16 Best Eyeshadow Sticks To Add To Your Beauty Routine In 2022

Eyeshadow is and always has been an easy way to switch up your makeup routine. You can change your eye shape, add some drama to your look, or create a pop of color. Especially in the wake of "Euphoria" makeup trends, eyeshadow is especially important and creative, and out-there eyeshadow looks are getting more and more mainstream. Most of us are used to using big, cumbersome eyeshadow palettes with tons of colors that require your whole brush collection to apply. These days, though, things are changing, and switching up your eye makeup is easier than ever. The answer is eyeshadow sticks.

Not only does using an eyeshadow stick allow you to pare down your makeup bag and take your touch-up tools on the go without having to lug around loads of brushes, but it'll also improve your look. Eyeshadow sticks are an easy way to apply cream eyeshadow instead of powder, so they glide on and stay put, and the applicators often give you more control and precision to execute complex looks. Whether you're new to the eyeshadow stick game, or you've already incorporated it into your get ready routine, you probably want to know which eyeshadow sticks are really the best of the best. Fear not, eyeshadow aficionados! We've got the best eyeshadow sticks of 2022 no matter what you want from your makeup.

There are tons of eyeshadow sticks on the market these days: from high-end brands to drugstore options. Eyeshadow sticks may be a great addition to most beauty routines, but that doesn't mean that every one that's out there is worth buying. There are lots of different needs folks may have for their eyeshadow sticks, as well as wants most of us have in common. We searched for sticks that would meet each individual needs, like waterproof, best for everyday wear, or great for special occasions, while ensuring that they all met our common desires, like great prices and ease of use. 

Ultimately, we've got a comprehensive list of options that we and plenty of real reviewers swear by. We've included all the details you need in your hunt for the perfect eyeshadow stick: from price point to applicator to range of shades, and we made sure to include our favorite reviews from real people so you can get the actual lowdown on what you're buying before you buy it. Ready to find your match made in eyeshadow stick heaven? Just call us the matchmaker, and let's get into it.

If you don't know exactly what you're looking for in your eyeshadow stick and want a great place to start, this KIKO Milano option is the way to go. This stick is smooth and blend-able and is designed to stay bold and vibrant for eight hours. It's also got tons of shades in both shimmery and matte, as well as pops of color and neutrals.

One review says, "These are amazing and if you're on the fence, don't be — they're worth it. I have several of them and they're creamy, pigmented and last a long time on the eyes. You also get a generous amount of product for the price." Another five star review says, "Love. Love. Love... I bought one of these in Rome last summer when a salesman at the store showed me how it went on. It wore so well that day that I went back and bought three more. When I was in NYC last week, I bought a fifth one." When everyone's going back again and again to buy more, you just can't argue with that.

You can get the KIKO Milano Long Lasting Stick Eyeshadow for $10.99 at KIKO Cosmetics.

Shades: 19 colors | Applicator: twistable crayon

We know that virtually no one is looking to splurge on an eyeshadow stick, so we wanted to ensure that all our options were bank account-friendly. This e.l.f. stick, though, is one of the best budget options at only $5. When it comes to finding makeup products at amazingly low prices, e.l.f has become the go-to. Their No Budge Shadow Stick is no exception to this. These metallic pigments are as bold and smudge-proof as you'd expect from an expensive brand, and with that pointy, sharpen-able tip, they can be used as eyeshadow or eyeliner (via Amazon).

One review says, "Why is no one talking about this? [It's] amazing," They continued saying, "This color is a lovely silver/grey/mauve that glides on and looks amazing. There is a built in sharpener on the end to tidy up the stick when it gets too flat. Use it as an accent color or on your entire lid. The formula is creamy but stays put and doesn't crease. If you don't like to purchase a $23 lid color then give this a try."

You can get the e.l.f. Cosmetics No Budge Shadow Stick for $5 on Amazon.

Shades: 12 neutrals and cool colors | Applicator: pencil with built-in sharpener

One of the most coveted makeup traits is the ability to apply in the morning and remove at night with no smudging or smearing in between. When it comes to eye makeup, it can be an especially difficult challenge to withstand all the blinking, eye watering, and occasional eye rubbing it's faced with throughout your day. Makeup brand Julep is coming to the rescue with its Crème to Powder eyeshadow stick, because of its unusual formula. This stick has the easy, glide-on application that you want from an eyeshadow stick but has a powder finish when it dries, which makes it stay put better than other sticks (via Amazon).

