Our Editors' Favorite Eyeshadow Sticks Will Simplify Your Eye Makeup Routine (2024)

Are you an eyeshadow newbie, not a fan of powder shadows or just looking for an easy way to zhuzh up your eye makeup? Welcome to the world of eyeshadow sticks.

These cream-based formulas are "like an eyeliner and eyeshadow all in one," says celebrity makeup artist J Guerra. "They're incredibly user-friendly and also very versatile. Using one product, you can create a multitude of looks." From glittery to matte, these portable, compact eyeshadows are great for "creating more depth with an eyeshadow look or increasing the wear time," adds celebrity makeup artist Vincent Oquendo. Even better: They're perfect for everyone from makeup beginners to mature skin.

These are the best eyeshadow sticks on the market right now, including options for those with sensitive eyes, mature eyes, oily lids and more.

Our Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab analysts have tested and evaluated several eyeshadow sticks for our annual Beauty Awards, and we reached out to our beauty editors plus four celebrity makeup artists — Oquendo, Guerra, Courtney Hart and Cara Lovello — to round out these recommendations.

After our reviews, read on to see our experts' best tips for what to look for when shopping for eyeshadow sticks. If you're looking for more advice, check out our guides on the best nude eyeshadow palettes and how to apply eye makeup.

This GH beauty editor favorite — and 2022 GH Beauty Award winner — makes eyeshadow application almost effortless. The ultra soft cream stick glides along eyelids like butter, with one tester sharing that "I can do my eye makeup in just a few seconds with these — no tools needed and no tugging or caking on my skin." The line also boasts a great shade range, with the tester adding that "the shades, ranging from light to dark, are all wearable and flattering." It's on the pricier side, but well worth the investment.

Another GH Beauty Award winner, this beginner-friendly creamy eyeshadow crayon requires no pro skill or extra tools. Offered in multiple hues ranging from light taupe to smoky charcoal, testers share that the formula "glides on smoothly and evenly." It even has a built-in sponge on one end for simple diffusing. Online reviewers agree that they love the texture, but they wish that it would last longer on eyelids, especially as a waterproof formula.

Looking for a waterproof eyeshadow that really lasts? This one from Nudestix is a favorite of GH Beauty Director April Franzino. A true multitasker, "I've been using this shimmery taupe eye pencil either to brighten eyes along my lower lashline and inner corners or all around my eyes for a natural but radiant look," she shares. "It really lasts — it takes a lot of rubbing to get the color to budge." However, note that rather than being a twist-up, it has to be sharpened.

Jason Wu's beauty line offers top-performing products at a great value. The eyeshadow stick line comes in fun, bold colors ranging from deep purple to pearlescent green. Thanks to a pointy tip, you have full control over your eyeshadow design, or you can blend out for a more subtle, radiant look. "It goes on very pigmented with beautiful sparkles and very easy to blend out and make it less intense," an online reviewer shares. However, some prefer to use it as an eye pencil instead and feel it's easier to apply as a liner than as a shadow.

Thanks to caranuba wax, these eyeshadow sticks are super blendable and easy to use. Like many other options on the market, they're super shimmery and also a favorite of Guerra. "They offer a range of shades designed to enhance your natural eye color, with finishes that are shimmery and reflective," he says. "They're known for their easy-to-use, long-lasting and blendable formula." One flaw is that they aren't twist-up.

For a natural look, opt for these eyeshadow sticks from Rare Beauty. The shade range includes creamy, shimmery neutrals great for everyday wear. Bonus: They offer the best of both worlds, as they twist up and also have a built-in sharpener for ultimate customization. "I love swiping these on my lids for a little extra color," one GH beauty editor shares. "They're perfect for light makeup days and don't make your eyes look too heavy." She does note that they crease on her lids, though.

Recommended by two of our experts, this multitasker seems to be a must-try. Guerra praises them for being "ultra-versatile and usable on eyes, lips and cheeks. Most impressively, these come in a wide range of colors, from classic neutrals to more brilliant, avant-garde shades, allowing for plenty of creativity." Oquendo also loves the shade range and the "dewy finish" they give, though he also notes they may not be the most long-wearing option out there.

Sometimes, achieving strong color means sacrificing a lightweight formula, and lids can feel heavy after application. But that is certainly not the case with these Chanel eyeshadow sticks. They are Guerra's favorite and they "stand out for their silky, lightweight and blendable formula that provides excellent color payoff," he says. A staple in his makeup kit, they come in a range of very wearable, sophisticated colors that stay put all day. It was difficult to find something that reviewers didn't like about this formula, but one online review does note that it irritated eyes.

Specifically created as a crease-resistant formula, Hart loves these eyeshadow sticks, which she says are "highly pigmented and blend easily." The water-resistant formula plays well with other products: "I love using them alone or using as a layer underneath other powder shadows," she adds. Some online reviewers feel that it's not a super long-lasting product, finding that color doesn't stay put on eyelids.