Best mascara for older women to achieve long and luscious lashes

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.

Maybelline New York Lash Sensational in waterproof is the ultimate long-lashes mascara for older women. It delivers volume, definition, and intense pigment for a striking yet sophisticated look. Featuring Maybelline’s iconic Layer-Reveal brush, this mascara is designed with six different bristle lengths to capture even the tiniest, previously unnoticed lashes. The result? A layered, multiplied effect that makes lashes appear longer, fuller, and more defined.

Unlike traditional formulas, Lash Sensational uses a low-wax composition, ensuring intense black pigmentation without clumping or sticking lashes together. This was something that was noticed by our tester, Yours.co.uk Editor Claire Tapley, who said: "This mascara went on so smoothly, there were no annoying clumps or blobs left on my eyelashes. When I went over my lashes twice with the brush they didn't stick at all and I was very impressed. I felt like I could really build this mascara up without it looking lumpy."
Tested on 238 real women,—90% agreed that this mascara reveals multiple layers of lashes, adds volume, and creates a multiplied lash effect.
"I definitely noticed that my lashes looked thicker and fuller. It's a really versatile mascara as I use one layer for everyday wear, then if I'm going out and want a more dramatic look, I'll use the wand to accentuate my lashes more and add a few layers to make them really stand out."
Our tester also loved how long-wearing this mascara was.
"This literally didn't budge, smudge or flake all day long! I have bad hay fever, so in the summer months, when my eyes were a little watery, this was perfect as it totally stayed in place.
"If I had to find a con with this mascara, it would be that the brush is a bit bigger than what I'm normally used to, and took some time for me to get the hang of using it. Also, if you have small eyes, it might be a bit too big for you."

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 Volumising 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.

Max Factor’s False Lash Effect Supreme Recharge mascara instantly gives you fuller, thicker lashes, making them look seven times more voluminous. Plus, regular use makes your lashes look healthier in just four weeks.

The special brush coats every lash for a bold, defined look, while the keratin-rich formula helps keep your lashes strong.

This mascara is also refillable, helping reduce plastic waste by 70%. Instead of buying a whole new mascara, you can just replace the inside tube—saving money and helping the environment!

Apply using the tip of the brush for small lashes in the inner corners, then use the full brush to coat longer lashes for maximum volume and beautifully sculpted lashes.

Bear in mind we're linking to the refill that goes into a gorgeous gold tube. Simply pop out the empty tube and brush, click in the new refill, and you're good to go!

Several customer reviews comment on this mascara having a gel-like consistency: "I was really surprised that it was a long, smooth coating with a sort of smoothing gel feel," as one review describes. It's very effective at enhancing blonde eyelashes and gives a dramatic look. However, this might not be ideal if you're looking for more of a natural look.

Suppose you are looking for a mascara that will give your lashes a sculpted look with added length, definition and volume. In that case, My Mascara from Sculpted by Aimee is sure to elevate your eye makeup 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.

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 its dramatic finish, some reviewers feel it is a bit difficult to remove. So, you might want to consider the makeup removers you own while opting for this product. As a product that is also tested under ophthalmological control, you can 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.”

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.
Our tester Yours.co.uk Editor Claire Tapley agreed saying; "This mascara gilded onto my eyelashes with ease, coating even the smallest lashes meaning it gave me a bright and wide eyes appearance.
"The wand is fatter than I'd normally use, but I was surprised how it picked out all my lashes- even the wispy ones at the edges.
"This mascara is enriched with castor oil, and after using it for a couple of weeks, I really felt that my lashes were less dry and brittle and felt more hydrated than usual.
"What I liked the most about this mascara was how full it left my lashes looking. It's adds for adding volume and lift to mature eyes."
While our tester said the brush felt pleasant during application, some reviewers 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.

Most dramatic and voluminous lashes come at the expense of several coats, which means applying a lot of the product on your lashes. But not this one!
Our tester, Claire Tapley, Yours.co.uk Editor, found that a little of UKLASH Lengthening mascara went a long way.
"You only need a small amount of this mascara for a dramatic effect! It separated my lashes perfectly, giving them definition and volume with one or two sweeps," she said.
The curved silicone brush helps to achieve even application and shape your lashes the way you want.
"My lower lashes have never looked so good," said our tester. "The brush is excellent at separating them and leaving no clumps. I was so impressed!"
In fact our tester was even more impressed to learn that this mascara helps to condition lashes as it contains glycerin.
"After years of eyelash extensions, my lashes need all the conditioning they can get, and after a week of using this mascara, they seemed longer, thicker, and less brittle."
The water-resistant formula is also enhanced with Carnauba and Candelilla waxes to hold your lashes in place.
"It stayed in place all day long with zero flaking! Even after my gym workout," said our tester. "I did have to invest in an oil-based cleaner to remove it as my usual micellar water struggled to get it all off."
As a paraben-free and vegan-friendly option, this mascara can be the best companion to glam up your sensitive eyes.

