The best mascaras for older women help coat while addressing thinning lashes. With age, they naturally thin, lose pigment, and become more fragile, which means the formulas and wands that evvel worked flawlessly may suddenly clump, smudge, or irritate sensitive eyes. “They can also turn gray, and they may not grow as long because the lash growth cycle tends to shorten,” says says Diane Hilal-Campo, MD, a board-certified ophthalmologist and founder of Twenty/Twenty Beauty. The fix is reaching for hypoallergenic mascaras formulated without drying alcohols or irritants like parabens, and instead for options infused with nourishing ingredients like vitamin E, shea butter, and hyaluronic acid to keep lashes hydrated and comfortable all day. To find the best options, we consulted eye-care experts, analyzed ingredient lists, and tested highest-rated mascaras specifically designed for mature lashes. Below, the top ones that address sparse or gray hair for a natural, everyday look.
Our top mascaras for mature lashes
- Best Overall: Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Tubing Mascara, $32
- Best for Thinning Lashes: Victoria Beckham Vast Lash, $35
- Best Non-Clumping: Charlotte Tilbury Exagerr-Eyes Instant Volume Mascara, $23
- Best for Sensitive Eyes: Clinique High Impact Mascara, $22
- Most Natural-Looking: Tower28 Make Waves Vegan Mascara, $20
Best Overall: Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Tubing Mascara
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Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara
Amazon
| What we love | What could improve |
|---|---|
| Doesn’t flake or smudge | Requires multiple coats for drama |
| Lengthens lashes | |
| Lightweight | |
| Comes in multiple colors |
For short, sparse, aging lashes, this viral mascara is the ultimate length hack. It’s a tubing formula, meaning it shrink-wraps every lash in a water-resistant sleeve from root to tip. Made with shea butter and castor oil, it nourishes and conditions your lashes, unlike other tubing mascaras, which can feel drying, stiff, and irritating. The dense bristles grab even the tiniest lashes for a smudge-proof, wide-awake look. It has the seal of approval from oculofacial plastic surgeon Allison Coombs, DO, who recommends it for sensitive eyes and those prone to styes. “It comes off in tubes so there’s minimal residue,” she says. At the end of the day, the tubes slide off with warm water and a gentle touch, leaving your lashes (and your delicate undereye skin, which thins with aging) intact.
Glamour contributor Micaela English says:
“I’ve seen this mascara saturate my social media feed, but after trying it, I can attest that its performance actually justifies the hype. It strikes that rare just-so balance: high-impact definition without the smudge of a heavy-handed formula. I cycled through both the Black and Orchid, a sophisticated, deep plum, and found them equally reliable. As a chronic eye-drop user, this mascara stayed put with zero migration after drops. I’ve already briefed my 71-year-old mother on her new holy grail; it’s quite simply the most efficient daily staple in my kit.” —Micaela English, Glamour contributor
Fast facts
- Best for: Lifted and lengthened lashes
- Lash type: Tubing, lengthening
- Key ingredients: Orchid stem cell complex, castor oil, shea butter, carnauba wax
- Size: 0.38 ounces
Best Drugstore: e.l.f Lash XTNDR
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E.L.F. Lash Xtndr Tubing Mascara
Amazon
| What we love | What could improve |
|---|---|
| Lifted lashes | Some migration, smearing, and flaking through the day |
| Budget-conscious | My eyes felt a little dry |
| Lightweight |
“For women over 40, I look for a mascara that lifts, separates, and stays put without feeling heavy,” says celebrity makeup artist Joel Vasquez. “When it comes to drugstore options, I like the e.l.f. Lash XTNDR, because the tubing formula gives clean definition and helps with smudging.” This innovative tubing replaces heavy, wax-laden formulas that weigh down thinning lashes, cocooning every lash in lightweight polymers for high-impact length. The precision silicone wand expertly navigates sparser lash lines to lift and separate without clumping, while an infusion of 5% jojoba seed oil hydrates aging lashes. The smudge-proof finish ensures zero “raccoon eyes” by the end of the day, and because it rinses away with just warm water, it spares delicate, crepey skin from the damaging tugging and scrubbing of traditional removers.
