The 15 Best Cream Eyeshadows Are My Lazy Girl Hack to Expensive-Looking Glam
Easy to apply with a rich payoff.
Cream eyeshadow used to occupy a pretty specific corner of the makeup world: sheer and mostly reserved for days when you couldn’t be bothered with a full eye look. That’s very much not the category anymore. The newest formulas give everything from a hazy wash of color to a lacquered metallic finish, with textures that blend like butter, stay put, and somehow still don't crease.
It’s also what I reach for when I want my eye makeup to feel a little less done. Unlike a perfectly blended powder look, creams have a softness to them—even when the pigment is intense—that makes whatever you swipe on feel more lived-in. Some are designed to be smudged straight from a stick, others layered with powder or tapped onto the center of the lid for dimension. The common denominator: they make very good eye makeup require remarkably little effort.
That versatility is part of what makes cream shadow so useful. There are glitter eyeshadows that can carry a look on their own, luxe quads for building up dimension, and formulas made to play well with powders. “You can create an entire eye look and then add a cream shimmer on top as the final step,” says makeup artist Dani Parkes. “You can even set the shimmer you add with a powder shadow afterward.”
Want to join the cream eyeshadow train but are unsure where to start or what to buy? Scroll ahead. Top makeup artists share the cream shadows—from drugstore eyeshadows to luxury buys—that they always keep in their kits. I also took the liberty of throwing in some of my faves. From easy-to-apply sticks to eye and cheek multipurpose duos, here are the best cream eyeshadows in the game.
The Best Cream Eyeshadows
- Best Cream Eyeshadow Overall: Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow Stick
- Best Glitter Cream Eyeshadow: Bodyography Glitter Pigment
- Best Buildable Cream Eyeshadow: Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerize
- Best Multi-Purpose Cream Eyeshadow: Danessa Myricks Colorfix Cream Pigment
- Best Shimmer Cream Eyeshadow Stick: Rare Beauty All of the Above Weightless Eyeshadow Stick
If there were a makeup product that I would describe as perfect, it would be this eyeshadow stick from Bobbi Brown. Not only is the shade range incredible, with 27 options to choose from, but there are also different finishes. This means that you can do an entire eye look, shadow, liner, and all, with just a few shades of this one product. The best part? They're super easy to quickly blend with my fingers, but once they set, they're not going anywhere.
Finish: Shimmer; Matte; Metallic
Shades: 27
What I Love: Extremely pigmented; Easy to use; Multiple finishes
What I Don't: The color range leans fairly neutral, so if you like bolder eyelooks, these sticks may not be for you
Review for MC: "As someone who wears glasses, there's nothing like finding the eyeshadow formula that not only stays put, but also shows up behind my lenses. This formula from Bobbi Brown does both, and barely takes up any space in my makeup bag. A true win-win if you ask me." — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
Ariel Baker before and after application of the the Bobbi Brown Cream Eyeshadow Stick in Espresso.
“This creamy, long-wearing, and waterproof formula is so versatile, travel-friendly, and applies like a marker. It’s also cruelty-free and sets within 30 seconds,” says makeup artist Dominique Lerma. “I love layering this as an eyeshadow base to secure the longevity of an eyeshadow look." Another selling point for these eyeshadows? They have a high-shine, metallic finish and are available in 22 various shades. Lerma also has a fail-safe application tip: “Swipe them on your eyelid from your lash line up into your crease and buff and blend it out in a windshield-wiper motion on your crease using my go-to Omnia Crease brush," he says.
Finish: Glitter
Shades: 22
What I Love: Easy to apply; Long-lasting
What I Don't: Sometimes the pigments are packed too loosely
Review for MC: "Six years ago—my first week as a beauty editor—I was introduced to these Bodyography glitter pigments. Since then, I've worn one of the 22 shades every week. Nothing beats them. The formula blends out with just my fingers and leaves the prettiest reflective quality on my lid. I swear I can't leave the house without someone stopping me to ask what's on my eyes. Off the Hook is my favorite shade (it's a taupe hue that goes with everything), but all of the colors are gorgeous." — Samantha Holender, Senior Beauty Editor
Samantha Holender before and after application of the Bodyography Glitter Pigment.
