Women often tell me how they don’t have the time to put makeup on in the morning before heading to work or at night when they’re about to hit town. They claim that all they’re capable of doing is to swipe on some lipstick straight from the tube and they’re good to go. Which is why ladies who are always in a rush to get ready and are just too busy to do a full face before stepping out the door often ask me about how to do a five to 10 minute face. It can be time-consuming and this holds especially true when it comes to eye shadow application.
I have to admit, creating the perfect smoky eye with powder shadow takes time, entails precise application and involves the use of brushes to deposit even color. Well, gone are those days. Eye shadow sticks and pencils have been around for quite a while and have slowly gained popularity in recent years because of its convenience, portability and ease of use. I haven’t really been a fan of this product in the past because of the softness of the cream color, which tends to crease especially if you have oily lids.
Newer formulas that I’ve tried are now waterproof and dry to a powder finish that stays put for hours. They’re handy and smaller in size than a huge eye shadow palette so you can just throw them into your purse. Plus, you don’t need to pack and use a bunch of brushes to apply the pigment on your lids. All you have to do is smear the shadow on your eyelids direct from the tip of the pencil and just blend the edges with your fingers. Now who says eye shadow is so difficult to apply? With these six eyeshadow sticks that we tested, creating an eye design for your next date has never been easier.
CLINIQUE Chubby Stick Shadow Tint For Eyes in Massive Midnight, SM Aura
If you’re a fan of the brand’s Chubby Stick Lip Balms, then you will definitely love Clinique’s Shadow Tint for Eyes. These extra-thick, twist-up pencils (yes, no need to sharpen!) are perfectly shaped to shade your lids with a wash of creamy, lightweight color that is buildable to an intense hue when applied in layers. Use multiple pencils to create contours and highlights in different colors.
Long wearing too!
NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Iced Mocha, SM Megamall
Nyx’s top-selling eye pencil combines the convenience of an eyeliner and eye shadow in one awesome product. This formula glides smoothly onto the lids and stays put all day. The pencil can also be used as an eye shadow base to prime your lids for powder eye shadow if you’d like to go for an intense effect or would like your powder shadow to last longer.
ARTDECO Long-Lasting Eyeshadow Stick 42, Beauty Bar
This waterproof shadow stick from Artdeco is a shimmery white shade that adds instant glamour and highlights to your peepers. Apply the shadow evenly on the lids and blend quickly as it sets completely upon drying. Thanks to volatile silicone and the optimal balance between oils and waxes, the eye shadow does not settle in the folds of the eyelids. This product is paraben-, mineral oil- and fragrance-free and is suitable for those with sensitive eyes.
MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Matic Waterproof Glide On Eyeshadow in I-90, Greenbelt
Aqua Matic is a waterproof and smudge-proof eye shadow that comes in an automatic retractable pencil. Its integrated sharpener tip assures you a perfect point every time you use this product. This iridescent purple is perfect for creating a smooth wash of color along the lash line or all over the lids to create a metallic violet base. Mix with a vivid yellow like I-30 in the inner corner of the eye to rock an ‘80s vibe for an evening of dancing.
ESTEE LAUDER Magic Smoky Powder Shadow Stick in Pink Charcoal, Rustan’s
The smoky eye made simple by Estee Lauder. A transformative shadow pencil that acts like a pressed eye shadow. These brilliant shadow sticks smolder with fabulous finishes in matte, satin and shimmer. Simply glide the stick across lash lines to use as a smoky liner or delicately blend with fingers in a swirling motion to transform into a luxurious, powdery eye shadow. I like using a combination of the matte Burnt Black pencil with the Pink Charcoal shade for a strong yet feminine finish.
K-PALETTE Essence in Shadow Liner in Brown Black X Camel Brown, Beauty Bar
If you’re a fan of K-Palette’s Real-Lasting Liquid Eyeliners, then you are in for a treat with their newest double-duty pencil. One side is their iconic and waterproof liner in Brown Black. The opposite side is a beauty essence infused eye shadow in Camel Brown that can be applied all over the lids and on the outer corners of the eyes using a sponge tip applicator. Comes in four colors and is very handy if you’re on the go and would like to bring a smaller makeup kit.
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