Siena Gagliano
Eyeshadow can be tough to master. It can take me hours just to pick shades from my favorite eyeshadow palettes, and don’t even get me started on the blending and pesky fallout. No matter how much time I spend swiping the brush back and forth, it’s nearly impossible for me to get a seamless, clean eyeshadow look. That is, until I discovered the magic of the best eyeshadow sticks.
Think of eyeshadow sticks as a makeup beginner’s best friend. These little tubes contain silky smooth shadows that are incredibly user-friendly: just swipe your favorite shade across your lid for a one-and-done look. And if you really want to amp it up, combine a few glittery shadows and blend with your finger—no makeup brush required. Eyeshadow sticks are especially great for when you’re feeling lazy with your makeup or are running late, says celebrity makeup artist Dominique Lerma. “One swipe of a beautiful stick shadow on my eyelid—paired with a matte neutral brown on my crease—can fake that I spent more time on my eyes than I actually did," she says.
If you, too, are in your lazy girl era, I highly suggest incorporating an eyeshadow stick into your makeup routine. Below, we’ve curated a list of our favorite tried-and-true creamy eyeshadows that are easy to use, long-wearing, and work for a range of makeup looks, no matter your skill level. To make your shopping trip easier, we also consulted Lerma and fellow celeb makeup artist Zara Kaplan for expert tips on exactly what to look for in a formula, below.
Eyeshadow Sticks at a Glance
- Best Eyeshadow Sticks
- What to Look For in Eyeshadow Sticks
- How to Apply Eyeshadow Sticks
- Meet the Experts
Best Eyeshadow Sticks
- Best Overall Eyeshadow Stick: Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Shadow
- Best Budget Eyeshadow Stick: E.l.f. No Budge Shadow Stick
- Best Matte Eyeshadow Stick: Nudestix Magnetic Eye Color
- Best Waterproof Eyeshadow Stick: Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow Stick
- Best Multi-Use Eyeshadow Stick: NYX Professional Makeup Jumbo Eye Pencil
Laura Mercier's award-winning, cult-favorite Caviar Stick Eye Shadow is everything you could want in an eyeshadow stick. Available in a whopping 31 shades in a mix of finishes, there's a stick for any eye makeup look. The ultra-creamy formula is what makes these sticks a real winner; they glide like a dream against the lids without any tugging or skipping, and can be easily blended out with just your finger. If that wasn't enough, they last all day long without any creasing in sight.
Shades: 31
Finish: 19 shimmer, 12 matte
What I Love: Long-wearing; Highly pigmented; Glides on easily; Non-creasing; Bendable; Waterproof
What I Don't: Reviewers note some colors don't match the website's description
Review for MC: "I've never quite mastered the art of blending eyeshadows, so most of the time, I only reach for one color, so they have to wow me. Every one of Laura Mercier's sticks does just that, and for someone inept in the eyeshadow department, they couldn't be easier to apply. I'm especially a fan of the shade Rose Gold—it's a great eyeshadow to make green eyes pop from a mile away." — Brooke Knappenberger, Associate Commerce Editor
Brooke Knappenberger, Marie Claire Associate Commerce Editor, tests the Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Shadow.
A great pick that won't hurt your wallet is the E.l.f. No Budge Shadow Stick. At just five dollars each, these sticks are perfect for those wanting to get creative with their eyeshadow. From shimmery copper to a bright matte pink, you can have fun with the mix of tones and finishes these sticks offer. The built-in sharpener gives it major bonus points, allowing you to get an extra sharp tip.
Shades: Eight
Finish: Four shimmer, four matte
What I Love: Comes with a built-in sharpener; Long-wearing; Smudge-proof; Highly pigmented
What I Don't: Dries quickly, so there's less time for blending
Review for MC: "I tend to stick to neutral eye makeup, but when I saw E.l.f.'s color range, I knew I had to go outside my comfort zone. I opted for the trendy Brat green shade, Lava Lamp, and boy, did it pack a punch of pigment. It only took a few swipes to achieve a mega-watt bright eye look, and the effect lasted all day, staying true to its 'no budge' name. My only issue with this stick is that it does dry quickly, so you have to work fast while blending." — Brooke Knappenberger, Associate Commerce Editor
Brooke Knappenberger, Marie Claire Associate Commerce Editor, tests the E.l.f. No Budge Shadow Stick.