These pots have a reflective, silk-esque finish that’s incomparable to other products. The shades themself are metallic by and large, but work across a range of undertones. They’re buildable to the max, can be layered with other products, or used solo as a statement eye. But the most impressive feature is the formula’s blendability. You have time to work with the product and perfect your shape without having to worry about it drying down in five seconds. "I love this in Pillow Talk," says makeup artist Natalie Dresher. "This cream shadow shade is unique and has the perfect pinky bronze tone. It's amazing for bridal makeup or just a night on the town. I love to use this on its own for a quick look, or as an eye base to a more long-wear event makeup."
Finish: Shimmer
Shades: Four
What I Love: Blendable; High shine
What I Don't: Fades throughout the day; Wish there were more shades
Review for MC: "I'm a Charlotte Tilbury girl to my core. Pretty much every product that lands on my face is from the brand. Eyes to Mesmerize in Pillow Talk is my favorite when I want a monochromatic look. It's a soft and subtle shimmer that's great for daytime wear, but a few layers can boost the reflective factor for nighttime. The shade is simply the most flattering one I own." — Samantha Holender, Senior Beauty Editor
Samantha Holender before and after application of the Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerize cream eyeshadow.
“I’m in love with these amazing, versatile cream colors from Danessa Myricks,” says celebrity makeup artist Priscilla DiStasio. “They are great for everyone, come in all shades and finishes, and can literally be used anywhere on the face.” The matte and high shine options are stunning on the eyes, lips, and cheeks, while the metallic options look gorgeous as a highlighter or pop on the lid. The biggest plus with these little guys, however, is their incredible staying power. They’re waterproof (aka sweat- and humidity-proof), do not crease in the slightest, and will look just as pigmented at night as they did during the morning. Just be warned: They dry down quickly, so work fast.
Finish: Matte; High shine; Metallic
Shades: 45
What I Love: Long-lasting; Intense payoff; Numerous shade options and multiple finishes
What I Don't: Dries down very quickly
Review for MC: "The Colorfix line was the first formula that I ever tried from Danessa Myricks Beauty, and my collection has been growing like weeds since. I have numerous shades across the various finishes, and all of them are pigmented, long-wearing, and just downright fun to play with. The color payoff is truly next level, to the point where I have to tone it down sometimes. I recently wore one of the metallic shades for my best friend's wedding, and I used a literal dot for both eyes. You really need the most minuscule amount of product for super high impact." — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
Ariel Baker before and after application of the Danessa Myricks Colorfix Cream Pigment.
I've tried all 37 of Rare Beauty's products. If we're being honest, it's probably one of my favorite celebrity beauty brands. While I deeply admire the brow gel, the eyeshadow sticks are my most used products from the line. The colors are all very light (great for everyday wear!), and the finish is the perfect balance between a shimmer and a matte. The genius packaging is what truly gets me, though. It has a sharpener, so I can keep the eyeshadow tip sharp—a must for dragging shadow along the lower lash line.
Finish: Radiant
Shades: Six
What I Love: Stick packaging makes this so easy to apply; Great for the lower lash line; Comes with a convenient sharpener
What I Don't: Not very buildable—has an exclusively light finish
Review for MC: "Eyeshadow sticks are genuinely hit or miss for me. They all look great at the get-go and are easy to apply, but many lose my interest over time. Their cream formulas either end up creasing on my lid, which forces me to toss ‘em to the wayside. Not this one: It glides on like a dream, does not crease (like, ever), and is the perfect size to drag color along the lower lash line. I typically use it as a base and layer shimmer powder shadows on top." — Emma Aerin Becker, Contributing Beauty Writer
Emma Aerin Becker before and after application of the Rare Beauty All of the Above Weightless Eyeshadow Stick.
