I have always had a love-hate relationship with mascara. I mostly hate it, to be perfectly honest. Of all my cosmetics, it’s the one thing I dread putting on. I was thrilled when Dior signed off on the no-mascara look and I plan to take advantage of it.
Disclaimer: I will use mascara made for older women from time to time, especially for photos but only when needed.
Watch my video about the no-mascara trend.
Why do men have such gorgeous eyelashes?
For one thing, they don’t wear mascara. Their lashes do not break and fall off because they are left alone. Women not only glop on tar-like substances to make their lashes look longer but also glue on false lashes that pull their natural lashes off as well. It’s a conspiracy to make our eyeballs look bald, I tell you!
What is in mascara?
Pure and simple it is tar like in the La Brea Tar Pits. How else will it stay on without you looking like you’ve been punched in the eye every time your eyes get drippy? It’s sticky, hard, gooey, and hard to get off.
I have always avoided waterproof mascara because it requires massive amounts of eye makeup remover to dissolve it. But non-waterproof mascara flakes and gets in my eyes.
The no-mascara look
Big long lashes look beautiful, most of the time. Too much enhancement can look weird. But older women, especially, need a break because when mascara gets out of control it coagulates in our wrinkles and looks like a horror show.
Harsh eyeliner can look just as bad on aging eyes. That trend to have a little loop at the end, like how we did it in the 70s doesn’t work if you have cracks and crinkles.
I have been using a chocolate cream to powder shadow at the ends of my upper lashes like an eyeliner, but it’s softer looking.
I also avoid using eye shadow on my lids except for a little matte highlight color that accentuates my disappearing eyebrows. I like Julep Desert Matte because it is a cream-to-powder stick and it hydrates my lids.
Get your eyebrows in check
Your eyebrows frame your face but mine have thinned over the years and cannot be found unless I use eyebrow pencil. One brow is higher than the other because one side of my forehead has naturally drooped a bit. But I don’t like eyebrows that look painted on or are too harsh because they don’t look real.
I use an eyebrow pencil that is retractable and a little eyebrow powder to fill them in. Then I back-brush them. A clear eyebrow gel will hold them in place, but I haven’t had good luck with tinted gels as they are too thick on me. Maybe I’m just a klutz.
That’s all I use on my eyes most days and I love how simple it is and how much more youthful it looks.
What about you? Do you have tips to make your eyes look fabulous? Please leave a comment below.
I must admit, I love mascara, and have been wearing it since 9th grade! I also have the disappearing brow problem. I always have to build on my brows these days. Oh well.
It’s great that you love it Laurie. More power to you! And the brows. People are telling me to tattoo them but I just can’t go there.
Thanks for all your info. Everyone of us is different when it comes to eyes makeup. I had my brows DONE, when I liked in CA. That means
they shave off what you do have, not much for me, and then cut into the skin to create a brow. It heals an you have brows. Over time you need to redo this part, but
now I have a great outline to follow, and I just use a brow pencil. So easy. I also use shadow which I apply with my finer. Eyelashes? GONE BABY!
I stopped wearing mascara on a regular basis after I retired.
Glad to hear I’m not alone. LOL
I have blepharitis which twists my menopausal lashes, and causes dry eyes. I try and try with mascara, use a primer and an expensive mascara, all for naught. It receives little lift from these products, and what I am left with are stubby and clumpy lashes from the mascara. Is it really worth the effort to look like a fool?
With all the eye issues we tend to get as we get older, I am enjoying not wearing mascara. It’s so much easier to deal with cleaning up at night. I use a little eye liner on my upper lid instead. I love Prime Prometics Glide eyeliner made for mature women. They also make a mascara.