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 all the containers 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 enough pigment to create even safety that certainly not 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 certainly not appeared patchy and delivered a continuing pigment that layered successfully with completely 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 delicate shimmer finish appeared refined and beautiful. 

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

Ally Hirschlag, affiliate editorial director: “This shadow imparts a cultured glow…I actually like its coloration, buildability, how prolonged and evenly it wears, and the best way easy it is to make use of. I’m already wanting into searching for completely different shades!”

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

MAC’s Skilled Longwear Paint Pot Shadow, which is accessible in a jar format, was moreover an actual standout. Our tester utilized the mannequin’s Bare Analysis shade, a young beige with a gold pearlescent finish, and was immediately impressed with its tender, 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 evening time. (She moreover has oily, hooded eyelids, so this was a critical win in her e-book.)

According to our tester, this MAC shadow’s shade and finish had been stunning. This express hue delivered an opaque wash of coloration with a luminous, pearly finish—one which stayed put all day (and evening time). The matte shades moreover work as standalone shadows and primers for additional detailed eye appears. For anyone on the lookout for a long-wearing, pro-grade shadow, attain for this one.

Caitlyn Martyn, affiliate commerce editor: “Straightforward and silky are the proper 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 nearly all day with out her noticing a distinction. Nevertheless be recommended that on account of the formulation is so thick and very pigmented, it might are inclined to crease or crush the eyelids if utilized too carefully. Except for that, though, it applies precisely and items successfully—an actual steal for successfully beneath $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 price stage.”

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

If the purpose is a additional pure seek for regularly placed on, we favored Nudestix’s Magnetic Eye Coloration, 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 tender texture felt {{smooth}} on the pores and pores and skin and certainly not 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. However, for her, this was a optimistic—even with one or two layers, its sheer wash of coloration appeared gorgeous and pure, notably for daytime. We advise this cream shadow persist with anyone on the lookout for a lighter coloration payoff and likewise for learners 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 coloration on the eyes large quickly. It’s good for an regularly look.”

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

Benefit Magnificence’s Solo Shadow was our favorite matte chance on this itemizing, 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 coloration. 

Although she well-known that the equipment course of could set off some patchiness on account of the formulation dried so quickly, she added that it was easy to create a good look with additional layers on account of it was so calmly pigmented. Nevertheless as quickly as this shadow was on, it stayed put. She well-known that it didn’t budge all through an prolonged evening outing—there was utterly zero creasing or change. As far as matte cream shadows go, it’s unimaginable to go mistaken with this one.

Lauren Pardee, senior commerce editor: “This coloration may very well be very sheer and matte—I really want it for a one-toned, smoked-out look. One swipe may be enough if you want a additional understated look, or this coloration may very well be very buildable for a bolder mannequin. Each method, it holds up all through an prolonged evening outing.”

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

For these looking out for a sheer wash of coloration, 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 supplied a fragile pop of coloration and sparkle, nonetheless that together with additional layers imparted enough pigment for a night out or one different massive day. Moreover, as quickly as this product was on, it stayed put; she didn’t uncover any fading, creasing, or smudging after better than 10 hours of wear and tear and tear. (However, if she added a lot of layers to create a bolder look, she seen slight creasing/pilling after spherical eight hours.)

She moreover favored 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). Basic, we propose this one to anyone wanting in order so as to add additional versatile cream eyeshadows to their make-up bag—it’s a powerful stay-put eyeshadow that blends splendidly and is sweet for day-to-night placed on. 

Tester Brittany: “The color was tender and shimmery—it certainly not appeared overwhelming or overpowering. Moreover, the jar it received right here in was cute and its built-in brush was a nice contact, regardless that I hottest to make use of this product with my fingertips.”

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

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

Be recommended that barely goes an awesome 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. Basic, we propose this product to anyone looking out 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 appears.”

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

For a special-occasion shadow with gorgeous coloration 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 coloration and sparkle, whereas a lot of layers created a additional intense, pigmented look that was very good for a night out or a celebration. 

She favored 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 quickly. However, she moreover added that it might actually really feel heavy on the lids with too many layers.

Be recommended that this product will be very waterproof! Our tester well-known that it didn’t budge, change, or crease even after hours of wear and tear and tear, nonetheless make sure you’re outfitted with an unimaginable make-up remover to jumpstart the elimination course of.

Tester Brittany: “This eyeshadow appears good for at least eight hours. As soon as I wore all of it day and into the evening, I didn’t uncover any creasing, caking, or smudging, even by the purpose I wanted to clean 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 coloration that stayed vibrant all day and evening 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. Nevertheless be recommended that barely goes an awesome distance, though—even a small dot will do that trick.

Tester Katie: “This coloration stayed vibrant all day; I was very impressed by how lots the reflection of the shimmer lasted on my eyelids successfully into the evening hours, even with out utilizing 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 coloration stayed put all day prolonged—even with out utilizing an eyeshadow primer beneath or a setting spray or powder on prime. She moreover favored that this shadow was remarkably transfer-proof; hours after her preliminary software program, 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}} (certainly not heavy or greasy) and that it glided gently all through her eyelids. For that cause, we’d moreover recommend this product for learners. Although it’s budge-proof as quickly as utilized, it’s extraordinarily lightweight and simple 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 wanting 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 if in case you’ve gotten oily eyelids. Enter Kulfi’s Zari Eyes Eyeshadow, a mousse-like formulation that, in response to our tester, felt nearly 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 wear and tear and tear, she seen utterly zero creasing, smearing, working, or fading.

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

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

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

For statement-making shadow appears, attain for RMS Magnificence’s Eyelights Cream Eyeshadow. Its liquid formulation is on the thicker aspect and may very well be barely messy to make use of—our tester found it was finest to dab on collectively together with her finger nonetheless added {{that a}} brush is sweet for actual software program and mixing—nonetheless that it was 100% worth it for its accomplished feel and appear.

Working instance: When she utilized the Strobe shade, she raved about its engaging, high-intensity pigment and glittery, high-shine finish. Its coloration lasted all day, too, with none change, creasing, patching, or smudging. Basic, for a full-glamour second, that’s the shadow in order so as to add to your cart. It’s very good 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 commerce editor: “This eyeshadow may very well be very pigmented nonetheless you can also combine it out a bit to be additional delicate—each method, you get engaging coloration 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 accessible in a shade and finish for every want, with better than 50 shimmer, metallic, and matte hues on provide. 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 lot of layers to achieve true opacity, she cherished its natural-looking finish and well-known that fewer layers would work utterly for a additional sheer regularly look.

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