Shakespeare was right – the eyes are the window to the soul and the feature that shows your sparkle to the world. Some women lose confidence wearing eyeshadow beyond a certain age, but careful choice of product and application can give a youth-boosting, transformational look.
There is no need to be scared!
Get ready
Start with an eye primer, which smooths out the crepey texture and conceals any darkness on the lids. It also helps eyeshadow stay put. Opt for peach-toned primers or those containing light-reflective pigments for best results.
Which shadow?
Cream shadows give a modern, silky finish and using a primer prevents it from sinking into creases. Powder layered over cream offers a lovely flash of colour and staying power.
The universal finish for all ages is a satin powder which offers an even sheen, blends well and complements all skin types.
Matte applied in the crease adds the contour that skin on older eyes can lack.
What about the sparkle?
Shimmers, frost and glitters have a reputation for sitting in fine lines, but luckily for us, modern shadows are formulated to avoid this, so shop around. If you’re new to shimmers, popping a little on the centre of your eyelids over a matte colour is a great way to get started. When you‘re ready, you can go all out – bring on the parties!
Colour, colour everywhere
There are no strict rules to colour choice, so don’t be afraid to experiment and find your style. If you like how a shade looks on you, use it.
You may want to take a lighter touch with bright colours as you age, but it’s entirely up to you. Play around and see what works for you and what draws you in.
Colour guidelines
Brown eyes can get away with anything, and chocolate tones, olives, golds and plums are a great choice.
Blue eyes also suit most colours. Orange is great, although pink can make your eyes look sore.
Purple, silver, grey and green look stunning on green eyes, while purple, brown, blue and black are a perfect match for greys.
Six tips for easy eyeshadow application
1 First, moisturise the eye area, including the lid, with a non-greasy eye cream.
2 Before reaching for the eyeshadow, apply primer over the lid with a fluffy brush and leave to dry.
3 A touch of highlighter to the eye’s inner corner looks stunning.
4 Mature eyes can lose their natural contour, so colour graduation, from light on the lids to darker in the crease (just above the lid), gives dimension and shape.
5 Adding a soft line of shadow along the lashes opens the eyes.
6 Using matte eyeshadow to line the upper lashes is easier than fiddling with a liquid liner. Put two squirts of setting spray into a dish and dip an angled liner brush into it. Pick up a little eyeshadow on the brush and stamp it along the lash line, staying close to the lashes. Work from the inner corner outwards, picking up more shadow after each stamp. Gently blend with a small, soft brush.