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Lashes naturally thin, lose pigment, and become more fragile with age, which means finding the best mascaras for older women can take some time. “As you age, your eyelashes become sparser,” says Diane Hilal-Campo, MD, a board-certified ophthalmologist and founder of Twenty/Twenty Beauty. “They can also turn gray, and they may not grow as long because the lash growth cycle tends to shorten.” Eyes can also get more sensitive, and your lashes may feel drier. So mascaras with nourishing ingredients like vitamin E and hyaluronic acid, and formulated without drying alcohol or irritants like parabens, will be your new go-tos.
To make the search easier, we consulted eye-care experts, analyzed ingredient lists, and tested top-rated mascaras specifically with mature lashes in mind. Our top pick, Well People Expressionist Pro Mascara, is lightweight, doesn’t clump, smudge, or run, and offers a natural, everyday look. We also found options that address thinning lashes, and drugstore picks that perform like luxury brands and cost less than your favorite latte.
The best mascaras for older women, at a glance
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How we tested
We started with guidance from Dr. Hilal-Campo on what to look for in mascara for older women and what to avoid. Then we gathered product recommendations from Dr. Janelle Davison, OD a Georgia-based optometrist with no brand affiliations.
From there, we screened formulas for potential irritants like harsh solvents, synthetic fragrances, and preservatives that can dry out lashes or irritate eyes. Our goal was to find mascaras that enhanced length and volume while remaining lightweight, comfortable, and easy to remove.
Finally, we enlisted Rivkah Yisrael, a 70-year-old retired registered nurse and self-proclaimed “non-makeup person” to test each formula. (She happens to be my mom.) She evaluated ease of application, comfort, irritation, smudging, and whether each mascara noticeably improved the look of her short, sparse, graying lashes. The winners lasted throughout the day, didn’t clump or stick, and came off without harsh rubbing.
Best Overall: Well People Expressionist Pro Mascara
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- Pros: Doesn’t flake, clump, or irritate; lightweight
- Cons: Requires multiple coats for drama
If your lashes are short, sparse, or hard to reach—especially at the inner corners—this mascara excels. The slim wand grips even tiny lashes, coating them with nourishing ingredients like castor and sunflower seed oils, while adding length that doesn’t look over-the-top. If you want a “falsies” look, then this isn’t the mascara for you. But if you like a bit of flair that won’t irritate your eyes, you’ll be impressed.
Testing notes:
“[My] lashes appeared lengthened, remained separated, very natural-looking and with no flakes or specks,” says our tester, Yisrael. “This is my mascara right here, this is on the money.” She also noted that it had no odor, felt weightless, and that the brown shade was especially flattering for daytime wear. After the testing period, she continues to use it daily.
Most Natural-Looking: Twenty/Twenty Beauty Clean Sweep Mascara
- Pros: Gave the perfect look between natural and dramatic; smooth application
- Cons: Some flaking after several hours; can get clumpy; has a slight odor
The nourishing ingredients in this ophthalmologist-formulated mascara, including hydrating hyaluronic acid, soothing vitamin E, and biotin (known to strengthen hair and lashes) is ideal for mature lashes. Hydrating and strengthening ingredients help improve lash condition over time, while the pigment subtly covers grays.
Testing notes:
“You can tell I have something on, but it doesn’t look crazy,” says Yisrael. “[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.
Best for Thinning Lashes: Fenty Beauty Hella Thicc Volumizing Mascara
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- Pros: Adds volume and length; doesn’t flake; easy to remove
- Cons: Clumps if you don’t scrape the wand well before application
Whether your lashes are thin because of aging or you just ended a toxic relationship with damaging lash extensions, this mascara will fatten the look of your wispies. This lightweight, easy-to-apply formula goes on smoothly. And in true Fenty fashion, you don’t need to use a lot to transform the look of puny lashes.
Testing notes:
“[This] was easy to apply [and caused] no eye irritation. It did give the appearance of more length and did not leave specks all over my face,” Yisrael explains. She also noted that it didn’t make her lashes feel heavy and separated the lashes well. Plus, it is “easily removed with water.”
Best for Sensitive Eyes: Clinique High Impact Mascara
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- Pros: Paraben-free; clump-resistant; safe for contact wearers
- Cons: Pricey
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 on the eyes. It’s allergy-tested and fragrance-free, and comes with a super-soft brush—anyone who’s ever accidentally poked themselves during application understands why this matters.
Testing notes:
“Clinique High Impact Mascara is impressively good. I particularly recommend its wispy, layering, non-clumpy qualities,” says Glamour contributor Charlotte Twine. “If you’re looking for more dramatic lashes, the key is to layer it on. The first coat came out super 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.”
Best Tubing: Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara
- Pros: Nourishing ingredients leave lashes soft; comes off easily; doesn’t clump
- Cons: Can feel heavy with several coats; many reviewers complain of flaking
Tubing mascaras are ideal for mature eyes because they lengthen without smudging and remove with just warm water. And this vegan version is great for sensitive eyes, says Dr. Davison. Plus, it’s infused with hydrating ingredients like shea butter and castor oil, so lashes don’t feel crispy.
Best for Over 50: L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara
- Pros: Affordable; volumizing without clumps; easy-grip brush
- Cons: Can clump if excess product isn’t removed from wand; some reviewers reported flaking
This Glamour–Award winning and TikTok-viral mascara proves that you don’t have to spend like a high roller to get big, beautiful lashes. The smooth, conditioning formula is perfect for anyone who wants volume with no smudging. The tip of the wavy brush helps you get to those small corner lashes. This is the formula to reach for when you put on a full face for a night out. And when you’re ready to take it off, a little facial cleanser and water will do, no tugging or harsh scrubbing necessary.
Best Non-Clumping: CoverGirl Lash Blast Clean Volume Mascara
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- Pros: Adds volume without clumping; defines and separates lashes
- Cons: Thick brush doesn’t grab lower lashes; some reviewers found it difficult to remove
This clean, budget-friendly formula defines and separates lashes without clumps. Dr. Davison likes that the mascara is affordable, contains no parabens, and packs nourishing argan oil. It’s no wonder it has more than 6,000 perfect ratings at Ulta and more than 12,000 at Amazon, with reviewers calling it a “holy grail” product that leaves lashes looking “full and clump-free.” One fan called it the “best mascara for older women,” confirming that it separates, lengthens, and doesn’t clump. It’s also free of potentially irritating ingredients like sulfates, talc, and mineral oil.
Best Water-Resistant: Tower 28 Make Waves Mascara
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- Pros: Easy to remove; doesn’t irritate or flake; buildable
- Cons: Doesn’t hold a curl well
Recommended by Dr. Davison, this vegan, water-resistant mascara stays put without behaving like a stubborn waterproof formula. The double-sided, curved wand separates lashes, adds length, and reaches the shortest of lashes. It’s free of fragrance, fibers, alcohol, and silicone, making it a strong option for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.
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.
What are some tips for thickening lashes?
Keep them healthy and hydrated, suggests Dr. Hilal-Campo. “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 says to apply mascara sparingly. Use the wand vertically and focus on just the tips, especially at the outer corners. Be sure 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.
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
