Gorgeous Eyelids in Just 10 Seconds? Say Less (2025)

The best cream eye shadows bridge the gap between liquid and powder, delivering a blendable, buildable, and buttery finish that flatters every lid. Whether you’re reaching for a shimmer, matte, or out-of-this-world metallic, cream shadows give you playtime with pigment while they’re still pliable and then set to a proper, no-budge texture. These formulas are also super portable, often housed in tubes or pots you can toss into your bag for on-the-go application. A brush works, sure, but ask any makeup artist—your fingertips are more than qualified to do the job. We tapped industry pros and editors to break down the best cream eye shadows so you can load up on color payoff and craft your newest masterpiece. Enjoy!

Our Top Cream Eye Shadows

• Best Overall: Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Shadow, $33
• Best Matte: Merit Solo Shadow, $24
• Best Metallic: Danessa Myricks Beauty Infinite Chrome Flakes, $26
• Best Shimmery: About-Face Shadowstick, $14
• Best Waterproof: Ilia Eye Stylus Shadow Stick, $32
• Best for Mature Skin: RMS Beauty Eyelights Cream Eyeshadow, $29
• Best Liquid Hybrid: Sisley-Paris Ombre Éclat Liquide Eyeshadow, $67

Frequently Asked Questions

• How are cream eye shadows different from powder and liquid?
• What are the benefits of using a cream eye shadow?
• Meet the experts
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

Best Overall: Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Shadow

Why it's worth it: Laura Mercier's Caviar Stick is a shimmery (or matte) twist-up that delivers smudge-free, tugless wear—with a Best of Beauty Award to back it up. The secret to its velvety glide? A hydration-packed formula featuring raspberry stem cells and hyaluronic acid. And for that light-catching, multidimensional glow? You can thank ultra-fine pigments. "It's ideal for touch-ups on the go, and all you need is a quick swipe with your fingertip to blend it out," says Allure social director Kassidy Silva. "If you're an eye shadow beginner, this is the product for you." Pro tip: Tap, don't rub to blend—so you don't dull that gorgeous pigment payoff.

"I'm a die-hard fan of the Laura Mercier shadow stick in Cocoa (a rich chocolate with bronze pearl pictured above)," adds New York City-based makeup artist Kirin Bhatty. "I always have them in my kit as they are super versatile, and you can create something very natural to something very smokey in a few swipes."

Tester feedback: "I don't have the time or patience to mess around with an eyeshadow palette most mornings, which is why I love the utility of these shadow sticks,” says contributing editor Deanna Pai. “This one is easy to blend out with my fingers, and the pigment accentuates my eyes without looking too over the top."

Finish: shimmery, matte | Shades: 26 | Waterproof? yes

Best Matte: Merit Solo Shadow

Why it’s worth it: A reliable cream-to-powder formula such as Solo Shadow, is the secret to an an all-day, soft-matte look, spanning a sophisticated range of muted yet rich, sometimes jewel-toned hues. This buildable, long-wearing pigment is infused with chamomile and calendula extracts for a touch of skin-soothing comfiness, fine-line-softening peptides, and nourishing sunflower seed oil and magnolia extract. It’s not quite makeup-meets-skin-care, but it’s a welcome boost of TLC for your lids. You can apply this Best of Beauty-winning shadow with your fingers for a quick wash of color or, as Merit suggests, with Brush No. 2 for a more polished finish.

Tester feedback: “My standard eye makeup look is as follows: light brown eye shadow, tightliner, mascara. Sounds simple, but Merit's Solo Shadow in Studio (a medium-toned, taupe-y brown) really punches above its weight,” says commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann. “The thick cream formula is remarkably easy to blend with your fingers or a brush and dries down to a matte-powder finish that lasts for hours. It's my favorite hack for looking a step above put-together—like I actually tried—but takes under a minute. If you're looking to incorporate an easy-to-use eye shadow into your routine, look no further.”