No list of the best eyeshadow sticks would be complete without the OG, a.k.a. Nudestix's Magnetic Eye Color. Some matte formulas can be drying and difficult to apply, but you won't run into that issue with Nudestix. These sticks have a silky smooth glide and a creamy formula you wouldn't expect to find in matte shades. Once you apply them, you have some time to blend, but once it sets, it's not budging. They have a pointed tip that makes them ideal to use as an eyeliner, too.
Shades: 21
Finish: Nine matte, 12 satin
What I Love: Comes with travel tin and sharpener; Long-wearing; Waterproof; Glides on easily
What I Don't: Dries quickly
Review for MC: "During a night out, I need an amped-up makeup look that I can achieve fast. I grabbed the reddish brown shade Fig, blended it across my lids, and then used the dark greyish brown shade Slate to line my upper lash lines. The whole look took about a minute for each eye, and the final result left me impressed, to say the least. They glide impressively well for matte shades, and the colors lasted through a night of sweaty dancing without budging." — Brooke Knappenberger, Associate Commerce Editor
Brooke Knappenberger, Marie Claire Associate Commerce Editor, tests the Nudestix Magnetic Eye Color eyeshadow stick.
In my opinion, Bobbi Brown's eyeshadow sticks are a very close runner-up to Laura Mercier's. The formula is just as buttery smooth and easy to blend out—in fact, you can similarly use your finger to blend it out if you're short on brushes. They also come with a stamp of approval from both Lerma and Kaplan. I especially love the matte color Cashew. It's a medium-red tone and looks beautiful worn solo on the lid.
Shades: 30
Finish: 18 matte, 16 shimmer
What I Love: Glides on easily; Highly pigmented; Long-wearing; Waterproof; Crease-proof; Blendable
What I Don't: Some colors are a bit sheerer than others
Review for MC: "I keep a few of these sticks in my desk drawers at the office for quick touchups throughout the day. I use the shade Golden Pink in my inner corners for the prettiest sparkle and Bark on my outer corners before an evening event. I can count on the color to stay put, even with my watery eyes and constantly touching my face. I've noticed the formula is just as creamy whether it's a shimmery finish or a matte." — Brooke Knappenberger, Associate Commerce Editor
Brooke Knappenberger, Marie Claire Associate Commerce Editor, tests the Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick.
For those who love experimenting with color, may I suggest this under-$10 pick? This eyeshadow-eyeliner hybrid comes in 16 distinct shades, including fun colors like Macaroon Mint, Cupcake Pink, and must-have neutrals. With its extra-thick design, you can create your eyeshadow look in seconds with just a swipe across the lid. It also works as an eyeliner or eyeshadow base for an even more intense color. At just $6 a pop, these are worth checking out on your next Ulta run.
Shades: 16
Finish: Eight shimmer, eight matte
What I Love: Multi-use; Under $10; Glides on easily; Blendable.
What I Don't: Difficult to sharpen; Not waterproof
Review for MC: "NYX's Jumbo Eye Pencil is marketed as multi-use, so that's exactly what I planned to do with them. One day, I used the black stick as eyeliner, which was made easy thanks to it already being shaped in a point. Another time, I used the white shade in my waterline to fake eight hours of sleep, and then the next day I wore Iced Latté as a base for a neutral matte look. Each use did not disappoint and was easy to do with this stick's creamy formula, so I'm glad to now have them in my arsenal." — Brooke Knappenberger, Associate Commerce Editor
Brooke Knappenberger, Marie Claire Associate Commerce Editor, tests the NYX Professional Makeup Jumbo Eye Pencil eyeshadow stick.
Other Eyeshadow Sticks I Love
Can Rare Beauty do no wrong? According to Marie Claire's Beauty Editor, Samantha Holender, who's tested all 37 Rare Beauty products, apparently not. "It glides on like a dream, does not crease (like, ever), and is the perfect size to drag color along the lower lash line," says Holender. All six of the available shades have a shimmery sheen, so they work for day-to-night looks. Thanks to the built-in sharpener, it works just as well as an eyeliner.
