The 12 Best Cream Eyeshadows, According to Makeup Artists

Don’t get me wrong: 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, breezy. All you need is a finger swipe, a little tapping to blend, and a five-star formula that won’t crease, budge, or smudge. From sparkly options that are quite literally one-and-done to luxe quads that can be layered for a more intense eye, there’s a whole 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 afterwards.”

Want to get on board the cream eyeshadow train but not sure where to start or what to buy? Scroll ahead. Top makeup artists are sharing the cream shadows 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

• The Best Cream Eyeshadow for Easy Application: Laura Mercier Caviar Eyeshadow Stick

• The Best Cream Eyeshadow for a Glitter Finish: Hourglass Scattered Light Glitter Eyeshadow

• The Best Buildable Cream Eyeshadow: Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerize

• The Best Luxury Cream Eyeshadow: Tom Ford Cream Color for Eyes

• The Best Cream Eyeshadow Crayon: Bodyography Shadow Stylist Crayon

Laura Mercier Caviar Eyeshadow Stick

“This has been my favorite for a while. They’re pen-like and smudge effortlessly onto the lid, which makes them so easy to use,” says celebrity makeup artist Priscilla DiStasio. “They’re amazing for a quick and non-messy smoky eye. They also come in endless shades, both with matte and glowy finishes.” Use them solo, combine a few shades for a more sculpted look, or even let one double as a smudged eyeliner across your lower lash line. Oh, and one last pro tip: Toss some in your bag for midday touch-ups.

Pros: Easy to use; Great for lower lash line; Multiple finishes

Cons: Not long-lasting

The Best Cream Eyeshadow for a Glitter Finish

Hourglass Scattered Light Glitter Eyeshadow

While most glitter eyeshadows are going to have substantial fall out, these glitter-specked, densely-packed cream pots don’t move—like, at all. “You can apply these with just your fingertips, which I find gives the best results for this type of cream shadow,” adds DiStasio. Just a little bit of product gives a gorgeous, reflective wash of color that catches the light at every turn. Place a dot in your inner corner, on the center of your lid, or do a full-fledged glitter eye if you’re feeling a little fancy.

Pro: Doesn’t crease or smudge; Intense payoff

Cons: Limited color selection

Danessa Myricks Beauty Colorfix Eye, Cheek, and Lip Cream Pigment

“I’m in love with these amazing, versatile cream colors from Danessa Myricks,” says DiStasio. “They are great for everyone, come in all shades and finishes, and can literally be used anywhere on the face.” The matte and high shine options are stunning on the eyes, lips, and cheeks, while the metallic options look gorgeous as a highlighter or pop on the lid. The biggest plus with these little guys however is their incredible staying power. They’re waterproof (aka sweat- and humidity-proof), do not crease in the slightest, and will look just as pigmented at night as they did during the a.m. Just be warned: They dry down quickly, so work fast.

Pros: Long-lasting; Intense payoff

Cons: Dries down very quickly

Jones Road Just a Sec Clean Cream Eyeshadow

“When looking for a cream eyeshadow, I am looking for a formula that is long-lasting with no creasing and buildable coverage. I love the Jones Road Just a Sec Clean Cream Eyeshadow because it has a beautiful shimmer and is super easy to apply. This formula is great for people who want a wash of color because it can be built up to a beautiful and dense shade,” says makeup artist Nydia Figueroa. “You can use your fingers or, one of my favorite brushes, the Anisa Beauty Eye Fan All-Over Brush. This brush has an incredible shape and swipes on the cream eyeshadow with ease.”

Pros: Buildable; Doesn’t crease

Cons: Small shade collection; Glitter fallout

Bodyography Shadow Stylist Crayon

“This creamy, long-wearing, and waterproof formula is so versatile, travel friendly, and applies like a marker. It’s also cruelty-free and sets within 30 seconds,” says makeup artist Dominique Lerma. “I love layering this as an eyeshadow base to secure the longevity of an eyeshadow look. It has a high-shine, metallic finish and is available in eight various shades. My current favorites are Coin, a rose gold, Miss, a metallic khaki green, and Copper, a metallic bronze copper.” Lerma's go-to application tip? “Swipe them on your eyelid from your lash line up into your crease and buff and blend it out in a windshield-wiper motion on your crease using my go-to Omnia Crease brush.