Glamour’s English says:
“For the price, this is a pure luxury mascara. The brush is the real star; it’s flexible and bouncy, with a tapered silicone design that gripped my tiniest, blink-and-you’ll-miss-them lashes that often get left behind during mascara application. My lashes looked longer, and the formula felt featherweight. There was some fallout and smearing around the eight-hour mark, but I easily cleaned it off with my finger. My eyes felt a little dry by the end of the day, but my eyedrops helped. It’s like a reliable BFF in mascara form.” —M.E
Fast facts
- Best for: Lashes that need volume
- Lash type: Volumizing and lengthening
- Key ingredients: Jojoba seed oil
- Size: 0.29 ounces
Best Non-Clumping: Charlotte Tilbury Exagerr-Eyes Instant Volume Mascara
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Charlotte Tilbury Exagerr-Eyes Instant Volume Mascara
Amazon
| What we love | What could improve |
|---|---|
| Adds volume without clumping | Thick formula |
| Defines and separates lashes | |
| All-day wear |
For older women, this mascara acts like an eye lift in one coat, addressing the lash thinning that can occur with age. The ultra-curved brush grips sparse and fine lashes at the root, giving a fanning effect that separates each lash. The result? A more wide-open eye. The formula is made with jojoba waxes to keep fragile lashes conditioned and soft. Its smudge-proof technology is a lifesaver for older women; it stays locked on your lashes and won’t migrate into fine lines, even when paired with your richest, most hydrating eye creams.
Glamour’s English says:
“This formula delivers major curl, lift, and separation, no lash curler required. I skipped the hardware entirely, and my results were still next-level. Each lash was perfectly fanned out without a clump in sight, creating a doe-eyed gaze. There was zero ‘panda eye’ smearing to ruin the vibe. It’s an iconic look in a chic glass bottle.”
—M.E.
Fast facts
- Best for: Separating lashes but still giving drama and lift
- Lash type: Defining/volumizing
- Key ingredients: Jojoba
- Size: 0.28 ounces
Best Lengthening Mascara: Benefit They’re Real
Benefit They’re Real
Amazon
| What we love | What could improve |
|---|---|
| Longer lashes | Some migration and smearing through the day; my eyes felt a little dry |
This mascara features a specialized brush with a custom-domed tip designed to lift and lengthen even the smallest, thinning lashes, pulling them upward. Celebrity makeup artist Nina Soriano says it’s the perfect pick-me-up: “A few swipes of this mascara adds just enough to give you a lifted eye.” Soriano also recommends it for a more dramatic look, noting that “when you want to have a statement lash, this also works wonders building your lash.” To get the best results, she recommends not letting the formula dry completely between coats so you can effectively build volume before letting it set.
Glamour’s English says:
“One coat of this mascara and it was like boom—instant cat-eye lash. I also loved the wand; the little dome fit perfectly in the inner corner of my lashes. Five hours into wear, there was a bit of smudging, but it wouldn’t deter me from wearing it again. During the two testing sessions, eight hours into wear my eyes did feel a little dry (this can happen with me and mascara), so I might use it just for an evening out and not all-day wear. But it’s an all-in-one volume and lift powerhouse.” —M.E.
Fast facts
- Best for: shorter lashes
- Lash type: Lengthening
- Key ingredients: Paraffin, beeswax
- Size: 0.3 ounces
Best for Thinning Lashes: Victoria Beckham Vast Lash
Victoria Beckham Vast Lash Mascara
Nordstrom
| What we love | What could improve |
|---|---|
| Adds major volume | Applies wet so let it dry completely before using setting spray |
| Doesn’t flake | |
| Glamorous; easy to remove |
Whether your lashes are thinning with age or you’ve cut ties with damaging lash extensions, this high-end black mascara is a capital V volume play. It delivers a high-drama, jet-black finish that makes even the sparsest lashes look bigger. One swipe of this buttery formula is all you need for instant thickness and length. It’s infused with panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) to keep your lashes hydrated and flexible, a.k.a., no crunchy, “my lashes are stuck together” feeling. As a heads-up: The formula goes on wet, so give it a minute to set before heading out and you might need to use a Q-tip right after applying.
Glamour’s English says:
“This has become my ‘night out’ mascara, or if I want to dial up the glamour. Victoria Beckham claims the formula is ‘Miami-proof,’ and as an unseasonably warm New York City spring collides with the humidity of the subway, I can attest: It didn’t budge on me all day. It’s unapologetically posh, and gave my lashes length, volume, and the blackest of black hues. It’s a sexy mascara that’s worth the price.” —M.E.
Fast facts
- Best for: Glossy black glamorous lashes
- Lash type: Volumizing/thickening
- Key ingredients: Tahitian Sea microalgae, panthenol, niacinamide, tocopherol
- Size: 0.22 ounces
Best for Sensitive Eyes: Clinique High Impact Mascara
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Clinique High Impact Waterproof Mascara
Amazon
| What we love | What could improve |
|---|---|
| Paraben-free | Pricey |
| Clump-resistant | |
| Safe for contact wearers |
Your eyes can become more sensitive as you get older, and if you wear glasses, you want to be especially careful about what you put around them. This mascara builds volume and lengthens your lashes while staying still. It’s allergy-tested and fragrance-free, and comes with a supersoft brush—anyone who’s ever accidentally poked themselves during application understands why this matters. Julie Chung, MD, an ophthalmologist and eye surgeon specializing in glaucoma and cataract surgery and cofounder of T3, a prestige hair tools company, notes, “It’s important to look for fragrance-free, oil-free, and hypoallergenic options. I love the Clinique High Impact Mascara; it’s a dependable staple that prioritizes ocular integrity without sacrificing lash length.”
