The 13 Finest Cream Eyeshadows of 2024, Examined & Reviewed

Finish: Shimmer or matte | Shades: 25 | Examined Shade: Modern Rose | Cruelty-Free: No

Laura Mecier’s Caviar Stick Eyeshadow checked the entire bins for us in a cream shadow, full stop. Our tester, who tried the shade Modern Rose (a shimmery dusty pink), raved about its creamy texture—she well-known that it unfold merely and imparted ample pigment to create even safety that not at all felt greasy or heavy on her lids.

Mixing was a breeze, too. When our tester used every her finger and a brush to combine it out, she well-known that it not at all appeared patchy and delivered a relentless pigment that layered successfully with totally different merchandise like matte eyeliner. One different plus? The pigment stayed put all day—no fading or smudging, even when she rubbed her eye—and its refined shimmer finish appeared refined and beautiful. 

Complete, we’d advocate this product to anyone who’s new to cream shadows and feeling intimidated by them; its stick formulation makes it a improbable throw-on-and-go product, and it moreover works successfully day to nighttime. Our tester is already planning on looking for additional shades. Critically!

Ally Hirschlag, affiliate editorial director: “This shadow imparts an aesthetic glow…I actually like its color, buildability, how prolonged and evenly it wears, and the best way easy it is to make use of. I’m already making an attempt into looking for totally different shades!”

Finish: Pearlescent | Shades: 14 | Examined Shade: Bare Analysis | Cruelty-Free: No

MAC’s Skilled Longwear Paint Pot Shadow, which is offered in a jar format, was moreover an actual standout. Our tester utilized the mannequin’s Bare Analysis shade, a snug beige with a gold pearlescent finish, and was immediately impressed with its snug, creamy texture. She reported that it utilized simply—she used her fingers and blended it out with a brush—and that she didn’t observe any patchiness until the highest of an 80-degree night time time. (She moreover has oily, hooded eyelids, so this was a severe win in her e-book.)

According to our tester, this MAC shadow’s shade and finish had been attractive. This particular hue delivered an opaque wash of color with a luminous, pearly finish—one which stayed put all day (and night time time). The matte shades moreover work as standalone shadows and primers for additional detailed eye seems to be like. For anyone looking for a long-wearing, pro-grade shadow, attain for this one.

Caitlyn Martyn, affiliate editor: “Straightforward and silky are the simplest phrases to clarify this shadow. It delivered the exact shade and finish I wanted! It had a pearlescent finish that took it up a notch.”

Finish: Satin to matte | Shades: 16 | Examined Shade: White | Cruelty-Free: Certain

On a funds? Determine up drugstore staple NYX’s Jumbo Eye Pencil, a multi-use product that works as a cream eyeshadow, eyeliner, and even an eyeshadow primer. Our tester opted for the White shade, which has a additional matte finish, and utilized it as an actual shadow on her eyelids. The very very first thing that impressed her was its versatility and intense pigment.

She moreover reported that this product was very reliable besides there was sweat or water involved. It had extreme endurance, as a result of it wore just about all day with out her noticing a distinction. Nonetheless be steered that on account of the formulation is so thick and very pigmented, it may probably are prone to crease or overwhelm the eyelids if utilized too intently. Other than that, though, it applies precisely and models successfully—an actual steal for successfully under $10.

Tester Shelby: “This product’s thick consistency and extreme pigmentation (as a result of it comes as a stick) allow it to ultimate all day. I wouldn’t change one thing about this product; it does its job for the value stage.”

Finish: Luminous or matte | Shades: 27 | Examined Shade: Twilight | Cruelty-Free: Certain

If the target is a additional pure seek for frequently placed on, we preferred Nudestix’s Magnetic Eye Shade, an eyeshadow pencil with a creamy, blendable texture and a lighter pigment payoff. Our tester tried this shadow in two finishes—one luminous and one matte, nonetheless every in taupe brown hues—and positioned that its snug texture felt {{smooth}} on the pores and pores and skin and not at all induced creasing. All through testing, she utilized the pencil on to her eyelid and blended it collectively together with her fingers. 

She moreover well-known that this shadow wasn’t very pigmented; she wanted to use a lot of layers to reach her desired safety stage. Nonetheless, for her, this was a optimistic—even with one or two layers, its sheer wash of color appeared gorgeous and pure, considerably for daytime. We advocate this cream shadow persist with anyone looking for a lighter color payoff and as well as for inexperienced individuals as a result of it’s very simple to make use of and blend. 

Tester Katie: “I really favored this pencil’s sheer finish. It made it very easy to get a light-weight wash of color on the eyes super shortly. It’s good for an frequently look.”

Finish: Matte | Shades: 8 | Examined Shades: Deep Brown, Warmth Inexperienced | Cruelty-Free: Certain

Benefit Magnificence’s Solo Shadow was our favorite matte alternative on this report, far and away. First, its texture was distinctive: it’s a cream-to-powder formulation that initially feels balmy nonetheless dries down into an ultra-lightweight powder. Our tester, who tried the shades Deep Brown and Warmth Inexperienced, used her finger to make use of it and positioned that it imparted a sheer nonetheless buildable wash of color. 