Finish: matte | Shades: 8 | Waterproof? no

Best Metallic: Danessa Myricks Beauty Infinite Chrome Flakes

Why it’s worth it: Danessa Myricks figured out how to jar up magic with the advent of its Infinite Chrome Flakes. This gel-cream shadow delivers an unmatched metallic, reflective finish thanks to self-setting flakes that catch the light just so—and then some. The result? A multi-dimensional dance of phosphorescence that color-shifts with every tilt of your face. It’s also super buildable, so you can go full-fledged foil or keep it soft and subtle. Remember: The more product, the longer the dry time—give it about 30 seconds if you’re laying it on thick. Basically, it’s giving Euphoria season three.

Tester feedback: “This is perfect for people like me who want to look like they know how to apply eye shadow but really don't have a damn clue," says shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis. "It melts from a smooth gel into a plush cream, wrapping lids in multidimensional color that shifts with every angle. It’s the kind of effortless, high-impact formula that makes you look like you spent an hour blending—when really, it took seconds."

Finish: metallic | Shades: 9 | Waterproof? no

Best Shimmery: About-Face Shadowstick

Why it's worth it: Precise, pigmented, and pearlescent, About-Face's Shadowstick delivers all-out richness in just one swipe. Whether you're using its pointed tip for a liner look or going full-lid, the blendability and buildability never miss. The lineup includes statement colors, soft mattes, and subtle shimmers—so there's something for every mood. Oh, and did we mention it's a 2023 Best of Beauty Award winner? Convinced yet?

"You only really need one shade at a time to make a statement, but you can pair basically any of these shades at random, and they'll play well off of each other," sums up senior news editor Nicola Dall'Asen.

Tester feedback: "I'm not super confident with my eye shadow abilities, but this thing is truly accident-proof," says contributing commerce writer Annie Blackman. “No matter how I smear or smudge, it looks good. I like using the shade Lotus Leaf to brighten the inner corners of my eyes and even layer underneath a matte powder shadow from time to time to create a grippy, slightly shimmery base.”

Finish: shimmery, matte | Shades: 13 | Waterproof? no, water-resistant

Best Precision: Ilia Eye Stylus Shadow Stick

Why it's worth it: Feeling like nothing but looking like everything, Ilia's Eye Stylus Shadow Stick is all about crease-resistant creaminess with an easy-gliding tip, thanks to conditioning grape extract. The flat surface of the angled tip covers maximum surface area, while the thinner edge lets you line, define, and brighten those inner corners. Twelve hours later, your pigment is still going strong—no touch-ups required.

Tester feedback: "The creamy, apply-with-your-fingers formula makes these shadows great for everyday wear, and the fact that they come in stick form makes them easy to pack—in your suitcase for a trip or just in your bag for a post-work application," says content director Kara McGrath. "They come in 20 earthy shades with neutral and matte finishes, but I'm partial to Regal, a slightly shimmery bronze."

Finish: matte, shimmery | Shades: 20 | Waterproof? yes

Best Pigment: Kulfi Beauty Zari Eyes

Why it's worth it: Kulfi's Zari Eyes is named after zari, the gold and silver thread woven into traditional South Asian textiles—and just one swipe makes the connection crystal clear. This 2024 Best of Beauty-winning formula is infused with jojoba and glycerin, imparting a dose of moisture without slipping or smudging. And you've got options: Pick between five soft, shimmery neutrals or two mesmerizing metallics. "I love the wash of color just one finger-dip of this shadow gives me," shares Blackman. “It's subtle, bridging the gap between shimmery and not-so-shimmery, and the Auburn Aura shade is a sophisticatedly sexy addition to any look—especially with my bluish-green eyes.”

Tester feedback: "About 99% of the time, I can't be bothered to wear more than one eye shadow, but if I'm going to wear shadow, it better be pigmented or shimmery—and Kulfi's Zari Eyes checks both boxes," commerce editor Sarah Han says. “And the texture is unlike any other shadows—it starts as a cream, almost putty-like to the touch, but eventually dries down to a no-budge powder, which is key when you're waiting 10 minutes in the saunas that are New York City subway stations in the summer.”