Glamour contributor Charlotte Twine says:
“Clinique High Impact Mascara is impressively good. I particularly recommend its wispy, layering, non-clumpy qualities. If you’re looking for more dramatic lashes, the key is to layer them on. The first coat came out muhteşem wispy and very natural, but as I applied layers, it became thicker, fluffier, and more showgirl-like, if you will, with no clumps. My lashes are pretty sparse these days as I get older, and it takes a lot of scaffolding to make them actually appear visible around my eyes. Still, Clinique’s mascara did an outstanding job without making them look all goopy. I’m putting this in my makeup bag right away.” —Charlotte Twine, Glamour contributor
Glamour’s English says:
“This mascara is top-tier. A few coats deliver lush, fattened-up lashes. I skipped my eyeliner entirely when testing it, opting instead for that effortless, minimalist ’90s vibe. It’s well-behaved, too; there was zero smudging throughout the day, just a polished, wide-awake look that felt as good as it looked.” —M.E.
Best Waterproof: Essence Lash Princess Waterproof
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Essence Lash Princess Waterproof
Amazon
| What we love | What could improve |
|---|---|
| Buildable | Have to clean up the wand before applying to avoid clumping |
| Thickens lashes | Some fallout |
| Inexpensive | |
| Waterproof |
For the woman over 40, finding a budget-friendly hero that delivers “filler-style” volume is a makeup bag win. This $4 mascara rivals its prestige competitors with a lightweight formula that adds drama without heaviness, which can cause mature lashes to droop. Its precision wand is effective at building volume on the outer corners, creating a strategic lift that opens the eye. Soriano considers it a makeup-kit staple for its unparalleled control. “I love the brush as you can control the application,” she notes. For lashes that have lost their natural upward trajectory, Soriano shares a pro secret: “When you have pin-straight lashes, using a waterproof mascara to hold a curl into place is a great trick.” It’s a high-performance, accessible find that proves a sophisticated finish doesn’t require a luxury price tag.
Glamour’s English says:
“I tested this on Nina’s authority (she used to do my makeup for photoshoots when I worked at a luxury magazine) and was thoroughly impressed. It has a few minor boundary issues—a stray flake here, a bit of migration there, but even the waterproof version was kind to my super-sensitive eyes. In a world of over-promised luxury, finding this kind of efficacy at $4 feels like a makeup cheat code.” —M.E.
Fast facts
- Best for: Dramatic effect
- Lash type: Volumizing/thickening
- Key ingredients: Shea butter, castor oil
- Size: 0.27 ounces
Most Natural-Looking: Tower28 Make Waves Vegan Mascara
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Tower 28 MakeWaves Vegan Black Mascara
Amazon
| What we love | What could improve |
|---|---|
| Gave natural, perfect look | Some flaking after several hours |
| Smooth application | Can get clumpy |
| Doesn’t irritate sensitive eyes | Has a slight odor |
This ophthalmologist-tested mascara swaps irritating ingredients for castor oil and sunflower seed wax, while the deep pigment subtly camouflages silvering hairs. It’s designed to hug the lash line, acting like a push-up bra for lashes, lifting and fanning out each lash that’s lost its natural curl. This ergonomic wave shape of the wand ensures you catch every hair, even the tiny ones at the corners, without the awkward maneuvering that usually leads to smudging. It removes easily and gently with water, cleanser, or micellar water. The result is “your lashes but better” with a natural, daytime lift.
Glamour contributor Rivkah Yisrae says:
“You can tell I have something on, but it doesn’t look crazy. [It’s] easy to apply, didn’t irritate [my] eyes, and came off with just water at the end of the night.” She did notice some clumping at application and flaking after several hours on the first use, so it’s important to scrape the excess off the brush to avoid this.” —Rivkah Yisrae, Glamour contributor
Glamour’s English says:
“This mascara is the makeup equivalent of a white shirt: crisp, fresh, and low-effort. My lashes look feathered, separated, and after a full day, they refused to smear, even with my hooded lids, which are notorious for sabotaging mascara. While I did notice a few stray dry flakes by late afternoon, they were easily brushed away with a glance in the mirror.” —M.E.
