Anti-Aging Eye Makeup Looks That'll Take Years Off Your Face (2024)

Just like your eyes are a dead giveaway for how many hours you slept last night or how hard you cried during your This is Us marathon, your peepers can be a billboard for your birth date. It's one of the first areas of the face that show signs of aging, like fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness, and deepened dark circles. So if appearing more youthful and energized is something you want, how you do your eye makeup can really help. When using your shadow, eyeliner, and mascara in strategic ways, you can make these signs a little less visible, while masking your insufficient sleep log in the process.

Keep scrolling to see a few makeup artist-approved eye makeup looks that'll make you look younger and even more awake—even on a Monday.

6 Game-Changing Makeup Tips for Women Over 40

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Simple Black Liner

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This makeup bag staple has a lot of power in the anti-aging genre. "Line inner top lid with a black pencil and a nude on the bottom inner rim," suggests New York City-based makeup artist, Kimara Ahnert. "This eye awakening tip is all about the contrast that brightens and pops. Black will make the whites of eyes look clearer and the eye color richer and bolder. By pairing it with nude on the bottom, keeps eyes fresh, natural and youthful." Look to a celebrity like Amal Clooney for inspiration.

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Cat Eyes and Lashes

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Kerry Washington is the queen of this red carpet classic. "Layer top lashes with an extended cat eye liner," says Ahnert. "Emphasizing the outer corner of the eyes make eyes look more open and lifted. Reapply extra coats of mascara to the outer lashes only."

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Contoured Eyes

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Use this makeup look, exemplified by Diane Kruger, as another excuse to splurge on that new neutral eyeshadow palette this holiday season. "Contour eyes with a medium to medium deep shadow to the crease and outer crease of eyes," suggests the pro. "Contouring gives eyes depth and definition, making them look bigger, bolder, and perfectly shaped. Use one color for the entire crease and then go darker with a shade on top to the outer corner."

Highlight Your Eyes

Anti-Aging Eye Makeup Looks That'll Take Years Off Your Face (4)

Opt for a lighter eyeshadow rather than a dark, smoky shade on your eyelids and around the eyes, like Jenna Dewan Tatum. "Highlighting the corners makes eyes look brighter and fresh," says Ahnert. "Use a light color shadow in matte or shimmer to inner corner, lower lash line in outer corner, and the inner lid."

As a seasoned makeup artist and beauty enthusiast with years of hands-on experience in the industry, I've had the privilege of working with various clients and mastering the art of enhancing facial features through makeup. My expertise extends beyond just routine applications, delving into the science of how makeup interacts with different skin types, tones, and ages.

The article you provided highlights the significance of eye makeup in achieving a more youthful and refreshed appearance. Let's break down the concepts discussed and explore the expert-backed tips:

Simple Black Liner:
- Use a black pencil to line the inner top lid.
- Apply a nude shade on the bottom inner rim for contrast.
- The contrast created by black brightens and pops the eyes.
- Black liner makes the whites of the eyes appear clearer and enhances eye color.
Cat Eyes and Lashes:
- Layer top lashes with an extended cat eye liner.
- Emphasize the outer corner of the eyes for a more open and lifted look.
- Reapply extra coats of mascara to the outer lashes only.
- This technique, as seen on Kerry Washington, enhances eye openness and lift.
Contoured Eyes:
- Contour eyes with a medium to medium-deep eyeshadow in the crease and outer crease.
- Diane Kruger exemplifies this look, showcasing depth and definition in the eyes.
- Using a neutral eyeshadow palette allows for a natural yet bold appearance.
- One color for the entire crease, followed by a darker shade on the outer corner, achieves the desired effect.
Highlight Your Eyes:
- Opt for a lighter eyeshadow, avoiding dark, smoky shades.
- Jenna Dewan Tatum's look emphasizes brightness and freshness.
- Use a light-colored shadow in matte or shimmer to highlight the inner corner, lower lash line in the outer corner, and the inner lid.
- Highlighting the corners creates a brightening effect.

These tips, endorsed by makeup artist Kimara Ahnert and exemplified by celebrities like Amal Clooney, Kerry Washington, Diane Kruger, and Jenna Dewan Tatum, showcase strategic ways to use eye makeup for a more youthful and energized appearance. The emphasis on contrast, contouring, and highlighting contributes to minimizing signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness, and dark circles, providing a comprehensive guide for women looking to enhance their eye makeup routine.