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The 10 Best Cream Eyeshadows for Effortless, Long-Lasting Eye Looks
All you have to do is swipe and smudge.
When it comes to my makeup skills, I’m honest with myself. Complexion and eyebrows? I’ve mastered those. But contour and eyeshadow? Those are still a major work in progress. However, I have discovered that using cream eyeshadows instead of always relying on eyeshadow palettes has made things a whole lot easier for me, whether I’m craving a subtle matte look for daytime or a bold shimmery one for a night out. “A cream eyeshadow can be applied with fingers or a brush and is ideal for a quick application,” explains Alexandra McCormick, a makeup artist and the director of global artistry development at Hourglass Cosmetics. Honestly, that’s what I love most about them—I can swipe them on and blend the shade out a little with my fingers, and I have a one-and-done eyeshadow look that cost me less than a minute.
Our top picks for the best cream eyeshadows of 2024
Plus, if you’re more advanced than I am in the eyeshadow department, a cream eyeshadow can come in handy even if you’re using other types of formulas at the same time. “Different forms of eyeshadow all serve their purpose. A little secret and favorite trick of mine is to use multiple textures to create a very dynamic and impactful eye shadow look. Cream shadows are the most straightforward and can be a great starting point for eyeshadow,” explains Jenna Menard, a celebrity makeup artist based in New York City.
Whether you’re already familiar with the magic of cream eyeshadows or looking for a solution to your own makeup woes, there’s a whole world of options out there to explore. We understand that that can be overwhelming though, so I consulted experts, looked inside editors’s makeup bags (including my own), and carefully read many, many customer reviews to present you this list of the 10 best cream eyeshadows to try this year.
Pros
- Buildable formula and easily sheered out
Cons
- Darker shades can get patchy
“The fact that these shadows are matte and longwear make them a staple in my makeup bag,” says Menard. As you blend the product, it transforms into a powder, so it’ll stay put for as long as you need it to. “The shades are mapped out in a way that you can choose any or all,” Menard adds. “I love them alone or layered for more color play.” Read our full review of the Merit Solo Shadows here.
Shades: 8
Size: 0.17 oz.
Merit rating: 4.4/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “I’m a neutrals kind of girl, so I’ve only tried those shades from this Merit collection. One thing that I’ve adored about Merit since its initial launch is their color palette; all of the brand’s shades seem so carefully selected and curated, and something about each hue strikes me as unique (even if they are a “basic” shade like brown or beige). Finding eyeshadow shades like these in a formulation that’s as easy to work with can be harder than you think, and I’m grateful the Solo Shadows exist.”—Carol Lee, ELLE.com associate beauty e-commerce writer
Hourglass Scattered Light Glitter Eyeshadow
Pros
- Easy to blend
Cons
- Can have some fallout
This glittery formula is more like a tightly packed loose powder, but it’s so creamy and smooth to the touch that it feels like a cream. You can layer it on top of another cream or powder eyeshadow or wear it on its own. McCormick loves it for a bold, sparkly evening look.
Shades: 9
Size: 0.12 oz.
Nordstrom rating: 4.8/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “This eyeshadow is the definition of a compliment magnet. Everyone can’t help but ooh and ahh over them when they’re on my eyes, especially when the lighting hits just right. When I feel like something’s missing from my makeup but don’t feel like doing too much, a swipe of this product makes me look polished and like I tried a lot harder than I did.”—Carol Lee
Charlotte Tilbury Eyes To Mesmerize Cream Eyeshadow
Pros
- A little goes a long way
Cons
- Can crease throughout day
If you feel like this eyeshadow is hydrating your skin, it’s not just all in your head; the moussy formula features anti-inflammatory and moisturizing vitamin E. Although the shades are metallic, the shadow has a blurring effect that makes it friendly for mature skin as well.
Shades: 8
Size: 0.23 oz.
Sephora rating: 4.3/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “The pots are tiny, but they’ll last you forever—I’ve had mine for longer than I’d like to admit, and I haven’t even gotten through half of them. The smallest dab is all I need for a shimmery look, and I can layer it a little to create a more dramatic vibe I save for the evening. I find that they stay put all day and are so flattering that they make my eyes themselves look like they’re sparkling too.”—Carol Lee
Victoria Beckham Beauty Lid Lustre
Pros
- Luxe packaging
Cons
- Glitters can fall onto face
Each of these luxurious eyeshadows are infused with a gemstone—for example, the shade Midnight (a deep blue) contains amethyst, while Mirror (a cool silver) boasts bits of moonstone. Additionally, ingredients like squalane and magnolia bark extract hydrate and moisturize the fragile skin on your eyelids.
Shades: 8
Size: 0.17 oz.
Victoria Beckham Beauty rating: 4.5/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “I keep my eyeshadow looks to a mere swipe of brown shadow all over my lids. When I do like to get playful, though, this eyeshadow pot in the shimmery, navy blue shade is what I reach for. One swipe of this shadow offers a decent amount of pigment; it’s easily blendable with no fall-out and needs no priming base to stay put—it’s just that good on its own.”—Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor
Pros
- Easy to touch up
Cons
- Prone to creasing
Celebrity makeup artist Nikki Deroest developed these eyeshadows to be as user-friendly as possible. Even if you’re a total makeup newbie, it’s almost impossible to mess them up. No matter which shades you decide to wear, whether together or alone, they’ll look brilliant and glamorous. The best part? The only tools you really need to apply them are your fingers.
