Thoughts & Comparisons: My Cream Eye Shadow Collection

Hello Lovelies! I hope you all are enjoying your weekend! As some of you might know, one of the makeup products I've been particularly obsessing over lately are cream eye shadows. I love how they can be used to create an easy everyday eye look, or layered underneath powder shadows to give them a little extra oomph.  So, I wanted to share with you my collection & quickly review a few of the brands available.

MAC Paint Pots

I think MAC Paint Pots work great as a base under powder shadows to either bump up the color or the shimmer of the powder on top. I do not however generally wear paint pots on their own because in my opinion they are too sheer/ not opaque enough to be worn on their own. Lately, I have been particularly loving Rubenesque, a gorgeous golden-peach which looks amazing under bronze or golden toned shadows. 

Left to Right: Let's Skate, Bare Study, Rubenesque

Swatches Left to Right: Let's Skate, Bare Study, Rubenesque

Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadows

As is most likely evident by how many I own, I would have to say that Benefit makes my favorite range of cream shadows. Unlike the MAC Paint Pots, I generally wear these cream shadows on their own, without powder on top. I find these to be more opaque & buildable in finish than the MAC Paint Pots. I feel though that these do not make great bases under powder shadows because powder seems to clump a tiny bit on top. Also, I wouldn't say these are entirely creaseless. These last approximately 5 hours on me without any creasing or fading. The wear time really doesn't bother me though as I can easily dab a little more product on my lids in the evening if I want to.

Top Row Left to Right: samba-dy loves me, tattle tale  Bottom Row Left to Right: busy signal, flatter me, birthday suit

I absolutely love the color range of Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadows. A few of my all-time favorites have to be Birthday Suit, a gorgeous beige pewter color, and Tattle Tale, the best inner corner highlight product I have ever found. 

Swatches Left to Right: busy signal, flatter me, birthday suit, samba-dy loves me, tattle tale

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadows

 I have to say I find the Bobbi Brown range of cream shadows to be mediocre.  In general, the formula is a bit on the dry side, which makes it hard to blend. These cream shadows are very sheer (at least the colors I own) but reasonably buildable. On the positive side, they do last well on my eye lids.

Left to Right: Beach Honey, Sand Dollar, Stone

As far as colors go, I love the shade Sand Dollar, a lovely lilac-toned grey (really hard to describe). This shade is fantastic if you have green eyes. On the other hand, I was thoroughly unimpressed with Beach Honey, which looks a bit like MAC's Bare Study in the pot. On the skin though it comes across as nothing more than a bit of nude shimmer.

Swatches Left to Right: Stone, Sand Dollar, Beach Honey

Smashbox Limitless 15-Hour Cream Shadow

I am really impressed by the quality & formula of the new Smashbox cream shadows. They are very pigmented, smooth, easy to blend, and come in many beautiful jewel-tone options. I look forward to collecting a few more of these. Gemstone, a shimmering mauve color is great for for an easy subtle smokey eye look.

Maybelline Color Tattoo Eye Shadow

This cream shadow lives up to all the hype it has created. The Bad to the Bronze shade is surprisingly one of my all-time favorite swipe on & go cream shadows. I have to say it even beats out many of the high end options I have. The color is just so rich & multi-dimensional, and looks great on almost anyone I have seen wearing it. This shadow lasts all day on me with hardly any fading or creasing. Love!

Stila Smudge Pots

Although I have only used this product as a liner, it can technically also be used all over the lid as a cream shadow. This is one of my favorite bronze shades to use as a liner. It is incredibly pigmented, rich & long-lasting. Because of how inky & slightly dry the formula is, I can imagine you might have to work with it a bit to apply it all over the lid. 

MUFE Aqua Creams

Unfortunately, I was not at all impressed with this cream shadow.  The shade I purchased is incredibly clumpy & dries very quickly, making it hard to blend out on the lid. Although the line has many lovely colors, I do not plan on purchasing any more unless MUFE changes the formula.

Laura Mercier Metallic Cream Color

I LOVE this product when I am feeling like a metallic eye look. It applies easily with fingers or brushes & can be worn as either a sheer wash of color, or built up to a very metallic finish. The color Alloy is a beautiful mixture of pewter & mauve. I would love to add the Gold or Rose Gold shades to my collection some day. This product wears very well on my lids with hardly any creasing.

Top Row Left to Right: Stila Smudge Pot- Bronze, MUFE Aqua Cream- #13 Bottom Row Left to Right: Smashbox Limitless Cream Shadow- Gemstone, Maybelline Color Tattoo- Bad to the Bronze, Laura Mercier Metallic Cream Shadow- Alloy

Swatches Left to Right: Laura Mercier Alloy, MUFE #13, Maybelline Bad to the Bronze, Stila Bronze, Smashbox Gemstone

I am always on the hunt for new cream shadows & would love to hear what some of your favorites are!

Lots of Love,

Louise