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The best liquid eye shadows are so bold and beautiful that you may never go back to powder. When it comes to creating a show-stopping eye look, liquid shadows are about as foolproof as they get. "It's nearly impossible to mess up with liquid eye shadows because they're so creamy and easy to work with," confirms makeup artist Allan Avandaño, who adds that you can wear them alone or atop powder eye shadows. Makeup artist Amrita Mehta also recommends the reverse method, noting that "Liquids make a great base for powder eyeshadow and help with longevity as well."
Our Top Picks
- Best Liquid Eye Shadow Overall: Violette_FR Yeux Paint, $32
- Most Wearable: Sisley-Paris Ombre Éclat Liquide Eyeshadow, $65
- Best Matte Finish: About-Face Matte Fluid Eye Paint, $16
- Best Neutral Shades: Chanel Ombre Première Laque, $38
- Best Bold Shades: Danessa Myricks Twin Flames, $26
- Best Metallic Finish: Ilia Liquid Powder Chromatic Eye Tint, $28
- Best Pearlescent Finish: Glossier Lidstar, $20
- Best Shimmer Finish: MAC Dazzleshadow Liquid, $26
Not only that, but liquid eye shadows also offer intense pigmentation—sometimes buildable, sometimes not, offering a dramatic eye look in a single swipe. (Fret not, plenty of makeup brands also offer sheer finishes if that's more of your vibe.) And finally, they're beginner-friendly, to boot—simply open, swipe, and blend. "Start at the lash line in the middle of the eye and then build up from there," advises makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes. "Use a fluffy kind of eye shadow brush that allows you to blend and apply at the same time." However, don't hesitate when it comes to application. "You only have a limited amount of time to blend the shade before it dries on your lid," Mehta says. "Once a liquid eye shadow has set, it doesn't budge."
Even better? While we love an eye shadow palette, the best liquid eye shadows typically come in compact tubes—so you can throw them into your bag if you're crunched for time, prefer touching up throughout the day, or want to amp your eye makeup for post-work activities.
With that, consider these 11 options beloved by makeup artists and editors alike—and take your makeup from good to glam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Liquid Eye Shadow Overall: Violette_FR Yeux Paint
Why we love it: Amrita Mehta, a bi-coastal makeup artist, counts Violette_Fr's Yeux Paint among her favorite liquid eye shadows because these long-lasting formulas require little application time. Then, you can forget about them—until you catch yourself in the mirror—because these smudge-proof formulas are just that dependable. "Tout (taupe) is my favorite matte shade and Rose d'Aurore (shimmery burgundy rose) is my favorite when I'm in the mood for some sparkle," she says. Another built-in perk: Because the applicator is skinnier than most, you can use Yeux Paint to line the eyes, which you can see in action above.
Tester feedback: "I don't know how many times I've gushed about Violette_FR's Yeux Paint—on allure.com, social media, and IRL, but reporting for duty once more," says commerce editor Sarah Han. "So many editors on our team agree that Violette has one of the most thoughtful color curations on the market, and I couldn't agree more. I hold Nuage de Lilas (a matte lilac) and Violette Sauvage (a pearlescent violet) dearest to my heart but there's a beautiful mix of more neutral-leaning shades as well. All hues look fabulous in photos and the long-wearing, crease-proof claims are true, too—these beauts simply do not budge."
Key ingredients: silica, vitamin E, mica | Shades: 15
Best Everyday Liquid Eye Shadow: Sisley-Paris Ombre Éclat Liquide Eyeshadow
Why it's worth it: Back in 2022, the Sisley-Paris Ombre Éclat Liquide Eyeshadow took home a Best of Beauty Award in the Splurge category: The instant pigment payoff and impressive crease resistance made it a winner for us. The range of neutral shades, which come in both satin and shimmer finishes, offer an option for every skin tone, and the formula has a barely there feel no matter how much you pile on—and, based on how pretty they are, you might be tempted to do just that. Another bonus: The doe-foot applicator has a flatter profile, making it easier to lay down the color before you go in with a brush or your fingertips to blend.
Tester feedback: "I'm perpetually running five minutes behind during my morning beauty routine, but two swipes of the Sisley-Paris liquid shadow (in Copper and Pink Gold) and I'm ready to head out the door with that sparkle that adds a little pep in my step during the day," says Allure director of social media Kassidy Silva.
