A soft smudge of liner around your eyes and a coat or two of mascara can make your eyes ap pear bigger and brighter. And if you have droopy lids, a subtle application of the right eye shadow can help bring them out of hiding.

Most flattering formulation:The skin around our eyes becomes thinner and drier with age. Cream based eye shadows and pencils will nourish this delicate skin while they camouflage crinkles.

Eye Shadow: Eye shadow come in two basic formulations. Cream shadows are usually applied with a wand. Powder shadows come in a cake and are applied with a sponge tip applicator or a brush. If your skin is very dry, opt for cream based shadows, says Geller. "They're easy to apply and long wearing," she adds. And like cream blushers, creamy shadows soften the appearance of wrinkles.

Also, select a shadow with a bit of shimmer to it in make-up artist jargon, a "low pearl" shadow. Yes, you heard right. "Most women think that frosted shadows will accentuate aging eyes," says Geller. "In fact, a softly shimmering shadow can soften them." Avoid Las Vegas showgirl frosts, however. Very sparkly, glittery shadows spotlight every droop and wrinkle.

Eyeliner. Opt for pencil liners, recommends Geller. Wax based eye pencils are fine, but the softer ones may smudge, and the extra hard ones will drag across delicate undereye skin. So she recommends using powder eyeliner pencils (such as Elizabeth Arden Smoky Eyes Powder Pencil or Revlon Softsmoke Powderliner). "They make the eyes look smoky and soft, and they're easy to apply," she says.

What not to use: liquid liners. "If you have lines on your face, you don't need to paint on more," says Milek.

Mascara. Choose a fiber free mascara. Most mascara is fiber free, but if not, the packaging will be labeled "with fibers," Geller says. Mascaras that contain fibers tend to cake, clump, and look goopy, which draws attention to aging eyes.

Can't go wrong colors: Afraid you'll use the wrong shade of shadow or pencil and end up looking like, well, your eccentric Aunt Matilda? You won't if you use muted hues that flatter your hair color and skin tone.

Eye shadow.Those of us with dark hair and medium to dark skin can wear virtually any shade of shadow. "Brunettes look particularly good in bronze or champagne, which is a very pale pink," says Geller. Blondes with ruddy skin look best in shades of taupe, beige, and charcoal brown, while blondes with more yellow in their skin are flattered by shades of violet, slate, and gray brown. If you have gray hair, you'll always look great in shades of taupe and soft gray, she says.

Eyeliner. Darker shades of navy and hunter green flatter any skin tone and make the whites of the eyes appear brighter, says Geller. For a more subtle effect, use shades of brown or khaki (a soft greenish brown). If you're using black liner, toss it immediately: "Black is much too harsh for mature skin," she says.

Mascara. Black for brunettes, brown for blondes and redheads, says Geller. To give your eyes an extra sparkle, try navy mascara. "It adds just a hint of color and will make your eyes appear brighter," she says.

Perfect application: Applying shadow, liner, and mascara to your best advantage can be tricky, but using the tips below will make the job much easier.

Eye shadow. To apply a cream based shadow, smudge it on with a clean pinky finger, says Milek. "It's easier to control your finger than an applicator, and the color will be softer and more subtle," she says.

Stroke on powder shadow with a small eye brush. "A brush distributes the color more finely and evenly than a sponge applicator can," says Geller. Brush a V shaped arc of shadow from the outer corner of your eye, extending one side of the V so that the shadow covers any drooping area over the lid and brushing the other side into your lashes.

Eyeliner. If you have shaky fingers, apply eye make-up sitting at a table, using a mirror placed at eye level, suggests Geller. Rest the elbow of the hand holding the eye pencil on the table. Then anchor your elbow with your other hand.

Mascara. For clump free lashes, wipe off the wand before applying mascara, says Milek. To thicken skimpy lashes, dust them with powder before you apply the first coat.

Tips and tricks: Curling your lashes will make them appear thicker and your eyes bigger and brighter, says Milek.

Dig out your metal eyelash curler the one you swore you'd never use again and hold it under your blow dryer for 5 to 10 seconds. The heat will help your lashes hold their curl, says Geller. (Use common sense, please: Test the metal against your hand before touching it to your eye area.)