Cream eyeshadows have been an absolute revelation to me! They're so easy and quick to apply and always look as though you've tried harder than you have. My go-to weekday look is a cream eyeshadow base then a powder on top and in the crease then I'm done. Now I've sampled a fair few I thought I'd give you the lowdown on the different formulas at different price-points.
On the high-end side I have both a potted and a crayon formula. First up is the Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon in Amber Haze (£19). The range provides both a night and a day shade for each eye colour. Amber Haze is the nighttime look for brown eyes, however if you're a different eye colour and like the shade it's still well worth a look. The shade is a rich, stunning cognac-brown shimmer. I feel like words and photos don't do it justice; it's such a multifaceted colour. You can easily wear it across the eyelid and blend out and it will not budge all day. I often use it as an eyeliner for my bottom lash line too. Then I have the Illamasqua Vintage Metallix in Embellish (£16.50). This has a super creamy formula; it's not quite a mousse but definitely a fluffier-textured option. The colour is a sort of medium cool brown with a touch of gold glitter. Despite the texture I also find this has some serious staying power.
Moving to the more mid-range price tag...the Max Factor Excess Shimmers (£7.99), despite their name are not that ridiculous shimmery. They have a whipped mousse kind of texture meaning they're light and fluffy to apply and blend like a dream, but at the same time it means you end up getting through a pot fairly quickly. The shade I've picked to show you is Bronze. Another slightly misleading name as it's more of a rick brown colour. It's definitely more of an evening look for me personally. Another more mid-range pick is the Mememe Dew Pot in 3 Willow Whisper (£7.25). It's a nice silvery-mauve shade, however I don't feel the quality is particularly better than Maybelline's Colour Tattoos and it's more expensive for a smaller amount. However they're worth checking out if you want some different shades.
Finally, I have plenty of budget alternatives! I have some of the Bourjois Colourband Eyeshadow Sticks (£5.99) and here I've chosen 02 Brun Dadaiste, whilst (as I've mentioned previously) it find the formula of these hard to blend, they've found a new lease of life as under-eye liners. They're still not amazing but as they're a new product I thought I'd give them a mention. I also have a few of the Elf Smudge Pots (£2.95) and here I've chosen the colour Brownie Points. I like brown, ok?! It actually comes out a little darker than you'd expect so for me I'd use this as a base for an evening look. It's very good for the price but I don't find this range quite as pigmented as my next pick.
Finally, I have plenty of budget alternatives! I have some of the Bourjois Colourband Eyeshadow Sticks (£5.99) and here I've chosen 02 Brun Dadaiste, whilst (as I've mentioned previously) it find the formula of these hard to blend, they've found a new lease of life as under-eye liners. They're still not amazing but as they're a new product I thought I'd give them a mention. I also have a few of the Elf Smudge Pots (£2.95) and here I've chosen the colour Brownie Points. I like brown, ok?! It actually comes out a little darker than you'd expect so for me I'd use this as a base for an evening look. It's very good for the price but I don't find this range quite as pigmented as my next pick.
Which is of course the Maybelline Colour Tattoos (£4.99)! I've saved my two favourite products for last! I have to admit that the Colour Tattoo range can be a little hit and miss in that so,e of the shades are better than others. Out of the UK selection I would recommend Pink Gold, Creamy Beige and the favourite I've showcased in this post: On and On Bronze. It's a cool-toned brown-bronze shimmer that's just unbelievably creamy and beautiful in texture. I'm not sure about 24 hours but this has lasted me through some veeeeery long days! You could use them as a liner but you'd need a brush and as I have so many stick versions I tend to go for those. My next favourites that I absolutely suggest you get in your life are the KIKO Long-Lasting Stick Eyeshadows (£7.90). I could rave all day about how great these are! I use them virtually every day as they're just so quick and easy, whether its across the lid, as a base or as eyeliner. The texture is beyond creamy and you have a good amount of time before they 'set' and remain in place until you remove them. This shade is 05 Rosy Brown, though I love all but one of the many I own, I'm gravitating towards this right now. The colour selection is also vast and the price point is similar to less impressive efforts by Bourjois and Rimmel! I know they're not the most easily accessible brand in the UK but trust me, it's well worth placing an order on their website and getting like 10 colours. They're that good.
