I must remind my mature friends all the time: SHIMMER in your eye makeup has NO AGE LIMIT! One of the prettiest makeup trends popping up right now is “Stardust Eyes”—a soft, luminous eye look that brings a little sparkle and dimension back to your makeup routine. And what a perfect time of year to give this look a whirl!
I’m feeling especially thankful that November and December are already packed with holiday gatherings, girls’ nights, and “favorite things” parties! As exhausting as the season can get, I love having the perfect excuse to step out, dress up, and celebrate with friends and family.
My favorite way to wear this look? Cream eyeshadow sticks! They’re quick and easy to apply, have great staying power, and make creating a pretty eye look feel practically effortless. Today, I’m sharing my favorite shades and how to wear them yourself.
Key Takeaways
- The Stardust Eyes look is a soft, luminous shimmer style using champagne, bronze, and soft silver cream shadow sticks — a flattering, holiday‑ready trend for mature eyes.
- Cream shadow sticks make shimmer easy to apply, blend, and layer without settling into texture.
- Keep shimmer on the mobile lid, add definition with mascara and a brow‑bone matte highlight, and pair sparkly eyes with a softer lip for balance.
- Women over 50 can absolutely wear shimmer — the trick is choosing refined shades and strategic placement.
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Three Shades Everyone Can Pull Off
1. Champagne:
My pick for an instant brightening effect!
A soft champagne shimmer makes the eyes look more awake and pair beautifully with just about any lip color. It’s also one of the easiest shades to wear, even if you’re new to shimmer. This is the most subtle way to wear it. My recommendation: IT Cosmetics Superhero No-Tug Shadow Stick ($25) in “Silk Amor.”
2. Bronze:
If you love warmer makeup (like me!), bronze or even copper is your girl.
It adds warmth and dimension and is especially pretty for fall gatherings and Thanksgiving dinner. You can use it with the champagne stick as your soft eyeliner or apply all over the lid for a more dramatic effect. Which is of course how I finished with my look!
My recommendation: L’Oréal Le Shadow Stick ($10) in “Magnetic Bronze.”. You won’t believe how smoothly this drugstore favorite glides on!
3. Soft Silver:
Don’t be afraid of silver! Look for a soft, pearly or icy finish over chunky glitter.
A little shimmer can make the eyes sparkle without overpowering the look. You can also use a sparkly topper over champagne or bronze for an extra touch of light, like I did today. My recommendation: Half Magic Sparklestik ($26) in “Champagne Snowflake.” It’s seriously shimmery, so a little goes a long way!
Five Professional Tips for Wearing Cream Shadow Sticks After 40
1. Work one eye at a time.
Cream shadow sticks can set quickly! Apply the color, then use a brush (always my favorite over using fingers) to soften the edges before moving to the other eye.
The two eye brushes I used here are the Anastasia Beverly Hills A6 Blend and Buff Brush ($21), and the smaller Morphe M382 Detail Smudger Brush ($9).
2. Keep shimmer where it counts.
All the shadow sticks in this post have a bit of shimmer, so concentrate the color on the mobile lid rather than sweeping it all the way up to the brow bone.
If you have hooded eyes, apply a touch just above your natural crease so the shimmer is still visible when your eyes are open.
3. Want more sparkle?
Layer it! For extra holiday drama, add Half Magic Sparklestik in Champagne Snowflake right in the center of the mobile lid and even in the inner corner near the tear duct. It’s a fun way to turn your everyday shimmer into something a little more festive.
I went a little extra and added a small touch to the middle of my lower lash line, too!
4. Finish with definition.
Curl your lashes (duh!) and add mascara. Then, give the brow area a little lift by applying a matte white or pinky-nude shadow just beneath the brow bone. Use the matte side of the Anastasia Beverly Hills Duo Brow Pencil ($25) in “Matte Camille,” to brighten the area and create a subtle lifting effect to the brow bone that is oh so flattering. The shimmer side can also be used in the inner corner near the tear duct!
5. Pair your shimmer eyes with the perfect lip.
If you’re going for sparkly eyes, you may want to keep your lips a little softer so the two don’t compete. My perfect balance is the iconic Clinique Almost Lipstick ($29) in “Black Honey,” that is now made in a limited-edition rhinestone packaging that is just so fun for the holidays.
It’s not quite a lip gloss and not quite a matte lipstick—it’s that perfect “your lips but better” finish.
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A Little Holiday Beauty Shopping, Too!
Speaking of sparkle, the holiday beauty shopping season is officially here! Beauty advent calendars are a fun way to discover new makeup and skincare favorites—or give a beauty lover a gift that keeps on giving. Here are a few worth browsing, whether you’re gifting one or treating yourself. Just remember, these tend to sell out quickly, and December 1 will be here before we know it!
