Best Eyeshadows

What to Look for in Eye Shadow

Choosing the best eye shadow can elevate your makeup look and enhance your eyes—here’s what to keep in mind.

1. Pigmentation

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Highly pigmented eye shadows deliver vibrant color payoff with less product. Look for formulas that provide rich, true-to-pan shades for striking results.

2. Blendability

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A quality eye shadow should blend easily without patchiness or harsh lines. Creamy, finely-milled powders or smooth creams make application effortless and allow seamless transitions between colors.

3. Longevity

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Long-wearing formulas help your look last throughout the day or night. Consider eye shadows that are crease-resistant and offer extended wear, particularly if you have oily lids or need all-day performance.

4. Finish and Shade Range

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Eye shadows come in a variety of finishes, including matte, shimmer, satin, and metallic. Choose a palette or single shade that suits your style and complements your skin tone, whether you prefer subtle neutrals or bold statement colors.

  1. 1
    Eye Color Quad Eyeshadow

    Tom Ford

    Eye Color Quad Eyeshadow

    $95
    2,545 REVIEWS
    An eyeshadow palette inspired by Tom Ford’s philosophy of sculpting features with light and symmetry that contours eyes with melting, magnetizing shades.
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  2. 2
    Eyelights Cream Eyeshadow

    RMS Beauty

    Eyelights Cream Eyeshadow

    $28
    2,399 REVIEWS
    BestSeller
    Longwearing, crease-proof cream eyeshadows in six nourishing, metallic, buildable shades. 
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  3. 3
    Eye Color Quad Crème

    Tom Ford

    Eye Color Quad Crème

    $95
    1,984 REVIEWS
    Buildable, long-wearing eye color creams that enhance eyes in one swipe. 
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  4. 4
    Long-Wear Waterproof Cream Eyeshadow Stick

    Bobbi Brown

    Long-Wear Waterproof Cream Eyeshadow Stick

    $34
    1,461 REVIEWS
    BestSeller
    A swipe-and-go cream eyeshadow stick that glides on with ease for 24 hours of color-true wear.
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  5. 5
    Caviar Stick Eyeshadow

    Laura Mercier

    Caviar Stick Eyeshadow

    $33
    1,316 REVIEWS
    BestSeller
    A 24HR long-wear eyeshadow stick with creamy, rich color that effortlessly glides, blends and builds without tugging, flaking, smudging or creasing.
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  6. 6
    Eyes To Mesmerise

    Charlotte Tilbury

    Eyes To Mesmerise

    $35
    1,229 REVIEWS
    A long-lasting cream eyeshadow that features an easy, non-creasing formula.
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  7. 7
    Caviar Stick Matte Eye Shadow

    Laura Mercier

    Caviar Stick Matte Eye Shadow

    $33
    720 REVIEWS
    A 24-hour long-wear, cream, matte eyeshadow stick that effortlessly glides, blends and builds on lids without tugging, flaking or creasing.
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  8. 8
    PurePressed Eye Shadow Triple

    Jane Iredale

    PurePressed Eye Shadow Triple

    $36
    573 REVIEWS
    BestSeller
    A carefully curated trio of complementary shadows that add depth and dimension with easy-to-create, nuanced looks. Gentle and safe for sensitive eyes. 
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  9. 9
    Cashmere Matte Eyelights

    RMS Beauty

    Cashmere Matte Eyelights

    $29
    451 REVIEWS
    Creaseproof, matte cream eyeshadow in 8 new nourishing shades.
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  10. 10
    PurePressed Eye Shadow

    Jane Iredale

    PurePressed Eye Shadow

    $28
    386 REVIEWS
    A balanced selection of gorgeous neutral matte & shimmer shadows for all skin tones. Gentle & safe for sensitive eyes.
    View full details

What to Look for in Eye Shadow

Choosing the best eye shadow can elevate your makeup look and enhance your eyes—here’s what to keep in mind.

1. Pigmentation

Citrus catapult arrow

Highly pigmented eye shadows deliver vibrant color payoff with less product. Look for formulas that provide rich, true-to-pan shades for striking results.

2. Blendability

Citrus catapult arrow

A quality eye shadow should blend easily without patchiness or harsh lines. Creamy, finely-milled powders or smooth creams make application effortless and allow seamless transitions between colors.

3. Longevity

Citrus catapult arrow

Long-wearing formulas help your look last throughout the day or night. Consider eye shadows that are crease-resistant and offer extended wear, particularly if you have oily lids or need all-day performance.

4. Finish and Shade Range

Citrus catapult arrow

Eye shadows come in a variety of finishes, including matte, shimmer, satin, and metallic. Choose a palette or single shade that suits your style and complements your skin tone, whether you prefer subtle neutrals or bold statement colors.

Looking for the perfect eyeshadow to elevate your makeup game? Look no further! Our curated list of the best eyeshadows is here to help you discover top-rated products that have been tried and loved by beauty enthusiasts like yourself. Whether you're into bold, vibrant hues or prefer a more subtle, natural look, our selection covers a wide range of shades and finishes. With user review ratings as the guiding factor, you can trust that these eyeshadows have garnered praise for their pigmentation, blendability, and lasting power. Find your new go-to eyeshadow and take your eye makeup to the next level with our expertly ranked collection.

FAQ

What types of eye shadow formulas are available? + -

Eye shadows come in various formulas, including powder, cream, liquid, and stick. Each offers a different finish and application method, allowing you to achieve looks ranging from subtle to bold.

How do I choose the best eye shadow colors for my eye color? + -

To enhance your natural eye color, select shades that contrast or complement it. For example, warm tones like copper and bronze suit blue eyes, purples and plums flatter green eyes, while earthy neutrals look great on brown eyes.

What is the difference between matte and shimmer eye shadows? + -

Matte eye shadows have a flat finish with no shine, ideal for creating depth or a natural look. Shimmer eye shadows contain light-reflecting particles that add sparkle and dimension to your eyes.

How can I make my eye shadow last longer throughout the day? + -

Using an eye primer before applying eye shadow helps prevent creasing and fading. Setting your look with a light dusting of translucent powder can also increase longevity.

Are there specific brushes or tools recommended for applying eye shadow? + -

Yes, using the right brushes can make a big difference. Flat brushes are great for packing color onto the lid, fluffy blending brushes help diffuse edges, and angled brushes work well for precise application along the lash line.