Cream & Liquid Eyeshadows | 2019 Editor's Favorites
It was a good year for cream and liquid eyeshadows–I reviewed almost 150!–and I’ve definitely felt there was more of a drought in the past (with mostly ColourPop dominating with few other players). Based on some of the early spring 2020 releases, liquid eyeshadow is making a bit of a comeback!
That being said, I reviewed the majority of Sydney Grace Cream Shadows this year, which were mostly excellent, particularly for anyone who tends to like more pigmented cream formulas. ColourPop Super Shock Shadows continued to be released throughout the year and remained a favorite.
If you’re unfamiliar with how I like to do my year-end favorites, here’s the low down: I pull from the products I reviewed in 2019, regardless of whether they were new, limited edition, or an established range I’ve only just gotten around to reviewing. These are personal favorites, so they may or may not be the highest rated products reviewed during the year (though they will tend to be better rated, naturally!). (You can check out best of 2018 if you missed it.)
Temptalia’s Favorite Cream & Liquid Eyeshadows | 2019
Chanel Patine Bronze (840) Ombre Premiere Longwear Cream Eyeshadow ($36.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a slightly muted, medium golden bronze with warm...
Chanel Patine Bronze (840) Ombre Premiere Longwear Cream Eyeshadow ($36.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a slightly muted, medium golden bronze with warm...
Sydney Grace Campfire Cream Shadow ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a medium-dark, taupe-brown with subtle, warm golden undertones and a sparkling, metallic...
Sydney Grace Campfire Cream Shadow ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a medium-dark, taupe-brown with subtle, warm golden undertones and a sparkling, metallic...
Sydney Grace Cranberry Streusel Cream Shadow ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a bright, medium plum with warm, red undertones and a slightly cooler overtone. ...
Sydney Grace Cranberry Streusel Cream Shadow ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a bright, medium plum with warm, red undertones and a slightly cooler overtone. ...
Sydney Grace Spiced Cider Cream Shadow ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a medium-dark, rusty copper with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It had rich...
Sydney Grace Spiced Cider Cream Shadow ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a medium-dark, rusty copper with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It had rich...
Sydney Grace The Scoop Cream Shadow ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a deep gold with subtle, warm olive undertones and a metallic sheen. It had intense...
Sydney Grace The Scoop Cream Shadow ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a deep gold with subtle, warm olive undertones and a metallic sheen. It had intense...
Sydney Grace Worth the Wait Cream Shadow ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a bright, rich gold with warm undertones and a bright, metallic finish. It was...
Sydney Grace Worth the Wait Cream Shadow ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a bright, rich gold with warm undertones and a bright, metallic finish. It was...
Sydney Grace Master Plan Cream Shadow ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a medium-dark pink base with warmer undertones and gold-to-green duochrome shift. It...
Sydney Grace Master Plan Cream Shadow ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a medium-dark pink base with warmer undertones and gold-to-green duochrome shift. It...
Sydney Grace Vibrant Madness Cream Shadow ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a deeper gold with warm, olive undertones and a sparkling, metallic sheen. It was...
Sydney Grace Vibrant Madness Cream Shadow ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a deeper gold with warm, olive undertones and a sparkling, metallic sheen. It was...
Sydney Grace Starry Night Cream Shadow ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a medium, reddish-brown base with warm undertones paired with blue-to-green shifting...
Sydney Grace Starry Night Cream Shadow ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a medium, reddish-brown base with warm undertones paired with blue-to-green shifting...
Sydney Grace Blossom Cream Shadow ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a bright, medium, pink-plum with subtle, cool undertones and a sparkling, metallic finish. ...
Sydney Grace Blossom Cream Shadow ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a bright, medium, pink-plum with subtle, cool undertones and a sparkling, metallic finish. ...
Sydney Grace Glory Cream Shadow ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a light-medium purple with subtle, warm undertones and a sparkling finish. It had nearly...
Sydney Grace Glory Cream Shadow ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a light-medium purple with subtle, warm undertones and a sparkling finish. It had nearly...
Sydney Grace Down the Coast Cream Shadow ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a light, plummy taupe with neutral-to-cool undertones and a bright, metallic sheen. ...
Sydney Grace Down the Coast Cream Shadow ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a light, plummy taupe with neutral-to-cool undertones and a bright, metallic sheen. ...
Seventh Heaven is a light-medium, pinky-coral with subtle, warm undertones and a sparkling, golden metallic finish. It had a smooth, creamy texture...
Seventh Heaven is a light-medium, pinky-coral with subtle, warm undertones and a sparkling, golden metallic finish. It had a smooth, creamy texture...
Giorgio Armani Halo (2) Eyes to Kill Stellar ($36.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a medium, golden taupe with more muted, almost olive undertones, paired with a...
Giorgio Armani Halo (2) Eyes to Kill Stellar ($36.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a medium, golden taupe with more muted, almost olive undertones, paired with a...
Sydney Grace I Need a Vacation Cream Shadow ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a light-medium purple with cool undertones and a soft, metallic sheen. It had...
Sydney Grace I Need a Vacation Cream Shadow ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a light-medium purple with cool undertones and a soft, metallic sheen. It had...
Sydney Grace Cliff Jumping Cream Shadow ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a light taupe with subtle, warm undertones and more silvery sparkle over a metallic...
Sydney Grace Cliff Jumping Cream Shadow ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a light taupe with subtle, warm undertones and more silvery sparkle over a metallic...
ColourPop Flying Circus Super Shock Shadow ($6.00 for 0.07 oz.) has a medium-dark, warmer pink base with flecks of blue-to-violet shifting sparkle. ...
ColourPop Flying Circus Super Shock Shadow ($6.00 for 0.07 oz.) has a medium-dark, warmer pink base with flecks of blue-to-violet shifting sparkle. ...
Marc Jacobs Beauty Topaz Flash (90) See-quins Glam Glitter Liquid Eyeshadow ($26.00 for 0.19 oz.) is a medium-dark, golden taupe with warm undertones...
Marc Jacobs Beauty Topaz Flash (90) See-quins Glam Glitter Liquid Eyeshadow ($26.00 for 0.19 oz.) is a medium-dark, golden taupe with warm undertones...
Natasha Denona Sienna Chroma Crystal Liquid Eyeshadow ($25.00 for 0.27 oz.) is a rich, golden bronze with warm undertones and a sparkling, metallic...
Natasha Denona Sienna Chroma Crystal Liquid Eyeshadow ($25.00 for 0.27 oz.) is a rich, golden bronze with warm undertones and a sparkling, metallic...
Giorgio Armani Stellar (5) Eyes to Kill Stellar ($36.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a muted, light-medium rosy copper with warmer undertones and flecks of fine...
Giorgio Armani Stellar (5) Eyes to Kill Stellar ($36.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a muted, light-medium rosy copper with warmer undertones and flecks of fine...
Natasha Denona Moonstone Chroma Crystal Liquid Eyeshadow ($25.00 for 0.27 oz.) is a deeper, golden peach with warm undertones and a metallic finish. ...
Natasha Denona Moonstone Chroma Crystal Liquid Eyeshadow ($25.00 for 0.27 oz.) is a deeper, golden peach with warm undertones and a metallic finish. ...
Sydney Grace Mistletoe Cream Shadow ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a medium-dark green with subtle, cooler undertones and warmer, gold and green shimmer that...
Sydney Grace Mistletoe Cream Shadow ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a medium-dark green with subtle, cooler undertones and warmer, gold and green shimmer that...
Hourglass Ray Scattered Light Glitter Eyeshadow ($29.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a bright, lighter bronzy brown with warm, slightly rosy undertones and cooler...
Hourglass Ray Scattered Light Glitter Eyeshadow ($29.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a bright, lighter bronzy brown with warm, slightly rosy undertones and cooler...
Glossover Averages
Your Year in Review: Cream & Liquid Eyeshadow Edition
I thought it would be interesting to read through how readers used products throughout the year, what favorites emerged, what products fell by the wayside… so, if you want to join in, copy and paste the questions below and add your answers via a comment!
- Did you use cream or liquid eyeshadow more often during the year?
- When you used either, how did you use it most?
- What were your most used cream or liquid eyeshadows this year?
Did you use cream or liquid eyeshadow more often during the year? No, as I still tend to use powder and baked geleé shadows the most often.
When you used either, how did you use it most? Almost always as a lid or inner corner color. Sometimes as a topper.
What were your most used cream or liquid eyeshadows this year? Probably ColourPop SSS’s and my one Fenty liquid duo.
Did you use cream or liquid eyeshadow more often during the year? Liquid
When you used either, how did you use it most? In both cases, as a topper for extra shimmer or sparkle.
What were your most used cream or liquid eyeshadows this year? Wet n Wild Megalast Liquid Catsuit Liquid Eyeshadows. When I used creams, ColourPop SSS (the only ones that don’t crease on me).
I can see why the Chanel Patine Bronze took out the top honours – what a perfectly stunning shade. And I think SG has led the field here in bringing beautifully rich cream eyeshadows to its customers at such an affordable price point.
Did you use cream or liquid eyeshadow more often during the year?
No, I think I would find them difficult to use as I am quite poorly sighted without my glasses, so application would be an issue. I do love them though.
When you used either, how did you use it most?
Not applicable to me.
What were your most used cream or liquid eyeshadows this year?
If I were to purchase some, I think I would try the Stila liquid eyeshadows or the SG cream shadows.
Did you use cream or liquid eyeshadow more often during the year?
Yes! Just about every daily eye look included a liquid or cream shadow.
When you used either, how did you use it most?
I love to switch it up. A single shade look could be either or. Sometimes a liquid as a primer base to powder shadow. Pot formulas like Touch In Sol. Hourglass or Marc Jacob’s were used as toppers for inner and halo. I love sparkling glittery metallics!!!
What were your most used cream or liquid eyeshadows this year?
Marc Jacob’s, Hourglass, Touch In Sol. Natasha Denona
Did you use cream or liquid eyeshadow more often during the year? While I’m fairly sure I’ve not used liquid shadows (not even sure if I own any), I have used cream shadows a fair bit
When you used either, how did you use it most? I regularly use MAC Paintpots and Lise Watier/Clarins cream to powder type shadows either as “one and done” shadows or as bases for powder shadows.
What were your most used cream or liquid eyeshadows this year? MAC Painterly, Laura Mercier Khaki, Lise Watier Bronze Glam and Chic Glam (both are pencil/stick cream shadows) and most recently Pixi Bronze Blaze. I also love Tarte Martini used on its own as a quick and easy shadow look. I was really sad to see that Rimmel has discontinued their cream shadow sticks. I went to buy another one and – woosh – they were gone!
Did you use cream or liquid eyeshadow more often during the year? Yes, I used cream eyeshadow more often this year.
I strictly use the cream on my lower lid; to me, they are too hard to blend for outer V and crease. I always put on my deep-set eye/transition powder shades first, then the cream, then outer V/crease powder, then under-brow and socket overall powder shade. In essence, for me the cream is strictly a one-shade lower-lid pony.
Most used were all that I own: SG Wish, Stila Grace, MUFE silver. Just got SG Vibrant Madness and Down the Coast but have only worn once.
1. Did you use cream or liquid eyeshadow more often during the year?
Definitely cream – don’t think I even own a liquid eyeshadow.
2. When you used either, how did you use it most?
One color, all over the eye, blended/buffed out past my crease.
3. What were your most used cream or liquid eyeshadows this year?
Chanel patine bronze! I hit pan on my “Paris” shade in the Master Palette by Mario and “Starfish” from the Tarte Rainforest of the Sea palette and was looking for a dupe. Been obsessed with it ever since. I’ve gone through half of it and planning on repurchasing once I’ve used it all up (my 2020 resolution is to use more from my collection though hahahaha).
-Did you use cream or liquid eyeshadow more often during the year?
Yes, I used cream/liquid shadows exclusively this year, haven’t touched any powdered shadows, decluttered pretty much all my powdered shadows except for one Dior quint and 2 ColourPop singles.
-When you used either, how did you use it most?
Apply with finger over the movable lid, blend into crease with a brush. That’s it, living the single color life. If I’m feeling fancy I’ll use one of my CP singles in the crease and then deepen the outter corner with the other single shadow. But on a day-to-day basis I just use one cream color, toss on some liner and mascara and call it good.
-What were your most used cream or liquid eyeshadows this year?
Liquid: Armani Eye Tint in Cold Copper, Cream: ColourPop SSS in Wattles. Honorable Mention: CT in Jean, this neutral color is great if I want to use a more colorful liner smoked out instead of having the focus be on the shadow.
Did you use cream or liquid eyeshadow more often during the year? — I used cream shadows more than liquid shadows.
When you used either, how did you use it most? — I used them mostly as a one-and-done look.
What were your most used cream or liquid eyeshadows this year? — Jillian Dempsey’s Lid Tints were my most-used cream shadows this year. Also in regular use: Wander Beauty’s Exquisite Eye liquid shadows, Butter London’s Sheer Wisdom liquid shadow, and Gressa Eye Tint in Roasted.