One review says, "I just bought this and was very skeptical but holy cow this stuff is amazing. First of all my eyes are very sensitive to eye makeup and on top of that they water all the time. I can hardly wear eye shadow because after [an] hour [it's] smudged and looks a mess. I put the one stick on this morning at 4 a.m. and at 5 p.m. [it] looks the same. This is after working in a big box hardware store sweating, lack of air conditioning in midwest humidity. No smudging, water marks, and didn't make my eyes irritated. I'm going to buy the whole set !!!!"

Get the Julep Eyeshadow 101 Crème to Powder Waterproof Eyeshadow Stick for $14.40 on Amazon.

Shades: 30 metallics, mattes, and shimmers | Applicator: twist-up with built-in smudger

Most of us have makeup products that we save for special occasions and others that we keep as our go-to's for everyday makeup looks. If you're looking for an eyeshadow stick that you can grab any day of the week for any occasion, look no further than the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil. What we love about this pencil for every day is that it comes in a wide range of neutral shades, as well as bolder colors, but even the bright options look light, subtle, and effortless when applied to the eye.

According to one review, "These pencils are comparable in quality to ones [three to five] times their price. I am a snob about quality, but not price. They are excellent and I use at least one of them every day (along with my high-end fare). There is no downside here. All these are great — just pick a color you like." And, at only $4.99, you could even pick multiple colors you like and still be paying what one high-end option would cost.

Grab the NYX Professional Makeup Jumbo Eye Pencil for $4.99 on Amazon.

Shades: 16 neutrals and bold colors | Applicator: sharpen-able pencil

While the NYX pencil is ideal for every day, we all need something for special occasions as well. For these moments, the Milani Gilded Flora Eyeshadow Stick is our pick. It comes in three beautiful, rich, shimmery shades that will perfectly complement a dressed-up look (via Milani Cosmetics). They manage to be both a pop of color while still staying neutral and give a bit of shimmer without being overtly glittery. Plus, it's perfect to stick in your tiniest Kate Spade clutch for touch-ups in the bathroom on nights out.

One review says, "This eyeshadow stick lasted all day, and it didn't crease on my eyelids. All in all, I would highly recommend this product, the Milani Gilded Flora Eyeshadow Stick, to my family and friends, and I would purchase another color in the future." Another adds, "Milani Gilded Flora Electric Daisy Eyeshadow stick is my new go-to eyeshadow product! It goes on smooth, without pulling on eyelid skin, and stays fresh looking all day long. I never had to touch up throughout the day like often having to do with other products."

You can get the Milani Gilded Flora Eyeshadow Sticks for $7.99 at Milani.

Shades: 3 shimmery shades | Applicator: sharpen-able pencil

Who among us hasn't tried to master the classically elusive smokey eye? One of the most difficult challenges that comes along with crafting the perfect smokey eye (aside from endless amounts of blending, of course) is choosing shades to blend together that complement each other. Eyeko managed to do some clever problem-solving when they created the Double Act Shadow Stick. This stick is 2-in-1: one side has a lighter shade while the other has a darker shade. As a result, you can simply flip your shadow stick around freely as you're working your way through your smokey eye look. Now that's just being efficient.

One reviewer called it a "very creamy and blendable eyeshadow stick. I use [it] as a liner and like it very much. It comes with a sharpener, love that. The colors Dawn/Dusk are very nice even for fair skin. Having two colors on one pencil is so convenient."

You can get the Eyeko Double Act Shadow Stick Dusk & Dawn on Amazon for $25.

Shades: 5 color palettes | Applicator: double-sided sharpen-able pencil

Not every eyeshadow look needs to make a statement: Sometimes we're just looking for a way to naturally contour the surrounding eye area and make our eyes pop without looking overly made up. If this sounds like what you're searching for, the Chanel Stylo Ombre Et Contour is a perfect pick. Yes — it's Chanel, so yes — it's a bit on the splurge-ier side than the other options on our list (via Chanel). Still, a little goes a long way with this pencil. Its shape and formula is designed to allow you to experiment with different angles and pressure to create different styles and uses. As a result, it can be used as a subtle eyeshadow or a kohl eyeliner. 

One five-star review called it "absolutely the best eyeliner and shadow stick. Easy to blend, color [electric] brown [is] my fav. Stays on even on humid days. Please never discontinue this item!"