Shades: Six
Finish: Six shimmer
What I Love: Comes with built-in sharpener; Glides on easily; Non-creasing
What I Don't: Limited shade range
Customer Review: "Absolutely love this shade! It has a seamless velvety finish. Super blendable and doesn’t need any precision to use this product. A little goes a long way and lasts for a long time. You can use a little for an everyday look or use more for an evening look. Lasts all day with no creasing or movement. Even with hot days, the eyeshadow stays." — Sephora
We love a hard-working beauty product. This eyeshadow stick from IT Cosmetics is formulated with skin-loving ingredients like peptides, collagen, ceramides, and caffeine for smoother, firmer eyelids over time. Shades range from shimmery amethyst to matte deep brown and true gold. Reviewers especially love how easily these sticks apply and how well they work for oily eyes.
Shades: 14
Finish: Seven shimmer, seven matte
What I Love: Glides on easily; Waterproof; Formulated with skin-smoothing ingredients
What I Don't: Dries quickly, so blend quickly
Customer Review: "This is now my go-to for a little all-over color or to layer other colors on top. It's not cakey or heavy, just the right touch of color and blends so well with each application without needing to use your fingers or a brush!" — Ulta
Mature skin—especially around the eyes—needs a little extra TLC. The worst thing you could use is a dry eyeshadow stick that tugs and irritates your eyelids. Jane Iredale's shadow sticks were specially made with mature skin's needs in mind. With nourishing ingredients like ceramides, vitamin C, and jojoba seed oil, these eyeshadow sticks support skin hydration and improve the look of fine lines while delivering a heavy dose of color—what's not to love?
Shades: 10
Finish: Five shimmer, five matte
What I Love: Glides on easily; Formulated with hydrating ingredients; Comes with built-in sharpener; Blendable
What I Don't: Not waterproof
Customer Review: "Love the creamy texture and neutral color of this eye shadow! For my aging skin, the cream option is definitely friendlier! A quality product that I am pleased with!" — Jane Iredale
When I'm rushing to get out the door in the morning, there's nothing better than a multi-tasking product like this one. I'm not ashamed to admit I've used this two-in-one stick on the subway during a busy morning. The eyeshadow end is creamy and easy to blend out, so I don't even need a mirror to apply, and if I have an extra minute, I'll use the eyeliner end for some definition. Both formulas last the entire day and never have to be sharpened thanks to this pencil's twist-up design.
Shades: Six
Finish: Five shimmer, one matte
What I Love: Twist-up, dual-ended design; Waterproof; Dermatologist- and ophthalmologist-tested; Glides on easily
What I Don't: Limited shade range
Customer Review: "I love to tightline but have never found an eyeliner that stays on my upper lid and doesn't transfer all over my bottom. In addition, most eyeliners irritate my eyes, making them itchy or burning all day. I bought this on a whim, and it is magical for me. Stays in place 100% until I take it — Ulta
"I'm not great at makeup, so this taupe-colored shadow stick from Halsey's makeup brand About-Face is perfect for me," admits MC's Fashion E-Commerce Editor, Julia Marzovilla. She'll either use it across her entire upper lashline for a dramatic look, or just in the inner corners for a brightening touch. "It makes my green eyes pop and lasts for hours. The formula is also blendable for a few seconds after you apply, so it's also great for an all-over look on the lid," she says. True to brand, this stick comes in fun colors to play with.
Shades: 13
Finish: Seven shimmer, six matte
What I Love: Highly pigmented; Long-wearing; Blendable; Fun color range
What I Don't: Some reviewers note creasing with hooded eyes
Customer Review: "I purchased the eyeshadow stick in black to use as an eyeliner. It stays all day through heat and humidity. It makes for the perfect smoky eye effect. Super easy to apply. Solid, saturated color with one swipe, and it doesn't shift or migrate downward. No raccoon eyes! Absolutely stunning! I immediately bought two more after trying it!" — Ulta
Shimmer lovers absolutely have to try this two-in-one eyeshadow stick. One side is a creamy, pearlescent shade that delivers high-impact color and glides on like a dream. The other side is a liquid glitter glaze that complements the crayon shade. Each can be worn on its own—for intense metallic color, opt for the crayon side, or for a sheer wash of glitter, go with the glaze side. But worn together, these two formulas combine to create an ultra-glam, long-lasting "wet" effect. I can't forget to mention my eyeshadow stayed flawless through a whole night of dancing after using these sticks.
