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I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with eyeshadow. On one hand, I’ve spent two hours watching and re-watching a YouTube tutorial on how to master Kendall Jenner’s smudgy smokey eye from her Alice in Wonderland themed editorial shoot. On the other hand, I’m still not a pro when it comes to blending eyeshadow myself and easily give up. I’ve found that when applying powder eyeshadow, I end up using an entire pack of Pond’s makeup wipes to clean up the excess that falls beneath my lashes. Instead of giving up, I did what any other sane girl would do – switched to cream eyeshadows.
Luckily for you, I’ve tried tons of different creamy eyeshadow formulas so you don’t have to. Even though cream and stick eyeshadows always made me a little nervous (like I’d be a toddler finger-painting but with makeup), I was pleasantly surprised by the staying power and vibrancy of cream based eyeshadow. Of course, when looking for the best creamy eyeshadows, there are a few key factors to consider. You want a rich pigmented color, easy application, smooth formula among many other components. It also doesn’t hurt to read some of the best cream eyeshadow reviews by customers who have already tried it. Here are my top five best cream eyeshadows for every price point.
Maybelline Color Tattoo Eye Shadow ($5.19)
I first tested out this creamy eyeshadow thanks to famous makeup artist Lisa Eldridge’s tutorial on Youtube (see above). If it’s good enough to use on Kendall Jenner then it’s good enough for me. The affordable price point puts this in my category of best drugstore cream eyeshadows and it gets bonus points because it’s super buildable. Need more proof? Just watch the video!
One satisfied customer raved:
“Wow! All I can say is wow about this eyeshadow! I am a self proclaimed beauty junkie, so I have used every product on the market, from cheap, to expensive. This eyeshadow far exceeded my expectations. It doesn't crease, doesn't smudge, and stays ALL day. Even takes a little elbow grease with my makeup remover pads! I want one in every color now. If you are reading this, don't delay, buy one, buy all! I purchased mine in "Barely Branded," and my only tip would be to let your foundation dry completely before applying to bring out the true color of this shadow.”
Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow Stick ($30)
One of my favorite makeup tricks ever is to add a little lighter eyeshadow in the corners of your eye to highlight and illuminate your eyes. I’ve been doing it since high school and I still use that trick often. I especially love this Bobbi Brown cream shadow stick because it can easily be drawn into the corners of my eyes without blinding me and it doesn’t leave a mess. Fans also love this - they give it some of the best cream eyeshadow reviews to date especially due to the selection of colors and ease of use.
One fan said:
“This shadow stick is great! The color is subtle but vibrant, and has just enough sparkle! I normally am not skilled with eyeshadow, and this stick makes it so easy to get to a really great look.”
Glossier Lidstar ($18 or 2 for $30)
I tried Glossier’s new creamy eyeshadow offering for the first time a few days ago and I must say, it lives up to the hype. It comes in cute tube packaging but the formula is lightweight and easy to apply. I wore it all day to work (in the rain!) and it hasn’t creased once. It comes in six gorgeous hues so you can choose a barely there look or a more bold look with a pop of color.
One reviewer raved:
“My boyfriend of 6 months dumped me over text. I've been crying for twelve hours. LIDSTAR HASN'T BUDGED ONCE. she is a miracle product. she is witchcraft. I bought Lidstar in Slip. She's incredible. I'll buy her forever.”
Nyx Professional Makeup Jumbo Eye Pencil ($4.49)
File this under things I randomly picked up at Target but was pleasantly surprised about. One fateful day when I had lost my cream shadow stick, I needed a quick fix and thus ended up at Target. What drew me in was the price but what sold me was the smooth and creamy formula.
One customer said:
“I wasn't sure about this because I have never used this type of eyeshadow before but I love it! It is so smooth and glides on so nicely. It is also wonderful if you want to layer powered eyeshadow on top because it helps it stay, almost like an eyeshadow primer. I will definitely be back to buy more!!”
Tom Ford Cream and Powder Eye Color ($62)
Definitely a cream eyeshadow from the luxury sector, Tom Ford can do no wrong in my eyes. While it’s definitely on the expensive side, these cream based eyeshadows have two parts – a pigmented cream base and a sparkly powder to dust on afterward. My favorite part is that you're really able to make the color as bold or as light as you'd like and of course it feels luxurious.
One shopper mentioned:
“Been trying to attain this perfect color in this richness for years- perfect hues with strong pigment. And the powder helps to set so it doesn't budge, even without a lid primer. So convenient to have packaged in the same container. Love it!”
More on SheFinds:
-The One Eyeshadow Trend That Is Going To Be Everywhere This Spring
-5 Eyeshadow Palettes Everyone Is Already Buying For Spring
