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
    Eyelights Cream Eyeshadow
    2,822 REVIEWS
    BestSeller
    Longwearing, crease-proof cream eyeshadows in six nourishing, metallic, buildable shades. 
  2. 2
    Caviar Stick Eyeshadow

    Laura Mercier

    1,417 REVIEWS
    BestSeller
    A 24HR long-wear eyeshadow stick with creamy, rich color that effortlessly glides, blends and builds without tugging, flaking, smudging or creasing.
  3. 3
    Caviar Stick Matte Eye Shadow
    796 REVIEWS
    BestSeller
    A 24-hour long-wear, cream, matte eyeshadow stick that effortlessly glides, blends and builds on lids without tugging, flaking or creasing.
  4. 4
    Cashmere Matte Eyelights

    RMS Beauty

    657 REVIEWS
    Creaseproof, matte cream eyeshadow in 8 new nourishing shades.
  5. 5
    PurePressed Eye Shadow Palette

    Jane Iredale

    232 REVIEWS
    BestSeller
    Six expertly coordinated shadows for limitless looks.
  6. 6
    Phyto-Eye Twist

    Sisley Paris

    98 REVIEWS
    BestSeller
    An ultra-easy, fun, luminous, waterproof and no-transfer eye make-up.
  7. 7
    Les Phyto-Ombres Eyeshadow

    Sisley Paris

    67 REVIEWS
    BestSeller
    An eye shadow with a half-powder, half-cream hybrid texture that embellishes the eyes with a veil of colour and radiance.
  8. 8
    24 Hour Eye Shadow And Liner
    43 REVIEWS
    BestSeller
    A creamy, richly pigmented, and crease-proof shadow pen and liner.
  9. 9
    Eye Shadow Refill

    Trish McEvoy

    42 REVIEWS
    A silky, pigment-rich eye shadow with a creamy matte finish.
  10. 10
    Ombre Éclat Liquide Eyeshadow
    35 REVIEWS
    Long-lasting liquid eyeshadow.

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.