Who it’s for: people who don’t shy away from bold colors | Available shades: 16
Best Dual-Ended: Tarte Quick Stick Shadow & Liner
Why it’s worth it: Every great cat eye requires two things: A precise liner and a shimmery shadow to highlight your artistry. The good news is you’ll find both in Tarte’s two-sided Quick Stick Shadow & Liner, a dual-ended pen that features a waterproof shadow and gel-based liner to pair together. The thin, charcoal-black eyeliner is one of the smoothest pencils out there. Its creamy texture glides like butter along your lash line, creating a perfect wing. The Rose Gold Luster/Brown shadow stick pictured above is easy to smudge for a soft finish. In the words of one Allure tester, it’s “the perfect cat eye tool.”
Who it’s for: anyone who wants a two-in-one eye shadow and liner. | Available shades: 5
Best Longwear: Rare Beauty All of the Above Weightless Eyeshadow Stick
Why it’s worth it: The Rare Beauty All of the Above Weightless Eyeshadow Stick is a subtly shimmery pick that won’t crease in fine lines and lasts all day—rain, shine, or something else entirely. The shades bridge the gap between earth and jewel tones and result in a collection of super-wearable hues—like Well-Being, a soft pink pictured above—that can take you from day to night repeatedly. Here’s a quick tip: Swipe on a lighter shade like Integrity along your brow bone for a gentle highlight.
Who it’s for: people who want a weightless, long-lasting shadow| Available shades: 6
Best Budget: Colourpop Shadow Stix
Why it’s worth it: The Colourpop Shadow Stix is an under-$10 pick that gives most options with double-digit price tags a run for their money. New York City-based makeup artist Amrita Mehta loves this budget-friendly shadow stick for its “great color payoff.” These creamy sticks offer a unique shade range across metallic and matte finishes, including Surf Sesh (a metallic teal), Cold Girl (an icy white), and Friday Feels (a holographic peach).
Who it’s for: people who want a budget-friendly eyeshadow stick with a high-quality formula | Available shades: 22
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply an eye shadow stick?
Like any individual eye shadow, you have your options in terms of application. Most eye shadow sticks have creamy formulas that take a few seconds (a minute, tops, usually) to settle, which makes your clean(!) fingers an ideal applicator. When using any single eye shadow like a stick, Fiona Stiles, a Los Angeles-based makeup artist, previously told Allure that she often opts for her digits. “I use my fingers for shadows all the time, at work and on myself,” she said. “At work, I use [her fingers] to lay on color in a more concentrated way, and on myself, I use them to create a wash of shadow on the lid,” she says.