The biggest eyeshadow pain point? Creasing—and you can’t fight me on that. By the time dinner rolls around, chunks of shadow pool in the little lines of your lid. This cream-to-powder quad, however, manages to be the exception to the rule. Once it sets, it’s not going to budge. The luxe, metallic-finish formula gives any makeup look a long-lasting fleck of shimmer and shine. It's easily one of the best Tom Ford makeup products.
Finish: Shimmer; Matte
Shades: Four
What I Love: Smudge- and crease-free; Long-lasting
What I Don't: Expensive; A bit of fallout
Review for MC: "My go-to shade is Rose Topaz. I use a fluffy blending blush to swipe the upper left shade across my lid as a base. Then, I put the dark brown in my crease and under my lower lash line. To add a pop, I apply the bottom left sparkly shade with a domed brush in the center of my lid. The finish is pretty high-impact, which I love, and the reflective quality looks luxe. My only note: apply this before foundation; there is a bit of fallout." — Samantha Holender, Senior Beauty Editor
“This has been my favorite for a while. They’re pen-like and smudge effortlessly onto the lid, which makes them so easy to use,” says DiStasio. “They’re amazing for a quick and non-messy smokey eye. They also come in endless shades, both with matte and glowy finishes.” Use them solo, combine a few shades for a more sculpted look, or even let one double as a smudged eyeliner across your lower lash line. Oh, and one last pro tip: Toss some in your bag for midday touch-ups.
Finish: Shimmer; Matte
Shades: 30
What I Love: Easy to use; Great for lower lash line; Multiple finishes
What I Don't: Not very long-lasting
Review for MC: "I find myself doing my makeup in the back of a cab more often than I care to admit. When I need to look glam, but don't have time to sit in front of my vanity, I always reach for this Laura Mercier stick. It's quite literally the easiest eyeshadow to apply. I just draw on my lid and blend out the product with my pointer finger. My go-to is Starlight, a shimmering light pink (I'm wearing it in the photo below), but I'll reach for darker shades before a dinner or night out." — Samantha Holender, Beauty Editor
While most glitter eyeshadows will have substantial fall out, these glitter-specked, densely-packed cream pots don’t move—like, at all. “You can apply these with just your fingertips, which gives the best results for this type of cream shadow,” adds DiStasio. Just a little bit of product gives a gorgeous, reflective wash of color that catches the light at every turn. Place a dot in your inner corner, on the center of your lid, or do a full-fledged glitter eye if you feel a little fancy.
Finish: Glitter
Shades: Six
What I Love: Doesn’t crease or smudge; Intense payoff
What I Don't: Limited color selection
Customer Review: "I'm 50 and I still like to do my eyes. I received this in a Boxycharm some time ago. The color is nice and neutral, but adds so much shimmer, and doesn't look super dark or overdone. It lasts a long time as you don't need much. Goes on nice and stays." — Ulta
"Merit Solo Shadows have become a makeup kit and personal must-have," Lerma tells Marie Claire. "The shade ranges are beautiful, and a little goes a long way. They are blendable, buildable, long-wearing, and user-friendly. Vachetta is a soft rust/terracotta shade. It is universally flattering and will take you from summer bronze straight into a pumpkin spice vibe for fall."
Finish: Matte
Shades: Eight
What I Love: Makeup artist approved; Flattering shades; Lasts long
What I Don't: Oily eyelids may find that the color fades quicker
Customer Review: "I love the Merit brand--the concept, the colors, and the products. This eyeshadow does not run or crease, is easy to apply, and lasts all day. The brush is a plus, but in a pinch, I can use the eyeshadow without it for a different effect." — Sephora
Lerma's "holy grail," these MAC paint pots have been on the market for decades. In fact, I'm 95 percent sure I wore them to my high school prom. "It is no wonder why they have been on the market for so long. They are a cream product that dries to a powdery finish, is highly pigmented, long-wearing, and does not crease throughout the day. I often reach for shades Painterly (rose flesh tone undertone) and Soft Ochre (golden undertone). These paint pots can be worn alone or used as an eyeshadow base for your favorite eyeshadow look."
