, a celebrity makeup artist in New York City
• Brielle Pollara, a professional makeup artist in New Jersey

This vegan tubing mascara is perfect for those with sensitive eyes. It lengthens short lashes and adds a long-lasting curl without smudging or flaking throughout the day. The formula is dermatologist- and ophthalmologist-tested and contains an orchid stem cell complex that helps support longer and healthier-looking lashes all the time. It now comes in colorful shades, like blue, purple, and green.

Get the look of lash extensions without the commitment (or price tag) with this lengthening formula. Pollara loves using this formula on her clients because it coats each lash with tiny and lightweight fibers that add length and lift to short lashes. The brush with short and long bristles also helps to get every lash, even the small ones you don't realize are there. The results are bold and beautifully fanned-out lashes.

Sarah Creal launched her eponymous beauty brand with one goal in mind: to empower and speak to women over the age of 40. So you can trust that this luxurious tubing mascara is made with mature eyes in mind. One coat of this luxurious formula offers instant volume and definition. Go in with two coats and people might ask you if you've gotten extensions.

Scibelli recommends this nourishing plant-based mascara because it "gives great volume and curl while also being smudge-proof and flake-free." In addition to defining lashes, it also helps strengthen fragile or brittle lashes thanks to its formula that contains peptides, rosemary leaf oil, and red clover flowers. You can get instantly beautiful lashes with every swipe and healthier-looking lashes over time.

A conditioning mascara is something you might not think you need, but it really does help promote the look of healthy lashes, explains Pollara. This moisturizing formula contains shea butter and castor oil. It also has carnauba wax to lengthen and ensure smooth application. And because the formula is a tubing mascara, you can count on longer and more voluminous looking lashes after every use.

You don't need to splurge for a high-quality formula. Try this budget-friendly pick, which contains moisturizing panthenol and strengthening biotin. "It has a gorgeously glossy feel, and it really lifts and separates lashes. It's also ophthalmologist-tested and -approved," he says. You can shop it in black and brown.

If you like to lean into the natural, no-makeup makeup look, this mascara is sure to become your new go-to. It doesn't add the drama and lift of other formulas, but it does make your lashes appear darker and thicker. The difference is subtle, natural, and perfect for daily use. Its formula contains strengthening biotin, avocado oil to nourish, and tocotrienols, a form of vitamin E that helps support healthy lash growth.

Our beauty team is dedicated to finding you the best of the best formulas. We spoke with experts to learn about what to look for in a mascara for older women and got their go-to recommendations. We also researched and tested top-rated and brand-new formulas that hit the market to help you find the best products out there.