This spring, as I approach my 60s, I’ve discovered a surprising beauty secret that’s transforming how I look and feel. While most beauty advice focuses on adding products as we age, I found that removing mascara from my daily routine has paradoxically made me look years younger. My experience mirrors what many women are discovering across the country this summer season.
The unexpected aging effect of mascara after 60
For decades, I considered mascara my desert island makeup product. However, aging eyelids and mascara simply don’t mix well. “Mascara can be sticky or clumpy, especially on aging eyes, which is why some women choose to stop using it altogether,” notes beauty expert Jane Wilson.
Like many women in their 60s this May, I’ve noticed mascara increasingly emphasized fine lines around my eyes, created flakes that settled into creases, and drew attention to crepey skin—essentially highlighting everything I was trying to camouflage!
My mascara-free revelation
Two weeks ago, I accidentally left home without applying mascara. By midday, I received three compliments on how refreshed I looked. The irony wasn’t lost on me—people thought I looked better on the day I’d forgotten part of my makeup routine.
“Most women over 60 I speak to think skincare is more important and would rather put their money and time into keeping their skin hydrated and looking as good as it can be,” shares Dr. Sarah Bennett, dermatologist and aging skin specialist.
How skincare becomes the new makeup in your 60s
This summer 2025, there’s a beautiful shift happening among women embracing their natural beauty with age. Rather than piling on products, the focus is on nurturing what we already have.
“Aging skin tends to be drier and lack color… Beauty counters can be overwhelming, especially when our lifelong techniques seem less effective.”
My new routine? Hydration is the star. The skin around our eyes is like delicate tissue paper compared to the cardstock of our younger years—it needs gentle care, not heavy makeup that tugs and weighs it down.
What to emphasize instead of mascara
- A quality eye cream applied morning and evening
- Gentle pencil eyeliner just at the lash line
- Properly shaped and filled eyebrows
- Cream-based eyeshadows in neutral tones
The confidence paradox of wearing less
Interestingly, wearing less makeup has made me feel more confident. Like many women who’ve tried new approaches after 40, I’ve found that authenticity resonates more than perfection.
“Harsh eyeliner can look just as bad on aging eyes… Instead, use a soft pencil eyeliner or a chocolate cream to powder shadow at the ends of your upper lashes,” recommends celebrity makeup artist Michael Torres.
Summer 2025’s mature beauty trends
This season’s mature beauty trends align perfectly with the mascara-free approach. Women are pairing their flattering sundresses with minimalist makeup that enhances rather than masks.
Along with discovering the perfect wide-leg jeans and protecting our silver hair, many of us are embracing our natural lashes.
The eye-opening benefits I’ve experienced
- No more raccoon eyes in summer heat
- Reduced eye irritation and dryness
- Freedom from constant checking for smudges
- A more naturally youthful, relaxed appearance
Is going mascara-free right for you?
Like any beauty choice, this is personal. Some women find mascara alternatives like lash tinting or very light formulations work well. Others, like me, discover that bare lashes paired with strategic makeup elsewhere creates the most youthful effect.
“If you’re not ready to try it at home, finding a professional esthetician or makeup artist can help you look as young as you feel,” advises beauty columnist Elena Martinez.
As we embrace the warmth of this May 2025, perhaps it’s the perfect time to experiment with letting go of what no longer serves us—including that tube of mascara that’s been a staple for decades. Your eyes might just thank you with a younger, brighter appearance that truly reflects the wisdom and beauty of your 60s.