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Eyeshadow Sticks Are The Ultimate Hack For Smoky Eyes & More

They’re foolproof.

Feb. 13, 2024

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Out of the many makeup products, eyeshadow palettes can be the most daunting. While having an assortment of colors on hand can be great for creating artistic looks, figuring out the right combination of shades to use and how to apply them can be overwhelming. So it’s nice to have an easier road to your makeup destination. Enter eyeshadow sticks. These products are the unsung heroes of makeup bags for good reason. Like a crayon, they deposit color to the surface of your lid and stay put for hours on end. But best of all, they do so with ease.

Thanks to their cream-based formulas, eyeshadow sticks glide on smoothly and many have a deeper color pay-off than traditional powders. Better yet, many brands have diverse shade ranges that include both matte and shimmer finishes. You can use them as a base to amplify the hues of your favorite eyeshadow palette or to create a multi-dimensional look. Whether you’re planning a bold smoky eye or simply want a sheer wash of color, you can count on these handy products to get you there. Many formulas even boast skin-loving ingredients that nourish your eyelids and prevent tugging when you’re applying them.

Read on to discover the best eyeshadow sticks to add to your collection.

Laura Mercier

Caviar Stick Eye Shadow Matte

$33

You may already be familiar with the buttery-smooth formula of Laura Mercier’s original Caviar Stick Eye Shadows. But the latest addition takes things a step further. The long-lasting formula has an intense color payoff and a soft matte finish that applies, blends, and blurs like a dream. Even better? Each of the 12 bold shades are waterproof and boasts 24-hour wear.

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna

Shadowstix Longwear Eyeshadow Stick

$25

If anyone knows the value of time-saving makeup, it’s Rihanna. The beauty mogul’s Shadowstix collection is designed to help you recreate her signature sparkling eye look with little effort. Simply choose the shimmering hue that best suits your complexion and a coordinating matte stick to add depth.

Victoria Beckham Beauty

EyeWear

$34

Like many of the brand’s products, the beauty of this shadow lies in its simplicity. The formula includes a blend of seaweed oil and vitas vita to boost collagen production and improve the look of the skin on the delicate eye area. Though the lineup only has seven colors, the range is varied, and includes fun options like bright bubblegum pink and bold sunflower yellow.

Bobbi Brown

Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow Stick

$34

The full lineup of these sticks includes 29 neutral shades that range from peachy champagnes to rich clay tones. It even includes a few mauves and muted violets, which are great for creating a soft smoky eye. The formula is also super bendable with your fingers and lasts all day long.

Thrive Causemetics

Infinity Waterproof Eyeshadow Stick

$26

With natural ingredients like aloe leaf extract and vitamin B5, this formula reads more like a serum than makeup. The combination conditions your lids and keeps them hydrated while the patented micro-pigments provide smudge-proof color that doesn’t crease.

Hourglass

Voyeur Eyeshadow Stick

$34

For the ultimate metallic look, you can’t go wrong with Hourglass’ Voyeur eyeshadow. The slim stick deposits a rich layer of color that stays put for up to eight hours. Use them to highlight the inner corners of your eyes or smudge them all over for a cool smoky look.

Iconic London

Smokey Eye Duo Kajal Eyeliner + Eyeshadow

$25

This handy tool is double-sided so you can easily create a seamless look. On one end, you’ll find a highly pigmented cream eyeshadow that buffs into the skin effortlessly. The other side features a slim eyeliner crayon for precise application and a more intensified finish.

Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez

All of the Above Weightless Eyeshadow Stick

$22

Don’t be fooled by the pointed tip of this eyeshadow. While most of the products on this list have a round or flat top, Rare Beauty’s stick is made to line, fill, highlight, and more. Each pearlescent shade is also water-resistant, thanks to a gel-blend formula.

Chanel

Stylo Ombre Et Contour

$38

Who doesn’t love multi-use makeup? With Chanel’s Stylo Ombre Et Contour, you get the best of three beauty products in one. It features a pen-like tip to line your eyes or fill the lid as an eyeshadow. Last but not least, the formula also works as khôl to intensify the look.

IT Cosmetics

Superhero No-Tug Longwear Eyeshadow Stick

$25

With the no-tug claim in the name, you know this stick is going to be good. This super creamy shadow smoothly glides on and blends out like a dream. Plus, it’s available in matte and pearl formulas, so you can create a dimensional eye look in snap.