15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (2024)

15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (1)

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Looking for a way to simplify your makeup routine? Meet the easy-to-use eyeshadow stick. It's intended to make eyeshadow application a breeze with its swipe-and-go application and stay-all-day creamy formula. "I often use eyeshadow sticks because they are so quick and convenient," says makeup artist Suzy Gerstein. "I love that you can sketch on the color without worrying about perfection, and you don't have to worry about fallout or creasing." You can swipe on an eyeshadow stick all over the lid for a wash of color or layer it with other hues to create a multidimensional look. While you can apply it with a brush, eyeshadow sticks tend to be effortlessly creamy, so "you can blend it with your fingers as they melt into the skin," says Tayaba Jafri, Laura Mercier global beauty director.

What to look for in eyeshadow sticks

Eyeshadow sticks are available in many colors and finishes, so choosing a formula is up to personal preference. You'll want to go for a crayon with beautiful pigmentation and a smooth texture for the easiest application. Some formulas also have skincare benefits, like hydrating ingredients for dry eyes or mattifying options for oily lids, says Jafri. Ahead, shop the best eyeshadow sticks—they might make you forgo your palettes for good.

1

Best for Mature Skin

It Cosmetics Superhero No-Tug Longwear Eyeshadow Stick

15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (8)

Why We Love It
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (9)Great for sensitive skin
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (10)Helps smooth uneven texture
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (11)Available in matte and pearl finishes
What to Consider
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (12)Nothing

Available in 12 pearl and matte shades, this formula glides onto lids without tugging or pulling. It's a great option for those worried about fine lines or other signs of aging because the formula contains peptides, hydrolyzed collagen, and caffeine to brighten eyes and smooth texture.

2

Best Long-Lasting Eyeshadow Stick

MAYBELLINE Color Tattoo Longwear Multi-Use Eye Shadow Stix

15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (13)

15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (14)

Why We Love It
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (15)Long-lasting formula
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (16)Budget-friendly
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (17)Available in multiple colors and finishes
What to Consider
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (18)Nothing

Want intense pigment that doesn't budge? This shadow stick gets the job done. "I swiped this formula on the back of my hand and was excited by how smooth and creamy it felt," says Oprah Daily beauty editor Genesis Rivas. "Even more impressive: its ability to stay in place even when I tried to rub and smudge it. It only came off after I used a makeup wipe." It comes in 16 matte and shimmer shades, from wearable neutrals to vibrant hues.

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3

Best Overall

Bobbi Brown Dual-Ended Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow Stick

15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (19)

Why We Love It
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (20)Dual-ended matte and shimmer shades
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (21)Easy to use

This dual-ended eyeshadow stick won a 2023 beauty award because it's a wand that does it all. One end offers a matte shade that you can draw along your lash line and lids. The other side has a complementary shimmer shade you can apply on the inner corners or center of the lid to highlight and make your eyes pop.

4

Best Drugstore Eyeshadow Stick

e.l.f. Cosmetics No Budge Shadow Stick

15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (23)

Why We Love It
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (24)Crease-proof
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (25)Creamy formula
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (26)Affordable
What to Consider
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (27)Available in only four shades

This eyeshadow stick is so good and budget-friendly that you won't feel bad about stocking up on two or three of them. The formula is creamy, blendable, and stays put, so no need to worry about creasing, smudging, or fading. It comes in four metallic shades.

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5

Best for Oily Skin

NUDESTIX Magnetic Matte Eye Color

15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (28)

Why We Love It
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (29)Waterproof
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (30)Doesn't smudge or crease
What to Consider
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (31)Dries quickly, so you need to blend fast

If oily eyelids tend to wreak havoc on your eyeshadow looks, you'll love this long-wear waterproof, tear-proof, and smudge-proof formula. It swipes on creamy and smooth but dries quickly to stay put for hours. Shop it in nine neutral shades, from black to cream and gray.

6

Best Lightweight Eyeshadow Stick

Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez All of the Above Weightless Eyeshadow Stick

15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (32)

Why We Love It
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (33)Lightweight
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (34)Has a built-in sharpener
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (35)Easy to blend
What to Consider
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (36)Some reviewers say it tends to crease

You'll barely notice you have makeup on when using this formula. It's very lightweight and seamless in application. The pointed tip and smooth consistency allows you to line, fill, smoke out, and highlight the eyes with a single stroke.

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7

Best Neutral Shades

CHANEL Stylo Ombre Et Contour Eyeshadow

15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (37)

Why We Love It
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (38)Can use as eyeliner and shadow
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (39)Blendable texture
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (40)Great for layering
What to Consider
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (41)Available in limited colors.