You can get the Chanel Stylo Ombre Et Contour for $34 at Chanel.

Shades: 4 neutral shades | Applicator: twistable crayon

The no-makeup makeup look never really goes out of style, but it's certainly having a moment right now. With the rise of soap brows, tinted moisturizers, and the 'clean girl aesthetic,' we all know that looking perfectly natural actually requires a bit of makeup; it just needs to be the right makeup. For this vibe, this Live Tinted Huestick is a must-have. This stick is referred to as "4-in-1," as it's designed to be not only an eyeshadow stick, but also cheek color, lip color, and a color corrector for dark circles (via Ulta). Since the color is subtle but very buildable, you can use it in different places on your face in a variety of ways, and you'll still barely know it's there. If that's not enough, it's got hyaluronic acid and loads of vitamins to keep your skin moisturized.

One reviewer said they are "obsessed," adding, "Normally I use LA Girl's concealer in red as a color corrector but wanted to support this WOC-owned brand. WOW!!!- I was more impressed than I imagined. The best part about this is how easy it is to apply... This huestick is creamy, but imo hard to 'overdo' because it blends SO well with my CC cream... Though it is more pricey, I really think it's worth the investment and don't see myself going back purely based on quality."

Grab the Live Tinted Huestick for $24 at Ulta Beauty.

Shades: 5 shades | Applicator: twistable crayon

Build-ability can be key when searching for an eyeshadow: it allows you to customize your shade and tweak the makeup to fit your needs. The Clinique Chubby Stick starts out sheer and can be layered for buildable color (via Ulta). In fact, it's recommended that you experiment with building with multiple different shades for deeper colors and contoured looks. This is also a great option if you have sensitive skin.

One review says, "Love this eye shadow. [The] blunt rounded tip seemed weird to me at first, but after applying and then blending out with a brush, it's not weird at all. I purchased the beige shade, as I typically stick to neutrals in the nude family. Looks like a blah, boring shade in the tube but it is lovely on. It wears as an understated sheen, not a shimmer or glittery at all, and is exactly what I wanted."

You can get the Clinique Chubby Stick Eyeshadow Tint For Eyes for $21 at ULTA Beauty.

Shades: 7 shades | Applicator: twistable crayon

We often want a glow-y, subtly shimmery eye look that isn't overpowering or over the top in the glitter department. Laura Mercier's Caviar Stick Eye Colour is perfect for situations like this. This pigment is designed to stay put for 12 hours and gives a subtle sparkle without being too much (via Laura Mercier). Think of it like a dewy highlighter for your eyelids.

One review calls it "smooth and easy to apply" and says, "I've been wearing a rose gold color of eyeshadow for a while in a powder form, but won't go back to powder after using this cream stick. I love the color, the ease of application and that it lasts all day. I'm going to order another one today." Another says, "I've been wearing a rose gold color of eye shadow for awhile in a powder form, but won't go back to powder after using this cream stick. I love the color, the ease of application and that it lasts all day. I'm going to order another one today."

You can get the Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour for $31 on Amazon.

Shades: 5 shades | Applicator: twistable pencil

ColourPop is called "ColourPop" for a reason. They've got the goods when it comes to bold color. These skinny sticks are small but mighty: they can be used for thin lines or blended out with a brush, sponge, or finger (via ColourPop). They're so pigmented that you don't need to layer the product to get the color — just one stroke should do it. If you love whipping up graphic, vibrant makeup looks, this is the perfect tool to make some of your wildest, boldest looks come to life. Plus, they've got a line of "Powerpuff Girls"-inspired colors — just in case you like your colorful makeup look with a side of major nostalgia.

One five-star reviewer said, "I love it & it shows up so well in pictures too. doesn't disappear after a few hours," and another echoed, saying, "The color was vibrant and stayed in place the whole day."

You can get the ColourPop Colour Stix for $4.90 from ColourPop.

Shades: 12 bold shades| Applicator: pencil with built-in sharpener

From bold, graphic, Maddy from "Euphoria"-inspired liner looks to Twiggy's classic mod eyeshadow situation, sometimes you really need a bold, precise line (via Vogue). The Shiseido Kajal Ink Artist is here for you in these moments that require a steady hand and a very skinny shadow stick. This pencil is actually designed to act as your eyeshadow, eyeliner, and brow product all in one tool (via Sephora). It'll give you that sharp, precise line when you need it, but also has a built-in blender for when you need to switch to a softer, subtler look.

