Since the start of the pandemic, my makeup-free days have increased exponentially. And when I do wear makeup, I’m simplifying my routine as much as possible. So my eyeshadow sticks are getting a real workout.
The Well-Loved Original
This long-wearing, creamy eyeshadow stick is a reader favorite. It comes in a large array of gorgeous colors, both shimmer and matte. The blendable, richly pigmented colors are pretty great.
My Favorite Stick
Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon Stick
I adore Charlotte Tilbury’s Chameleon sticks because they’re designed to perfectly complement your eye color. The formula is also waterproof so you don’t have to worry about humid or rainy weather giving you raccoon eyes. Some people don’t like sharpening eyeshadow pencils, but with CT’s pencil sharpener, it’s easy as pie.
The One With Super Staying Power
Need your eye color to last all-day? This is the pencil for you. Richly pigmented, no fallout, no smudging once set, and with a built-in sharpener. Colors are a bit limited, but they have all the neutrals you need.
The Drugstore Option
Covergirl TrueNaked Queenship Sticks
These Covergirl sticks are the drugstore dupes for the Laura Mercier sticks. These sticks are only available at Ulta Online, but at $10 each, they’re a good value. The colors are limited, but they covered the basics.
The Clean Beauty Option
Pixi by Petra Endless Shade Stick
This Target option gives a selection of seven colors in a clean beauty formulation. This copper hue is my favorite. I snapped it up the second I saw it. They’re long wearing and perfect for an easy beauty look.
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Abra, do you think these eyeshadow sticks are forgiving if you aren’t precise?
After a lifetime of wearing contacts every day, I switched to wearing glasses primarily last year. But my eyesight is so horrendous, I can’t see well enough to do my usual eyeliner/eyeshadow combo without my glasses on. If anyone else has tips for applying makeup while wearing glasses, I’m all ears!
Magnifying makeup mirror!
Fellow Contacts/glasses wearer – though maybe not as near sighted! I love shadow sticks because they are forgiving and easy to apply. A swipe of shadow, curl my lashes and swipe on mascara. Done and I feel pulled together.
I am super far-sighted and I stick with shadow sticks – I have a Nars velvet shadow stick (shade Corfu). It is foolproof. I just swipe it on and then gently rub it around with my finger. I like medium bronzey-gold shades that give me a bit of subtle polish and complement my coloring. I’m sure you can amp them up, but I use it as a wash of color. You can also apply with a finger or a brush. It’s easy and forgiving – as long as you have a general sense of where your eyelid is, you’re good! Maybelline Color Tattoo has a similar formulation and colors. A lot will depend on what color you are using – some cream shadows are super pigmented (e.g., purples or navys) and those require more precision!
Are the photos in these roundups gigantic or is it just me? Even at 80% zoom the pics take up the entire page and then some.
It’s not just you, it’s that way for me too. For a few weeks now most if not all pictures are coming through very large and/or fuzzy.
weird, it’s only on this post for me that they are super magnified. everything else has looked normal.
Yes, but this is the only recent post I’ve noticed this in. Even the image at the bottom of the page is huge and is completely illegible.
This may be a dumb question, but are there application techniques I need to know for these? Or do I literally just swipe it on and go?
Thank you! Love having a time saving make up tip to try out!
Draw on, blend in with finger, wash hands, done.
It’s not a stick, but I’ve had some good luck with the drugstore Maybelline color tattoo eyeshadow pots. Basically you can just swipe your pinky finger across your lids. Cheap, lasts quite a while without smudging, good colors (my fav is on and on bronze).
Abra,
I appreciate all your posts. For eyeshadow sticks, I’ve actually had a good experience with the Kiko Milano sticks you recommended last fall, like this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J28WWJY/?ref=exp_abrabelke_dp_vv_d
I got three colors and use them interchangeably as liners and full lid shadows.
Has anyone else gotten irritated eyes when using the Laura Mercier Caviar sticks? I love the product (colors, texture, ease of application, etc) but every time I put it on, my eyes are itchy and red. I haven’t had similar reactions to any other eye products, so I’m not sure what ingredient could be causing it.
Yes!! I love the color and effect but my eyes have gotten so irritated that I had to pitch them!
Have you tried Nudestix (available at Sephora)? I really love them, more blendable than the Charlotte Tilbury I think.
I bought the Laura Mercier matte version and love it. Question though – do you usually use eyeshadow primer before wearing? It rubs off really bad without it for me (so I have to prime or it wears off).