Lower lids - to line or not to line?

[biscuitdunkerette]

My lower lashes are quite sparse and fair, especially as I age (49). I feel I need a bit of liner to stop my eyes disappearing into my face, but if I smudge it aiming for a more natural less ‘lined’ look I just look knackered!

Any tips for how to give the lower lid a natural looking definition? My lashes (though sparse) are quite long, which gives me the cow look if I use mascara on the lower ones

I use urban decay eyeshadow with one of those flat, slanted eyeliner brushes from Mac. I have one of UD's palettes and there's always the right colour, whatever the occasion. I use them dry, but it would be possible to use wet for a stronger effect. I find it stays put well, even with my watery eyes. Best makeup product I ever bought in terms of results and the fact that it barely looks like I have used any of it, as you only need a tiny bit. I use an ordinary shadow brush with the lighter colours for my eyelids. I have a selection of browns in the palette to use as a liner during the day, then if I ever go out in the evening, there's dark grey or a slightly sparkly charcoal that's my favourite.

I use a charcoal grey eyeshadow applied with s cotton bud so there’s no hard line. Seems to look ok.

I always found the best way to apply eyeshadow as liner was with a small make up brush moistened with water. You can scrape a tiny bit of the eyeshadow first to create some loose powder so that the damp brush doesn't make the palette go cakey, if that makes sense.
I agree also avoid black and try browns or greys, maybe even plums or golds.

Try Lisa Eldridge videos, she’s good at tips for this. If I find the specific ones I’ll post back.

As I’ve got older I often just use the crease colour I.e today I used tilbury exaggeryes pallete and used the define brown/burgundy under my eyes, the type of brush helps, you probably need a small dense brush to have some control.

Black on the top brown on the bottom
I personally prefer not to use anything on my lower lash as like you mine are very long but not many, looks kind of spidery. I like a little white near my tear duct for that fresh look.
I have big eyes but they are heavy lidded, So need a smokey eyeshadow to give me a crease.