20 Eyeshadow Sticks That Make Getting Ready Easy

December 06, 2022
Jazmine A. Ortiz
By: Jazmine A. Ortiz | Makeup.com by L'Oréal
Photo of person applying Professional Makeup Jumbo Eye Pencil to eyes
We swear by applying makeup with our fingers, and makeup sticks and (eyeshadow sticks in particular) are our holy-grail products. Eyeshadow sticks are so easy to use, allow you to precisely apply color and have zero fallout. They’re perfect for when you need to get ready for work ASAP or simply don’t want to deal with the hassle of blending powder formulas. If you haven’t tried incorporating an eyeshadow stick into your routine, check out these cream shadows that make every eye color pop.

How to Use an Eyeshadow Stick

In the history of modern makeup, eyeshadow sticks may reign supreme as the all-time easiest. An eyeshadow in stick form? Sign us up. Luckily, there are loads to choose from. But before you dive in, there’s one important question to answer: How do you use an eyeshadow stick? An eyeshadow stick is a hand-held eyeshadow that’s creamy enough to sweep over your entire lid without a brush to help. But these aren’t a one-trick pony. Eyeshadow sticks can be used almost anywhere — the lid, the waterline, the lash line, the crease, the inner corner, etc. — and, in some cases, can also be used on the cheeks and lips. In other words, they’re the multitasking product you’ve been missing. Ahead, check out our favorites. 

The 20 Best Eyeshadow Sticks

Urban Decay 24/7 Shadow Stick

In typical Urban Decay fashion, these shadow sticks come in an array of bold, highly pigmented shades that stay put for up to 24 hours. The waterproof formulas glide on easily, but once they’re blended, they won’t budge.

Urban Decay 24/7 Shadow Stick

IT Cosmetics Superhero No-Tug Waterproof Eyeshadow Stick

This crease-proof, waterproof crayon comes in 12 flattering shades, from a pearlized, dusky purple to a rich, chocolate brown. For a diffused smoky eye, try blending the color out with your fingertips.

IT Cosmetics Superhero No-Tug Waterproof Eyeshadow Stick

NYX Professional Makeup Jumbo Eye Pencil

This eye pencil’s jumbo size makes it easy to coat your entire eyelid with color in a single swipe. Plus, the creamy formula multitasks as an eyeshadow, eyeliner and even a face highlighter. Choose from a range of soft neutral shades and bright, punchy pastels.

NYX Professional Makeup Jumbo Eye Pencil

Maybelline New York Color Strike Cream-to-Powder Eye Shadow Pen

This innovative cream-to-powder formula glides effortlessly onto your lids and is very buildable. The pointed cushion tip makes it easy to target application in tricky areas, including your lash line and inner corners.

Maybelline New York Color Strike Cream-to-Powder Eye Shadow Pen

Lancôme Ombré Hypnôse Stylo Shadow Stick

Available in 15 shades, this creamy shadow stick is long-lasting and intensely pigmented. It’s also waterproof and comes with a self-sharpener so that you never have to worry about a dull tip.

Lancôme Ombré Hypnôse Stylo Shadow Stick

Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon Eyeshadow Pencil

If you love shimmery eyeshadow, these pencils don’t disappoint. Each color offers just the right amount of shimmer to make your eyes pop, whether you’re looking to create a bold smoky eye or prefer to keep your makeup light and simple.

Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon Eyeshadow Pencil

Nudestix Magnetic Eye Color

These long-wearing, quick-drying pencils will quickly become a mainstay in your makeup routine. The matte shades are perfect for swiping on for a natural everyday look, while the shimmer shades can be used as shadows, liners, eye primers or face highlighters.

Nudestix Magnetic Eye Color

Alleyoop 11th Hour Cream Eyeshadow & Liner Stick

As the name suggests, this formula is smudge- and crease-proof for more than 11 hours. It’s available in five super wearable shades and also includes a sharpener.

Alleyoop 11th Hour Cream Eyeshadow & Liner Stick

e.l.f. Cosmetics No Budge Shadow Stick

The results live up to the promise of the name: This shadow stick doesn’t budge. In fact, we love using it as a base color underneath our powder shadows; it makes any color you add on top pop.

e.l.f. Cosmetics No Budge Shadow Stick

MILK Makeup Color Chalk

These powder pigments may resemble the chalk you used as a child, but trust us, they’re much cooler. The Color Chalks are buildable, vibrant and multipurpose; you can use most of the shades on your cheeks and lips, too!

MILK Makeup Color Chalk

Milani Cosmetics Gilded Flora Eyeshadow Sticks

If you’ve never used an eyeshadow stick before, consider trying these creamy shimmer shadows; they’re perfect for beginners. With these, it shouldn’t take more than a few seconds to add a subtle sparkle to the lids.

Milani Cosmetics Gilded Flora Eyeshadow Sticks

Kiko Milano Baseline Long Lasting Eyeshadow Stick

Cream makeup tends to fade quickly, but this long-lasting shadow can stay on for hours. The lightweight formulas go on smoothly and stick around until you say so.

Kiko Milano Baseline Long Lasting Eyeshadow Stick

L.A. Girl Sunkissed Glow Shadow Stick

“Cold girl” makeup may be trending, but we love the year-long glow this shadow stick helps us fake. While the sun-kissed effect is a plus, we don’t mind the fact that the formula also uses vitamin E and jojoba oil to help hydrate skin. After all, it isn’t actually summer — yet.

L.A. Girl Sunkissed Glow Shadow Stick

About Face Shadowstick

Anyone with oily skin — or a penchant for getting caught in the rain — will love the About Face Shadowstick. Rain or shine, this one-swipe waterproof formula isn’t going anywhere.

About Face Shadowstick

Eyeko Double Act Shadow Stick

Few eye makeup trends are foolproof, but this shadow stick helps make even the most complicated and geometric looks a breeze. We don’t mind that this shadow stick offers two shade options, too — it’s a full look in one product.

Eyeko Double Act Shadow Stick

Colourpop Colour Stix

The beauty of eyeshadow sticks is that they can be used in different ways, and this multitasking shadow from Colourpop is no exception. With 21 bright and bold shades to choose from, there’s no shortage of inspiration here. It doesn’t hurt that it’s also under $10.

Colourpop Colour Stix

Jason Wu Beauty Jewel Stick

While it’s technically an eyeshadow, fans of the Jewel Stick love it as an alternative to eyeliner. The creamy, blendable formula is easy to apply and never pulls or tugs on your skin.

Jason Wu Beauty Jewel Stick

Julep Beauty Eyeshadow 101 Crème-to-Powder Eyeshadow Stick

This eyeshadow stick is extra-special thanks to its cream-to-powder formula. In other words, it will not crease even without a primer. Better still, you don’t need a brush to blend it out.

Julep Beauty Eyeshadow 101 Crème-to-Powder Eyeshadow Stick

Mented Cosmetics Color Intense Eyeshadow Stick

Eyeshadow sticks are great for on-the-go looks. When you’re hard pressed for time, consider swiping one of these four neutral shades across your lid. No one will know your look took only a minute to complete.

Mented Cosmetics Color Intense Eyeshadow Stick

Thrive Causemetics Brilliant Eye Brightener

Need a morning lift? These brightening eyeshadow sticks are more energizing than a cup of coffee; at least they’ll make you look more awake than you actually feel.

Thrive Causemetics Brilliant Eye Brightener
Photographer: Chaunte Vaughn

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