The 15 Best Cream Eyeshadows, According to Makeup Artists

The best part? They’re so easy to apply.

model wearing cream eyeshadow
(Image credit: Brendan Thorne/Getty)

Don’t get me wrong: the best eyeshadow palettes are great. Really, truly. But buffing powder formulas to perfection takes a tad of skill and a bit of time. The best cream eyeshadows, on the other hand? They’re easy and breezy. All you need is a finger swipe or some blending with the best makeup brushes, and a five-star formula won’t crease, budge, or smudge.

From glitter eyeshadows that are quite literally one-and-done to luxe quads that can be layered for a more intense eye, there’s a wide world of beautiful cream eyeshadows to choose from. “You can create an entire eye look and then add a cream shimmer on top as the final step,” says makeup artist Dani Parkes. “You can even set the shimmer you add with a powder shadow afterward.”

Want to join the cream eyeshadow train but are unsure where to start or what to buy? Scroll ahead. Top makeup artists share the cream shadows—from drugstore eyeshadows to luxury buys—that they always keep in their kits. We also took the liberty of throwing in some of our faves. From easy-to-apply sticks to eye and cheek multipurpose duos, here are the best cream eyeshadows in the game.

The Best Cream Eyeshadows

samantha holender wearing cream eyeshadow

This is so easy to apply, you can do it in the back of a car.

(Image credit: Samantha Holender)

samantha holender wearing cream eyeshadow

Excuse my squinting eyes (the sun was strong), but I needed to show off this sparkle in the sunlight.

(Image credit: Samantha Holender)

samantha holender wearing cream eyeshadow

Match Eyes to Mesmerize with the rest of Charlotte Tilbury's PillowTalk line.

(Image credit: Samantha Holender)

samantha holender wearing cream eyeshadow

The Rose Quartz shade surprisingly looks a bit green on my skin tone.

(Image credit: Samantha Holender)

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I’m partial to shades Well-Being, Compassion, and Adventure, but you really can’t go wrong with any of them.

(Image credit: Emma Aerin Becker)

Other Cream Eyeshadows We Love

What to Look For in a Cream Eyeshadow

  • Texture: "I look for a cream shadow that is creamy and that will dry down to a powdery finish," says Lerma. "A product that is not too grainy or dry as it will have a short shelf life and often dries out too quickly."
  • Crease-Proof: Search for long-wear claims and tests on your cream shadows. Because of the hydrating, more malleable texture, cream eyeshadows are prone to wearing off or creasing throughout the day.
  • Packaging: "I also take note of the packaging that the product comes in," says Lerma. "I love when a cream product comes in glass, it helps that the formulation is not easily altered over time." This also means the pot is reusable—and often refillable.

What Are the Benefits of a Cream Eyeshadow?

I'm biased (cream eyeshadows are my personal favorite), but these shadows are typically the most versatile and easy to apply. "You can use it as a base to pack on powder eyeshadow over top, which will intensify color, or wear it alone," says Lerma.

Dresher also notes that cream textures are idea if you have dry eyelids. "They are usually moisturizing, and easy to blend, she says.

How to Apply a Cream Eyeshadow

It's really up to you. "I like to apply cream eyeshadow with my finger and then take a fluffy blending brush to blend the edges for a seamless application," says Dresher. According to Lerma, you'll want a synthetic brush rather than a natural one, as the filaments are made to be used both wet and dry and help buff the product in for a seamless finish."

Why Trust Marie Claire

The products on this list have either been vetted by Marie Claire's Beauty Editor Samantha Holender or have been hand-selected by one of the four celebrity makeup artists we spoke to. Each and every one is also highly rated by reviewers. We've swatched every product on this list, and worn it on our eyes for an entire day. Ultimately, we selected the top 15 cream eyeshadows on the market, based on their staying power, pigment, and ease of application.

