Why Celebrities Are Embracing Lighter Eye Makeup
At the star-studded 50th anniversary celebration of the King's Trust at London's Royal Albert Hall, a notable beauty trend emerged on the red carpet. While younger attendees like Love Island's Gabby Allen sported bold eyeliner and heavy mascara, many A-listers, including Lily Collins, Lydia Bright, Rita Ora, and Amal Clooney, opted for more subtle and minimalist eye looks. According to beauty expert William Grande, this shift is driven by the longstanding beauty myth that darker eyes automatically age you.
However, Grande emphasises that when applied correctly, eyeliner can actually refine and accentuate natural features rather than age them. 'When eyeliner is applied strategically, with softer blending, a slightly lifted placement or tightlining techniques, it can actually enhance the eyes beautifully and create definition that feels modern and flattering,' he explains.
How to Incorporate Darker Eyeliner into a Midlife Routine
Grande offers practical advice for mature women who want to incorporate darker eyeliner without looking older. Here are his top tips:
1. Keep Things Minimal with Creative Flair
'It is not about doing the most,' Grande says. Focus on lift and softness to avoid dragging the face down. A lighter hand creates a fresher, more modern result that flatters at any age.
2. Focus on a Thin Line Close to the Lash Line
Opt for a subtle, thin line that hugs the lashes. 'If you can see the liner before you see the lashes, it's too much,' he warns. This soft approach keeps the eyes looking youthful and natural.
3. Prioritise Softer Tones Over Jet Black
Instead of dark black, choose deep brown or softened charcoal for definition. Softer colours help define the eyes while keeping them open, lifted, and less severe.
4. Opt for a Tightline
Apply eyeliner to the upper waterline to build lash density while keeping the look natural and lifted. This technique subtly adds definition without reducing lid space.
5. Curl Your Lashes Away from the Face
Curl lashes outward to make eyes appear bigger and more open. 'It's the cheapest, quickest way to create a natural-looking eye lift,' Grande notes.
6. Re-use Eyeshadow and Keep Eyes Open
Use eyeshadow as a diffused liner for a soft-focus finish. Apply eyeliner with the eye open to correctly map the shape and placement, avoiding pulling the skin.
7. Prime Lids and Set with Powder
A smooth base prevents smudging and ensures liner lasts. Creamier textures move with the skin, keeping the look smooth rather than cracked.
8. Keep the Flick Lifted and Blend Around Edges
Keep the flick slightly lifted rather than straight out. Blend eyeshadow to avoid harsh lines, creating a modern and flattering look.
9. Avoid Oversized Wings
Oversized wings can overpower mature eyes. Instead, opt for soft, upward flicks that gently lift the eye shape without redesigning it.
