Sarah HanSave this storySave this story
Makeup can be as fun as it is beginner-friendly. Take the best eye shadow sticks, for example: These versatile, travel-friendly formulas can be used as an everyday, all-over lid color, smudged out for a smoky look, or more precisely drawn as eyeliner. Editors and makeup artists agree that these creamy formulas slide and glide without fallout commonly associated with powder eye shadows, meaning you get a punch of pigment without risking your foundation base. Best of all? You don't need a brush to apply or blend these—your fingers can be your artistic tools. Below, we share our favorite eye shadow sticks after years of testing.
Our Top Eye Shadow Sticks
- Best Overall: Ilia Beauty Eye Stylus Shadow Stick, $33
- Best Long-Lasting: Half Magic Sparklestik Eye Crayon, $25
- Best Shade Range: Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Shadow, $33
- Best Shimmer: Tower 28 GoGo Cooling Shimmer Eyeshadow, $20
- Best Drugstore: L'Oréal Paris Le Shadow Stick Eyeshadow, $14
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- How do I apply an eye shadow stick?
- Are eye shadow sticks good for mature eyes?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: Ilia Beauty Eye Stylus Shadow Stick
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Ilia Beauty
Eye Stylus Shadow Stick
Amazon
Sephora
Ilia
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Ilia Beauty Eye Stylus Shadow Stick in Nymph
Sarah Han
Why it's worth it: There are ordinary eye shadow sticks, and then there are Best of Beauty-winning eye shadow sticks. The angled, flat tip found on Ilia Beauty's Eye Stylus Shadow Sticks allows for easy-gliding application that hugs your lids, or you can tilt the stick onto its side to draw on eyeliner. It may look like a cream stick, but once it's blended and set, it settles into a soft-matte finish that stays put (it's waterproof!) and doesn't crease for up to 12 hours. TL;DR The Eye Stylus is as beginner-friendly as they come.
Across 12 shimmery and 8 matte shades (all inspired by Renaissance oil paintings), you'll find classic golds, pinks, and browns, as well as unexpected pops of pinky lilac (like Nymph shown here) and seafoam green (Vignette), so you can go as subtle or bold as you want.
Han before applying the Ilia Eye Stylus Shadow Stick in Nymph
Han after applying the Ilia Eye Stylus Shadow Stick in Nymph
Sarah Han
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
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“I'm full of beauty contradictions. I love nothing more than taking an hour to put on my makeup before I go out for a special event, but most mornings, I go without makeup simply because I can't wake up early enough before I jet off to the office. Ilia's Eye Stylus Shadow Sticks are game-changers because they take 10 seconds to apply and blend out with my ring finger (incredible!), and there's a mix of my usual gold/pearl shimmers and fun colors, like this matte lilac called Nymph, that brighten my eyes with almost no effort. I love the shade variety, though I do wish they ventured out into more brights. One day?
I remember when they first launched, and the product was falling out of its packaging, but Ilia has since fixed that, and now the sticks stay wholly in place. I do like to warm up the pigments on the back of my hands because otherwise they tug on my lids a bit, but nothing crazy. Once on the lids, there's a small window to blend and blur, and once they set, they don't crease throughout the day. They're so handy, compact, and cute!” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
Tester feedback from content director Sophia Panych
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“I love the convenience of these slim, matte shadow pencils, especially the brown tones (Faun and Relic) that can both double as a contouring shade and as a neutral smoky eye. They’re easy to use and great for packing. I use them every morning as part of my regular makeup routine, and they come with me on every trip I’ve taken since they launched earlier this year.” —Sophia Panych, content director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: upcycled grape extract, beeswax
- Available shades: 20 (8 matte, 12 shimmery)
- Waterproof: yes
Best Long-Lasting: Half Magic Sparklestik Eye Crayon
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Half Magic
Sparklestik Eye Crayon
Ulta Beauty
Allure former content director Kara McGrath applying the Half Magic Sparklestik Eye Crayon in Beige Mystique
Why it’s worth it: The biggest downside of glitter lids? Fallout, both mid-application and midday. But the 2025 Best of Beauty Award-winning Half Magic Sparklestik Eye Crayon eliminates that problem. The creamy stick clings to lids the instant it touches them, flooding you with a mirror-like shine that doesn’t budge for up to 12 hours (yes, really). Each of the 10 ultra-pigmented shades looks like you spent forever perfecting it, but glides right on and dries down in seconds, and can be layered for extra intensity. Once the shadow is on, it’s on, so you’ll need a serious cleansing balm to take it off.