Although she well-known that the making use of course of might set off some patchiness on account of the formulation dried so shortly, she added that it was easy to create a good look with additional layers on account of it was so calmly pigmented. Nonetheless as quickly as this shadow was on, it stayed put. She well-known that it didn’t budge all through a protracted night time outing—there was fully zero creasing or change. As far as matte cream shadows go, it’s inconceivable to go fallacious with this one.

Lauren Pardee, senior editor: “This color could also be very sheer and matte—I really desire it for a one-toned, smoked-out look. One swipe may be ample when you want a additional understated look, or this color could also be very buildable for a bolder kind. Each means, it holds up all through a protracted night time outing.”

Finish: Matte or shimmer | Shades: 17 | Examined Shade: Crème Brulee | Cruelty-Free: X

For these looking for a sheer wash of color, drugstore staple Revlon hits it out of the park with its ColorStay Crème Eye Shadow. When our tester utilized the Crème Brulee shade to her lids, she well-known that its first layer equipped a refined pop of color and sparkle, nonetheless that together with additional layers imparted ample pigment for a night out or one different special occasion. Moreover, as quickly as this product was on, it stayed put; she didn’t uncover any fading, creasing, or smudging after larger than 10 hours of damage and tear. (Nonetheless, if she added a lot of layers to create a bolder look, she seen slight creasing/pilling after spherical eight hours.)

She moreover preferred the packaging, along with its ultra-portable jar and its built-in brush (though she hottest to make use of and blend the product collectively together with her fingertips). Complete, we advocate this one to anyone making an attempt in order so as to add additional versatile cream eyeshadows to their make-up bag—it’s a robust stay-put eyeshadow that blends splendidly and is nice for day-to-night placed on. 

Tester Brittany: “The color was snug and shimmery—it not at all appeared overwhelming or overpowering. Moreover, the jar it acquired right here in was cute and its built-in brush was a pleasing contact, although I hottest to make use of this product with my fingertips.”

Finish: Shimmer | Shades: 10 | Examined Shade: Oyster Pearl | Cruelty-Free: Certain

In search of buildable safety for subtler or bolder seems to be like? We advocate Charlotte Tilbury’s Eyes To Mesmerize Cream Eyeshadow. Our tester utilized the shade Oyster Pearl and raved that its color payoff was gorgeous—she described its finish as a mix of shimmer and metallic—and that it was very simple to layer for assertion seems to be like, along with with totally different merchandise like darkish eyeliners. She moreover added that it actually works successfully as a highlight shadow atop totally different matte selections.

Be steered that considerably goes an incredible distance, though. She reported that this shadow’s creamy texture made it barely troublesome to make use of from its jar; it tended to maneuver spherical on her lids and can merely actually really feel heavy or greasy if she used an extreme quantity of product. She added that it lasted for about six hours sooner than she seen any creasing or fading. Complete, we advocate this product to anyone looking for a creamy, shimmery shadow that blends and builds successfully.

Ally Hirschlag, affiliate editorial director: “I actually like the color payoff of this shadow. It’s very easy to combine out the formulation and assemble it up for daring seems to be like.”

Finish: Matte or shimmer | Shades: 29 | Examined Shade: Golden Bronze | Cruelty-Free: No

For a special-occasion shadow with gorgeous color payoff, go for Bobbi Brown’s Prolonged-Placed on Waterproof Cream Eyeshadow Stick. Our tester, who swiped this product on throughout the shade Golden Bronze, well-known that its barely metallic-glittery finish appeared shimmery nonetheless not overwhelming. It’s buildable, too; one layer imparted a contact of color and sparkle, whereas a lot of layers created a additional intense, pigmented look that was wonderful for a night out or a celebration. 

She preferred how easy this product was to make use of—she swiped it on straight from its twist-up stick applicator and blended it out collectively together with her fingers—and well-known that it dried down shortly. Nonetheless, she moreover added that it may probably actually really feel heavy on the lids with too many layers.

Be steered that this product could be very waterproof! Our tester well-known that it didn’t budge, change, or crease even after hours of damage and tear, nonetheless make certain you’re outfitted with a improbable make-up remover to jumpstart the eradicating course of.

Tester Brittany: “This eyeshadow seems to be like good for as a minimum eight hours. As soon as I wore all of it day and into the night time, I didn’t uncover any creasing, caking, or smudging, even by the purpose I wanted to scrub it off.”

Finish: Extreme shine, matte, or metallic | Shades: 44 | Examined Shade: Celebration | Cruelty-Free: Certain

We love a multi-use product proper right here at Byrdie, nonetheless Danessa Myricks Colorfix—which works as an eyeshadow and a cheek or lip pigment—stood out throughout the cream shadow class in its private correct. Our tester opted for the Celebration shade (a chestnut brown with a metallic finish) and talked about that its intense pigment impressed her immediately; one layer did the trick for an opaque wash of color that stayed vibrant all day and night time time.

