The Summer 2026 Makeup Trend That's Perfect For Older Women

Thanks to influencers like Hailey Bieber, who looks absolutely stunning without makeup, you may have noticed that the natural look has been trending for a while. However, 2026 is all about embracing color, and that includes ditching your black mascara for more expressive shades. As a professional makeup artist, I always lean on waterproof mascara in the blackest shade possible for extra oomph and longevity for my clients. That doesn't mean that it's what folks should use for everyday wear, and if you're 60 years old and over, inky hues can be too harsh on your face.

As women age, they tend to lean more towards a muted palette, which is great for enhancing one's natural beauty without looking too harsh. Still, I love a pop of color, and you too can make mascara the star of your minimalist makeup show. The one shade that looks good on everyone is navy, as it's a surprising neutral you may not have considered. The cool tone complements all skin colors and makes older eyes appear brighter. A deep purple mascara is also universally flattering, but make sure that it doesn't read too red. You'll want to aim for rich, jewel hues that make your peepers literally sparkle — emerald is another fave. Just be sure to use complementary eyeshadow colors so as not to clash, because after all, we're going for elevated elegance this summer.

You may be tempted to go matchy-matchy with your eyeshadow and mascara, but you can make your eyes really shine with complementary colors. That means, if your lashes are on the blue spectrum, you'll want to dazzle your lids with a gold shade. I love a champagne shimmer on mature lids, as it really makes the eyes open up, which can be followed with a darker bronze shadow in the crease for depth. These shades also work beautifully with dark green mascara, which brings out hazel and brown eyes.

Deep burgundy mascaras paired with light pinks and lilacs in the pastel family can look gorgeous together, especially if you have green eyes. If you want to do a smokey eye, make a V-shape to the outer corners with a thin brush, and then gently blend it along your lids. Skip any eyeshadow color darker than a medium brown if you have older eyes, as it can drag your features down. Think light, bright, and airy for summer 2026, because after all, this golden age is your time to flourish in the spotlight.