In the old days (before Covid), there were style rules for women over ‘a certain age’. Wear too many colours at once and you look a bit batty; bold, red lipstick and you’re thought of as brazen; blue eyeshadow and you’re stuck in a rut. But that was then.
Now, most of us are back to the days of occasion dressing and couldn’t give a stuff about age. Plus, with things feeling slightly more ‘normal’, a splash of some celebratory brights on eyelids couldn’t be more appropriate. Events are slowly being pencilled in the diary again and I, for one, am loving the revival of my social calendar. Make-up which once might have felt like a chore to put on, at times, now feels like an exciting opportunity.
I first had the inclination to adorn my eyes in technicolour when singer Dua Lipa appeared at the 2021 Grammys – with purple eyelids. It sounds too much, but in reality it looked elegant, delicate even. She is 26, an age at which everything looks good, but I couldn’t help but wonder if I too could get away with such an emboldened approach without seeming as though I was trying to look like, well, Dua Lipa.
After playing about with a few techniques, my verdict is in: yes, you can wear strikingly bright eyeshadow over 40, with a tasteful caveat or two. Choose a shadow without sparkle, as that tends to highlight creases and lines. Then apply to the eyelids only, as this looks cooler than extending the colour above the crease line.
I’ve taken to using my finger and gently pressing the colour in, which seems to give a more dense finish and avoids smudges. If you prefer tools, make sure to flick your brush on to the back of your hand before you strike your eyes to release some of the pigment, and build up in very fine layers for a seamless finish.
As for colour, anything goes. Honestly. It’s more important that you choose a finish that is a cinch to apply and that won’t drop beneath your eyes. This is why I tend to prefer cream shadows or one of the new spongy textures that are more or less idiot-proof. I’ve even been known to apply a brick-coloured matt lipstick to my eyelids for a tonal look that I find surprisingly chic.
For more impact, line your waterline (the inside rim of your eye) with a black or brown pencil. This will make the colour pop and add drama for evening. Don’t forget mascara, as it is the frame to your artwork, and remember to keep foundation minimal, which leaves skin looking real and youthful.
If you are using powder eyeshadow, I suggest applying a primer first, such as NYX’s HD Eyeshadow Base, which acts like an undercoat for the colour, making it truer and longer-lasting. As I have green eyes, I favour plum and pink shades. Blue looks stunning on brown eyes, and green too. Blue eyes come alive with warm terracotta hues, but I promise you, there is no better colour than the one you feel good in.
Match your lipstick to your eyes, or go nude for a contrast – this winter, anything goes. Tempted to move away from a neutral palette as we brave the new normal? These are my favourite grown-up bright eyeshadows.
