For anyone intimidated by the intense blending and contouring once required to nail an on-trend eyeshadow look, rest assured, it’s not 2016 anymore. Unless you want to, you won’t need to spend hours in front of a mirror perfecting a tri-colour smoky eye or bold liquid eyeliner flick.
These days, makeup is leaning toward a fresh, pulled-together look with one or two colours. The focus remains on playing up fresh, glowing, healthy skin and gently enhancing your features.
Of course there are times when you want to amp up your makeup a little to something more glam, but it doesn’t require a 20-pan palette of eyeshadow and several brushes to achieve. One colour washed over eyelids is stylish and modern.
For maximum impact and minimim effort, reach for an eyeshadow stick. Like other makeup sticks, the surprisingly versatile products are easy for beginners to use, or anyone that just wants long-lasting, crease-free eye colour. Even professionals like to use them, often as an eyeshadow primer or base for powder color, given their ability to last all day and night.
L-R: NARS Total Seduction Eyeshadow Stick; MECCA MAX Zoom Shadow Stick Matte; Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon; NATIO Glide On Eyeshadow Stick; Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow Stick; Clinique High Impact Shadow Play Shadow + Definer; Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Shadow
What is an eyeshadow stick?
An eyeshadow stick is a larger pencil or wand that contains a creamy eyeshadow formula that glides over eyelids. New formulas have nailed the ingredient mix, meaning they smooth on quickly with plenty of pigment, but without pulling or tugging on skin.
They make adding eyeshadow easy as they don’t need building up like powder eyeshadow does.
There are also versions in neutral, matte colours like caramel and taupe, perfect for an understated look, as well as softly shimmering or metallic eyeshadow sticks that add a touch of drama with little effort.
Good news for those that have trouble with makeup smudging too, eyeshadow sticks rarely wear off, smudge or crease like powder shadows can.
How do you apply an eyeshadow stick?
Of course, the biggest drawcard is their ease of use.
To apply, you simply simply draw the colour over lids and blend with a finger. For those of us that use them every day, a quick scribble along the upper lash lines and over the mobile part of the lid takes no more than a second or two, the same to blend. Leave lid still for a second or two for the colour to set and you’re done!
Prep your eyelid
Start with clean eyelids. You can apply an eyeshadow primer or a bit of concealer on your eyelids to help the eyeshadow stick last longer and go on smoothly, but it isn’t necessary with most eyeshadow sticks, given their formulas are made to last and can be used as a base themselves.
Apply the stick
Glide the stick directly onto your eyelid. You can start from the lash line and go up to the crease for a full wash of color, or focus just on the lash line for a more defined look.
Blend
Use your finger or a blending brush to smooth out the edges of the eyeshadow. This helps create a seamless transition and softens any harsh lines.
Layer for intensity
For a more intense color, apply additional layers of the eyeshadow stick. Blend between layers for a smooth finish.
Set the look
If you want the eyeshadow to stay in place all day, you can set it with a translucent powder or a similar shade of powder eyeshadow.
Clean up
If you make any mistakes, use a cotton swab dipped in makeup remover to clean up any excess.
