Best mascara for older women to achieve long and luscious lashes

If you're looking for a mascara to meet all of your lash needs, the Lancôme Lash Idôle Volumising Waterproof Mascara helps you achieve a full fanned-out effect while also lifting your lashes. It feels light on the lashes, making it comfortable to wear, and it's easy to see why this highly-rated waterproof mascara is one of Lancôme's best sellers. People who have used it found the curved brush very effective in providing easy lash coverage with a glossy black look. Due to the dramatic finish it offers, some reviewers feel that it is a bit difficult to remove. So, you might want to take the makeup removers you own into consideration while opting for this product. As a product that is also tested under ophthalmological control, you can be rest assured that this mascara will be soothing for sensitive eyes and suitable for those who wear contact lenses too.

The Lancôme Lash Idôle Volumising Waterproof Mascara was tested by our Beauty and Wellness writer Akhila Thomas and she said: “This product definitely adds a lot of definition, length and volume to my lashes. What stands out is that the effect is visible from the roots so that it gives a more natural, fuller look. The curved wand helps with curling and lifting the lashes. There is no clumping and the product stays on the whole day, even on hot summer days when I’ve been out travelling, so it is definitely sweatproof. As a budget friendly option, this mascara is a must-have if you are looking to have long-luscious lashes that last all day.”

If you’ve never been blessed with naturally long lashes, then the MAC Extended Play Lash Mascara could be your saving grace.

This mascara was tested by our Beauty and Wellness writer Akhila Thomas and she said: "The super thin wand and petite bristles allow you to get right to the root of the lashes so that you can really enhance the length from bottom to top. The small size of the brush also helps to avoid accidental brushes against your skin around the eyelashes. This is also helpful while applying mascara on your lower lashes to avoid mistakes.”

“While it might take a few coats to get the look you are after, you can be free from worry about the content of the product as it is tested by ophthalmologists. The thin formula and creamy texture feels light and it also comes off quite easily.”

The Revolution Big Lash Reloaded Volume Mascara was tested by our Digital Writer Arabella Horspool and she said: “As a regular user of Revolution's foundation, I decided to try their Makeup Revolution Big Lash Reloaded Volume Mascara, and I'm so glad I did. The wand has a large handle, which makes it easy to grip, and the brush is quite big, so you can see exactly where it's going.

I already have long lashes but as they are quite light, they aren't as visible when I'm wearing makeup, but the mascara highlights them nicely. It certainly makes my lashes look even longer but not clumped together.

The liquid is easy to apply and flows smoothly onto the lashes, but I find that due to the wide angle of the brush, it can sometimes be tricky to reach the smaller lashes towards the inner corner of the eye. However, it isn't waterproof, so it's easy to remove when needed.

If I'm going out for the day and want my mascara to stay in place, I use a waterproof mascara over my Revolution one, which holds it in place (although I've found that this is best done as soon as you apply a coat of the Revolution one—before it's fully dry—to prevent clumping).”

The Roller Lash Lifting and Curling Mascara from beauty brand Benefit really allows you to get in at the roots with its' curved wand applicator. It is a popular choice at the moment, and reviews are raving about this mascara and how it lifts and separates the lashes while giving it more definition. With a wand that separates lashes, this mascara is lifting, adds volume, and is clump-free. 

Rebecca Lancaster, Digital Writer at Mother&Baby, tried and tested this mascara and she says, “I absolutely love how it makes my lashes look well separated, defined and long with no clumping - it's one of the best I've used. The only downside is that it does smudge on the top of my eyelids after a few hours. While it may not be the best choice for long-use daily wear, if you are looking for a product that can make your eyes look more vibrant and striking for an event or a short time, then this product can help you achieve the look. "

If you’re looking for a mascara with a softer feel, then the Full N' Soft Mascara from Maybelline, with thousands of reviews backing the product on its effectiveness, is definitely worth a try.

Our Beauty and Wellness writer Akhila Thomas tested this mascara and she said: “This product is great at separating lashes while also adding length and definition. The formula is super soft and it does not clump at all. As a result, it is possible to add several layers for a more dramatic look without your lashes looking clunky. I also noticed that it gives a natural lift to your lashes.” Overall this mascara is great for daily use and easy on the pocket to pull off soft and well-defined lashes.

If you are looking for a mascara that will give your lashes a sculpted look with added length, definition and volume, then My Mascara from Sculpted by Aimee is sure to elevate your eye make-up with minimum effort and maximum glam.

Our Beauty and Wellness writer Akhila Thomas tested this mascara and she said: “My lashes got an instant definition as it added a lot of length, volume and colour. Since the wand curves in a way that allows you to apply the product from the root to the tips, it almost had the effect of a liner as well as my upper waterline looked darker too. The formula feels light and you can add as many layers as you wish without the risk of looking clumpy.” The mascara is also enriched with provitamin B5 that is gentle on the eyes, while conditioning and moisturising your lashes.

