The best cream eyeshadows should have staying power, give beautiful, flattering colour and be easy to swipe on and blend to perfection.
Forget the endless buffing of even the best eyeshadow palettes, cream eyeshadows are incredibly forgiving and apply seamlessly with just a fingertip. These formulas can be used on any skin type but work particularly well on dry skin as they tend to be more hydrating. They're also great if you like to apply your base first as they won't fall out onto cheeks like some powder shadows.
While cream shadows have been growing in popularity for a few years now (so it wouldn't be entirely accurate to call them a makeup trend) there has been an explosion of these products hitting the market, allowing us to experiment with trending looks in a flattering way. "They are finer and skin-like, beautifying rather than theatrical," agrees MAC Director of Makeup Artistry, Terry Barber. "This allows makeup wearers to be more adventurous with colour because they are so flattering and easy to apply."
We tested dozens of cream eyeshadows to create this all-time best-of list, and will keep it regularly updated with the latest launches to ensure it reflects the best of the best on the market right now.
The best cream eyeshadows, as tested by our beauty team
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RRP: £26 Shades: 10 Finish: Sheen
These ultra-pigmented, creamy, mousse-like shadows give incredible colour payoff and are so easy to apply you don't even need a brush. With impressive staying power, this cream eyeshadow won't doesn't settle into fine lines. We love that the little pots are pretty deep, and the formula is very blendable, so even though they aren't cheap, you will get plenty of bang for your buck with these cream shadows. If you're looking for a cream eyeshadow that doesn't immediately dry out, these will be your winner, too - they stay creamy once opened, giving you enough time to use the entire pot.
Buy if: You want a very blendable cream eyeshadow with a sheeny finish, non-drying and can be used on eyes, lips and cheeks.
Avoid if: It can feel a little tacky at first and has limited shades
RRP: £26 Shades: 8 Finish: Soft matte
Merit finally became available in the UK last year, quickly becoming a favourite amongst beauty editors and makeup artists. The Solo Shadow is one of the brand's stand-out products because of its incredible cream-to-powder formula and gorgeous shade range. If you hate the mess of a powder formula but love the finish, this one is for you. It applies as a cream (you can use a brush or finger) and dries down into a super lightweight powder. The four neutral shades are lovely for everyday use, but the four statement shades are some of the most flattering we've seen, including a soft mauve and gorgeous green. The shadow goes on pretty sheer, but that only adds to its ease of use, as it's easy to layer and build up, taking out all the fear of packing on too much colour.
Our favourite part would have to be the added ingredients in the formula. Infused with chamomile and calendula to soothe the eye area and magnolia bark extract for smoothness, it's a formula that can do it all. Plus, it's been ophthalmologist tested, so if you usually have to opt for the best mascara for sensitive eyes, then you'll want to pair it with one of these shadows.
Buy if: You like a soft matte powder finish but want the ease of application of a cream eyeshadow. Or you're looking for a cream eyeshadow that is pretty much impossible to mess up and will last all day long.
Avoid if: You're looking for a creamy, luminous finish rather than a powder finish.
RRP: £18 Shades: 25 Finish: Matte and shimmer
These hydrating pots of pigment are supremely easy to apply and go on with a swipe of a finger (all nodding towards Trinny's love of no-nonsense, anyone-can-do-it beauty.) They blend out incredibly well and last all day. With medium-strong pigment, a single layer is enough to give a sheer wash of colour. You probably won't ever create a fully opaque look with these, but you can build up a few different shades to add definition. We love the vast range of colours, which means you can play around with natural makeup looks or try something a bit more dramatic, depending on your mood. They've also just released the T-Tones, with two complimentary colours in one pot, making creating a gorgeous makeup look even more straightforward.
Buy if: You like to experiment with colour and want a cream eyeshadow with a huge colour range with incredible longevity and super easy to blend
Avoid if: You don't enjoy quite a sheer formula
RRP: £24 Shades: 12 Finish: Shimmer glaze
This cream eyeshadow may be super quick and easy to use, but that doesn't mean it lacks shine. In fact, out of all the cream eyeshadows we tested, this one had the most sparkle. At the crayon end, you'll find the creamy formula, which you can use like a pen to cover the eyelid with a wash of metallic shimmer. We love how silky smooth this felt on the lids, with no pulling. You'll find a glitter gel at the other end if you want to go all out with the shine. We expected this to feel sticky but were surprised to find that it wasn't at all, just a super shiny long holding shimmer with no fallout. This is a great option to have in your bag for touch-ups on the go, as you don't need a brush to blend this out. It comes in a range of shades from nudes to coppers and even a glittery blue.
Buy if: You like to add shimmer to every eye look and experiment with colour. A great option to have in your bag to add shine on the go.
Avoid if: You only like a matte, simple finish. This is all about shine.
RRP: £32 Shades: 10 Finish: Shimmer and matte
Yet again, Victoria Beckham has outdone herself. We find it hard to fault anything we've tried from VB beauty. This cream eyeshadow comes in the brand's signature sleek and sophisticated packaging, and the product on the inside is just as incredible as it looks on the outside. It's waterproof, highly pigmented, and lasts up to eight hours. The application is seamless, with a creamy formula, no tugging on the skin and zero creasing throughout the day. The eight shades are inspired by VB's wardrobe and her love of colour-blocking, with matte and shimmery finishes to choose from. You don't need a brush or touch-ups throughout the day; just one swipe delivers enough pigment to last all day long.