Meet the Experts

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Priscilla DiStasio

Priscilla DiStasio is a professional and celebrity makeup artist with over 10 years of experience in the beauty and makeup industry. First starting her professional career years ago as a MAC certified makeup artist, Priscilla has climbed her way to the top, and since then has built a reputation that holds up a well known name to many of todays top celebrities. She is best known for her consistent work as the main makeup artist for The Real Housewives of New Jersey’s, Teresa Giudice, as well as RHONJ’s Dina Manzo; RHOBH’s Lisa Vanderpump, Kim Richards and Kyle Richards; RHOOC’s Vicki Gunvalson, Shannon Beador, Tamra Judge, Kelly Dodd, Meghan King Edmonds; RHOD’s Stephanie Hollman, Brandi Redmond, Cary Deuber; RHOM’s Jackie Gillies; Vanderpump Rules’; Stassi Schroeder, Scheana Marie Shay, Kristen Doute, Katie Maloney, Brittany Cartwright, Ariana Madix; VH1's Mob Wive's Carla Facciolo; Randi Zuckerberg, Alexander Flores, Jenny McCarthy, Dee Snider, Traci Lords, Cloris Leachman, & Raquel Castro from Jersey Girl and NBC’s the Voice, just to name a few. Priscilla has also worked, as well as appeared on, multiple TV shows such as Real Housewives of New Jersey, VH1's My Big Friggin' Wedding, VH1's Mob Wives, FYI's Mikey Saves The Date, ABC's Forever, HBO's Homeland, Maze Runner, Millionaire Matchmaker, Million Dollar Listing, Quit Your Day Job, NBC Network, MTV Network, Oxygen Network, and Sirius Radio. Priscilla and her work have been featured in top publishing icons such as OK Magazine, Life & Style, US Weekly, People Magazine, OMJ.com, Realitytea, NJ Bergen Magazine, and 201 Magazine. A native born New Yorker, Priscilla is eternally honored with annual invitations for her participation in New York's Fashion Week. In 2015, Priscilla was awarded the "Celebrity Makeup Artist Achievement Award” from the state of New York’s beauty chamber of commerce, along with a certificate of recognition from the comptroller of New York, Scott M. Stringer. This award not only acknowledges Priscilla's exceptional role in the makeup industry, but her passion and drive she has put towards this career as well. Through this passion of makeup, Priscilla has broadened her devotion by giving numerous mentoring opportunities to young aspiring makeup artists in the tristate area, showing others where her heart truly lies. Although Priscilla has made herself a recognized name in the celebrity industry, she also contributes much of her time to her freelance work as well. Specializing in Bridal makeup to Special FX; and everything in between; Ms. Priscilla has done it all.

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Dominique Lerma

Dominique Lerma a Hollywood bred Internationally published Makeup Artist and Beauty Educator, known for her ability to create flawless complexions and innovative beauty looks. She grew her love for makeup artistry at a very ripe age and began beautifying faces for her fellow classmates at her all girl parochial high school. Her self taught passion flourished while she was given the opportunity of working with the world reknowned Mac Cosmetics and soon became a Viva Glam Ambassador. Her 9 years in the beauty industry has landed her on the pages of Instyle, Nylon, Runway, and Photo Vogue Italia. Dominique’s vast resume includes Beauty, editorial, celebrity, advertising, rebranding and bridal. She serves as a Beauty Educator for Frankie Rose Cosmetics and is a bilingual traveling sales representative for both Enzo Milano Professional Hair Styling Tools and Royal Langnickel Brush. Her creative expertise consists of Makeup artistry, hairstyling and men’s grooming.

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Nydia Figueroa

With over 15 years of experience, Nydia has made a name for herself starting off at the age of 18 as an artist for one of the biggest company names in the world, MAC Cosmetics. She followed her dream, working for 5 time Emmy award winning makeup artist (The Today show, The View) EVE PEARL who was the reason she pursued the career of makeup over a decade ago. Nydia is also a Celebrity & Published makeup artist whose work has been featured on television, The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, NYFW, The Miss Universe Organization and more. Nydia's experience spans across a broad scope of field within the makeup industry and is also an educator in beauty. She has taught her signature makeup techniques to hundreds of students all over the country. Nydia is the Owner of Faces By Nydia Makeup Studio and Bridal Suite in Cedar Grove, NJ

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Dani Parkes

Dani Parkes, aka @facesbydanii is a makeup artist based in New York City. She's worked with a range of celebrities, including Lea Michele, influencers, and on editorial campaigns.

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Natalie Dresher

Natalie Dresher, @nataliedresher, is a celebrity + bridal makeup artist in Miami and New York. With many years of experience in her field, Natalie has become a trusted name in the beauty community. Working with brands like Saie Beauty, Revlon, Maybelline and Dibs she has a lot of experience working with our favorites under her wing.

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Samantha Holender
Beauty Editor

Samantha Holender is the Beauty Editor at Marie Claire, where she reports on the best new launches, dives into the science behind skincare, and shares the breakdown on the latest and greatest trends in the beauty space. She's studied up on every ingredient you'll find on INCI list and is constantly in search of the world's glowiest makeup products. She's constantly tracking the biggest nail and hair trends to pop up in the beauty space, going backstage during fashion weeks, tracking celebrity looks, and constantly talking to celebrity hair stylists, nail artists, and makeup artists. Prior to joining the team, she worked as Us Weekly’s Beauty and Style Editor, where she stayed on the pulse of pop culture and broke down celebrity beauty routines, hair transformations, and red carpet looks. Her words have also appeared on Popsugar, Makeup.com, Skincare.com, Delish.com, and Philadelphia Wedding. Samantha also serves as a board member for the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME). She first joined the organization in 2018, when she worked as an editorial intern at Food Network Magazine and Pioneer Woman Magazine. Samantha has a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from The George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs. While at GWU, she was a founding member of the school’s HerCampus chapter and served as its President for four years. When she’s not deep in the beauty closet or swatching eyeshadows, you can find her obsessing over Real Housewives and all things Bravo. Keep up with her on Instagram @samholender.