She moreover reported that the formulation was easy to make use of and blend. She utilized it with a brush and adjusted it collectively together with her fingers, noting that it was easy to regulate sooner than it dried down into its budge-proof finish. Nonetheless be steered that considerably goes an incredible distance, though—even a small dot will do that trick.

Tester Katie: “This color stayed vibrant all day; I was very impressed by how lots the reflection of the shimmer lasted on my eyelids successfully into the night time hours, even with out the utilization of a primer beneath.”

Finish: Matte or shimmer | Shades: 8 | Examined Shade: Cloudy Rose | Cruelty-Free: No

When testing the Cloudy Rose shade of L’Oréal’s Le Shadow Stick, she was shocked at how its shimmery wash of color stayed put all day prolonged—even with out the utilization of an eyeshadow primer beneath or a setting spray or powder on excessive. She moreover preferred that this shadow was remarkably transfer-proof; hours after her preliminary utility, she tried to smudge it collectively together with her fingertips and was unsuccessful.

Making use of this shadow was easy, too. Our tester swiped it on with the ball-tip applicator and blended it out collectively together with her fingers, noting that it felt {{smooth}} (not at all heavy or greasy) and that it glided gently all through her eyelids. For that cause, we’d moreover advocate this product for inexperienced individuals. Regardless that it’s budge-proof as quickly as utilized, it’s extraordinarily lightweight and easy to regulate as a result of it dries down.

Tester Chelsea: “I was impressed with how prolonged the color lasted with out its shimmery pigments ever making an attempt patchy. It’s very transfer-proof, as successfully.”

Finish: Shimmer and metallic | Shades: 7 | Examined Shade: Plum Pataka | Cruelty-Free: Certain

Discovering a lightweight and long-wearing cream shadow is essential, significantly whenever you’ve acquired oily eyelids. Enter Kulfi’s Zari Eyes Eyeshadow, a mousse-like formulation that, in response to our tester, felt almost weightless on the eyelids. When she utilized the mannequin’s shimmery Plum Pataka shade—first collectively together with her fingertips sooner than mixing out with a fluffy eyeshadow brush—she was struck by its daring pigmentation and endurance. Even after hours of damage and tear, she observed fully zero creasing, smearing, working, or fading.

One issue to note: This shadow dries down in a short while, so mixing shortly is essential, too! (We advocate engaged on one eye at a time, proper right here.)  Nonetheless whole, for a lightweight, shimmery shadow with unmatched endurance, go for this product.

Alyssa Kaplan, affiliate editor: “This cream eyeshadow is just about bulletproof—its shimmery finish stays put all day prolonged with out creasing, smearing, working, or fading. As quickly because it models, it models.”

Finish: Luminous | Shades: 11 | Examined Shade: Strobe | Cruelty-Free: Certain

For statement-making shadow seems to be like, attain for RMS Magnificence’s Eyelights Cream Eyeshadow. Its liquid formulation is on the thicker side and could also be barely messy to make use of—our tester found it was greatest to dab on collectively together with her finger nonetheless added {{that a}} brush is nice for precise utility and mixing—nonetheless that it was 100% worth it for its accomplished look and feel.

Residing proof: When she utilized the Strobe shade, she raved about its lovely, high-intensity pigment and glittery, high-shine finish. Its color lasted all day, too, with none change, creasing, patching, or smudging. Complete, for a full-glamour second, that’s the shadow in order so as to add to your cart. It’s wonderful for anyone who doesn’t draw again from metallic shine and loves the drama of a daring, grunge, or futuristic eye look.

Lauren Pardee, senior editor: “This eyeshadow could also be very pigmented nonetheless it is also attainable to combine it out a bit to be additional refined—each means, you get lovely color and a glittery shine that lasts. That’s the product to buy for a full-glamour second.”

Finish: Shimmer, metallic, or matte | Shades: 54 | Examined Shade: Champagne Shimmer | Cruelty-Free: Certain

Julep’s Eyeshadow 101 Crème to Powder Waterproof Eyeshadow Stick is offered in a shade and finish for every alternative, with larger than 50 shimmer, metallic, and matte hues on present. Our tester opted for the mannequin’s Champagne Shimmer shade and immediately wanted it in several colors and finishes.

Why? When she utilized it with its twist-up stick applicator (sooner than mixing it out collectively together with her fingertips), it glided on simply and felt lightweight on her eyelids. It moreover layered successfully with every cream and powder eyeshadows, along with with eyeliner. Although it required a few layers to comprehend true opacity, she cherished its natural-looking finish and well-known that fewer layers would work fully for a additional sheer frequently look.

Tester Lauren: “I might describe this shadow’s finish as pearly or shimmery; it’s pure, light, and flattering. I might placed on this product alone or layered with totally different metallic shadows for a additional dramatic look.”