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Since the eyes are the window to the soul, why not frame them with shimmers and gorgeous accents? Whether you are going for a casual, professional, or chic evening look, liquid eyeshadow can provide exactly what you need with just a few swipes. Liquid eyeshadows look very similar to lip gloss with a wand applicator and they’re available in matte and glitter finishes for all skin tones. Plus, the great variety of colors can be worn as a single shade or blended. With a smoother application than powders and a thinner consistency to cream eyeshadows, there are loads of benefits when opting for liquid varieties. We can’t get enough of the gorgeous color and application options out there, so we’ve decided to share some of our favorites. Without any further delay, here are our picks for the leading liquid eyeshadows in 2024.
Detailing the Leading Liquid Eyeshadows of 2024
e.l.f. — Best Overall
Key Features
- 0.10 Fl Oz size, small enough to fit into a clutch
- Available in 8 glittery shades
- Cruelty-free and vegan
- Free from phthalates, parabens, and other potentially harmful ingredients
Although the low price correlates very much with the tiny size of this product, it allows you to purchase a few different shades in smaller quantities as opposed to being stuck with just one shade for the same price. If you like changing things up with different colors, this one is for you. The gel-based formula allows you to apply it on its own for a light shimmer or layer it over other matte eyeshadow colors for a more dramatic effect.
Each tube comes with a small applicator brush attached and with its small size, it’s perfect to pop into your purse for emergency touch-ups or just to switch your daytime work look to an evening one with only a simple swipe of glitter. This is also a great option if you only need glitter for a special event or want to first try out the glitter look before investing in something more pricey.
BestLand — Best Glitter
Key Features
- 10-color liquid eyeshadow box set
- Long-lasting waterproof formula
- Buildable glitter finish
- Vegan and cruelty-free
If you love eye makeup, this 10-piece set from BestLand is the perfect addition to your cosmetics bag. It makes a really great gift too. The box of 10 glitter liquid eyeshadows includes a range of colors from green, pink, and charcoal to silver and gold. The gloss glides on smoothly with the attached applicator brush and locks in the sparkle for minimal fallout. Plus, the non-sticky, waterproof formula stays on all day without smudging. With just one single layer, you’ll have an immediate sheer glow.
L'Oreal — Best Range of Colors
Key Features
- Transfer-resistant, blendable, and buildable formula
- Available in a range of 12 different shimmery shades
- Suitable for all skin tones
- Soft doe-foot applicator
These gorgeous liquid shimmer eyeshadows are ideal for day or night makeup and come in a range of colors including pearl, rose, ruby, bronze, brown, and gold. You only need to apply a small amount with the attached applicator to get a beautiful glow. The long-wear formula is best worn with a primer, which will really make the colors pop and keep a crease-free shimmer without any touch-ups required. For a little extra panache, the colors can be blended and layered for increased boldness.
Haus Laboratories By Lady Gaga — Most Pigmented
Key Features
- Doe-foot applicator included in the tube
- 13 Shimmer and 4 metallic shades
- Cruelty-free and vegan
- Fallout-free and blendable
With Lady Gaga being the queen of glam herself, it comes as no surprise that her pigmented liquid eyeshadow range, Glam Attack, is just what you need for all-day alluring peepers. Don’t worry about shimmer ending up everywhere except where you actually want it; this fallout-free, smudge-proof shadow is applied with the attached applicator with ease and perfect control. The versatile shadow allows you to create a light shimmer, blend it with other shades, or build a more striking look by layering.
Stila — Best Matte Option
Key Features
- Blendable colors and buildable formula
- Available in a range of 8 matte shades
- Cruelty-free makeup product
- Soft doe-foot applicator
As Stila puts it: “Velvety matte but never flat.” This range of matte liquid cream eyeshadow is gorgeous and bold. The colors are perfect for a day in the office and can easily be transformed into an evening look by simply adding a shimmering glitter layer on top. The eight available colors are mauve, velvety violet, nude, espresso, sassy coral-pink, light blue, earthy green, and smoky grey. The lightweight formula is buildable and colors are blendable to achieve gorgeous two-tone looks, highlights, or shading.
