Cream & Liquid Eyeshadows | 2020 Editor's Favorites
It turns out, 2020 was not a particularly breakneck-release year for cream and liquid eyeshadows, though we certainly saw some new formulas, particularly ones delivering multichrome finishes. That being said, I didn’t fall head-over-heels for most of those new formulas. Late in 2020, Sydney Grace debuted an updated formula for their Cream Shadows (to make them have a longer shelf life), so those were re-reviewed and are dominating the favorites list again.
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 2020, 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 2019 if you missed last year’s.)
Temptalia’s Favorite Cream & Liquid Eyeshadows | 2020
ColourPop Olympic Super Shock Shadow ($6.00 for 0.07 oz.) is a light, slightly rosier beige with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It had rich...
ColourPop Olympic Super Shock Shadow ($6.00 for 0.07 oz.) is a light, slightly rosier beige with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It had rich...
Sydney Grace Campfire Cream Shadow (2020) ($8.00 for 0.34 oz.) is a light-medium, golden bronze with warm, more olive undertones and a smooth,...
Sydney Grace Campfire Cream Shadow (2020) ($8.00 for 0.34 oz.) is a light-medium, golden bronze with warm, more olive undertones and a smooth,...
Sydney Grace I Don't Know Cream Shadow (2020) ($8.00 for 0.34 oz.) is a rich, golden bronze with strong, warm undertones and a metallic sheen. The...
Sydney Grace I Don't Know Cream Shadow (2020) ($8.00 for 0.34 oz.) is a rich, golden bronze with strong, warm undertones and a metallic sheen. The...
Sydney Grace The Scoop Cream Shadow (2020) ($8.00 for 0.34 oz.) is a medium-dark, olive-bronze with warm undertones and a metallic finish. It was...
Sydney Grace The Scoop Cream Shadow (2020) ($8.00 for 0.34 oz.) is a medium-dark, olive-bronze with warm undertones and a metallic finish. It was...
Sydney Grace Awakening Cream Shadow (2020) ($8.00 for 0.34 oz.) is a deeper purple with subtle, warm undertones and a smooth, pearl-like sheen. It was...
Sydney Grace Awakening Cream Shadow (2020) ($8.00 for 0.34 oz.) is a deeper purple with subtle, warm undertones and a smooth, pearl-like sheen. It was...
Sydney Grace Suntan Cream Shadow (2020) ($8.00 for 0.34 oz.) is a bright, light-medium copper with strong, warm orange undertones and a metallic...
Sydney Grace Suntan Cream Shadow (2020) ($8.00 for 0.34 oz.) is a bright, light-medium copper with strong, warm orange undertones and a metallic...
Sydney Grace Wish Cream Shadow (2020) ($8.00 for 0.34 oz.) is a light-medium purple with warmer, pink undertones and a metallic finish. It had rich...
Sydney Grace Wish Cream Shadow (2020) ($8.00 for 0.34 oz.) is a light-medium purple with warmer, pink undertones and a metallic finish. It had rich...
Sydney Grace Babe Cream Shadow (2020) ($8.00 for 0.34 oz.) is a richer, taupe-brown with subtle, warm undertones and a metallic finish. It was richly...
Sydney Grace Babe Cream Shadow (2020) ($8.00 for 0.34 oz.) is a richer, taupe-brown with subtle, warm undertones and a metallic finish. It was richly...
Sydney Grace Starry Night Cream Shadow (2020) ($8.00 for 0.34 oz.) is a medium, reddish-brown base with strong, warm undertones and a green-to-blue...
Sydney Grace Starry Night Cream Shadow (2020) ($8.00 for 0.34 oz.) is a medium, reddish-brown base with strong, warm undertones and a green-to-blue...
Giorgio Armani Scarab (37) Eye Tint Liquid Eyeshadow ($30.00 for 0.13 oz.) is a deep, grene-teal with subtle, cool undertones and a satin finish. ...
Giorgio Armani Scarab (37) Eye Tint Liquid Eyeshadow ($30.00 for 0.13 oz.) is a deep, grene-teal with subtle, cool undertones and a satin finish. ...
Charlotte Tilbury Sunset Rose Eyes to Mesmerise Long-Lasting Cream Eyeshadow ($32.00 for 0.24 oz.) is a darker, plummy-bonze with warmer undertones...
Charlotte Tilbury Sunset Rose Eyes to Mesmerise Long-Lasting Cream Eyeshadow ($32.00 for 0.24 oz.) is a darker, plummy-bonze with warmer undertones...
ColourPop Sage Bundle Jelly Much Shadow ($8.00 for 0.23 oz.) has a light, pinky-beige base with blue-to-teal shifting sparkle and pearl. It had...
ColourPop Sage Bundle Jelly Much Shadow ($8.00 for 0.23 oz.) has a light, pinky-beige base with blue-to-teal shifting sparkle and pearl. It had...
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 past year?
- When you used either, how did you use it most?
- What were your most used cream or liquid eyeshadows this past year?
Did you use cream or liquid eyeshadow more often during the past year? I used liquids more. Though I did buy a Sydney Grace cream and I’m happy to report it didn’t crease on me!
When you used either, how did you use it most? I used glittery liquids as lid toppers.
What were your most used cream or liquid eyeshadows this past year? E.l.f. Liquid Glitter Shadows
I think my usage stayed about the same, maybe a little higher. One of my favorite cream one-and-done shadows is NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Iced Mocha. I have also been trying to use my ColourPop Super Shock Shadows more and I bought a few more, too… I specifically got shades that could be used for single shadow looks.
Did you use cream or liquid eyeshadow more often during the past year? No, probably less than before.
When you used either, how did you use it most? As lid and inner corner shadows. Usually they were CP SSS’s.
What were your most used cream or liquid eyeshadows this past year? Two liquids by Fenty that I still occasionally use, and some favorites by ColourPop.
Did you use cream or liquid eyeshadow more often during the past year? Definitely liquid. Spent a lot of time camping, hiking and boating this summer so I really paired down my beauty routine.
When you used either, how did you use it most? I mostly used a single sweep of liquid shadow, brow gel and sometimes mascara.
What were your most used cream or liquid eyeshadows this past year? My favorites were Sephora Collection Sheer Liquid Eyeshadow in Quartz and Agate. They’re pretty sheer in one swipe but can be built up and never crease on my sweaty oily lids. I like the smaller size of the tubes and the $10 price tag. I also tried a Glossier Skywash and enjoyed the formula. And I’ve been trying to use some older Colourpops more.
I started wearing eye makeup at the beginning of the quarantine this year. I have still managed to spend a bit of money to start my collection…I really like Colourpop SSS’s, Charlotte Tilbury jewel pots & eyes to mesmerize. I also found Pixi eyeshadow sticks at Ross that were lovely (one is a dupe for CT’s Walk of No Shame). I am interested in one and done looks, because they are easiest, and I have 48 year old Asian eyes, so one must be realistic about such things! I think I may try Chantecaille eye shadows next, along with the Sydney Grace cream shadows.
Did you use cream or liquid eyeshadow more often during the past year? Maybe a little bit more, since I’ve had more time to experiment with my Super Shock Shadows. I used to only use them as one-and-dones, but lately I’ve been pairing them with other eyeshadows, layering them with powder shadows or using them as inner corner highlights
When you used either, how did you use it most? I probably still use my cream shadows mostly as one-and-done looks
What were your most used cream or liquid eyeshadows this past year? I’ve used my Colourpop Super Shock Shadows the most. I systematically rotate them so I haven’t used one shade more than another, although I do own quite a few