14 Best Eyeshadow Sticks [Tested and Reviewed]

Bobbi Brown's Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick promises a lasting, beautiful finish. It is characterized by a rich range of colors, from natural shades to vibrant, standout hues.

In our testing, it earned high marks in every category. Not only did it prove to be resistant to smudging, but it also stood up to sweat and oils, delivering on its promises. It's a highly recommended product for those whose eyeshadow tends to wear off quickly. Moreover, when applied to the eyelids, it shows true to its color regardless of skin tone. The likelihood of disappointment that it doesn't match the expected color seems very low.

Regarding usability, feedback from our testers included positive comments such as "It delivers true-to-color results on any skin tone and blends smoothly" and "The applicator's size is just right for easy application." This single product can help you achieve your desired eye makeup look effortlessly.

We recommend it to both those who want to maintain their morning makeup look throughout the day and to makeup beginners.

Laura Mercier's Caviar Stick Eye Shadow stands out for its diverse range of shades and different finishes. It promises a beautiful appearance that remains crease-free and lasts for an extended period.

During the pigment testing by our evaluators, feedback included comments such as, "On the first application, the color was slightly lighter than expected, but layering it achieved an even shade." While one might need to apply multiple layers if the first seems too light, the product's strength lies in providing true color on any skin tone.

Additionally, in our ease of use assessment, it was highly commended for its easily blendable formula and the applicator size that fits any eye shape. The water and oil resistance tests also revealed that the color doesn't bleed or smudge, which resulted in a high score.

It's a dependable product, ideal not just for those who may experience eyeshadow creasing due to the width of their eyelids but also for individuals who tend to rub their eyes often.

Thrive Causemetics' Infinity Waterproof Eyeshadow Stick is uniquely formulated with moisturizing and skin-conditioning ingredients like sodium hyaluronate, ceramide NP, aloe leaf extract, and vitamin B5. With a single swipe, it promises to deliver impactful eyes that last hours.

During the ease-of-use assessment, evaluators appreciated its ability to blend, noting, "It can be easily and beautifully blended with fingers or the built-in blending sponge." The included blending tool ensures users can blend the product without dirtying their fingers. Its creamy texture, which renders excellent color, is another reason behind its popularity.

In the longevity test, the eyeshadow excelled in water and oil resistance. It's an ideal solution for those concerned about their eyeshadow fading or smudging over time. 

It's particularly recommended for hot days prone to sweating or when makeup needs to last for extended periods.

The All of the Above Weightless Shadow Stick from Rare Beauty is perfect for those seeking long-lasting, high-pigmentation eyeshadow. It delivers color as expected, allowing for easy gradient effects with layering. Users praised its smooth application and even finish, highlighting its excellent skin compatibility.

Its staying power is impressive, with no color change when exposed to artificial sweat or lard, demonstrating excellent water and oil resistance. It's ideal for summer use and requires minimal touch-ups even after friction.

The creamy texture spreads smoothly, and its thick tip effortlessly covers the entire eyelid, though it's less suited for precise application. Users also noted its compact size, making it easy to carry in a bag.

This eyeshadow stick is a standout choice, with top marks for pigmentation, durability, and ease of use. Its actual coloring is true to the way it looks, so it's a safe bet for online shoppers who can't check it in person.

Kiko's New Long Lasting Eyeshadow Stick wowed us with its impressive staying power. It resists sweat, oil, and friction, excelling in durability tests. There was no noticeable color fading when exposed to artificial sweat or lard, making it ideal for summer use. It also withstood friction without significant changes, ensuring long-lasting makeup.

The pigmentation is also commendable, with testers noting its subtle shimmer that complements the skin's natural tone. It offers a transparent, luminous finish rather than an intense color.

The product blends easily on the skin, with good application results even when using fingers. However, applying directly with the stick is recommended as the color may fade more easily with finger application. The thick tip is better suited for broader areas like the eyelids rather than detailed application at the corners. The stick itself is well-sized for easy handling.

Overall, this eyeshadow stick stands out for its excellent pigmentation and durability. With a wide range of colors, finding a shade that suits any skin tone is easy.

Hourglass's Voyeur Eyeshadow Stick promises a lasting finish that is resistant to creasing. It is characterized by its impactful color and refined metallic finish.

During the pigment and usability evaluation, feedback highlighted that while "it might require a few layers to achieve uniformity, it delivers consistent pigmentation regardless of skin tone." Its capability to display vivid hues even in brighter shades makes it an excellent choice as a highlighter.

We tested it for longevity on synthetic leather; it did smudge slightly when subjected to oils, but its color remained unchanged when testing for water resistance. While it might not be ideal for those with oily skin prone to eyeshadow creasing, it's expected to perform well in situations like the beach or pool where water may splash on the face.

This is the top choice for those seeking a metallic finish.

IT Cosmetics' Superhero No-Tug Waterproof Eyeshadow Stick is a stick eyeshadow notable for its range in both matte and pearl finishes. It claims to maintain a long-lasting finish.

In our pigment test, feedback from testers indicated that "a single application may appear slightly sheer, but layering can achieve the desired intensity." Regarding ease of use, some remarked, "The applicator size is just right, and blending is easy, but the eyeshadow dries quickly." Therefore, applying and blending the eyeshadow one eye at a time might be best.