Buyer's Guide: Find The Perfect Liquid Eyeshador
With easy application and quick-drying formulas, liquid eyeshadows are not only quick and convenient to apply but some products are even infused with beneficial components to up your skincare around the eye (thanks to those soothing and hydrating ingredients!). If you’ve never tried anything other than your trusted old powder application or got hooked on a cream formula that you just can’t seem to let go of, we're here to spread a little news about the top liquid eyeshadows, why to use them, when to use them, and how to apply them. Even if you still love another preferred method, having one of these in your handbag for last-minute touch-ups will make your life a whole lot easier.
Benefits of Using Liquid Eyeshadow
One fantastic bonus about liquid shadows is that they come in waterproof formulas, so no need to worry about ending up with more shimmer on your face than on your eyelids. With liquid applications, there is absolutely no fallout and the shimmer goes only where it’s actually applied.
Most tubes have a stick applicator very much like a lip gloss wand; this allows accurate application exactly where you want it and additionally makes blending pretty easy. With a thinner consistency than cream shadows, it is less likely to crease or look cakey and also dries quickly. The liquid formula is more likely to stay in place for longer wear and fewer touch-ups. As we already mentioned, you can opt for products that nourish your eyelids with great skincare benefits.
Look For These Characteristics When Choosing the Best Liquid Eyeshadow
Waterproof formula
A long-lasting waterproof formula is best for hot and humid conditions because it’ll keep your color cry-proof and generally last longer than non-waterproof formulas. Water-resistant shadows might offer a slightly thicker consistency but will ensure an even, smooth color for hours.
Applicator
Flat spongy applicators with an angled, rounded tip allow you to apply small, accurate sections near the eyelid, inner, and outer edges. They are easier to control than brushes and ideal for creating precise lines, which are sometimes hard to achieve with powder applications. Check that the eyeshadow tube comes with an applicator. If not, make sure you have the right tools to successfully apply the product.
Thickness
If you only want an understated glow and little shine, opt for a product labeled as ‘sheer’ or ‘topcoat,’ as these thinner formulas offer only a light layer of color or shimmer. For a bolder look, you’ll want something slightly thicker or buildable so that you can control and change up the color intensity as you prefer.
Matte vs shimmer
This choice very much depends on your personal preference and perhaps your outfit or the occasion. Shimmer and glitter shades usually work best as a top coat over other colors or blended with matte shades.
Color
The only downside to buying liquid eyeliner is that, unlike powders, you cannot purchase a palette of complementary shades. Here you can only choose one color per container. So, choose colors that are versatile, blend well, and that you really love.
Wear-time quality
Check the label to determine the wear-time suggested by the manufacturer. Longer-lasting products will most likely come at a higher price but are worth it so you don’t have to worry about touch-ups, especially in humid or hot conditions.
Tips for Applying Liquid Eyeshadow
Use primer
If you want your look to last all day, it’s always best to use a very thin layer of eyeshadow primer. This can be especially helpful to keep sheer colors shimmering all day and to prevent darker shades from creasing. You also won’t need to worry about touching up your look.
Some liquid eyeshadows have a built-in primer mechanism, so check the label.
Start small
Start with smaller amounts rather than slathering on a thick smudge of shadow initially, as it’s better to build your look than to create a messy blob that needs to be fixed.
Let it dry
Make sure you apply your second layer of shadow only after the first layer has dried, as it can form clumps and uneven application if still wet. Applying another layer to make the color bolder will look smooth and be more effective if the first layer is dry.
Blending
Just because it’s liquid doesn’t mean it doesn’t need blending. Use a fluffy blending brush to even out the shadow and create a smoother, even look.
Use the right tools
Synthetic fluffy brushes are best for blending liquid formulas to offer an airbrushed effect. Not only do these brushes stay soft long term, but they are also cruelty-free. Natural hair brushes, on the other hand, can absorb the liquid, making them harder to clean and dry over time.
How to Apply Two or More Colors
- To apply more than one color, first prime and apply an all-over base color.
- Buff it smoothly along the crease to soften the line and create a little upward fade.
- Apply a small touch of a darker eyeshadow to the corners of the outer edge of your eyelid and blend the color by using a brush.
- If you need to add a second base layer this is a good time to do that, so you can blend the middle and outer shades smoothly.
- Try adding a lighter shade below the bottom outer edge of your brow and blend lightly for a slight highlight and to enhance your brow definition.