Pros: Easy to apply; Long-lasting

Cons: Limited shade selection

Glossier Lidstar Glistening Eye Glow

“This is the perfect cream shadow for a minimalist makeup look. It adds a shimmer and elevates your eyes in a beautiful way, and is super easy to use,” says Parkes. There’s no need for a brush—just swipe the applicator across your lid in your color of choice (there’s eight total) and diffuse any harsh lines with your finger. You’ll be left with a sheer, very subtle wash of color that provides just a little extra oomph. Pro tip: “You can even use this product as a highlighter to create a chic monochromatic look!”

Pros: Easy to use; Multi-purpose

Cons: Not super pigmented

The Best Crease-Proof Cream Eyeshadow

Armani Beauty Eye Tint Long Lasting Liquid Eyeshadow

“This is my holy grail product for the perfect ‘going out look,’” says Parkes. “It is highly pigmented and creates a stunning eye look on its own.” The crease-proof, 16-hour wear formula comes in a mix of matte and shimmer shades that give a dense, bold wash across the lid. The pointed applicator can be dragged along the lash line for extra drama. Want to take your pigment to another level? Parkes recommends layering this on top of a powder formula.

Pros: Highly pigmented; Long lasting

Cons: Dries down quickly; Difficult to get product out of the jar

The Best Buildable Cream Eyeshadow

Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerize

One of my personal favorites, these little pots really pack in the shimmer. They have a reflective, silk-esque finish that’s incomparable to other products. The shades themself are metallic by and large, but work across a range of undertones. They’re buildable to the max, can be layered with other products, or used solo as a statement eye. But the most impressive feature is the formula’s blendability. You have time to work with the product and perfect your shape without having to worry about it drying down in five seconds.

Pros: Blendable; High shine

Cons: Fades throughout the day

Tom Ford Cream Color for Eyes

The biggest eyeshadow pain point? Creasing—and you can’t fight me on that. By the time dinner rolls around, chunks of shadow pool in the little lines of your lid. This cream pot however manages to be the exception to the rule. Once it sets, it’s not going to budge. The luxe, metallic-finish formula gives a long-lasting fleck of shimmer and shine to any makeup look. If you really want to ensure crease-free wear, start off with a great eye makeup primer.

Pros: Smudge- and crease-free; Long lasting

Cons: Expensive

Chanel Ombre Premiére Collection Libre

Anyone who gravitates towards more satin, soft looks should 100 percent have a stockpile of these Chanel singles. With three total shades in the line, including a barely-there nude, shimmer-flecked champagne, and smoky-eye optimal brown, these creamy colors can create looks that run the gamut from subtle to intense. While finger application is typically the way to go, I have to say that the corresponding brush is a game changer. It picks up the perfect amount of product and gives an even and consistent wash. If you want to soften out the line along your crease, just gently tap with the warmth of your fingertips.

Pros: Blendable

Cons: Expensive; Small shade selection

Jillian Dempsey Lid Tint

Leave it to Jillian Dempsey to create one of the most versatile cream shadows in the game. Not only do these creamy pigments look gorgeous when swiped across the lid, but depending on the shade you choose, they can also double as a lip tint, a blush, a bronzer, or a highlighter. They’re entirely buildable, which makes them ideal for creating a monochromatic look. An added bonus? Each pot is infused with hydrating ingredients like sunflower seed oil, coconut oil, and shea butter.

Pros: Multi-purpose; Buildable

Cons: Might cause breakouts for sensitive skin types

Roén 11:11 Palette

Most cream eyeshadows are going to come in individual pots—that’s just how the story goes. If you’re a creamy girl through and through though, having a handful of shades in one, convenient location is ideal. Enter Roén. This quad is designed with four shades that work beautifully together. While one per quad may feel more powder-y, the majority have a bouncy, soft, blendable texture.

Pros: Convenient shade selection; Blendable

Cons: Might crease on oily eyelids

Meet the Experts

Priscilla DiStasio

Makeup Artist

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.

Dominique Lerma

Makeup Artist and Omnia Executive Artist

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. 

Nydia Figueroa

Makeup Artist

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

Dani Parkes

Makeup Artist

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.