Finish: shimmery, metallic | Shades: 7 | Waterproof? no

Best for Mature Skin: RMS Beauty Eyelights Cream Eyeshadow

Why it's worth it: RMS Eyelights Cream Eyeshadow is a treat for people with mature skin who crave a wash of color as much as a little extra nourishment. Long-wearing, buildable, and crease-proof (another win for mature lids), it leaves behind a light-scattering finish that easily transitions from desk to drinks. Firming quinoa peptides and antioxidant-rich green tea extract bring lid-smoothing skin-care perks, while the metal tube and turn key combo ensure you squeeze out every last drop.

Tester feedback: "I have premature aging around my eyes due to years of itching and putting steroid cream onto my eyelid eczema patches (I know—bad idea), but this is a cream eye shadow I've come to really count on," says shopping director Shanna Shipin. “It wears comfortably, has buildable color payoff, spreads easily (I just use my fingers!), and doesn't accentuate my thinning skin or wrinkles—thanks to the luminosity and metallic nature of the shades. The only downside is that it doesn't last as long as most powder eye shadows, but that's a small price to pay for zero irritation!”

Finish: light-scattering | Shades: 10 | Waterproof? no

Best Liquid Hybrid: Sisley-Paris Ombre Éclat Liquide Eyeshadow

Why it's worth it: The smooth-as-heck Sisley-Paris Ombre Éclat Liquide Eyeshadow is an all-day formula that delivers rich color payoff in a single swipe. Though it's a liquid-cream formula with the potential of serious opacity, a light-handed application lets you build anywhere from a sheer, luminous wash to full-on luster. And yes, it's a tad splurgey, but quality is everything, baby. Dab a bit of Champagne in your inner corners for an instant brightness boost.

Tester feedback: "I'm perpetually running five minutes behind during my morning beauty routine, but two swipes of the Sisley-Paris Liquid Shadow (in Copper and Pink Gold) and I'm ready to head out the door with that sparkle that adds a little pep in my step during the day," says Silva.

Finish: luminous | Shades: 9 | Waterproof? no

Frequently Asked Questions

How are cream eye shadows different from powder and liquid?

Beyond the buttery-looking finish, it’s science that sets cream eye shadows apart from their liquid and powder counterparts. “Creams and cream-to-powder eye shadows typically contain a volatile solvent like isododecane or cyclopentasiloxane that evaporates, leaving behind a pigmented film of waxes and resins,” explains cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos. This creamy texture makes for seamless blending, but that playtime has to be balanced with dry time—meaning you get enough time to work with it, but once it sets, it stays, so act fast…ish.

What are the benefits of using a cream eye shadow?

Cream eye shadows bring next-level blendability, making them a go-to for customizable looks. "[They] blend quickly and easily—you can just use your fingertips," says cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos. Another bonus? No separate primer required.

They're also a secret weapon for mature skin. "[Creamy shadows] have a smoother texture and are less likely to settle into fine lines and wrinkles," explains New York City-based makeup artist Lisa Aharon. And for those with oily lids, cream shadows can actually work in your favor, according to makeup artist Jennifer Nam. "The best part of using a non-powder shadow is that you can create a beautiful, fast look using just your fingers," she says. "Swipe it on, add mascara, and you're done."

Meet the experts

• Lisa Aharon, a makeup artist based in New York City
• Jennifer Nam, a makeup artist based in Paris
• Kelly Dobos, a cosmetic chemist
• Kirin Bhatty, a makeup artist based in New York City

How we test and review products

Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?

For our review of the best cream eye shadow, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product's performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.

Eye-catching makeup is kind of ~our thing~. Keep reading for more faves:

• 10 Best Waterline Eyeliners for Long-Lasting Definition
• Cue the Happy Tears: These Are the Best Smudge-Proof Mascaras
• We Test 100s of Eye Shadow Palettes—These Are Our Favorites

Now, watch a makeup expert guess cheap vs. expensive eye shadow:

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