L’Oréal Paris Paradise is a top choice for older women seeking a lash-lifting mascara that delivers both volume and length. Designed for sensitive eyes, this mascara provides 20 times more volume and up to twice the length, as confirmed by product testing. Its ultra-soft brush ensures smooth application, gliding effortlessly over lashes without flaking.
The brown shade is perfect for those with blonde and light complexions, giving you an incredibly natural look.

Our tester Claire Tapley, Yours.co.uk Editor, loved how this mascara nourished her lashes.
"The formula is enriched with castor and rose oils, and I found that with continued use, these oils made lashes feel softer and more supple."
"I'm blonde and this mascara enhanced my lashes with intense volume, but also looked really natural and didn't wash my skin out like some black mascaras do.
"It's really buildable and if I were going out for the evening I'd apply another coat and to my surprise it didn't look cakey, it just intensified the colour and volume!"

She also appreciated its smudge-proof formula, stating, “My favourite thing about this mascara is that it doesn’t smudge or end up all under your eyes. It works well with the primer that’s sold separately."

This vegan-certified, cruelty-free mascara combines mascara and lash treatment in one. Infused with caffeine, biotin, castor oil and arginine, it nourishes and conditions lashes while delivering natural flutter, volume, curl and definition.

Our tester Yours.co.uk Editor Claire Tapley found that this long-lasting, transfer-proof formula didn't run or smudge throughout the day.
“I like a natural-looking mascara, and this is great. I’ve tried so many over the decades, but this one is really nice, goes on well and doesn’t ever clump.” The small curved brush is perfect for my long but dead straight lashes. It separates them well and gives me a nice subtle lift.
I also love that it never flakes so I can be confident that it'll last all day and won't like black flakes on my under eye.
"If you're in need some real volume and thickening on your lashes this may not be for you."

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.”

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. 

The unique brush design effortlessly reaches even the tiniest lashes, creating a beautifully lengthened and defined look. The lightweight formula glides on smoothly, delivering natural-looking volume without clumping. It is buildable for added intensity without feeling heavy. Also, this mascara is ophthalmologist-tested, making it a gentle yet effective option for those with sensitive eyes.

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."

Rimmel Extra 3D Lash is one of the most popular volumising mascaras, highly rated with over 26,000 reviews and an Amazon’s Choice recommendation. Designed to define, lengthen, and curl lashes without clumping, it provides an effortless way to achieve a fuller, more lifted lash look.

The 3D brush ensures every lash is captured, coated, and lifted, while the smudge-proof formula in extreme black enhances your eyes without flaking or smearing. Infused with hydrating ingredients and Vitamin E, this mascara creates a smooth, healthy-looking finish, keeping lashes soft and conditioned.

Our Editor Claire Tapley tested Rimmel's Extra 3D Lash Volumising Mascara, and was really impressed with the long lasting effects of this affordable mascara.
"This mascara comes with a small but perfectly designed wand that is able to seperate and curl each lash and coat them evenly. There are no clumps with this mascara! It also lasts well throughout the day and I had zero flaking even after 12 hours of wear.
"It left my lashes looking thicker and much more defined. This is a great budget-friendly option for an everyday mascara."

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).”

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 regain 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, but what did our tester Claire Tapley, Yours.co.uk Editor, think?
"I was really impressed with how well the mascara brush coated all my eyelashes evenly and gave me a dramatic lash look. The brush catches a lot of the product in one dip so you only really need one coat.
"I have quite long lower lashes and found that, due to the large brush, I couldn't help but apply quite a lot of the product to them. Later in the day, I noticed some smudging under the eye, so I avoid using this product on my lower lashes now, which is a shame."

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.
Our tester Claire Tapley, Yours.co.uk Editor was really impressed with this mascara's staying power. "It lifts, lengthens, and separates lashes beautifully without clumping and stays in place all day without smudging or flaking.
"I have quite sensitive eyes and frequently suffer from allergies, but this mascara has been very gentle on my eyes while also being water-proof." 
"The alternating wedge-shaped discs and conical bristles help to separate your lashes and add definition. I did find the curved wand difficult to manoeuvre around the lower lashes at first, but after a couple of goes I mastered it without smudging."

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-sized brush allows you to layer it up without going clumpy.

Our beauty and Wellness writer Akhila Thomas tested this mascara, and she said, “The wand and brush are 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 smoky 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."

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

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 help to strengthen and condition. "