The 10 Best Cream Eye Shadows of 2020

It’s official: Cream and stick eyeshadow formulas have fully taken the place of cumbersome powders—at least in the makeup routines of Byrdie editors. We’ve tried dozens of the best cream eyeshadows over the past year, and during the process, we have discovered several key elements to consider. Color, vibrancy, consistency, and texture are all important, of course. But the difference between a good cream eyeshadow and a great one is the “wearability” factor. Especially if you have oily eyelids that can’t seem to hang on to color. Think about it: No matter how pretty the pigment, if your shadow doesn’t last through the night, what’s the point?

By far, our favorite thing about cream and stick eyeshadow is how easy it is to apply—and we’ll take an effortless cream over a fussy powder any day. However, our standards for long wear still stand strong. So we went on the hunt to find the longest-lasting cream eyeshadow on the market: one that we can just swipe on leave be.

Keep scrolling to read our reviews of the best long-lasting cream eyeshadows.

Best Overall: Jillian Dempsey Lid Tint

"Makeup artists, celebrities, and beauty editors (not least of all me) are obsessed with these sleeper hit cream eyeshadows, which have a sort of stiffer, stay-put texture that doesn't melt immediately off your skin like some cream formulas. The shades are pigmented yet soft and come in both matte and shimmer finishes depending on your vibe. I'm a new fan of these, but a committed one." — Amanda Montell, contributor

Key Ingredients

Marula Oil is derived from the nut of the marula tree in South Africa and is rich in antioxidants, amino acids, and essential fatty acids. It calms inflammation, protects from environmental stressors, and fights signs of aging.

Best Budget: e.l.f. Smudge Pot Cream Eyeshadow

"What I loved most about this smudge pot was the smoky effect it delivered even though it went on as a cream. It was highly pigmented but still buildable, and though it's a uniform color, it gave off an ombré effect as its metallic sheen played with the light and the contour of my eyelid. Unlike some of my go-to eyeshadows (both powder and cream), the rich color lasted throughout the day. This product is perfect for those wishing to achieve a dimensional eye look with just a few easy swipes of the finger or anyone applying makeup on the go." — Dacy Knight, contributor

Best Splurge: Tom Ford Cream Color for Eyes

"I have the oiliest eyelids, and this cream shadow is not only super blendable, it also stays put through even the sweatiest days (and nights). Plus, unlike other cream shadows, all the colors are super three-dimensional and give a really petty shimmer. Sphinx is a sherbet-tinged shade that has a slight holographic tinge in sunlight (I get so many compliments when I wear it), and Caviar is my favorite to smoke out my liner on a night out." — Faith Xue, editorial director

Best Metallic: Milk Makeup Eye Pigment

"If you're looking for truly long wear—as in, eye makeup that practically cements to your face—it doesn't get better than Milk's formula. These little tubes of metallic cream come in youthful shades like After Party (a light pink), Rave (a vibrant purple), and Mermaid Parade (an aqua green). I chose the light pink, slathered it on my lids, and it dried down so completely that I could have forgotten I was wearing makeup, rubbed my eye, and it still wouldn't smudge. The only thing to remember is that you have to be precise when you apply it because once it dries, it's almost impossible to blend or move around. But if it's long wear that you're looking for, this, my friend, is it." — Amanda

Best Long-Lasting: Nudestix Magnetic Eye Color

"I rarely wear eyeshadow, but when I do, the product needs to have a great color payoff, and it needs to be able to withstand whatever is on my agenda that day. That's exactly what happened with these Nudestix products. They're smoother than velvet and so easy to blend that it's almost therapeutic. I received so many compliments while wearing them (which is always a plus), and they were able to last through my workout class. I don't think I'll be parting with this product anytime soon." — Aimee Jefferson, former social media editor

Runner-Up, Best Long-Lasting: Maybelline Color Tattoo 24-Hour Eyeshadow

"I don't typically wear eyeshadow because I don't like how it creases. That was not the case with this one from Maybelline. (I chose the purple shade.) The color is easily layered—I wear it as a sheer violet tint on my lids, but you could also do something more pigmented with it. At the end of my workday, it looked just as it did right after application." — Maddie Sensibile, beauty writer

Best Glitter: Stila Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow

"I've never had much luck with sparkly eyeshadow, especially creams. Normally it applies super patchy or is not pigmented enough, or I end up with glitter all over my face. But I was surprised and delighted by this Stila pick. First, the shade selection is gorgeous and dimensional: Each bottle contains a blend of two colors. (My favorite was Smoky Storm, a pinky-silver hue.) The product stayed put, looking sparkly and beautiful for almost 10 hours. By the time I washed it off, only one single sparkle had fallen onto my cheek. The product might be a little much for everyday wear, but I would highly recommend this stuff for a party or night-out look." — Amanda

Best Organic: RMS Beauty Cream Eye Polish

"I'm not actually much of an eyeshadow wearer (read: I wear it maybe five times a year). But when I DO reach for something to add a little more depth to my lids, it's this pretty (and organic!) pot from RMS. It takes two seconds to dab on in the car, smudges pristinely, and is still intact by the time I get to the gym around 6 p.m. Plus, to add fuel to the fire, I'm convinced it looks BETTER as the day wears as it gradually warms into the skin. I love Myth because it's neutral but gives off that 'your eyes but better' vibe. Which, as someone who doesn't like the typical drama of eyeshadow, is perfect for me." — Erin Jahns, contributor

Best for Layering: Rituel de Fille Eye Soot

"I have very contradictory standards from eyeshadow in that typically I like something that looks effortless and borderline messy, but it also needs to stay put. In other words, I'm down with creasing and fading as long as it does so in a way that doesn't make me look like I've been drunkenly crying in 105º weather. The thing I love about Rituel de Fille's eye soots [which are midway between a cream and a powder] is that they're beautifully pigmented and sheer, so you can layer them on according to the look you're going for. This also means they still look stunning as they fade. It's my go-to when I want that hazy-eye look—a bronze-y orange, grungy aesthetic that would make Fiona Apple proud." — Victoria Hoff, contributor

Best Black: Givenchy Ombre Couture Cream Eye Shadow

"When I initially put it on, I loved how easy this applied and blended with just my fingers. I tried the No.13 in Noir Sequin Black, and I loved the glittery finish. (From shimmery khaki green to matte pastel pink, all the hues offered are versatile and gorgeous.) Because the application was so creamy, I was anxious to see how well the pigment would wear. I wore it for about seven hours, and I must say, I thought it would wear a bit better, as it claims to be waterproof and long-lasting. When I looked in the mirror, I could still see glitter finish, but most of the color was no longer there. I'd recommend using this with a primer or as a base to intensify powder shadows instead. That way, your shadow will look more vibrant, and it will last longer since you're setting it with a powder!" — Ariel Ornelas, former editorial intern

The 10 Drugstore Eyeshadow Primers to Up Your Shadow Staying Power

We Tested 10 Cream Eyeshadows—and the Best One Will Surprise You

Related Stories