McGrath before applying the Half Magic Sparklestik Eye Crayon in Beige Mystique
Kara McGrath
McGrath after applying the Half Magic Sparklestik Eye Crayon in Beige Mystique
Kara McGrath
Tester feedback from Allure former content director Kara McGrath
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“I cannot stop raving about this eye shadow! It's the perfect sparkle for people who think they're afraid of wearing shimmer. The formula is so creamy and packed with ultrafine glitter that catches the light just right. I like to apply one swipe at my upper lash lines, then use my finger to blend it up to cover my lids.” —Kara McGrath, former content director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: vitamin E
- Available shades: 10 (all shimmer)
- Waterproof: no
Best Shade Range: Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Shadow
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Laura Mercier
Caviar Stick Eye Shadow
Amazon
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Allure senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin applying the Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Shadow in Burnished Bronze
Sarah Felbin
Why it's worth it: Classics are classics for a reason, and in the eye shadow stick realm, there are few better examples than Laura Mercier’s Caviar Eye Shadow Sticks. While originally launched in 2011, these beginner-friendly cream formulas continue to demonstrate their staying power, snagging an Allure Best of Beauty Award in 2024. "I'm a die-hard fan of the Laura Mercier shadow stick in Cocoa (a rich chocolate with bronze pearl)," New York City-based makeup artist Kirin Bhatty tells Allure. "I always have them in my kit as they are super versatile, and you can create something very natural to something very smoky in a few swipes." Not only do they encompass one of the most impressive neutral shade ranges we’ve had yet to see, but there's also plenty more to explore, such as Celestial (shimmery gray metallic), Dusk (matte dusty plum), and Midnight Blue (matte navy blue).
Felbin before applying the Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Shadow in Burnished Bronze
Sarah Felbin
Felbin after applying the Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Shadow in Burnished Bronze
Sarah Felbin
Tester feedback from senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin
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“Laura Mercier's eye shadow sticks are as close to foolproof as it gets. The stick itself is on the thinner side, so it's easy to hold, and the eye shadow formula inside is super creamy and easy to work with. I can swipe it on and blend it out in under a minute! Aside from the gorgeous shade range (so many shimmers!), it melts onto my skin easily (no harsh tugging at my lash line) and quickly diffuses out into a soft wash of color. I'm wearing Burnished Bronze, and I'm obsessed with how it makes my green eyes pop. I love that I don't need to use a brush (one less brush to clean every week, you know?)—my finger is the perfect tool. Once it's on, it feels weightless—not heavy or sticky.” —Sarah Felbin, senior commerce editor
Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
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“I don't have the time or patience to mess around with an eye shadow palette most mornings, which is why I love the utility of these shadow sticks. This one is easy to blend out with my fingers, and the pigment accentuates my eyes without looking too over-the-top. Another bonus? I can layer a few different colors without the colors getting muddy. They go on seamlessly whether I'm doing a quick daytime look or going bigger for a special event or night out.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: rapeseed oil, grapeseed oil, sodium hyaluronate
- Available shades: 27 (15 satin, 12 matte)
- Waterproof: yes
Best Metallic: MAC Dazzleshadow Eye Shadow Stick
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MAC
Dazzleshadow Eye Shadow Stick
Nordstrom
Sephora
Ulta Beauty
Allure commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann applying the MAC Dazzleshadow Eye Shadow Stick
Sarah Hoffmann
Why it's worth it: Whether you're getting ready for a night out or in the mood for something eye-catching to uplift your daily commute, MAC's Dazzleshadow Eye Shadow Sticks always impress. (We're big fans of the liquid eye shadows, too, for the record.) Let's break it down: This eye shadow stick comes in eight gorgeous metallic shades ranging from Gold Stud (white gold), Haku Haze (silver lilac), to Bedazzled Denim (navy with multicolored pearls) and offers 12-hour waterproof wear. True to all things MAC, these shadows have stunning color payoff, so all you really need is one layer to, well, dazzle all those around you.
Hoffmann before applying the MAC Dazzleshadow Eye Shadow Stick
Sarah Hoffmann
Hoffmann after applying the MAC Dazzleshadow Eye Shadow Stick
Sarah Hoffmann
Tester feedback from commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann
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“I'm super pro glitter eye shadow in general, but especially when it's as easy to apply as MAC's Dazzleshadow Eye Shadow Sticks. The shade range is a cool-toned dream (although I think these shades are pretty flattering across the board) and I've been living my frosty makeup dreams since I got my hands on these. MAC has mastered the multi-dimensional glitter, so there's always more than just silver or just gold going on in these mixes. I'm wearing a lighter wash here, but if I pressed down harder with the applicator—and I often do—the sparkle amps all the way up.” —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce producer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: N/A
- Available shades: 8
- Waterproof: yes
Best Shimmer: Tower 28 GoGo Cooling Shimmer Eyeshadow
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Tower 28 Beauty
GoGo Cooling Shimmer Eyeshadow
Amazon
Sephora
Revolve
Allure senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin applying the Tower28 GoGo Cooling Shimmer Eyeshadow in Chateau and Avalon
Sarah Felbin
Why it’s worth it: We won't cap: Tower 28’s GoGo Cooling Shimmer Eyeshadows are something special. (But, actually, do put the cap back on—this water-based formula is more prone to drying!) This refreshing, Irish-moss-powered formula instantly wakes up tired eyes without further irritating sensitive or eczema-prone skin, and for up to eight hours (after all, it's a more finicky gel-shimmer), lends eyes an ethereal look that catches the light with every blink. While it's targeted towards eyes, we also love using it as a highlighter along our cheekbones and nose bridges—the eye shadow world is your oyster. Also notable? Tower 28 sourced its glitter from superfine crystals and pearls (rather than microplastics) for a more planet-conscious option.
