Ahhh cream shadow, I love it so. Yet so many times when I suggest a cream shadow to someone, they respond with something like “Oh No! I don’t like cream shadows!” So naturally I inquire as to why that is and the response is usually something along the lines of…

Ok, well to be fair they are different if you are accustomed to powder shadows, but different can be a good thing! It might take a bit of getting used to if you don’t know how to apply it, but once you get the hang it’s easy-peasy.

So let’s get down to it.

WHY I LOVE THEM:

To start with, they are versatile. I use them to highlight, I use them as a base for powder shadows, and when I’m in a rush I apply them with my fingers as a wash of color.

They are fantastic as a base because they hold the powder shadow in place much like a typical primer, but they also deepen and intensify the color of the look.

They can also give a beautiful, gloss-like appearance (depending on the color, this applies to shimmer finish mostly) which makes them extra beautiful as a highlight and also as a wash of color.

And last but not least, they wear for ages!

What’s not to love?

SOME QUESTIONS I GET:

“My eyes are hooded/partially hooded, wont they crease and transfer?”

Nope. If you can keep your eye closed for around 30 seconds after you’ve applied it, just so it dries down a bit, this shouldn’t be a problem at all.

“Aren’t they greasy?”

Not at all, in fact quite the opposite.

“Why do they tend to be more expensive?”

Probably because you usually get more in one container than your typical powder shadow. On top of getting more, they also last a very long time, so long as you don’t leave them open and let them dry up, so really they can often be an even better value.

“How do I apply it?”

I like to use a flat concealer brush to place it on the skin and then blend it with a clean fluffy brush, but you can also use your fingers.

AND NOW FOR THE FUN PART!

Ok I poked through my little collection, and picked out which formulas I love the most, and here is what I came out with (In no particular order):

MAC Paint Pots

Maybelline 24 Hour Color Tattoo

Make Up Forever Aqua Cream

Bare Minerals Prime Time Primer Shadow

All of these formulas are awesome. I figured you may want to get a close look, so I chose my favorite shades from each of these lines (from the ones I own, there may be much nicer ones that I have yet to discover) and I swatched them! Yaaaay who doesn’t love a big old batch of swatches?

Each photo has one layer of cream shadow on the left and two on the right, to show you how sheer or build-able they can be.

MAC Paint Pot in “Rubenesque”

Maybelline 24 Hour Color Tattoos in “Tough as Taupe”

Make Up Forever Aqua Cream #17

Bare Minerals Prime Time Primer Shadow in “Bronzed Twig”

Aren’t they pretty? If you want to see a cream shadow in action check out my YouTube Tutorial using “Bronzed Twig”

And if you decided that I have convinced you, you can find all of my favorites here: