The cult eyeshadows that effortlessly elevate my makeup looks
There are few makeup products as universally loved as eyeshadow. In a single swipe, a pigmented formula can bring together your beauty look. But finding the best eyeshadow? Now that's no easy feat.
With so many on the market, it's easy to get carried away by choice. Then before you know it, you've bought a collection of eyeshadows without considering which shades suit you best (we've all had that one statement hue that goes untouched).
This is where I come in to help. If you're on the hunt for your go-to eyeshadow, I've spoken to the experts and consulted our pro beauty team for their top application tips and best formulas to shop now.
How do you apply eyeshadow?
The right way to apply eyeshadow begins with the right set of brushes. To create a simple look, begin with a fluffy blending brush to buff the shadow into the crease and a smaller dense brush to add definition to your lash line.
It's also worth considering which type of eyeshadow you're going to use. "For ease, NARS' Total Seduction Eyeshadow Sticks are for you; you can create a look in one swipe, they're easy to blend and they don't crease," explains Becky Moore, NARS' Senior Makeup Artist. In general, cream eyeshadows are a foolproof choice as they can be directly applied onto the lid and are often used as a single shade.
"If you want to play about with different looks, powders are the way to go," she adds. With powder eyeshadow, multiple shades can be used as transition colours to blend and add depth.
While there is no fixed rulebook for applying eyeshadow, a good guide for beginners is to use four shades: a natural base to apply in the centre of the lid, a medium shade to add to the crease, a deep colour for the outer corner and a bright highlighter for the inner corner and under the brow.
"For hooded or small eyes, you want to keep the eyeshadow as bright as possible," says Becky. "Ensure you add a highlighter into the inner corner of the eye and your brighter shade onto the lid. To add depth, keep your darker shades in the outer corner, slightly higher than the crease." Then, to finish off your look, follow with a slick of eyeliner and mascara.
Keep reading to discover the best eyeshadows that have won over the Red beauty team. Whether you're after a palette or an easy-to-use cream, you're bound to find one you'll love below.
Our edit of the best eyeshadows, from powders to creams
Eyeshadow Quad Orgasm
NARS’ eyeshadows are among the best for creaminess and texture. This palette features four pinky-bronzed hues inspired by the famous Orgasm blush. Each shade is thoughtfully selected for application either together or as single tones for a simple wash of colour. With such wearable shades, this is a great palette to gift or take on holiday.
High Pigment Eyeshadow
Kiko Milano’s eyeshadows easily stand up to some of the luxury players on the market. The silky powder formula melts onto the skin, which is why the striking pop of colour stays put for so long. I'm also impressed by the range of shades available, all of which are beautifully wearable and can be blended together for a more advanced look.
Caviar Stick Eye Colour
Laura Mercier’s Caviar Sticks have remained at the top of their game since they launched. The cream layers beautifully, with no flaking or creasing, so you can keep a subtle wash of colour or amplify your look for an evening event. With twelve shades to choose from, each one is wearable, subtle and blendable. It’s well worth adding a few sticks to your kit.
Small Eye Shadow
MAC’s single shadows have remained a MUA staple for years – and for great reason. Offering a range of finishes, from matte and satin to shimmer and frost, as well as a huge spectrum of shades, the pots can be bought individually or made into your own customized palette. With an ultra-smooth powder formula, they blend well and maintain their finish all day.
Smokey Eye Brick
Victoria Beckham knows exactly what we want from an eyeshadow palette: a collection of shades that will be used down to the final swipe. Each quad features four buttery tones which work together to create a complete look or can be used individually for a pared-back result. A good place to start is the Signature palette; it features wearable matte and satin shades to brighten and add depth to the lids.
$56.00 at victoriabeckhambeauty.com
Curator Eyeshadow
The velvety formula of these single shadows blends smoothly onto the skin and provides powerful pigment in just one swipe. While you can buy the shades separately – there are 40 matte, satin, metallic and shimmer finishes to choose from – they can also slot into a sleek compact to create your own palette of shades.
Solo Shadow
Merit's chic, practical and pared-back approach is perfect for makeup beginners – there's no messing up with these pots. Truly a one-swipe wonder, the cream-to-powder formula glides onto the lids and, despite being so blendable, the pigment lasts without fading.
Luxury Palette
If you’re after an eyeshadow palette that contains all the shades you’ll wear and love, Charlotte Tilbury’s Luxury Palette in Pillow Talk is the one to go for. The four pink and nude hues flatter all skin tones and provide all you need to brighten and define the eyes. However, if you prefer single-toned looks, each shadow can be used alone too.
Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick
Bobbi Brown has simplified the art of applying eyeshadow to one swipe. These genius sticks come in a spectrum of shades, from soft neutrals to shimmery hues, to create both day and evening looks.
Simply scribble the ultra-creamy stick directly onto the lid and use a fingertip to blend. For as long as you wear it, the punchy pigment stays without creasing or fading.
Eyeshadow
Ideal for makeup minimalists, No7’s single shadows deserve a place in every kit. Holding their own against some pricier alternatives, the powder formula offers a silky finish and glides on with a velvety touch. The single pan makes applying makeup as easy as one stroke, yet it offers enough pigment to elevate an entire look.
Soul Shadows
Take one look at makeup artist Jamie Genevieve's aesthetic, and you'll see that she's the master of the eyes, so it makes sense that her Soul Shadow's palettes are designed to create effortless yet effective looks. My personal favourite is the shade Terra. With four easy-to-wear hues, it can be used to create eyeshadow looks appropriate for the day, which can be enhanced to wear on an evening out.
Exclusive Luxe Quad Bronze Borealis New Year Edition
If you have 20 seconds to get party ready with your makeup, one of the most effective ways to add some glamour to your look is by pressing on some glitter eyeshadow.
Perfectly named, this Pat McGrath Labs quad is what I'll be wearing on New Year's Eve. With a fine and creamy texture, the shadow can be applied with your finger, needing little skill or effort to complete the look.
How do you prep the eyes before eyeshadow?
To prevent eyeshadow from migrating into the creases of your eyes or fading throughout the day, it's a wise idea to prep your lids with an eyeshadow primer.
There are many bases to choose from but we're loyal fans of NARS' Pro Prime and Laura Mercier's Eye Basics Primer; both are lightweight creams that easily blend across the lids and hold eyeshadow in place all day. Not only is a primer useful for keeping your look locked in, but it will also intensify the colour of your eyeshadow.
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