Does your eyeliner end up on your eyelids when you open your eyes? Switch to a waterproof pencil eyeliner and say bye-bye to unflattering smudges.

Get longer (and longer-lasting) lashes by dusting a very light coat of translucent powder over lashes between mascara coats. Work the powder in with an eyeshadow brush or a clean, disposable mascara wand.

As skin matures, it's best to stick with light, soft eye makeup. Ditch harsh black eyeliner and shimmery eyeshadow (the shimmer accents wrinkles) for warm brown liner and matte shadows in shades of apricot or ivory.

Don't apply eye cream, especially a silicone- or oil-based one, all over your eyelid during the day; it can make your lids look oily and break down your eye makeup. Instead, pat eye cream on the brow bone and under-eye area for day and apply all over while you sleep.

If your smoky eye looks too harsh, try using brown or gray eyeshadow instead of black for a similar yet softer effect. (Extra tip: Apply the smoky eye first, then your foundation. This avoids smudging from eye shadow dust.)