Blame it on thinning lashes. Blame it on brittle lashes. Or simply blame it on time.
But here’s the truth: once you hit 40, mascara stops behaving like it used to.
What once gave you fluttery, lifted lashes now flakes, smudges, and settles into the lines you’ve worked so hard to soften.
When you go to take it off at night, you are very aware of the lashes coming off with it... and you need all you can get. Suddenly, that “quick swipe” makes you look more tired than radiant.
You’re not imagining it. And you’re definitely not alone.
Mature beauty isn’t about piling on more, it’s about using fearless, intelligent techniques that make every feature shine.
So let’s fix and apply mascara, à la Fièra.
Why Mascara Application Changes After 40
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By the time women hit 40, lashes often become thinner, shorter, and more prone to breakage and fallout. Why? Because the hair-growth cycle slows down, and the lash follicles lose some of their strength.
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The growth phase shortens, meaning lashes don’t grow as long before entering rest and shedding cycles
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Hormonal changes, especially the drop in estrogen during perimenopause, weaken follicles even more
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The follicles may also produce less pigment, making lashes look lighter or patchy in color.
And since lashes are more fragile, the heavy, thick formulas that once delivered dramatic volume at 25 can now look clumpy and unnatural on shorter, sparse lashes.
The products you relied on in your 20s and 30s don’t deliver the same results anymore.
Meanwhile, the skin around the eyes undergoes its own aging transformation. It’s thinner, less elastic, and more textured.
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The muscles that support eyelid skin weaken, causing subtle sagging or “droop” that changes the canvas where makeup must work.
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Collagen and elastin production slows down, reducing firmness and increasing micro-folds or creases - creases that catch flakes and smudges.
But here’s the silver lining: the right mascara technique isn’t about chucking more product on — it’s about working with those changes. Get it right, and mascara does more than enhance lashes:
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Brighter eyes: framing the eyes properly redirects attention inward.
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More definition: even a modest lift or volume boost can sharpen your entire eye area.
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Cleaner lines: spot-on application points mascara away from fine lines or undereye shadows, minimizing emphasis on aging zones.
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Nourished lashes: the right formula can support natural growth for thicker-looking lashes even after it comes off
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Less fallout: easy removal reduces tugging and lash loss
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Smudge-free face: A smaller, curved brush is more mature skin friendly, especially on hooded eyelids.
In short: It’s not about doing more. It’s about doing it smarter
The Best Way to Make Mature Eyes Look Awake
The first step to luscious lashes is creating the perfect base. Think of your eye area as the stage before a show. When the stage is set well, the star (your lashes) shines brighter.
Here’s how to prep like a pro:
1. Skincare first
Choose a lightweight eye cream to help brighten and smooth your eyes’ appearance. If your lids tend to be droopy, go for a lifting formula like Fièra’s Bakuchiol Firming Eye Cream.
2. Correct and conceal
A thin layer of lightweight concealer fades darkness and color corrects the lids for a brighter base. The perfect choice here is All-In-Wonder Concealer + Foundation from Fièra that is packed with hyaluronic acid to plump and smooth the appearance of lines while it blurs texture. No creasing, no caking, no making your mascara slide off.
3. Powder for staying power
Dust a soft layer of translucent powder on top of the concealer. This helps control moisture and smooths the surface so mascara grips better. Think of it as setting the canvas before painting. Our fav? HD Matte Finishing Powder by Fièra as it instantly sets the stage, without caking or buildup.
When you prep this way, your mascara lasts longer, looks cleaner, and does exactly what you want: makes your eyes shine with fearless confidence.
How to Apply Mascara Without Clumping or Flaking
The wand is only half the story. How you use it makes all the difference, especially for lashes that are thinner and more delicate after 40.
Here’s the fearless Fièra method:
1. Wiggle from the root
Start at the very base of your lashes and move the wand side to side as you pull upward. This coats each lash evenly and gives lift right where you need it.
2. Layer, don’t load
Thin coats are your best friend. Put on one coat, wait about 30 seconds, then add another. This way, each layer sticks and dries smoothly. Thick coats go on wet and heavy, and that’s what leads to flakes.
3. Top focus
For a lifted look, focus more on your upper lashes. Too much mascara on lower lashes can make eyes look droopy, and is also prone to smudging. This avoids the dreaded “raccoon eyes.”
4. Clean the wand
That extra blob of mascara at the tip? Wipe it off before applying. It’s the #1 reason clumps happen.
Think of this technique as “lash sculpting.” It’s not about loading product — it’s about shaping, defining, and showing off every lash with confidence.
Smart Mascara Formula Picks That Actually Work
Not all mascaras are created equal. And formulas made for 20-somethings often let women with mature lashes down.
When choosing a mascara after 40, the first thing to look for is a formula designed to nourish lashes as they become drier and more fragile with age. Conditioning ingredients like vitamin E, panthenol, or hyaluronic acid are essential. Better yet, consider a mascara that contains peptides to support a healthy growth cycle; to encourage lashes to grow long, strong and thick. You won’t find that in the drugstore or even most department store brands, so do your research first.
Next, consider a formula that does it all - volumizes, lengthens, lifts and curls. Lashes naturally lose all of this with age. Choosing a formula that only helps lengthen may leave lashes looking sparse. Only volumizing and it may leave lashes looking short. Balance is key, so aim for more for your money.
Finally, color and removal matter more than most women realize. Most lean into black mascara, which is always great for a glam look, but as we age and lose natural coloring in our skin and hair, black can look too harsh on mature eyes for an every day look.
Unless you have jet black hair, consider keeping both black and brown in your makeup bag for a natural daytime look and a more glam look.
Once the day is done, go easy on your lashes. Gentle removal is just as important as the wear. While some may recommend tubing mascaras, there is risk in pulling on your lashes in the same direction all the time, causing follicles to weaken even more. Instead, consider mascaras that rinse away with warm water and a soft cloth, or a soft hydrating oil cleanser to protect against lash fallout.
The right formula doesn’t just make lashes look good. It supports them so you can keep showing up bold, beautiful, and smudge-free every day.
Tricks to Prevent Mascara Smudge on Lower Lashes
Love definition but hate the smudge? Try this!
Lower lashes can be tricky, right? One wrong move and suddenly you’ve got smudges under your eyes. But with a few smart tweaks, you can wear mascara down there without fear.
1. Go slim
Use a mascara with a smaller, thinner brush just for your bottom lashes. It gives you control so you don’t overload them with products..
2. Powder the base
After applying concealer, lightly set your under-eye area with translucent powder. This creates a dry surface so mascara doesn’t melt into fine lines.
3. Focus on the outer third
Too much mascara right below your eye can create a droopy eye look. If you like some definition on the lower lashline, apply a thin coat very lightly and just to the outer third of your eye, sweeping away from your nose rather than straight down.
These little changes give you control, not smudges, so you can step out with fearless confidence, knowing your eyes look bright and clean all day.
Final Layer of Truth
After 40, mascara is less about “drama” and more about power. Your lashes may have changed, but that doesn’t mean you have to settle for smudges, flakes, or clumps.
With the right prep, technique, and formulas, you can lift, frame and keep your natural beauty until sunset.
The secret? Work smarter, not harder.
Beauty after 40 isn’t about hiding age. It’s about embracing it and showing aging who’s boss. When your lashes are lifted, your eyes sparkle. And when your eyes sparkle, so does your confidence.
Because fearless beauty doesn’t stop at 40. In fact, this is your bold era…
And it’s only getting better.
And the best part: Fièra’s BRAND-NEW Best for Lash™ Mascara is coming soon! So your lash game can stay strong at 40 and far beyond.