I think cream eyeshadows are one area where the budget alternatives are just as amazing quality as the more high-end ones and not a single one here has creased on my oily eyelids, so it really comes down to the colours you want. Sometimes you just fall in love with a specific shade and have to have it so you fork out for the high-end version. However personally I wouldn't say my high-end formulas (including the ones I have from a Benefit kit that I haven't put in the post) are any better quality than the KIKO line or the best shades from Maybelline so you really aren't missing out by not spending £15-30 on one!
You can see reviews and swatches of these and lots of other shades here:
Are you a cream eyeshadow fan? What are your favourites?
Like you I love the KIKO ones and have a few in my collection, also a great fan of the on and on bronze from the tattoo range.
ReplyDeleteI like you also generally use this in the day time as it is so quick to do but also nice to hear that the price doesn't play too much of a part in what is good and what is not :)
Great post
Pams Stuff and Things
Glad you enjoyed :D the KIKO ones are my favourite xx
DeleteI am addicted to cream eyeshadows although I don't own any high end brands yet! I really like the Bourjois Colour Bands and I understand what you mean about them being difficult to blend. I find that if you blend it immediately before it sets, then it is much easier. I only ever use them on my actual lids so it's a little better. The Maybelline Color Tattoos will forever be my favourite cream eyeshadows and I don't think anything can beat it for now. Kiko I will be coming for you soon! Thanks for this round up..very helpful!!..xx
ReplyDeleteI love the Colour Tattoos too - they're so amazing :) xx
DeleteIm in love with the Elf Smudge pots, the pigments in them are amazing! I never used to be a big fan of cream eyeshadows until recently x
ReplyDeleteEmma | Emmys Blog
I definitely need to get using them more - this post made me re-discover them :) xx
DeleteThose KIKO Long-Lasting Stick Eyeshadows - wish I could get my grubby fingers on them. They remind me so much of my beloved Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks. And I've also heard amazing things about the ELF smudge pots which I've not tried either.
ReplyDeleteBeauty Isles | An Island Girl's Beauty and Lifestyle Blog
Definitely get them if you can - amazing! xx
DeleteI'm obsessed with cream eyeshadows. They are my go to as I'm usually in a rush and they are usually a one swipe product, easy to apply. My faves are the Mac Paintpots, Maybelline On and On Bronze and By Terry in Misty Rock. I want to try the Illamasqua one soon, but I'm tempted to get the lighter shade. :) x
ReplyDeleteRenata | Speaking Beauty UK
Renata | Speaking Beauty UK
I've actually never tried a Paint Pot but definitely will do! xx
DeleteOhh so much prettiness. I need to use cream eyeshadow more really, not sure why I don't!
ReplyDeleteAnnabel ♥
Mascara & Maltesers
They're so quick an easy :) xx
DeleteI've been wanting to pick up some of the Kiko Shadow Sticks for ages, especially because of you and your swatches, they look gorgeous! :)
ReplyDeleteSarah / Sarah Smiles
They're seriously amazing! xx
DeleteThose swatches are gorgeous! Like I want them all kind of gorgeous! I have one from Kiko that I do really like but I tend not to go for cream eyeshadows. Might get a few more from Kiko to test out :) x
ReplyDeleteBrenda BusyBee | Bella & Bear Pro Makeup Brush Set Giveaway
They're a real time-saver :) xx
DeleteI actually picked up a Maybelline colour tattoo a while back after reading you rave about On and On Bronze and I have to say I adore them and definitely need to try out some you've mentioned above x
ReplyDeleteJordan | Keep Dreaming ♥
Glad you enjoyed it - definitely a favourite shade of mine :) xx
DeleteI seem to have forgotten all about cream eyeshadows, I really need to dig some of mine out :) I’m really intrigued by the Kiko stick eyeshadows, they sound amazing- luckily enough I’ve located a store in Spain when I go on holiday so can have a little splurge then :)
ReplyDeleteCharlee XO | CharmedCharlee
They're so great - and lucky you! xx
DeleteLove the Color Tattoos! Been wanting to try the Kiko eyeshadow sticks for ages! I'm glad you go on better with the Illamasqua formula, I can't make it last very long on my lids at all x
ReplyDeleteSpeckled Beauty
Aww what a shame - it's definitely a lighter/fluffier formula so I can see why it wouldn't last as long as some of the others xx
DeleteI've never tried a cream eyshadow, but I want to! Would you use the Color Tattoo underneath an UD powder eyeshadow? : )
ReplyDeleteYes they work really well alone or as a base :) I love On & On Bronze underneath Half Baked, Smog and Dark Horse from the UD Naked 1 xx
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