As we age, our eyelids can lose some of their youthful plumpness, making eyeshadow application a bit trickier. Fine lines and creases can become more prominent, sometimes leading to eyeshadow creasing or settling unevenly. However, achieving a beautiful, youthful eye look is still entirely possible, even with mature skin! The key lies in choosing the right products and techniques, and shimmer eyeshadow, surprisingly, can be a fantastic ally in this endeavor. Shimmer can actually help to subtly diffuse light and minimize the appearance of wrinkles, creating a more lifted and radiant look. But mastering the application requires a thoughtful approach.
This guide will walk you through a step-by-step process designed specifically for mature lids, ensuring your shimmer eyeshadow enhances your eyes instead of highlighting any imperfections. We’ll explore the best product choices, essential prep work, and application techniques to achieve a flawless, age-appropriate shimmer eyeshadow look that leaves you feeling confident and beautiful. Let's get started!
Safety Guidelines
- Less is more: Mature lids can show texture more readily. Build shimmer eyeshadow gradually to avoid a cakey or crepey look. Start with a light hand and add more as needed.
- Prime your lids: Using an eyeshadow primer will create a smooth base, help prevent creasing, and enhance the shimmer's longevity, especially important for mature skin.
- Choose the right shimmer: Opt for finely milled shimmers with a subtle sheen. Avoid chunky glitter or overly intense sparkle, which can emphasize lines and wrinkles.
Methods: Applying Shimmer Eyeshadow on Mature Lids Without Emphasizing Fine Lines
Tools Needed
- Precision Edge brow pencil
- Beauty Always An Optimist Weightless Eye Primer
- Milani concealer brush
- Laura Mercier translucent powder
- It's All Good palette by ColourPop
- Wet n Wild blending brush
- E28 shading brush by Rose and Ben Beauty
- small angled brush
- flat shader brush
- loose pigment eyeshadow (e.g., ColourPop x Kathleen Lights Lion)
- Ofra highlighter (Flash)
- angled brush
- black eyeshadow
- diamond mascara by Physicians Formula
- Bare Minerals blush (Mauve)
- Makeup Forever Rouge Artist lipstick (shade 320)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep the Lids
- Prime your lids with an eye primer and set it with translucent powder to create a smooth base.
Prep the Lids Create Depth with Matte Shades
- Apply a light peach shade as a transition shade in your crease, building intensity gradually and blending well. Smoke it out into the lower lash line.
- Apply a darker shade (e.g., a muted brown) to the outer crease and outer corner, focusing the color and blending with a flat fluffy brush.
- Apply the same darker shade to the lower lash line using a small angled brush, stamping it close to the lashes.
Create Depth with Matte Shades Apply Shimmer Subtly
- Instead of directly applying shimmer eyeshadow, use a matte eyeshadow with specks of shimmer. This will add a subtle shimmer without highlighting fine lines.
- Apply the matte eyeshadow with shimmer specks to the lid using a flat shader brush. For extra intensity, add loose pigment eyeshadow with your fingertip.
Apply Shimmer Subtly Add Highlights and Definition
- Add a pop of highlighter to the inner corner of the eyes.
- To lift the outer corner, use an angled brush and black eyeshadow to create a wing under the hooded eyelid, leaving a small gap between the outer corner and the wing.
- Highlight the brow bone.
Add Highlights and Definition Complete the Look
- Curl lashes and apply mascara.
- Apply blush and lipstick to complete the look.
Complete the Look
Tips
- Using a matte eyeshadow with shimmer specks instead of a straight shimmer eyeshadow prevents highlighting fine lines.
- For a lifted effect on hooded eyes, create a wing under the hood, leaving a small gap between the outer corner and the wing.
Read more: Mastering Eye Makeup Looks: A Step-by-Step Guide Using One Palette