Fast facts
- Best for: Adding length, separating lashes, natural look
- Lash type: Defining/separating
- Key ingredients: Castor oil, sunflower seed wax
- Size: 0.29 ounces
Best for Over 50: Sarah Creal Back of the Cab Volumizing & Tubing Mascara
Sarah Creal Back of the Cab Volumizing & Tubing Mascara
Sephora
| What we love | What could improve: |
|---|---|
| Hourglass shape wand has shape for smaller lashes and longer lashes | Expensive |
| Doesn’t transfer | Brush can have clumps |
| Hydrating formula | Might need cleanup |
This tubing formula is designed with mature eyes in mind, so it stays exactly where you put it and it won’t migrate into fine lines or midday smudge for women in their 50s. It’s enriched with shea butter to condition, ensuring lashes look lush and healthy rather than brittle. Celebrity makeup artist Jenn Streicher considers it her recent gold standard, saying, “It doesn’t run, smear, or smudge, yet it removes easily with warm water.” Her pro tip for an instant eye lift is to apply it to the lower lashes to “finish” the look and make the eyes appear consistently larger.
Glamour’s English says:
“The sleek silver tube is chic to pull out of your bag, then comes the formula. No smearing, I only needed one swipe, and I was out the door for a day of Pilates, work, and an after-work event with zero migration. While I didn’t remove it with warm water and used micellar water instead, it was easy and non-irritating. The whole experience is very luxe, luxe, luxe.” —M.E.
Frequently asked questions
What should you look for when shopping for mascara for older women?
“You definitely want to find one that doesn’t cause raccoon eyes or smudge on the skin, as that can darken the area above and below the lids, which isn’t flattering for mature women,” says Dr. Hilal-Campo. She advises avoiding waterproof formulas, which can be difficult to remove and irritating, and suggests prioritizing nourishing, paraben-free options that are safe for sensitive eyes.
Should older women use mascara on their bottom lashes?
Nina Soriano emphasizes the importance of the lower lash line in completing the face’s frame. Soriano notes, “A little swipe on your bottom lashes can really widen the eye. You can also build this look or just add a layer for dimension. Either way, there’s no age barrier to wearing mascara on bottom lashes.” This technique not only adds a youthful openness to the eyes but also allows for versatility, whether a woman is going for a subtle everyday definition or a more dramatic finish.
Can you wear mascara with blepharitis?
Managing eye makeup while dealing with blepharitis requires a balance between aesthetics and ocular health. Since the condition involves chronic eyelid inflammation, the products you apply can easily exacerbate the irritation. Dr. Chung explains, “There are two types of blepharitis—anterior, which involves crusting and debris on the lashes, and posterior, which is about clogged, inflamed meibomian glands. Mascara can make both worse, particularly when it’s not properly removed. And honestly, most people don’t remove it thoroughly enough. I’m realistic with my patients—I’m not going to say never wear mascara.” Dr. Chung recommends picking a formula that comes off easily and being diligent about removing it completely every night while treating your blepharitis.
What are some tips for thickening lashes?
Keep them healthy and hydrated, Dr. Hilal-Campo suggests. “That means maintaining good hygiene—gently using cleansers like hypochlorous acid to keep bacteria away—and using natural oils to hydrate the lashes,” she explains. She recommends argan oil, noting that it’s rich in alpha-linolenic acid and helps hydrate lash shafts to make them look fuller. “You can also apply a primer before mascara to help lashes appear thicker,” she finishes.
How do you apply mascara on mature eyes?
Hilal-Campo suggests starting with an eyelash curler to lift the lashes. Then deposit the product, sweeping it up to the tips. Work from the inside out, and when you get to the outer corners, turn the wand vertically and use just the tip to coat those lashes.
If you want to coat your lower lashes, Dr. Hilal-Campo recommends applying mascara sparingly. Use the wand vertically and focus on just the tips, especially at the outer corners. Be mühlet to clean up smudges with a cotton swab lightly dipped in makeup remover.
How do you gently remove mascara for older women?
Dr. Hilal-Campo recommends a preservative-free micellar remover applied to a microfiber cloth and held against the eye for 30 seconds before gently wiping. (Her pick: Optase Life Sensitive Eye Makeup Remover. It’s a preservative-free micellar water that uses tiny oil molecules to effectively remove makeup.) “The key is to be gentle, so you don’t pull out or break lashes, and to protect the delicate skin around the eyes from becoming more wrinkled,” she says.
What mascara ingredients do ophthalmologists recommend?
Dr. Chung recommends looking for mascaras that tout the following buzzwords: fragrance-free, oil-free, ophthalmologist-tested, and hypoallergenic.
Meet the experts
- Diane Hilal-Campo, MD, a board-certified ophthalmologist and founder of Twenty/Twenty Beauty
- Janelle Davison, MD, an optometrist
- Rivkah Yisrael: NYC-based 70-year-old tester
- Nina Soriano, editorial and celebrity makeup artist
- Jenn Streicher, celebrity makeup artist & owner of Duchess
- Joel Vasquez, celebrity makeup artist
- Allison Coombs, DO, Oculofacial Plastic Surgeon
- Julie Chung, MD, ophthalmologist and eye surgeon specializing in glaucoma and cataract surgery, cofounder of T3, a prestige hair tools company