Buy if: You want a smudge-proof and fade-proof cream eyeshadow that lasts for eight hours and is infused with eye-calming ingredients, too.
Avoid if: You prefer your cream eyeshadow in a pot or a pan.
RRP: £29 Shades: 10 Finish: Luminous
If you haven't used a cream eyeshadow before, there is often the concern that it doesn't last as long as a powder or doesn't dry down. There is no worry with this formula. It dries almost instantly (so you have to blend out fast). When testing, we found it lives up to its claim of staying crease-proof for hours. It feels super nourishing on the lid and is easily buildable. Unlike the rest of the formulas on this list, this cream eyeshadow comes in a tube, so when using you want to start off with a small amount of product and build the colour up depending on the eyeshadow look you're creating. Our favourite part of this cream eyeshadow is the formula. It's infused with green tea and natural peptides, so it nourishes the skin as well as adding a flattering pop of colour. The luminous shade range includes a bronze plum, a silvery mauve and a rich brown.
Buy if: You want a nourishing formula that dries quickly and doesn't crease throughout the day
Avoid if: You're looking for a foolproof cream eyeshadow as this can get messy if you squeeze too much out of the tube
RRP: £25 Shades: 8 Finish: Shimmer
Founded by makeup artist Bobbi Brown, Jones Road is one of W&H's favourite beauty brands. All the products are designed to be easy to use, and this eyeshadow is no different. You'll love this if you usually find a shimmery eyeshadow messy to apply with lots of fallout. This delivers everything we would expect from one of the best cream eyeshadows; it's lightweight, feels super soft and cushiony on the lid. When testing, we loved the buildable shimmer and that it can be used as a highlighter on the brow bone and the inner corners of the eyes. Simply swipe along the lid, and you're good to go. We found one swipe gave just the right amount of shimmer for an everyday look. Plus, it was easy to build up and layer for a more dramatic shine for the evening. It can also be used on top of your favourite powder eyeshadow to add sparkle and shine.
Buy if: You're looking for a shimmery formula that's easy to apply with no fallout and is formulated with vitamin E for added skincare benefits.
Avoid if: You don't enjoy a shimmer look on the lids.
RRP: £33 Shades: 22 Finish: Metallic, shimmer and chrome
Cream eyeshadow sticks are one of the easiest to apply products out there. Just swipe it across lids straight from the bullet, then take a fluffy brush, or your fingers, to blend out the lines. Et voila! A perfect smoky eye. Not only does this formula beat the rest in terms of ease of application, but it also comes in a great shade range. In keeping with this brand's natural French-girl aesthetic, the softer shades are the most flattering options here, although from sparkly soft pinks to intense matte cobalt blues, you can create any makeup look you want.
We also love the transfer-resistant formula, which doesn't fade, won't smudge all over the place, and, on the whole, doesn't settle into lines or creases (although our oily-skinned tester did find they slipped a little as the day went on). Overall, these last well and feel very creamy, making them a lovely option for mature eyes.
Buy if: Easy to apply with the stick, great shade range and easy to blend
Avoid if: Can smudge on oily skin
RRP: £26 Shades: 8 Finish: Radiant
So this one is technically a liquid, but it applies and feels like our favourite cream eyeshadows. This one is on the sheerer side but with a vibrant pigment for a gorgeous shine. Blending skincare and makeup, this is the best cream eyeshadow for a natural, dewy eye look. When testing, we found this formula glided on effortlessly, thanks to the jojoba seed oil and squalene formula, and it stayed in place all day without any creasing. Thanks to the unique formula, this shimmer was one of the most subtle but gorgeous shimmer we have tried.
Buy if: A skincare-infused, easy to apply formula with a subtle finish
Avoid if: Limited shade range
How to choose the best cream eyeshadows for you
There are a few things to look for when picking the best cream eyeshadows:
- Texture: Formulas vary greatly when it comes to cream eyeshadows, from dip-in pots to the best eyeshadow sticks in creamy formulas. Look for smooth, mousse-like textures as these will apply and blend more easily. If possible, avoid cream eyeshadows that feel dry to the touch (test in-store if you can) as these will accentuate fine lines and be trickier to apply on lined lids.
- Pigment: If you're a fan of bright eyeshadow looks, choose a highly pigmented cream eyeshadow as these will mean you use less product over time and it's generally a lot more cost-effective. Strong pigment means your cream eyeshadow can also double up as an eyeliner.
- Blending power: If you like a smoky eye, go for cream eyeshadows that don't immediately set as this gives you more time to play with it and blend out harsh lines. The best cream eyeshadows should be easy to blend with just your finger.
- Longevity: A long-lasting formula is your best option as these won't need touching up throughout the day. When prepped correctly, cream eyeshadows can actually last longer than powders and don't settle into fine lines or creases. Using an eyeshadow primer can help if your eyelids are less firm, or particularly lined.
How we tested the best cream eyeshadows
Every product in this guide has been personally tested by the woman&home beauty team, and worn for at least a day - usually several - to assess how it measured up on:
- Packaging
- Ease of application
- Pigment and finish
- Fade and crease-proof powers
- Value for money
- Shade range
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