Shades: 11
Finish: 11 shimmer
What I Love: two-in-one formula; Glides on easily; Multi-use; Highly pigmented
What I Don't: Only available in a shimmery finish
Customer Review: "This eyeshadow is very smooth, creamy, very easy to apply, and long-lasting. It blends beautifully. The size is very convenient for traveling. It can be used for daily makeup or a night out. Love it, I will get more colors!" — Ulta
Don't sleep on Sephora's in-house beauty collection, mainly because its incredible shade range is hard to beat. This Sephora stick is available in almost every color, from terracotta red to khaki green. While these work as eyeliner, they are especially great for eyeshadow thanks to their thickness. One sweep is all you need for intense color, but you can also layer your favorite shades to add some depth. Just work fast while blending, as these pencils do dry down quickly.
Shades: 25
Finish: 13 shimmer, 12 matte
What I Love: Waterproof; Long-wearing; Highly pigmented; Multi-use
What I Don't: Difficult to sharpen; Dries quickly
Customer Review: "When I went to return [another eyeshadow stick], a Sephora employee told me to try this one instead. This one is exactly what I was wanting!! It stays in place all day, doesn’t crease, doesn’t transfer, isn’t too matte/ dry looking, and comes off easily with waterproof eye makeup remover." — Sephora
What to Look For in Eyeshadow Sticks
- Pigmentation
Nothing is worse than applying multiple layers of eyeshadow to get high-impact pigmentation. "You don’t want an eyeshadow stick that will just disappear on your eyelids after blending," says Kaplan. The makeup artist recommends looking for a pigmented eyeshadow stick—just swatch the stick on the back of your hand to test its color payoff.
- Texture
Texture is another big factor when on the hunt for an eyeshadow stick. Lerma explains that a great eyeshadow stick won’t be drying or won’t dry too quickly: “The best way I test it is to apply it like a chunky marker from my lash line up into the crease of my eyes. If it cannot apply gently with one swipe and begins to skip in one forward motion, the formula is too dry and will not be easily blendable.” Plus, it can be too rough and uncomfortable on the delicate skin around the eye.
- Blendability
This brings me to the next area of consideration—blendability. “An amazing eyeshadow stick should blend seamlessly,” Lerma advises. "Whether I want it matte or shimmery depends on the occasion, but it needs to blend quickly and dry down nicely," Kaplan adds.
How to Apply Eyeshadow Sticks
What makes eyeshadow sticks so great is that they're one of the most user-friendly makeup products available, so rest assured, there is no right or wrong way to apply them. But if you want a pro-level application, Kaplan has a few tips up her sleeve. While you can absolutely use your finger to blend, she recommends applying the pigment over the eyelid and then using a fluffy eyeshadow brush to blend upwards and outwards.
Another pro tip? "Apply most of the pigment on the lower half of your eyelid closer to the lash line and blend upwards," Kaplan explains. "That way you don’t over-apply product, making it incredibly hard to blend away the pigment." You should have a beautifully diffused look outside your eye crease when you've finished.
Why Trust Marie Claire?
For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion, and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.
How We Tested
Marie Claire Associate Commerce Editor, Brooke Knappenberger, went through a vigorous testing period where she reviewed dozens of eyeshadow sticks. After determining the top picks alongside makeup artists, she tested the eyeshadows on her eyelids, considering how long they last, how they apply, the ingredients, and how they feel to compile this list of the 12 best eyeshadow sticks.
Meet the Experts
Dominique Lerma is a celebrity makeup artist, and her self-taught passion flourished while she worked with MAC Cosmetics, soon becoming a Viva Glam Ambassador shortly after. She serves as an expert source for InStyle, Nylon, Runway, and Photo Vogue Italia. Dominique’s resume includes Beauty, editorial, celebrity, advertising, rebranding, and bridal.
She serves as a Beauty Educator for Frankie Rose Cosmetics and is a bilingual traveling sales representative for both Enzo Milano Professional Hair Styling Tools and Royal Langnickel Brushes. Her creative expertise consists of Makeup artistry, hairstyling, and men’s grooming.
Zara Kaplan is a British celebrity Makeup Artist currently living in Los Angeles. Having started her career in 2012, Kaplan has since gone on to work with globally renowned brands such as Chanel, La Mer, Louis Vuitton, Kosas Cosmetics, and many more.