Finish: Vibrant yet shine-free
Shades: 14
What I Love: Makeup artist recommended; Cream to powder; Lots of great neutral tones
What I Don't: They do crease if you have oily eyelids
Customer Review: "I tried the paint pots in Painterly and Ochre colors. Both are great neutral colors that give you a matte finish. Ochre is more warm-toned toned and Painterly is cooler. They were easy to apply and blend with my finger. Warning: They dry fast, so you have to blend quickly. Applied with a base, the colors lasted most of the day. Best of all, the matte tones didn't emphasize and settle into my lines and wrinkles." — Nordstrom
This Revlon cream eyeshadow made a surprise appearance at Christian Siriano's Spring/Summer 2025 fashion show. Why? It's an easy-to-work-with drugstore formula that makes the hectic backstage application foolproof. "There’s a reason makeup artists have these in their kit! They are under $10 and work just as good as some of the higher-end brands," says Dresher. "Cherry Blossom and Praline are my favorite shades!"
Finish: Matte; Shimmer
Shades: Six
What I Love: Affordable; Easy to work with; Can be applied with a brush or fingers
What I Don't: Creases sometimes; Wish there were more shade offerings
Customer Review: "I purchased 2 of these (Black Currant & Crème Brûlée) and I'm very happy with the easy application with the included brush. Long-lasting and creamy, but not too creamy that it cakes up on the lids. Has a nice shimmery shine." — Ulta
“When looking for a cream eyeshadow, I am looking for a long-lasting formula with no creasing and buildable coverage. I love the Jones Road Just a Sec Clean Cream Eyeshadow because it has a beautiful shimmer and is super easy to apply. This formula is great for people who want a wash of color because it can be built up to a beautiful and dense shade,” says makeup artist Nydia Figueroa. “You can use your fingers or, one of my favorite brushes, the Anisa Beauty Eye Fan All-Over Brush. This brush has an incredible shape and swipes on the cream eyeshadow with ease.”
Finish: Shimmer; Metallic
Shades: 8
What I Love: Buildable; Doesn’t crease
What I Don't: Small shade collection; Glitter fallout
Customer Review: "Love how it glides on and doesn't settle into my wrinkles. Lasts all day." — Jones Road Beauty
“This is the perfect cream shadow for a minimalist makeup look. It adds a shimmer and beautifully elevates your eyes, and is super easy to use,” says Parkes. There’s no need for a brush—just swipe the applicator across your lid in your color of choice (there are eight total) and diffuse any harsh lines with your finger. You’ll be left with a sheer, very subtle wash of color that provides just a little extra oomph. Pro tip: “You can even use this product as a highlighter to create a chic monochromatic look!”
Finish: Shimmer
Shades: 8
What I Love: Easy to use; Multi-purpose
What I Don't: Not super pigmented
Customer Review: "I don't wear makeup often and decided to do my own for my wedding, so I invested in a full Glossier set. It was quite misty/rainy on my wedding day this past weekend (good luck!) and absolutely *nothing* smeared or smudged at all. I loved having low-maintenance makeup that looked great all night long!" — Glossier
“This is my holy grail product for the perfect going out look,” says Parkes. “It is highly pigmented and creates a stunning eye look on its own.” The crease-proof, 16-hour wear formula comes in a mix of matte and shimmer shades that give a dense, bold wash across the lid. The pointed applicator can be dragged along the lash line for extra drama. Want to take your pigment to another level? Parkes recommends layering this on top of a powder formula.