Enriched with castor oil to help improve the growth of lashes, the L’Oréal Castor Oil-Enriched Paradise Volumising Black Mascara coats individual eyelashes for maximum definition. You can ease your worries about clumping as the soft fibre brush does a thorough job of separating and enhancing your lashes. While this brush feels pleasant during application, some reviews say that it felt too big for use. So, if you prefer smaller brushes, this might be something to consider while thinking about this product. The formula is smooth and applies effortlessly to create a fuller, thicker appearance which is perfect for older lashes that could be lacking volume and lift.

If you love (or loved) using fake lashes but find they’re just too heavy for your eyes now, then the 'They're Real' Mascara from Benefit can help you get back that look. Promising bigger and bolder-looking lashes, this mascara's long-wearing formula gives your lashes the fanned-out effect that fake lashes give. Reviews rave about its ability to add definition, volume and length without clumping. 

It is also waterproof, making it suitable for long wearing, and adds a dramatic lift to your lashes as well. However, reviewers also share that you need to apply it quickly if you are going for several layers, as it dries pretty fast. But this is made easy by a brush that catches enough product to complete both eyes with one dip if necessary, according to several customers. By enhancing the length, thickness and definition of your lashes, this mascara is perfect to complete your look for occasions that need you looking glamorous.

Designed specifically for mature women (aged 40+) with thin, short lashes, this Rumi Cosmetiques VolumeCare+ mascara is crafted to enhance the appearance of your natural lashes while also promoting hair growth. Kate, the founder of the brand says, "Our VolumeCare+ Mascara is specifically designed with mature women in mind. It not only adds exceptional volume and length but also contains Growth Peptides to promote healthier, thicker lashes over time. It’s gentle on sensitive eyes and stays vibrant and smudge-free all day."

Our Digital Writer Arabella Horspool tried and tested this product and said, "I found that the mascara glides on easily and leaves no clumps behind. The formula is also water-resistant and light that allows me to add more layers if I need. It's brilliant for a natural look as it's not an overly thick liquid. My lashes are quite light, but once I've applied this dark formula, each one appears more defined and separated."

There’s nothing worse than a mascara that gives you ‘panda eyes’, especially if you’re older, as it can also get stuck in the fine lines around your eyes. The Lash Power Mascara from Clinique can ease your worries as it stays on for 24 hours and stays through sweat, heat, rain and tears. 

Our Beauty and Wellness writer Akhila Thomas tested the The Lash Power Mascara from Clinique and she said: “This mascara can give a real glamourous look that can last throughout the day. This is a great investment to restore the youthful lift and definition of your lashes. The formula is lightweight and thin to allow layering without any clumping, flaking or smudging. It leaves your lashes looking fuller and more defined all day. However, the product is a bit smaller in quantity which may leave you having to restock more often."

This mascara has been formulated to reduce visible signs of ageing by improving lash quality overtime, strengthening them from the root to tip and reducing breakages with visible changes promised within 12 weeks of continued use.

Our Beauty and Wellness writer Akhila Thomas tried the No7 Age Defying All-In-One Serum Mascara and she said: “This product adds length, volume and definition to your lashes, although it may take a few coats to go for a more dramatic fanned out effect. The best part about it is that it is a serum mascara that helps your lashes look good on the outside while strengthening them from the inside.”

As you grow older, you might also become more wary about how products affect your eyes, and this mascara is perfect if you have sensitive eyes and lashes that could do with a little more definition and lift. From the sustainable brand Green People, this highly-rated Volumizing Mascara is organic and free from harmful ingredients. Ideal for sensitive eyes, this natural mascara is made up of various organic ingredients like Sunflower Oil, Carnauba Wax and Beeswax that have also been sustainably sourced. Customers who have been tearing up, experiencing watery eyes and red eyes when using mascara have stated that this product is very gentle, mild and easy on sensitive eyes.

Green People’s Volumizing Mascara was tested by our Beauty and Wellness writer Akhila Thomas who said: “This product is great for curling and lifting your lashes and the best part is that it holds well to maintain the effect for the whole day. Adding length to your lashes is probably not its best feature, but it definitely adds more colour and definition. It is also waterproof and feels light on your lashes.” 

Your worries about thinning lashes can end with this product that can give you a natural lift and fuller look, reminiscent of the 60s retro make-up looks you once wore.

As a mascara that can leave you with fabulous lashes while also nourishing them from the roots to strengthen them, the IT Cosmetics Superhero Super Black Mascara is a great option for mature women.

