If you’ve hit your 50s and feel like your eyeshadow game just isn’t working anymore, you’re not alone—and pro makeup artist KalCasey60, who specializes in makeup for women over 50, knows exactly why.
“As we become more mature, our eyelids really take a beating,” Kal says in a TikTok tutorial that’s racked up thousands of views. “The skin wants to fold over—that’s just gravity pulling it down.”
The good news? With the right products and technique, you can visibly lift sagging, hooded eyes—no surgery required.
@kalondiacasey #creatorsearchinsights #makeupover50 #makeupover60 #makeuptutorial #matureskin #sephorasquad original sound – KalCasey60
The Common Eyeshadow Mistake Women Over 50 Make
If you’re still placing shadow in your natural crease or lining your upper lash line like you did in your 30s, Kal says it’s time to rethink your routine.
“We have to create a faux crease, going above the natural fold,” she explains. “That sideways ‘V’ shape might feel a little old-school—but it works for mature eyes.”
Rather than contouring into the real crease (which may have disappeared into a fold), Kal uses a Charlotte Tilbury quad to place eyeshadow above the crease—instantly creating the illusion of lifted lids.
Her Step-by-Step Eyeshadow Lift Technique:
- Start with Primer + Setting Powder
“Priming the eyelid smooths out uneven skin tone, veins, and crinkles. Then I apply a setting powder to prep for shadow—it gives you a clean, smooth canvas.” - Use a Quad, Not a Big Palette
“Big palettes can be overwhelming. Grab a four-shade quad—it simplifies everything.” - Build the Faux Crease Above the Fold
Using a soft brush, Kal takes a medium matte shade and applies it slightly above the natural crease, extending into a gentle sideways ‘V’. - Wet Your Finger for Shimmer
“I spray my finger with setting spray before applying shimmer. It grabs the color better, and there’s no fallout on the face.” - Skip Top Liner—Tightline Instead
“I don’t have a lot of real estate on my lash line. Using eyeliner there would close my eyes up.” Instead, she tightlines with Urban Decay 24/7, which “makes lashes look thicker without taking up lid space.”
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It’s Not Just Eyes: Kal’s Other Tips for Youthful-Looking Skin Over 60
Kal doesn’t stop at eyes. She walks through her full face routine with tips tailored to mature skin:
- Use lightweight serum foundations in summer: “They’re breathable and don’t cake into lines.”
- Stipple, don’t swipe: Press foundation into skin to avoid streaks and texture issues.
- Apply bronzer strategically: “Focus on the hollows and jowls to lift the face, not weigh it down.”
- Blush goes high, not on the apples: “If I smile and apply blush to the apples, when I stop smiling, everything just drops.”
- Lip tip for aging mouths: “Use long-lasting lipstick as both liner and fill—it won’t bleed into lines.”
And of course: set your makeup. Kal finishes with a setting spray and powder to lock everything in.