Finish: Shimmer; Matte
Shades: 8
What I Love: Easy to use applicator brush; Can be layered; Multi-purpose
What I Don't: Takes a moment to dry down
Customer Review: "I love the depth of color and smooth application. I have been looking for some time to find a non-shimmer shadow that could substitute for a different, very expensive brand. This is it. It’s not so easy anymore to find a great eyeshadow for an almost-80 year old woman." — Nordstrom
Leave it to Jillian Dempsey to create one of the most versatile cream shadows in the game. Not only do these creamy pigments look gorgeous when swiped across the lid, but depending on the shade you choose, they can also double as a lip tint, a blush, a bronzer, or a highlighter. They’re entirely buildable, which makes them ideal for creating a monochromatic look. An added bonus? Each pot is infused with hydrating ingredients like sunflower seed oil, coconut oil, and shea butter.
Finish: Shimmer
Shades: 9
What I Love: Multi-purpose; Buildable
What I Don't: Might cause breakouts for sensitive skin types
Customer Review: "Super happy and it’s all natural!!!! Love the look, so easy to use." — Bluemercury
What Should I Look For In a Cream Eyeshadow ?
- Texture: "I look for a cream shadow that is creamy and that will dry down to a powdery finish," says Lerma. "A product that is not too grainy or dry as it will have a short shelf life and often dries out too quickly."
- Crease-Proof: Search for long-wear claims and tests on your cream shadows. Because of the hydrating, more malleable texture, cream eyeshadows are prone to wearing off or creasing throughout the day.
- Packaging: "I also take note of the packaging that the product comes in," says Lerma. "I love when a cream product comes in glass, it helps that the formulation is not easily altered over time." This also means the pot is reusable—and often refillable.
What Are the Benefits of a Cream Eyeshadow?
I'm biased (cream eyeshadows are my personal favorite), but these shadows are typically the most versatile and easy to apply. "You can use it as a base to pack on powder eyeshadow over top, which will intensify color, or wear it alone," says Lerma.
Dresher also notes that cream textures are ideal if you have dry eyelids. "They are usually moisturizing and easy to blend, she says.
How Do I Apply a Cream Eyeshadow?
It's really up to you. "I like to apply cream eyeshadow with my finger and then take a fluffy blending brush to blend the edges for a seamless application," says Dresher. According to Lerma, you'll want a synthetic brush rather than a natural one, as the filaments are made to be used both wet and dry and help buff the product in for a seamless finish."
How We Tested
The products on this list have either been vetted by Marie Claire's Beauty team or have been hand-selected by one of the four celebrity makeup artists we spoke to. Each and every one is also highly rated by reviewers. We've swatched every product on this list, and worn it on our eyes for an entire day. Ultimately, we selected the top 15 cream eyeshadows on the market, based on their staying power, pigment, and ease of application.
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.
Meet the Experts
Priscilla DiStasio is a professional and celebrity makeup artist with over 10 years of experience in the beauty and makeup industry. First starting her professional career years ago as a MAC-certified makeup artist, Priscilla has climbed her way to the top, and since then has built a reputation that holds up a well-known name to many of today's top celebrities.
Dominique Lerma a Hollywood bred Internationally published Makeup Artist and Beauty Educator, known for her ability to create flawless complexions and innovative beauty looks.
With over 15 years of experience, Nydia has made a name for herself starting off at the age of 18 as an artist for one of the biggest company names in the world, MAC Cosmetics. She followed her dream, working for 5 time Emmy award winning makeup artist (The Today show, The View) EVE PEARL who was the reason she pursued the career of makeup over a decade ago.
Dani Parkes is a makeup artist based in New York City. She's worked with a range of celebrities, including Lea Michele, influencers, and on editorial campaigns.
Natalie Dresher, is a celebrity + bridal makeup artist in Miami and New York. With many years of experience in her field, Natalie has become a trusted name in the beauty community. Working with brands like Saie Beauty, Revlon, Maybelline and Dibs she has a lot of experience working with our favorites under her wing.