Key ingredients: glycerin, silica | Shades: 6
Best Matte Liquid Eye Shadow: About-Face Matte Fluid Eye Paint
Why it’s worth it: Halsey has stolen the hearts of makeup devotees everywhere with the launch of About-Face, and the same could be said for the Matte Fluid Eye Paints, specifically. This bright bunch of lightweight, watery pigments can be applied directly onto your eyelids with the flat, doe-foot applicators and, as such, pack an intense wash of color that you can easily blend out with your fingers or finesse into a cat-eye shape. Alternatively, you can take a sharp, flat brush and take some color from the applicator itself to draw more precise, intricate lines and art.
Tester feedback: "These are basically the makeup equivalent of fingerpaints, and by that I mean even a kindergartener could achieve a high-fashion editorial look with one," senior news editor Nicola Dall'Asen says. “The point of these brightly colored, high-octane pigments isn't to apply them perfectly; it's to have fun and get messy, inspiring its user to try something new and bold every time without the pressure of perfection.” And while there's plenty of play time before they dry down—once they do, they're not going anywhere. "I've worn the Matte Fluid Eye Paints on the stickiest of summer days, in pouring rainstorms, and even during workouts when I've been in a pinch for time," Dall'Asen attests.
Key ingredients: microcrystalline wax, silica, mica | Shades: 31
More liquid eye shadows we love:
Best Neutral Shades: Chanel Ombre Première Laque Longwear Liquid Eyeshadow
Why it's worth it: Liquid eye shadows don't have to bring the drama—they can be just as appropriate for daytime wear, too. That's the beauty of Chanel's Ombre Première Laque Liquid Eyeshadow, which comes in four more muted (but no less gorgeous) shades. They do have more of a sparkle than a shimmer, but the neutral palette keeps them from looking over the top—unless that's what you're going for, of course. The formula is also pretty forgiving: You have some time to blend it in for a soft-focus, hazy effect before it's totally set.
Key ingredients: glycerin, dimethicone | Shades: 4
Best Bold Shades: Danessa Myricks Twin Flames
Why it's worth it: Yet another Best of Beauty Award winner—taking home the prize in 2021—the Danessa Myricks Twin Flames Multi-Chrome Pigments stands out for its unique composition, which pairs not one but two shades in a single iridescent formula. Depending on how it catches the light, the shadow can shift in color. Translation: It's pretty much guaranteed to attract attention and garner compliments. The color pairings are also playful, pairing fuchsia with mint green and orange-y mango with chartreuse.
Tester feedback: Dall’asen likes to pair multiple colors to create eye-popping bright cat-eyes. “No matter which way I use them in a cat-eye, I can always throw the look together in a few seconds—and it'll stay there indefinitely until I take an oil cleanser to it,” she says.
Key ingredients: silica, microcrystalline wax | Shades: 15
Best Metallic Finish: Ilia Liquid Powder Chromatic Eye Tint
Why it's worth it: Ilia's Liquid Powder Chromatic Eye Tint picked up a 2021 Best of Beauty Award and Readers' Choice Award because it's both beginner- and expert-friendly and dries down quickly to a pigmented, soft powder finish that won't sink into creases or fade after a few hours. (Another bonus: The formula contains hydrating glycerin to nourish the lids while you wear it.) While the doe-foot applicator easily spreads across your entire eyelid in one fell swipe, the flat, thin brush works like a charm for a low-key, graphic eyeliner look.
Tester feedback: "The ultra-creamy texture glides onto lids and allows several seconds to blend the pigment on lids before it dries down to a powdery finish," says senior beauty editor Paige Stables, whose favorite shade was Mythic, a metallic rose gold.
Key ingredients: glycerin, horse chestnut flower | Shades: 8
Best Pearlescent Finish: Glossier Lidstar
Why we love it: Makeup artists Avandaño and Ingeborg love the lightweight Glossier Lidstar shadows for their foolproof formula and versatile shade range. They're infused with finely ground reflective pearls, which catch the light for luminosity without veering into shiny territory. These buttery formulas also contain polymers that create a flexible feel, giving the formula more staying power; they glide onto lids with ease and stay there for up to 12 hours without creasing, fading, or smudging. Go ahead, be impressed.