Shades: 6
Dermstore rating: 5/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “I tried the Roen 75° Warm Eyeshadow Palette years ago and fell head over heels for the brand’s signature eyeshadow formula. It’s not just about how pretty they look on my eyelids—they’re also a joy to apply, especially if you’re partial to textures that you can really dig into and play around with. Meanwhile this cool-toned version is especially appealing for its sexy, smokey shades fit for a rockstar. Although the formula is prone to creasing, I feel like it adds to the grungy, undone vibe these hues create; but if you’re not a fan of the lived-in look, it’s super easy to smudge the creases away with your finger in seconds.”—Carol Lee
Pros
- Travel-friendly
Cons
- Formula is on the drier side
This eyeshadow stick has been around for years, garnering countless fans. Although the formula takes a while to set, allowing you to blend and smudge with time to spare, once it dries down, it stays put for hours,
Shades: 13
Size: 0.06 oz.
Blue Mercury rating: 4.4/5 stars
A Blue Mercury reviewer says: “I have several of these eye shadow sticks. They’re easy to apply and look beautiful once they’re on. I was intimidated at first, but now, I dot the color on my lids and smooth the color out with a thick eye shadow brush. This also has great staying powder.”
Pros
- Glides on without tugging on skin
Cons
- May not be as long-lasting as others
Those with oily eyelids know—getting any eyeshadow to stay on for an entire day, especially in the warmer months, is a real struggle. This eyeshadow stick is specifically designed to be smudge-proof, even if you don’t have a primer on underneath. If you want extra protection against creasing, layer an eyeshadow primer under the stick and a powder shadow over it.
Shades: 7
Size: 0.05 oz.
Sephora rating: 4.2/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer says: “I wasn’t expecting this to be as good as it is. It blends beautifully and stays on all day. Will be purchasing in every color.”
Kulfi Zari Eyes Long-Lasting Crease-Proof Cream Eyeshadow
Pros
- Highly pigmented
Cons
- May not be suitable for very sensitive eyes
This cream eyeshadow glides across the lid without dragging, thanks to ingredients like vitamin E and aloe vera. The shades in the collection are so rich and metallic that some look like molten metal, and the lineup includes two duochromes: one that shifts from blue to green, and another that switches between chartreuse and yellow.
Shades: 7
Size: 0.18 oz.
Sephora rating: 4.7/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer says: “This is such a gorgeous product! The shimmer is perfect, and the color is so flattering for anyone. If you’re not as comfortable with doing heavy makeup, this is perfect for layering and adding on for a light or heavy look as desired. Can’t recommend enough!”
Pros
- Wallet-friendly
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Some reviewers noted that the eyeshadow fell out of the packaging
“I love sticks for the ease of use. You can sketch on the lid, blend with your finger, and leave it or build it up more,” Menard says. This cream eyeshadow is on the more affordable side, and you can use the various shades on both your eyes and lips for a monochromatic look.
Shades: 8
Size: 0.04 oz.
Ulta rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer says: “Love these! Just the right amount of pigment, very blendable, and long lasting, too. All that at a very affordable price!”
Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez All of the Above Weightless Eyeshadow Stick
Pros
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Product can be a little fragile
“These are some great neutral shimmer shades that can be used for inner corner shine and some nice highlights over the lid in a very controlled way,” Menard says. According to her, they’re also budge-proof and play well with other shadows.
Shades: 6
Size: 0.04 oz.
Sephora rating: 4.5/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer says: “57-year-old lady here—this is some good stuff. Stays on all day. Does not flake into contact lenses. And the color is not too sparkly and great for every day. Well done Rare Beauty!”
Meet the Experts
Jenna Menard is a celebrity makeup artist based in New York City.
Alexandra McCormick is a makeup artist and the director of global artistry development at Hourglass Cosmetics.
How do you apply cream eyeshadow?
Menard simply says: “Don’t over think it.” Whether you use a finger or a brush, just experiment with what works best for you. “Play with texture. If you are using a matte cream shadow as a base, work in another texture as you move along on your eye look. A shimmery liquid product or a satin finish powder can go on after. I love to keep cream shadows below the crease and on the main part of the lid. Use a small amount of product and build as you need. Be sure to blend evenly into the lash line so you leave no space between the skin on your lid and the lash line,” she explains. However, Menard did warn against using too much product, which will lead to creasing.
Additionally, if you’re working with a glittery or shimmery eyeshadow, McCormick strongly recommends using a flat eyeshadow brush. “Gently press the shadow onto the lid, rather than dusting or swiping. This technique prevents fallout,” she says.
Do you need to use a primer with cream eyeshadow?
McCormick recommends using an eyeshadow primer like Hourglass Cosmetics’s Veil Eye Primer, “particularly if you have an oily skin type, as it prevents eyeshadow from creasing. It also helps the longevity of your shadow,” she says.
On the other hand, Menard isn’t the biggest eyeshadow primer user. “When application and products line up properly, you shouldn’t need a primer. I have always used a cream shadow as a primer in my looks. If you don’t want the shade to contribute to the look, use a neutral matte skin tone shade first. The best ones to use are ones that have staying power and not too much shimmer so you can work your way up from here,” she adds.
Why Trust ELLE Beauty
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, beauty writer Carol Lee spoke to other editors about cream eyeshadows. She also looked through her own stash and combed through reviews for top-rated options, assessing each one based on their features and customer evaluations.
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