The best cream eyeshadows should make eye makeup a fuss-free experience, with a flattering texture that’s a doddle to apply.
The best eyeshadow palettes are all very well, but if you lack the patience, skill, or inclination for all that blending, cream eyeshadow could be for you. Cream shadows are designed to be applied with just your fingertips and are incredibly forgiving if you’re not a makeup pro. You don’t get harsh lines, even with darker shades, and they won’t fall onto your cheeks as powders can.
Liquid-based shadows are also an excellent option for mature skin, as powders can cling or amplify creases, so it's no wonder they have been growing in popularity. MAC Director of Makeup Artistry, Terry Barber, agrees, describing these new-gen creams as, “Fine and skin-like. This allows makeup wearers to be more adventurous with colour because they are so flattering and easy to apply." And with so many options hitting the market, our tried and tested guide can help steer you to your ideal formula.
Our beauty team's guide to the best cream eyeshadows, at every budget
We tested dozens of cream eyeshadows to create this all-time best-of list. Several members of the beauty team wore each formula for at least a full day's wear, and the ones that made the cut delivered on our most important criteria for a cream eyeshadow. This included ease of application, the choice of shades available, and how well they fared throughout the day.
RRP: £26 Shades: 10 Finish: Sheeny
Tested by: Emma North, Fiona McKim
Everything Charlotte Tilbury does feels opulent, and these shadows are no exception. The super shimmery, ultra-pigmented, mousse-like formula gives incredible colour payoff. Despite the intensity of the pigment, this is still easy to apply with your fingers, while the impressive staying power means it doesn't crumble or settle into fine lines. They're not cheap, but these petite pots are deep, and a little shadow goes a long way, so they last a long time, especially if you go for one of the more intense party-ready shades. I've had one of these for months and can confirm that it doesn't dry out, staying just as creamy as when you first opened it, so there's no rush to finish it.
Buy if: You want a blendable eyeshadow with a sheeny finish.
Avoid if: You prefer matte eyeshadow shades.
RRP: £26 Shades: 8 Finish: Soft matte
Tested by: Emma North, Fiona McKim
US brand Merit arrived in the UK in 2023 and quickly became a hit amongst beauty editors and makeup artists. The Solo Shadow is one of the brand's stand-out products because of its incredible formula and gorgeous shade range. If you hate the mess of a powder 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 with unusual wear time. Tester Fiona McKim agrees, "I was shocked by how long-lasting this was for a cream, as my oily eyelids normally melt these formulas away by lunch. It's also super comfortable and the shades are neutral yet not boring." Good news for anyone with easily irritated eyes, too; these shadows are formulated with chamomile and calendula to soothe. Follow with the best mascara for sensitive eyes and you're good to go.
Buy if: You like a soft matte powder finish that lasts all day.
Avoid if: You're looking for a creamy, luminous finish.
RRP: £18 Shades: 25 Finish: Matte and shimmer
Tested by: Emma North, Fiona McKim
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, with a medium-strong pigment that gives 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.
Buy if: You like to experiment with different colours and shades.
Avoid if: You prefer a high-pigment rather than sheer formula.
RRP: £32 Shades: 10 Finish: Shimmer and matte
Tested by: Emma North, Fiona McKim
Yet again, Victoria Beckham has outdone herself. We find it hard to fault anything we've tried from this brand, as proven by our Victoria Beckham Beauty team review. This cream eyeshadow comes in the brand's signature sophisticated packaging, and what's inside is just as impressive. It's waterproof, highly pigmented, and lasts extremely well. On testing the Caramel shade, beauty editor Fiona McKim found this had a "beautiful, creamy texture that glided onto my lid and set down well, with a sultry sheeny finish." The neutral shades come in matte and shimmer effects, plus a few bolder hues like cornflower blue. Low-maintenance types will be pleased to know there's no need for touch-ups – just one swipe delivers a lot of pigment that barely moves even after a whole day.
Buy if: You want a smudge-proof eyeshadow that lasts all day.
Avoid if: You prefer your cream eyeshadow in a pot or a pan.
