How to wear coloured eyeliner

Q. I'm so tired of wearing black eyeliner. Am I too old to carry off a coloured one?

A. Of course not! Coloured liners offer a simple way to brighten your skin when you're over 40. However, going the more sophisticated route works best. For instance, instead of bright shades, choose richer colours, such as navy, eggplant or olive. Line your top lids for daytime; for a more striking look, rim under your lower lash line.

Also key: balance the look with a soft, neutral shadow and a lip gloss with a shade similar to that of your natural lip colour (for most women, this is a pinky-brown hue). Try 1) Mode Eye Pencil in Jade ($2.95; chemists), 2) Bobbi Brown Creamy Eye Pencil in Taupe ($44; dept stores), 3) Dr. Hauschka Look 2009 Natural Pastels Kajal Eyeliner Duo in Black/Berry ($37; dept stores).

By Bobbi Brown, celebrity make-up artist and author of three bestsellers on beauty. Bobbi Brown is also the founder of her own multimillion-dollar cosmetics business, and Prevention's beauty columnist.

Your Guide to Youthful Eye Make-Up

PLUS ask our experts your questions