With age comes the wisdom of experience. Unfortunately when it comes to our complexions, it also brings darker under-eye circles, more pronounced lines and drooping eyelids. To make matters worse, makeup that was once flattering, like shimmery eye shadow, now brings out the negative features we're trying to conceal. Let's face it, makeup for older women can be a real challenge — or at least it feels that way.

"As we age the needs and characteristics of our skin change and we start to experience dryness, loss of elasticity, sagging skin, crepey eyelids, crows feet and thinning lashes," says celebrity makeup artist, Gita Bass. "Makeup is a wonderful tool to hide these aging signs, as long as we adapt our formulas and techniques to hide and not accentuate the negative features."

What's maybe the biggest problem for women with mature skin? Eye makeup. In addition to being the windows to our souls, our eyes are often one of the first places to reveal the years of wear and tear we've put on our faces. Fortunately makeup — as long as you're armed with the right products and techniques — can go a long way to take years off of your peepers.

"I think women get stuck in a beauty rut and have been doing the same makeup for years, so they feel comfortable with a particular look," Bass explains. "They would be amazed at the transformation if they experimented with some new techniques."

To ensure your eyes look phenomenal at every age, we've teamed up with three of the best celebrity makeup artists in the biz to tackle the biggest eye makeup mistakes with foolproof tips on makeup for older women. Just because we age, doesn't mean we have to give up makeup right? Add these tools and tricks to you repertoire to instantly lift droopy lids, brighten tired eyes and flatter mature skin.

Image via Imaxtree

Put down the foundation (or shadow, or concealer — or whatever you use first in your makeup routine). Preparing the skin with a primer prior to makeup application is essential, according to Bass. "It creates a smoother surface for makeup to glide over and stay put," she says. "Especially when you're fighting wrinkles."

To get the smoothest surface possible, start with a clean face, and apply a rich moisturizer (Bass suggests Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturizer, $12.49). Then, dab on a nourishing eye cream, like Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue, $60. Allow your skin to absorb the products for a minute or two before reaching for a hydrating primer. Bass suggests Laura Mercier Foundation Primer - Hydrating, $36, which helps seal in moisture and fills in fine lines and wrinkles.

To ensure your eye shadow remains locked in place and doesn't get lost in the crevices of your skin, prep your eyes with eye primer (try Urban Decay Potion Primer, $20). Give it about a minute to dry before applying your makeup.

Because problems like fine under-eye lines and dark circles become pronounced with age, it can be tempting to combat them by layering more and more product — but this may do more harm than good. "Too much cakey concealer is a huge no-no, as piling it on just accentuates fine lines," Bass says.

One way to avoid a cakey-looking finish? Apply concealer with your fingertips instead of a sponge. "A sponge will likely leave a cakey finish on mature skin," says Joey Maalouf, celebrity hair and makeup artist, and co-founder and creative director of the Glam App and ISH Beauty. Just lightly dab the product on your skin with your finger after applying foundation.

Similarly, too much setting powder can also work against you, according to celebrity makeup artist, Taylor Babaian. "The combination of liquids with powder sit in fine lines and make them appear more evident," Babaian says.

To set your concealer, Maalouf recommends using a light and colorless powder, like M.A.C. Prep and Prime Transparent Finishing Powder, $27, or better yet -- a makeup setting spray, like Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray, $30.

According to Babaian, the key to hiding dark circles, which is a problem for a lot of mature eyes, is all in color correcting.

"You see discoloration around the eyes no matter what the skin tone," she says. "The shadows of the [wrinkles] often appear gray, so use a slightly pink-based concealer for light-to-medium skin tones, and peach for medium-to-tan." These peachy-pink products help neutralize dark circles, as well as dark spots caused by the sun. Babian recommends applying concealer to the inner corners of the eyes with a synthetic brush (try BH Cosmetics Brush V7 - Vegan Concealer Brush, $5.50). This will even out discoloration all around the eye, and give your eyes a bright wide-awake look.

When selecting a concealer, grab a color two shades lighter than your skin tone. If your skin is ultra-thin under your eyes, Babaian suggests Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat, $42, as it's sheerer than heavy concealers and won't look so caked-on. She loves Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer, $70, for light to medium skin and Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer, $27, for darker skin tones.

When it comes to eye shadows for mature women, not just any old palette will do. There are definite dos and don'ts, according to Bass. "You really want to avoid heavy powders around the eyes, as they can settle into fine lines and wrinkles and exaggerate them," she says. "They're also really hard to blend on crepey lids and can look too harsh." Instead, reach for a sheer powder or cream shadows, which blend easily with a makeup brush or fingers and look more natural on aging skin. Bass recommends Dior 5 Couleurs Eyeshadow Palette, $62.

Another type of eye shadow to avoid? Shimmery or metallic finishes. Iridescent shadows — as pretty as they may be — bring out wrinkles around the eyes and can make them look uneven and patchy when they settle into the crevices of the skin, according to Bass.

For a little sparkle, apply a satin finish nude shadow on the inner corners of the eye and down the center of the lid. This adds dimension and a soft glow without exaggerating fine lines. Try the Shiseido Luminizing Satin Eye Color Trio, $33.