Felbin before applying the Tower28 GoGo Cooling Shimmer Eyeshadow in Chateau and Avalon
Sarah Felbin
Felbin after applying the Tower28 GoGo Cooling Shimmer Eyeshadow in Chateau and Avalon
Sarah Felbin
Tester feedback from Felbin
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“The name really is everything here: This eye shadow stick is cooling (which feels so nice and refreshing) and tiny enough that I can toss it in my bag for quick touch-ups while I'm on the go-go. Every single shade is beautiful, and the shimmer is noticeable, but still subtle enough that I can wear it to the office during the day. I usually apply the stick right to my lid, then blend it out using my finger. I've applied these in the back of an Uber in seconds with zero issues. Bonus: They rarely crease, even on my super-sensitive, oily eyelids. These sticks make fun eye shadow accessible—I highly recommend grabbing one (or a few!) if you're interested in wearing eye shadow more, but don't know where to start.” —Sarah Felbin, senior commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: biomimetic sugar complex, crystal blend, Irish moss
- Available shades: 9 (all shimmer)
- Waterproof: no
Best Shade Range: Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow Stick
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Bobbi Brown
Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick
Bobbi Brown
Former Allure associate manager of special projects Talia Gutierrez applying the Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow Stick in Taupe
Talia Gutierrez
Why it's worth it: Bobbi Brown’s Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow Sticks have been a longtime favorite of Allure editors ever since their debut in 2013, and it's pretty simple as to why: They feel like nothing but leave a long-lasting impact (up to 24 hours, according to the brand) once swiped onto the lids. However, what we adore most is that the Best of Beauty-winning collection features an impressive 28-shade range. Yes, each matte, shimmer, and multichrome formula shines on its own, but they also play very nicely with one another—we love adding a shimmer or multichrome on top of a matte for added flair.
Gutierrez before applying the Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow Stick in Taupe
Talia Gutierrez
Gutierrez after applying the Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow Stick in Taupe
Talia Gutierrez
Tester feedback from former Allure associate manager of special projects Talia Gutierrez
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“Wearing eye shadow doesn't always mean a full cut-crease beat. These shadow sticks are user-friendly and practically mistake-free. The only tool you'll need is one fingertip! My favorite shade is Taupe, but when I want to amp up some dimension and shadow, I'll pat in the shade Bark for a quick and easy matte, smoky eye.” —Talia Gutierrez, former Allure associate manager of special projects
More to know
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- Key ingredients: synthetic beeswax, vitamin E
- Available shades: 28 (11 matte, 12 shimmer, and 5 multichrome)
- Waterproof: yes
Best Drugstore: L'Oréal Paris Le Shadow Stick Eyeshadow
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L’Oréal Paris
Le Shadow Stick Eyeshadow
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Why it's worth it: The best way to build an eye shadow wardrobe? Besides investing in an eye shadow palette, we suggest adding a few single shadows (whether they're sticks, pans, or liquids) into your regular rotation. At $14 a pop (and 14 versatile shades in matte and shimmer finishes), L'Oréal Paris's Le Shadow Stick Eyeshadows make a strong case. They offer potent pigmentation with just one swipe, but can be easily built up for more impact, and last an entire day with no primer needed. (Though, if you have particularly oily lids, primer certainly doesn't hurt!)
More to know
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- Key ingredients: glycerin
- Available shades: 14
- Waterproof: no
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply an eye shadow stick?
Like any individual eye shadow, you have your options in terms of application. Most eye shadow sticks have creamy formulas that take a few seconds (a minute, tops) to settle, which makes your clean fingers an ideal applicator. "I use my fingers for shadows all the time, at work and on myself," Fiona Stiles, a Los Angeles-based makeup artist, previously told Allure. "At work, I use them to lay on color in a more concentrated way, and on myself, I use them to create a wash of shadow on the lid," she says.
New York City-based makeup artist Yuui Vision recommends using your ring finger to pat along your lid, then blending with your middle finger. For a more concentrated finish, Vision suggests dabbing color with your ring finger on the area of your lid where you want to increase opacity, then alternate blending with both fingers until you create your desired finish.
Are eye shadow sticks good for mature eyes?
New York City-based makeup artist Lisa Aharon previously told Allure that cream eye shadow sticks (and just cream formulas in general) are the best for mature eyes. “They have a smoother texture and are less likely to settle into fine lines and wrinkles,” she says. While cream eye shadows come in matte, shimmer, or metallic finishes, Katy Holland, an Austin-based makeup, and Aharon vouch for matte formulas since they provide a soft and diffused look that doesn't emphasize the skin's texture.
Meet the experts
- Fiona Stiles, a Los Angeles-based makeup artist
- Kirin Bhatty, a New York City-based makeup artist
- Marisal Mou, a New York City-based cosmetic chemist
- Yuui Vision, a New York City-based makeup artist
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 eye shadow sticks, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and professional 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: wear, longevity, color variety, and ease of use. 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.
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