Our Beauty and Wellness writer Akhila Thomas tested this mascara and she said: “The wand definitely makes things easier, with the brush catching each and every one of your lashes with the product. The final result is long, defined and voluminous lashes making it great for those with sparse lashes The formula is enriched with polymers, collagen and biotin which helps to strengthen and condition. "

The Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara comes with a cleverly curved wand that instantly lifts, lengthens and fans out flat-looking lashes, much like an eyelash curler.

Our Beauty and Wellness writer Akhila Thomas tested this mascara and she said: “If a curling and lifting effect is what you are after, then this product guarantees an impressive 24-hour wear, you won’t need to do any top-ups all day. If you are keen on experimenting with colours, this mascara is also available in Blue, Dark Green and Brown. The brown colour comes highly recommended by women with light lashes to add more definition and volume. The mascara formula is enriched with cotton nectar to help protect your eyelashes in the long run too.”

Bobbi Brown’s number one mascara, the Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara, is brilliant for building bold lashes from the root upwards. The flexible, medium size brush allows for you to layer it up without going clumpy.

This mascara was tested by our Beauty and Wellness writer Akhila Thomas and she said: “The wand and brush is absolutely brilliant for separating the lashes while also adding length and definition. My lashes looked naturally more defined and luscious after just a single coat. The formula is not too thick which makes it easier to apply more layers.

The raven black shade that is amplified by the kohl-pigmented formula helps to make your natural eye colour pop. If you are looking to flaunt a smokey eye look that does not need to be retouched every now and then, then this mascara can help you get the look that will have your eyes looking glamorous through sweat, water and humidity."

Black Honey is a shade that has taken the beauty industry by storm, with lip oils, lipsticks and and blushes. The subtle colour that is a perfect blend of pink and maroon went viral and given the popularity, Clinique came up with a mascara shade to match.

Our Beauty and Wellness writer Akhila Thomas tested the Clinique High Impact Mascara Black Honey and she said: “The shade is beautiful and it is perfect for those who want dark lashes but not jet black ones that stand out too much against lighter coloured hair or brows. The formula is smooth and lightweight which makes it perfect to layer on if you wish to. You will be left with a very natural looking definition and volume that lasts all day.”

Most dramatic and voluminous lashes come at the expense of several coats which means applying a lot of the product on your lashes. This makes it important to choose a gentle mascara that is not going to leave your eyes watery or irritated. If you have sensitive eyes and lashes that could use a bit more length and definition, then this UKLASH Lengthening Mascara can help make your eyes look stunning. A reviewer who is 51 years old has shared that she has never been more pleased with how her lashes look and that she no longer needs extensions. 

She also confirmed that it is tear-proof and sweat-proof. The water-resistant formula is also enhanced with Carnauba and Candelilla waxes to hold your lashes in place and Glycerin to hydrate. The curved silicone brush helps to achieve even application and shape your lashes the way you want. As a paraben-free and vegan-friendly option, this mascara can be the best companion to glam up your sensitive eyes.

Trusted brand Elizabeth Arden has developed this vitamin-rich Grand Entrance Mascara for nourished and high-impact lashes. If you are looking for a product that not only enhances the look but also nourishes your lashes, then this mascara that is rich in olive and rice bran can keep your eyelashes in good condition. A reviewer with very sensitive eyes and who also suffers from allergies frequently shared that this mascara has been very gentle on her eyes while also being water-proof. 

With proven results, the alternating wedge-shaped discs and conical bristles help to separate your lashes and add definition. Some reviews warn about a clumpy finish, but this can be avoided by careful application and in terms of length and volume, this mascara does not disappoint. Some also found that the curved wand was difficult to manoeuvre around the lower lashes without smudging. So if this could be a concern for you, it might be worth looking at other options as well.

Available in brown and black, the Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Push up lashes! Mascara is a must-have if you want instant length, weightless volume and a natural lifted effect for your lashes. This is amplified by the wand with the micro pro precision paddle brush with the ‘load, comb and lift’ technology that helps create the effect. The formula is also enriched with a natural gummy ingredient from the Larch Tree that holds the lashes in place. It also has Carnauba wax and Microcrystalline wax to add body and texture to the formula along with Keratin to condition your lashes. 

Reviewers who have used this mascara share that the short and dense bristles are make it easy to capture and coat each lash from root to tip. “The best part is even after two coats my lashes don't feel stiff and heavy, they still feel natural and looks naturally long and thick. I also noticed a slight sheen,” one customer added.

This The Beauty Pie Wrap Star Tubing Mascara was tried by a group of independent beauty panellists organised by the brand and 96% shared that the formula felt lightweight, 91% said that it does not smudge and 71% shared that it gives you the effect of lash extensions. This buildable mascara that can give you the dramatic lashes you’ve always wanted comes highly recommended by several reviewers. One of them shared, “With this product, there is no flaking throughout the day and it is easy to remove. It works like a dream, layers well, doesn't run down your face and feels like it's doing less damage to my eyelashes.”