The color remained consistent when tested for oil resistance, with no signs of smudging. However, in tests for resistance to rubbing and water, there was some minor smudging, leading to a bit of a struggle in longevity.

While it might not hold up for active or outdoor activities, it's ideal for work or daily makeup routines.

Sephora's Colorful Waterproof Eyeshadow & Eyeliner Multi-Stick claims to maintain its finish for extended periods. It is also free from parabens, phthalates, and sulfates (SLS & SLES).

In our pigment evaluation, feedback from testers praised its ability to achieve true-to-color results even with just a single swipe, regardless of skin tone. When used as an eyeliner, it can provide a defined, striking look around the eyes.

While some users found the applicator easy to use, others mentioned that the product dries quickly, requiring swift blending. Additionally, in the water-resistance test, it remained unaffected even when artificial sweat was applied. However, it tended to smudge when subjected to oils, leading to moderate reviews. It might be slightly less suitable for those with oily skin prone to eyeshadow creasing.

It's recommended for those who want an eyeshadow with good pigmentation. Pairing it with an eye primer should enhance its performance.

Charlotte Tilbury Beauty's Colour Chameleon boasts a long-lasting finish with a design that exudes charm and femininity. 

When evaluated by our testers, feedback indicated that "the pigmentation was lighter than expected, and trying to apply multiple layers resulted in some unevenness." The average results might not meet expectations if you're seeking intense pigmentation with a single swipe. The applicator's size was appropriate, but blending required some effort, preventing it from receiving top marks for user-friendliness.

In terms of its longevity, while the oil-resistance test showed a slight fading in color, it proved resistant to rubbing and water. It's safe to say this product will hold up throughout the day.

This particular product requires sharpening, which might be inconvenient for some users, but as long as you have a sharpener, there shouldn't be an issue.

Clinique Laboratories' Chubby Stick Shadow Tint For Eyes is promoted as a product that is so easy to use that you won't even need a mirror.

Its unusually thick core for a stick eyeshadow delivers color effortlessly in just one swipe, living up to its promise of easy blending. In terms of pigmentation, feedback from testers indicated that "while the color was lighter than expected, it applied evenly without any patchiness." While it might not satisfy those seeking intense color, it's recommended for those who prefer a sheer finish.

However, when subjected to water and oils, it smudged in both tests, negatively impacting its overall rating.

It might not suit those needing long-lasting makeup, but it should work well for short outings.

E.L.F. Cosmetics' No Budge Shadow Stick is a stick eyeshadow boasting a creamy, blendable formula that applies easily and is promoted as resistant to smudging and creasing.

Its signature metallic finish is distinctive, but the color applies more sheerly than expected, which prevented it from receiving high marks for pigmentation. Feedback from testers also highlighted that "the color seemed to fade while blending," yielding a somewhat disappointing result. Some might find certain shades lacking in intensity when used on their own.

On the other hand, regarding longevity, both water and oil resistance testing showed no smudging, earning it high praise.

While its affordable price is a plus, it may not be the best choice for those who prefer vivid makeup looks.

Julep Beauty's Eyeshadow 101 Crème-to-Powder Eyeshadow Stick is an eyeshadow stick that transitions from a cream to a powder-like finish. It notably incorporates vitamin E, vitamin C, and candelilla wax for a smooth texture.

While this product proved resilient to rubbing, it did smudge slightly when synthetic sweat was applied, and its color faded when exposed to natural oils, leading to a moderate rating in the longevity evaluation. It may not be suitable for active days but should be fine for general use.

In our test for pigmentation, feedback from testers included that it applied evenly yet had a sheer finish, and layering didn't significantly change the intensity, leading to mixed results. Furthermore, while it blended easily, the performance of the accompanying blending sponge was deemed subpar, which detracted from its rating.

It might appeal to those who prefer a natural color and sheer finish, but some might find it lacking.

NYX Professional Makeup's Jumbo Eye Pencil is distinctive for its range of 16 shades, spanning from neutrals to brights and deeper smoky hues. It boasts a creamy formula that's easy to apply and blend.

While opinions varied in terms of pigment and ease of use, it received high marks for the comfortable size of the applicator, true-to-sight color, and easy blending. It's safe to say it's user-friendly, even for beginners.

On the other hand, it didn't fare well in the waterproof and oil-resistant tests, as it smudged in both cases, leading to a lower rating.

While it's beginner-friendly, it may not be suitable for long-wear, so those who dislike touch-ups might want to steer clear.

Tarte's Quick Stick Waterproof Shadow & Liner is supposed to have a waterproof formula that promises to resist creasing, transferring, and smudging.

In terms of wear, the product didn't hold up well against artificial sweat and oils. It tended to smudge overall, making it difficult to say it's long-lasting. Moreover, regarding its pigmentation, feedback indicated it had a sheer finish that didn't apply evenly. This might leave those seeking vibrant pigments unsatisfied.

While the applicator's size is just right, and it's easy to apply along the lash line, its blending ability fell short in evaluations.

If one of the available color options suits your preferences, it could justify the investment, though it may not become the standout item in your collection.