Why stars look so sleepy on the red carpet: Expert debunks long-standing myth that eyeliner ages you and reveals how to apply it correctly

As a star-studded guest list gathered to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the King’s Trust in London last night, sleepy eyes seemed to be a rather prominent feature on the red carpet. 

While Love Island’s Gabby Allen selected a bold eyeliner and heavy mascara that left a rather striking effect, it was a more subtle and minimalist eye look which was the go-to for numerous A-listers. 

From Lily Collins and Lydia Bright to Rita Ora and Amal Clooney, lighter eye shades were a key theme among stars who walked the red carpet at the Royal Albert Hall to mark half a century of King Charles’s charity.

The reason for such a marked trend? According to beauty expert William Grande, it is down to the ‘long-standing beauty myth that darker eyes automatically age you’.

However, he stressed that when eyeliner is done correctly it can actually help to refine and accentuate your natural features, rather than age them.

William told the Daily Mail: ‘When eyeliner is applied strategically, with softer blending, a slightly lifted placement or tightlining techniques, it can actually enhance the eyes beautifully and create definition that feels modern and flattering.

‘We often see celebrities leaning towards more minimalist eye makeup on the red carpet, and that can give the impression that liner should be avoided. But mature women don’t have to step away from statement eye looks altogether. 

‘A well-executed liner can lift the eyes, frame them and restore shape. It’s simply about adapting the technique rather than abandoning it.’

From avoiding oversized wings and certain types of formula to curling your lashes correctly, read on to discover how to best incorporate eyeliner into your midlife makeup routine…

1. Keep things minimal, but with a creative flair

While tempting to go slightly overboard with eyeliner, William stresses that ‘it is not about doing the most’.

Instead, he advises ‘focusing on lift and softness’ in a bid to avoid ‘dragging the face down’. 

‘This keeps the eye area looking fresh rather than overworked,’ he explained.

‘A lighter hand always creates a fresher, more modern result that flatters at any age. Eyeliner should enhance the eye shape, not dominate it.’

Opting for a heavier liner can, William warns, ‘shrink your lid space and drag the eye down instantly’.

‘Remember more liner does not equal more definition; it often usually just adds weight, which is the opposite of what we’re trying to create around the eyes. 

‘As weight around the eyes is what makes eyes look tired rather than lifted and fresh.’

2. Focus on a thinner line close to the lash line 

Gone are the days of a thick wing. Instead, William advises opting for a subtle and more thin line which ‘hugs the lashes’, rather than overpowering them. 

He added: ‘If you can see the liner before you see the lashes, it’s too much. 

‘This soft approach keeps you looking youthful and gives a more flattering, natural effect without stealing lid space. 

‘You want the definition to come from the lashes, with the liner simply supporting them.’

William warns that going against such recommendation can lead to eyes that look ‘smaller and create a tired effect’. 

He added: ‘A little softness is fine, but full darkness underneath is rarely flattering. Darkness underneath the eye is what we usually try to conceal, not emphasise and by keeping this area lighter helps the eyes appear more open.’

3. Prioritise softer tones over jet black 

When seeking to create a more youthful eye look, William explains that the colour of the pen is used is key. 

Rather than using a dark black colour, William suggests leaning into either a ‘deep brown or softened charcoal for definition’.

Explaining how softer colours can help enhance your overall look, William said: ‘Softer colours help define the eyes while still keeping them open, lifted and less severe.

‘They also act to enhance the eye colour rather than fighting against it. This is what keeps the look flattering instead of harsh.’

4. Opt for a tightline

To help you look more awake, William advises focusing on a tightline technique – meaning that eyeliner should be applied to the upper waterline. 

He explains: ‘This builds lash density while keeping everything natural and lifted.’

He notes that alongside aiding your lashes, this technique helps to ‘subtly add definition without taking away lid space or making the eyes look smaller’. 

‘It’s the trick makeup artists use when they want a definition that no one can quite pinpoint. The eye looks stronger, but you can’t immediately see why.’

5. Curl your lashes away from the face 

While a seemingly simple trick, curling your lashes in the direction that may seem less natural is a key way to help your eyes ‘appear bigger and more open’. 

‘It’s the cheapest, quickest way to create a natural-looking eye lift,’ explains William.

He further adds: ‘Mascara then works twice as hard on a properly curled lash. 

‘Without this step, liner and mascara can struggle to give that lifted effect.’

6. Re-use your eyeshadow and keep the eyes open at all times

The use of eyeshadow as an eyeliner is not a new trick, but is one which is often ignored when considering how best to style your eye looks.

Yet William stresses it is an absolute essential.   

‘It creates a diffused, soft-focus finish that’s incredibly flattering and far more forgiving than a harsh line,’ he said. 

‘This mimics how natural shadow sits around the eye.’

When applying your eyeliner, William notes that it must be done with the eye open, not closed, to ensure that you can correctly map out the shape and placement of the liner.

He explained: ‘It ensures the lift works properly when your eyes are actually visible. You’re working with your eye shape rather than guessing it and getting it wrong.’

William notes that while it may feel like second nature, one should also avoid pulling the skin at all cost.   

‘Once the skin relaxes, the shape can look uneven,’ he warns. 

‘What you see in the mirror should reflect how it naturally sits. If you stretch the skin, the liner won’t sit where you think it will and will end up uneven.’

7. Prime your lids and set with powder first

Ensuring that the base of your eye is smooth is integral to helping the liner sit all day without smudging or becoming dislodged. 

‘Creating an even base helps your eyeliner last beautifully throughout the day,’ noted William. 

‘It also stops that midday smudging that can make eyes look tired. Longevity is key to keeping liner looking fresh rather than messy.’

Utilising creamier and softer textures can create a ‘more forgiving and youthful look’. 

William further added: ‘They move with the skin instead of sitting on top of it and this will keep the liner looking smooth rather than cracked.’

8. Keep the flick lifted and blend around the edges 

Keep your flick slightly lifted rather than straight out. While you may have opted for a flick that ventures straight out in your youth, William suggests this should be altered slightly when you reach midlife.

Instead, he advises considering a more ‘subtle angle’ which therefore produces a ‘more youthful, lifted eye shape without looking graphic’.

He explained: ‘A tiny adjustment here makes a noticeable difference to the whole face.’

When blending in your eyeshadow, meanwhile, a soft and carefully crafted blend will help to avoid any harsh lines and therefore create a ‘more effortless, polished look that looks modern and flattering’.  

‘Nothing about eyeliner should look rigid or drawn on and remember, softness is what keeps liner looking expensive rather than obvious.’

9. Avoid oversized wings

While oversized wings may have been all the rage at one stage, they now run the risk of ‘completely changing your eye shape,’ William warns.

‘Aggressive wings can overpower more mature eyes, so think soft, upward flicks like a gentle lift, not a statement. 

‘Eyeliner should enhance your eye shape, not completely redesign it.’