Revolution Beauty Advent Calendar ($65) – A budget-friendly beauty countdown featuring 10 full-size products, 8 minis, and 6 beauty accessories. A fun way to discover the brand’s makeup and beauty finds that are top quality without the high price tag.
Ulta Beauty’s 25 Days of Beauty Calendar ($150) – A 31-piece collection packed with makeup, skincare, haircare, body care, fragrance, and wellness favorites. It offers plenty to discover.
Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Beauty Wonderland ($220) – A splurge-worthy mix of luxe makeup and skincare favorites from the makeup queen herself. Once all the products are gone, you’re left with a beautiful jewelry box!
Bloomingdale’s 25 Days of Luxury Beauty Calendar ($350) – Behind each door awaits a curated discovery, with 27 treasures from celebrated names in skincare, makeup, and fragrance, including La Mer, Jo Malone, Trish McEvoy, La Prairie, and more. This would be an absolute delight for any beauty lover!
And while you’re checking off that holiday shopping list, don’t forget to check out Ulta Beauty’s Early Black Friday Sale! New deals are popping up each week, with savings of up to 50% across beauty favorites and ends on Nov. 21st. You know I’m always a fan of a good beauty bargain!
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The Rest of My Look
A magenta sweater is THE jewel tone of the season! This shade makes me so happy and gets me tons of compliments whenever I wear it. I’ve rounded up a few similar options: this Nine West sweater at Kohl’s ($35); this cute, relaxed Eileen Fisher crewneck ($150); and this luxe Nordstrom V-neck cashmere sweater ($248).
My Makeup by Mario cream blush ($35) in “Berry Punch,” complements my Black Honey lip color beautifully. And one of the sparkly bangles I’ve worn every day since receiving it is this Ana Luisa “Selena” Bangle ($85). It comes in two size options, and the small/medium fits me so well without sliding off!
There you have it—you don’t need a special occasion to wear a little sparkle. Whether you’re heading to Thanksgiving dinner, meeting girlfriends for lunch, or getting ready for a holiday party, cream shadow sticks make it easy to add a little stardust. Or you could always try out my Victoria’s Secret bombshell looks I shared last week that would also be party perfect!
Remember, ladies: We’re not too old for shimmer. We’re just too experienced to wear the wrong kind! Now tell me, are you going to try Stardust Eyes this holiday season?
Closing Thoughts
You don’t need a special occasion to wear shimmer — and you certainly don’t need to be under 50. Stardust Eyes is all about adding light, dimension, and a touch of festive sparkle in a way that feels polished and wearable. Cream shadow sticks make the look effortless, whether you’re heading to Thanksgiving dinner, a holiday party, or simply meeting girlfriends for lunch. As Beth says: We’re not too old for shimmer — we’re just too experienced to wear the wrong kind. This season, let your eyes shine a little.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can women over 50 wear shimmer eyeshadow?
Yes — shimmer has no age limit. The key is choosing refined champagne, bronze, or soft silver shades and keeping the shimmer on the mobile lid rather than all the way to the brow bone.
What cream shadow sticks work best for mature eyes?
Jennifer recommends IT Cosmetics Superhero No‑Tug Shadow Stick in “Silk Amor,” L’Oréal Le Shadow Stick in “Magnetic Bronze,” and Half Magic Sparklestik in “Champagne Snowflake.” They glide smoothly and blend easily before setting.
How do I apply shimmer if I have hooded eyes?
Place shimmer slightly above your natural crease so it’s visible when your eyes are open. Keep deeper colors toward the outer corner and avoid packing shimmer too high.
Can I layer shimmer for more sparkle?
Absolutely. Add a sparkly topper like Half Magic Sparklestik to the center of the lid, inner corner, or even the lower lash line for extra holiday drama.
What lip color pairs best with sparkly eyes?
Choose a softer lip so the two don’t compete. Jennifer’s pick is Clinique Almost Lipstick in “Black Honey” — a sheer, flattering berry that complements shimmer beautifully.
SHOP THE POST ITEMS:
it Cosmetics Superhero No Tug shadow stick
Anastasia Beverly Hills A6 Blend and Buff brush
Morphe M382 Detail Smudger brush
Anastasia Beverly Hills duo eyebrow pencil
Clinique Almost Lipstick Holiday Edition
Revolution Beauty Advent Calendar
Ulta Beauty’s 25 Days of Beauty Calendar
Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Beauty Wonderland
Bloomingdale’s 25 Days of Luxury Beauty Calendar
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