Plenty of reviews love this pencil for its uniqueness, like this one that calls it, "Honestly best eyeliner I have ever used. Wish I knew about [it] sooner — highly blendable, super smooth, perfect shade of plum (I have green/hazel eyes). LOVE. About to buy a second — hope it's never discontinued!" Another says, "I have oily eyelids. I don't have time to apply primer and touch up throughout the day. This shadow is the only product that I've tried (and I've tried too many) that doesn't budge, disappear, or move around. I'm in love! I'll be restocking!"

You can get the Shiseido Kajal Ink Artist Shadow for $25 at Sephora.

Shades: 4 shades | Applicator: twistable pencil with built-in blender

If you, like so many of us, love putting that little dab of highlighter on the inner corner of your eye to make your eyes look brighter and more open, this tool is going to change your makeup routine. The Thrive Causemetics Brilliant Eye Brightener is actually a skinny, sharp highlighter, so it's perfect for any small spots that need a little highlight like the inner eyelid or under the brow (via Thrive Causemetics). All the shades have a soft, subtle shimmer, and while there are a few darker colors, many are light and bright, and some are even colorful. The formula goes from cream to powder, so it'll go on easily and stay on. Plus, it's full of lots of good stuff that will ease fine lines and wrinkles and keep your skin moisturized and happy.

One review says, "So easy to use and all the colors I have are definitely brilliant. Buildable, blendable, and every color is beautifully versatile. I'm keeping my eyes out for new colors to add to my collection."

You can get the Thrive Causemetics Brilliant Eye Brightener for $25 at Thrive Causemetics.

Shades: 13 shades | Applicator: twistable pencil

Sometimes it can be difficult to find products that work well for more mature skin. If you're in the market for a shadow stick that fits into this category, we love this Bobbi Brown option. This eyeshadow stick goes on smoothly and lasts (via Bobbi Brown Cosmetics). Best of all, it won't settle into creases or crack over time. 

One reviewer wrote, "Very easy to use and blend even with fingers. Do not need to wear a primer underneath — it lasts a solid eight hours by itself. These two things are what make it worth the money for me because I can usually only get great wear OR great blend ability but never within a cream shadow formula. Not drying either. IF you're not someone who likes to play with trends and needs to have a lot of makeup, I'd invest in buying a few luxury items like this."

You can get the Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow Stick for $26.68 on Amazon.

Shades: 5 shades | Applicator: twistable pencil

Across the board, most eyeshadow sticks will be easier and quicker to apply than your average powder eyeshadow. Still, if you hate high maintenance makeup routines and consider ease of application to be a top priority, some shadow sticks will go on more smoothly and quickly than others (via Amazon). The It Cosmetics Superhero No-Tug Waterproof Shadow Sticks will glide right onto your lid and can be easily blended with just your finger tips. It has primer already in its formula, so there's no need to prep your lids: just glide and go.

One review says, "This is the eyeshadow I've been looking for... It glides on smoothly, the colors blend well and look natural. It stays smooth without caking or drying out. After purchasing one, I bought two more."

You can get the It Cosmetics Superhero No-Tug Waterproof Eyeshadow Stick for $24 on Amazon.

Shades: 5 shades | Applicator: twistable pencil

Waterproof makeup is important, especially for mornings you may get caught in the rain, afternoons at the beach, or evenings with friends where you know you may laugh so hard that you cry. Plenty of shadow sticks on our list check the waterproof box, but if withstanding wetness and even heat and humidity is a priority for you, this should be your pick (via Sephora). These pencils are very highly pigmented, and they look bold and bright on any skin tone. They come in a whopping 25 different colors, which range from neutral beige to black to bright pink. They also come in metallic, matte, and glittery options, so you can choose the perfect shade to fit any look for a hot, humid night.

One review says, "Best and easiest application for hooded eyes! It glides like butter. Love it and love the shades." Another says, "This is an excellent eyeliner and makes for a great shadow for my eye crease. I really never want to be without one. I'm on my 4th. lol"

You can get the Sephora Collection Colorful Waterproof Eyeshadow & Eyeliner Multi-Stick for $14 at Sephora.

Shades: 25 shades | Applicator: sharpen-able pencil