A slightly thicker consistency so that it doesn’t slide around immediately, and you can still get opacity out of it, but it should still have enough slip that it can be sheered out and blended out as well. It should also apply evenly and wear for eight hours before creasing/fading.
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That’s a tall order for an eyeshadow! But then again, Temptalia shouldn’t settle for anything but the best, right? 😉
My # 1 requirement is for it to stick well on my oily lids, especially the one that is hooded. Everything else is secondary
For me, even though there are many things I would want and need for a cream e/s to do, the biggest issue is longevity on my lids without creasing or flaking. If it doesn’t last a good 10+ hours, it’s a deal breaker.
And of course I also want fantastic pigmentation with a blendable formulation that has even coverage, too.
ColourPop fits that bill very nicely!
They don’t crease on my oily lids. So far, only ColourPop and Maybelline Color Tattoo fit that bill…if I use a good primer first.
I’ve actually not had any cream eyeshadow really disappoint me because I always check here for reviews first!
I will say that in addition to everything Christine mentioned, the trickiest ones for me have been the kind with relatively larger sparkles embedded. I find those are my least favorite cream shadows since sometimes they can come out looking patchy.
Easy to blend, doesn’t disappear when blending and provides even coverage, doesn’t crease.
For me, it’s a bit of blending time before it sets, pigmentation that can be built up and long-lasting wear. One reason I absolutely adore the Souffle and pencil cream shadows from Lise Watier. I just wish there were more shades in both.
A fellow LW lover, it is one of my favourite brands overall. Have you tried the shadow primer?
No, Kathy, I haven’t but that’s simply because I have about 5 or 6 primers (3 from UD alone) already on the go and need to finish them up before adding to the collection. Have you tried it? The very first face primer I ever tried was from LW (way before she ever came out with the colour correcting range) and I loved it. As it was the first I’d ever used AND it’s a good one, it just seemed like magic!
Smoothness, blendability and impeccable staying powder.
I have two types of cream shadow which I love. At this stage of my aging process, I have this love/hate thing with MAC paint pots. I still wear them, but I have to be ultra careful in my application of this stiffer product and this means layering in thin layers with a 217 until I get the right diffusion and opacity. That being said, the work is worth the effort and those suckers are so damn budgeproof and any makeup applied on top looks immaculate like it is wearing a suit of armour too.. great base for a totally matte eye. So yeah, there’s that. The other type I love is more emollient and easier to apply, but moves around a little bit more to provide easier blending capabilities, but ultimately is more mobile than MAC and will usually crease a bit by the end of the day. But hey, those are great too because they look so lush and creamy and help blend shadows applied on top and make for a super lively looking eye. I’m thinking TF and Charolette Tilbury type here that have shimmer.. So there is that too.. I needs both.
I’m pretty much the same. It has to stay opaque and not sheer out to nothing. The main thing for me though is that it has to really last. I have oily eyelids so I don’t expect it to last all day but if it can at least last during my working hours then that’s great!
I really like the MAC Paint Pots and the Shiseido Shimmering Cream Eye Color. The Chanel Illusion D’Ombres and Dior Fusion Monos are good too although I always use a primer underneath. ?
A cream shadow needs to be a midtone shade so that I can use it for an all-over lid color. It needs to be creamy and blendable, not applying patchy or sheer. And once it sets, it will need to last at least 8 hours without creasing on my lid, with no primer. It also needs to maintain its consistency for as long as possible without drying out.
What you said Christine, and especially about the no creasing! I also like comfortable wear on the lid (not feeling like it shrank or dried out my eyelid skin) and most if not all brands seem to have that now.
Blend-ability, opacity, and longevity…
I have dry lids and so I don’t worry about creams slip-sliding away as the day wears on and I never wear an eye primer. For me, it’s all about the blendability. Because my mature lids are a bit crepey, I want the shadow to glide on smoothly and evenly without skipping over any nooks and crannies or settling into them as the day progresses. Tom Ford and Guerlain have produced some of the best cream eyeshadows for my particular needs.
Staying power, doesn’t crease, blendable but not greasy, high pigmentation, doesn’t feel like I’m wearing cement on my lids, and of course a good shade range. I also really like when the shade is something that, as you sheer it out towards the edges, looks like you’re wearing about 7 different shades of eyeshadow. Like the effortless “I spend 30 minutes on my eyeshadow” look but that takes less than a minute. The Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerize cream shadows are a great example.
Creamy consistency that can be built up for more opacity, and longevity of the color without creasing. Plus gorgeous colors, of course!
I have no idea! I’ve stayed away from them since my eyes are deep set and slightly hooded!
Pretty much what everyone else is looking for, how malleable the product is, plus I tend to look for an additional X factor, an additional overlay of shimmer or something unique if I have to wash my 2 brushes twice after applying the colour! CHANEL and Tom Ford have worked beautifully for me.
I don’t use cream eye shadows because I have hooded eyes and the ones I have tried have been too creamy. Also I think they dry out in the pot – I might be wrong about this. Anyway, I love pressed powder eye shadows with a satin finish.
I love cream eyeshadows – I can make them work for me so much better than powders! I do want them to last of course! Does Giorgio Armani’s Eye Tint count as cream? What would you call it? Liquid?
I agree with all the posts here, I am loving colourpop shadows but feel clumsy with fingertip application. Does anybody have suggestions for brushes that work with this brand? Brushes you like for cream shadows in general? I saw you suggested MAC 242 Christine, it’s a little pricy.
Thanks to all the readers for such great comments, and to you Christine for this site. I enjoy it so much and gain alot of valuable suggestions and advice! : )
I use MAC Paint Pots as base and add Laura Mercier Caviar stick on top and it lasts all day. Never found another vream shadow that I like on my 40ish lids!
I need cream shadows that stay true to color and don’t oxidize into a mystery color a few hours after I apply it. I have no issues building the depth up as long as it can last 6-8 hours otherwise it’s a waste for me. I don’t have time to touch up all day long. Once I leave the house it has to stay in place and not crease up either. I can’t stand any shadows that do so regardless of their formula.