RRP: £29 Shades: 10 Finish: Luminous or Matte
Tested by: Jess Beech, Fiona McKim
If you've avoided cream eyeshadow until now because you're worried it will feel tacky on your lids or won't last as long as powder, this is the shadow to win you over. It dries almost instantly (so you do have to work fast to blend it out), and as our Beauty Editor's Sunday Service advice on RMS eyelights explains, it looks just as fresh and crease-proof at the end of the day as it does at the start. Unlike the rest of the formulas on this list, this cream eyeshadow comes in a tube, so when applying, you want to start with just a smidge of product first to avoid getting in a mess – you can always build it up. If you're keen to give your eye area some TLC, this delivers that too. It's infused with green tea and peptides to nourish and plump. The shade range has something for everyone in both luminous and soft matte finishes, including a bronze plum and warm dusty taupe.
Buy if: You want a nourishing formula that dries quickly.
Avoid if: You're worried about making too much of a mess.
RRP: £25 Shades: 8 Finish: Shimmer
Tested by: Fiona McKim
Founded by makeup artist Bobbi Brown, Jones Road is one of W&H's favourite beauty brands. All the products are designed to be intuitive to use, and this eyeshadow is no different. You'll love this if you usually find a shimmery powder eyeshadow messy and annoying to clean up. This delivers everything you would expect from one of the best cream eyeshadows; it's lightweight and feels like cashmere on your lid. Tester, Fiona McKim loved the "Incredibly sheer finish. It's so subtle and perfect for daytime, but you could build it up into something slightly more shimmery or even use it as a highlighter elsewhere on your face if you wish. I also loved the bouncy feel of this one; it's unique and glides over my less-than-firm eyelids, leaving a lovely wash of radiance behind."
Buy if: You're looking for a subtle, shimmery formula that's easy to apply.
Avoid if: You don't like a sparkly look on your lids.
RRP: £26 Shades: 8 Finish: Radiant
Tested by: Fiona McKim
This one is actually a liquid shadow, not a cream, but if you're looking for a glamorous non-powder option with a sleek, high-shine finish, this is well worth investigating. It's got a thinner consistency versus an eyeshadow stick, but still delivers plenty of pigment and gloss. You can dot the doe foot applicator directly onto your lid, or dab it onto your fingers first. As you’d expect from a Japanese makeup brand, this cream eyeshadow is a real overachiever on the skincare front. It contains jojoba seed oil and squalane to ensure it slips onto the skin seamlessly and doesn’t crease, as well as nourishing and moisturising the delicate eye area. There's not a huge range of shades, but each of the eight is shimmering and sexy, with molten silvers, bronzes, and golds. And while this wasn't the longest-lasting option I tested, the applicator makes it a breeze to top up.
Buy if: You want a high-glamour, skincare-infused liquid formula
Avoid if: Does need topping up every few hours.
RRP: £33 Shades: 22 Finish: Matte, metallic, shimmer and chrome
Tested by: Jess Beech
Of all the cream eyeshadows out there, sticks are undoubtedly the easiest to apply. Simply swipe it across lids straight from the bullet, and then use your fingers to blend out the lines. Et voila! A perfect eyeshadow look in seconds. Not only does this formula beat the rest in terms of simplicity 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, but there are bolder hues available too. Tester Jess Beech says, "I 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 on my oily skin I did find it 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: You're looking for a fool-proof eyeshadow that blends well.
Avoid if: You have very oily lids that might make them slip.
Our expert panel
Terry Barber is M.A.C Cosmetics' Director of Makeup Artistry for the UK and Europe. Barber is one of the brand’s most colourful, fashionable and honest ambassadors. A showman, he loves the energy and creativity of backstage.
Emma is a beauty editor and former member of the woman&home team. She tested a huge range of eyeshadows when compiling this guide, from high-street to high end options.
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 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: Cream eyeshadows come in lots of different forms from crayons and pots to tubes and pans. Each type of packaging has different pros and cons when it comes to how easy it makes the products to apply, how bulky and practical they are to carry around in your makeup bag and also how eco-friendly it is.
- Ease of application: One of the biggest selling points of cream eyeshadow is that it can be applied either with your fingers or straight from the stick. If a shadow required a brush or a lot of blending, then it didn't make the list.
- Pigment and finish: Eyeshadows can range from a light wash of colour to a pigment-packed opaque finish and be matte, shiny or shimmery.
- Fade and crease-proof powers: From blinking to rubbing, the odds are stacked against eye makeup staying put. The best cream eyeshadows will have been formulated not to budge from your lids or crease throughout the day.
- Value for money: Expensive doesn't necessarily mean better. You might want to pay more to get a particular trend shade that you can't find on the high street, or for added benefits like skincare ingredients.
- Shade range: For some people, one lovely champagne shadow is all the eyeshadow shades they need, but the more adventurous will want more colours to choose from.