Eye makeup gets trickier with age, but the right approach can make your eyes look lifted, rested, and more defined. One of the most effective tricks comes from beauty pro Lois Joy Johnson. Her advice on eyeliner placement is an easy way to refresh your look without changing your entire routine.
Women over 50 often deal with hooded lids, fading lash lines, or a crease that isn’t as sharp as it used to be. Here, we’ll break down Johnson’s strategic eyeliner method and cover extra eyeshadow and liner tips to open the eyes, soften texture, and bring back shape.
Smarter eyeliner for a lifted look after 50
Lois Joy Johnson advises to stop applying eyeliner in the same way you always have. The lines that worked years ago won’t work the same on mature eyelids, and changing your placement can revive the shape of your eyes. Her method focuses on defining the eyes without weighing them down.
Rimming both the upper and lower lids can sharpen your eye shape and pull attention away from puffiness or fine lines. If your eyes feel deep-set or shadowed, lining the upper lash line and the upper waterline helps bring them forward without heavy shadow. If you want a lift, widening the outer end of the top liner creates a gentle upward sweep that makes the eyes look more open.
Instead of harsh black, Johnson recommends gray or soft brown for a more forgiving finish. These shades define the eye without settling into lines or creating a stark contrast against lighter hair or softer skin tone. Beige liner on the lower waterline brightens the whites of the eyes and reduces the look of redness.
Once the liner is placed, she keeps the rest of the eye simple. A medium shadow brushed slightly above the crease creates a raised, fresh frame that helps the liner do its job. This is especially helpful if aging has softened your natural crease or added a bit of sagging to the lid.
Extra makeup tips to brighten and shape mature eyes
Once your liner routine feels more intentional, a few added tricks can help lift the eyes even more.
- Always prep the lids with a lightweight primer to keep liner and shadow from slipping or collecting in folds.
- Place a soft matte shadow on the lid instead of shimmer to avoid drawing attention to texture.
- Blend shadow slightly above the natural crease to create a fake crease that opens the eye.
- Avoid thick lower-lash-line shadow, which can drag the eyes down. Go for a thin, smudged line instead.
- Choose satin or matte formulas over glittery textures if your lids crinkle easily.
- Keep brows softly filled to frame the eyes and give the liner more impact.
- Pick neutral tones like taupe, gray, mocha, or plum, which brighten the eyes without overpowering them.
A softer liner, a lifted crease, and a little strategic shading can make your eyes look refreshed after 50. With the right approach, your eye makeup becomes less about hiding and more about highlighting what makes your face unique.