Gerstein loves to use these sticks as both eyeshadow and eyeliner. They're also great for "creating depth underneath powder shadows," she says. "Layering a cream stick with a powder shadow is a red carpet trick that makes eyes pop and increases the longevity of makeup." The shadows are available in four neutral shades: a light beige, cool-toned taupe, chocolate brown, and a black/brown shade.

8

Best Matte Eyeshadow Stick

Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Matte Eyeshadow

15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (42)

Why We Love It
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (43)Provides hydration
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (44)Long-lasting
What to Consider
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (45)Nothing

Jafri loves this eyeshadow stick because hyaluronic acid and raspberry stem cells help provide hydration. So, while it has a matte finish, it isn't overly drying or uncomfortable to wear. "It's also crease-proof, waterproof, and transfer-proof, offering all-day wear," she says. It comes in 13 wearable shades.

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9

Best Brightening Eyeshadow Stick

Thrive Causemetics Brilliant Eye Brightener

15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (46)

Why We Love It
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (47)Shimmery finish brightens eyes
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (48)Hydrating formula
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (49)Smooths look of fine lines
What to Consider
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (50)Only available in shimmers

Get that "I got eight hours of sleep" glow with this eyeshadow stick. Its ring light technology contains light-reflecting pigments that help diffuse the look of imperfections and offer a shimmery veil of color that boosts radiance. Macadamia and meadowfoam seed oil hydrate and smooth the look of fine lines. It comes in 16 gleaming shades.

10

Best Vibrant Shades

about-face Shadowstick

15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (51)

Why We Love It
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (52)Available in bold hues
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (53)Pigmented
What to Consider
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (54)Some reviewers say it can fade quickly

For the ones who aren't afraid of color, you'll love these intensely pigmented sticks. They come in fun hues, like chartreuse, teal, pink, and pastel blue, and are available in matte and pearl finishes.

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11

LAURA GELLER NEW YORK Make It A Double Dual-Ended Eyeshadow

15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (55)

One of beauty director Kate Sandoval Box's go-tos, this two-in-one pencil offers a creamy, sweeps-right-on shadow on one end and a matching shimmery powder shadow on the other. "I like to blend the cream shadow all over my lid, and then tap the shimmer powder in the inner corners of my eyes, blending it up to the crease," Box says.

12

Best for Precise Application

FENTY BEAUTY by Rihanna Shadowstix Longwear Eyeshadow Stick

15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (56)

Why We Love It
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (57)Blendable formula
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (58)Great pigmentation
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (59)Available in matte and shimmer shades
What to Consider
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (60)Some reviewers say it can fade quickly

The slim tip of this eyeshadow stick makes precise application effortless, whether you're using it as an eyeliner or concentrating color in one specific area. It comes in 16 shades with matte and shimmer finishes. The formula is incredibly pigmented but easy to blend, making it difficult to mess up.

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13

Best Shimmer Eyeshadow Stick

Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon Eye Shadow Pencil

15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (61)

Why We Love It
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (62)Smooth texture
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (63)Water-repellent finish
What to Consider
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (64)Dries down quickly, so you need to blend quickly

Shine bright with these dazzling eyeshadow sticks. They're only available in shimmery shades, from sparkling purple to metallic bronze. The formula infused with caranuba wax glides onto lids effortlessly, regardless of skin type and texture.

14

Best Buildable Eyeshadow Stick

Victoria Beckham EyeWear

15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (65)

Why We Love It
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (66)Buildable formula
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (67)Creamy texture
What to Consider
  • 15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (68)It's more expensive than other options on this list

Create bold and pigmented looks or sheer no-makeup makeup with these eyeshadow sticks. The creamy formula is pigmented but buildable so you can customize your makeup to your liking. It's available in seven shades, from a bright pink and yellow to a warm matte caramel and brown.

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15

Iconic London Glaze Crayon Dual-Ended Glitter Eyeshadow

15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (69)

To level up your night-out look, glide this shimmery crayon across your lower and upper lashes then tap the glittery liquid in the center of your lid and blend. Choose from seven glam metallics.

15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (70)

Genesis Rivas

Genesis Rivas is the Beauty Editor at Oprah Daily, where she covers hair, makeup, skin, nails, and more. Before joining the Oprah Daily team, she wrote for several publications, including InStyle, Real Simple, and Shape. When she’s not testing, researching, and writing fun and educational beauty content, you can find her dancing and eating her way through New York City. Follow her on Instagram or TikTok

15 Eyeshadow Sticks Makeup Artists and Our Editors Swear By (2024)
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