Tester feedback: All eight shades (Slip, a sheer baby pink, is shown above) are "sheer, blendable, and very flattering on all eye colors,” says Ingeborg.
Key ingredients: mica, aluminum starch | Shades: 8
Best Shimmer Finish: MAC Dazzleshadow Liquid
Why we love it: If you're on the hunt for a really glitzy, look-at-me option, MAC's Dazzleshadows are an excellent option: They’re incredibly shiny, easy to blend, and capable of lasting all night long. Makeup artist Elisa Flowers likes to apply them two different ways: layered on top of regular powder eye shadows for a glittery accent (as with Not Afraid To Sparkle, a sheer silver/multipearl glitter, above) or applied in multiple layers for an extra bold look.
Tester feedback: "They almost look like they could be sparkly lip glosses but are, in fact, long-wearing eye shadows that come in several colors and finishes ranging from glitter to chrome," explains Flowers.
Key ingredients: glycerin, tin oxide, silica | Shades: 7
Best Long-Wearing Liquid Eye Shadow: Armani Beauty Eye Tint Liquid Eyeshadow
Why it's worth it: While most liquid shadows come in either matte or shimmer finishes, the Armani Beauty Eye Tint Liquid Eyeshadow is the rare exception that adds metallics to the mix, adding yet another means of experimentation to your beauty toolbox. The water-based formula feels surprisingly creamy and dense, but what really takes this to the next level is the unique applicator. Instead of a doe-foot shape, it looks like a hollow droplet. The point allows for extra precision (ideal if you want to brighten the inner corners of the eye, for instance), while the rounded edges deposit more formula where you want it.
Tester feedback: Another perk is that they fit seamlessly alongside other shadow formulas and colors. “These [shadows] glide on seamlessly, have amazing hold, and are great on their own but also work well layered with other shadows,” says New York City-based makeup artist Lisa Aharon.
Key ingredients: talc, beeswax, iron oxides, mica, hydrogenated coconut oil | Shades: 18
Best Applicator: Lancôme Idôle Tint Liquid Eyeshadow & Eyeliner
Why it's worth it: Want the best of both worlds? Lancôme's Idôle Tint Liquid Eyeshadow & Eyeliner has got you covered. Not only are the seven shades buildable and formulated to resist smudges and creases, but the applicator is also genius: It has an oval shape and is thick enough that you can use the side of it to line the eyes—applying the formula as an eyeliner. On top of that, the lightweight, almost watery formula is (happily) misleading: Each swipe packs a ton of pigment, so you don't necessarily have to layer it on to get a pop of color.
Key ingredients: mica, talc, dimethicone | Shades: 7
Best Drugstore Liquid Eye Shadow: E.L.F. Liquid Glitter Eye Shadow
Why we love it: These E.L.F. Liquid Glitter Eye Shadows are every bit as sparkly as they are wallet-friendly. Like a dance floor in a tube, the silvery shade Disco Queen shown above is bound to start a party. (On top of that, every shade is infused with nourishing squalane to soften and smooth the lids while you wear them.) No wonder these petite, purse-friendly, and cruelty-free formulas won a 2020 Best of Beauty Award in the Steals category—it'll be the best $6 you've spent in quite a while.
Key ingredients: glycerin, mica, squalane | Shades: 10
Frequently Asked Questions
Meet the Experts
- Allan Avandaño is a makeup artist and content creator based in Los Angeles, CA
- Amrita Mehta is a makeup artist based in New York, NY and Los Angeles, CA
- Katie Jane Hughes is a makeup artist and content creator based in New York, NY
- Ingeborg is a makeup artist based in New York, NY
- Elisa Flowers is a makeup artist based in New York, NY
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best liquid eye shadows, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product's performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
No dazzling eye look is complete without:
- The Best Eye Shadow Palettes Allure Editors Can't Live Without
- 12 Best Waterproof Eyeliners for Tear-Proof Makeup Looks
- 14 Best Mascaras for Peak Volume, Length, and Lift
Now, watch a cosmetic chemist figure out which eyeliner is more expensive:
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