If you’re looking to have more fun with your eye makeup, why not add some sparkle to it with shimmer eyeshadows? Shimmer eyeshadows contain glitters that reflect the light, adding a touch of shine to your eyes. These eyeshadows are very versatile; they can be used for minimal or bold makeup looks. Add just a touch of beige shimmer for a subtle highlight, or choose full-on glitter for a glam look!
To make it easier for you, we’ve rounded up the best 10 shimmer eyeshadows in both bold and natural shades. Too Faced's Chocolate Gold Eyeshadow Palette is our top pick. With this palette, you'll have a ton of options to choose from! Read on to learn about the rest of the shimmer eyeshadows that made it to our list. If you’re looking for more information to help you decide, be sure to go through our buying guide.
We made sure to choose shimmer eyeshadows that will cater to all types of needs and preferences. Check out our favorite liquid, cream, loose pigment, stick, and powder shadows!
$49.00
Amount | 0.56 oz. |
---|---|
Available shades | 1 |
Formula | Powder |
Highlights | Cruelty free; no parabens, sulfates, phthalates |
$24.00
Amount | 0.16 fl. oz. |
---|---|
Available shades | 10 |
Formula | Liquid |
Highlights | No parabens, sulfates, phthalates |
$25.00
Amount | 0.13 oz. |
---|---|
Available shades | 2 |
Formula | Cream to powder |
Highlights | No sulfates, SLS, SLES, parabens, formaldehyde, fragrance, oil |
$29.00
Amount | 0.81 oz. |
---|---|
Available shades | 9 |
Formula | Cream |
Highlights | Vegan, cruelty-free; no parabens, fragrance, gluten, sulfates, phthalates |
$25.00
Amount | 0.16 oz. |
---|---|
Available shades | 23 |
Formula | Loose |
Highlights | Cruelty-free |
$14.00
Amount | 0.71 oz. |
---|---|
Available shades | 16 |
Formula | Stick; cream to powder |
Highlights | Waterproof |
$12.00
Amount | 0.059 oz. |
---|---|
Available shades | 31 |
Formula | Powder |
Highlights | None |
$29.00
Amount | 0.2 oz. |
---|---|
Available shades | 4 |
Formula | Liquid |
Highlights | None |
$54.00
Amount | 0.49 oz. |
---|---|
Available shades | 6 |
Formula | Gel |
Highlights | Cruelty-free |
$6.46
Amount | 0.12 oz. |
---|---|
Available shades | 22 |
Formula | Powder to cream |
Highlights | Waterproof |
Image | 1 ![]() Too Faced | 2 ![]() Stila | 3 ![]() Lancôme | 4 ![]() Hourglass | 5 ![]() Artist Couture | 6 ![]() Julep | 7 ![]() Anastasia Beverly Hills | 8 ![]() Laura Mercier | 9 ![]() Urban Decay Cosmetics | 10 ![]() L'Oreal Paris |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Chocolate Gold Eyeshadow Palette | Magnificent Metals Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow | Le Monochromatique Eyeshadow and Highlighter | Scattered Light Glitter Eye Shadow | Diamond Lights Finisher | Eyeshadow 101 | Eye Shadow Singles | Caviar Chrome Veil Liquid Eye Shadow | Stoned Vibes Eyeshadow Palette | Infallible 24HR Shadow |
Features | Create a Variety of Looks With Rich Shimmers | Convenient Liquid Eyeshadow With Minimal Fallout | Three-in-One Shimmer Eyeshadow With Vitamin E | Versatile and Easy-to-Apply Cream Shimmer Eyeshadow | Highly-Pigmented and Versatile Loose Shimmer Eyeshadow | Eyeshadow Stick Great for Taking On-the-Go | Powder Shimmer Eyeshadows for Oily Lids | Smudge- and Crease-Resistant Liquid Shimmer Eyeshadow | Shimmer Eyeshadow Palette With 12 Highly-Pigmented Shades and a Brush | Waterproof Eyeshadow That Won't Budge |
Price | $49.00 | $24.00 | $25.00 | $29.00 | $25.00 | $14.00 | $12.00 | $29.00 | $54.00 | $6.46 |
Amount | 0.56 oz. | 0.16 fl. oz. | 0.13 oz. | 0.81 oz. | 0.16 oz. | 0.71 oz. | 0.059 oz. | 0.2 oz. | 0.49 oz. | 0.12 oz. |
Available shades | 1 | 10 | 2 | 9 | 23 | 16 | 31 | 4 | 6 | 22 |
Formula | Powder | Liquid | Cream to powder | Cream | Loose | Stick; cream to powder | Powder | Liquid | Gel | Powder to cream |
Highlights | Cruelty free; no parabens, sulfates, phthalates | No parabens, sulfates, phthalates | No sulfates, SLS, SLES, parabens, formaldehyde, fragrance, oil | Vegan, cruelty-free; no parabens, fragrance, gluten, sulfates, phthalates | Cruelty-free | Waterproof | None | None | Cruelty-free | Waterproof |
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Here are a few things to keep in mind before settling on a shimmer eyeshadow. Make sure to pay attention to the formula, shade, and ingredients!
Being familiar with the different eyeshadows forumlas will help you decide on the right one. Shimmer eyeshadows come in powder, liquid, cream, stick, or pigment forms.
Powder eyeshadows are the most common type of formula. Powders are suitable for beginners since they are easy to blend. They are also much more forgiving if you make a mistake; you can easily erase this shadow with a cotton bud without having to start over.
They are also buildable, allowing you to achieve both natural and bold looks. Powder eyeshadows can absorb excess oil, making them an ideal choice if you have oily skin. However, they have fall-out due to their powder formula, and they can break if you drop them.
Powder eyeshadows can come in singles, duos, quads, and palettes. Apply powder eyeshadow with a flat shader brush to help you evenly spread the colors on your eyelid. You can also apply this type of eyeshadow with your finger.
Liquid shimmer shadows usually come in packaging similar to lip gloss. They also have a lipgloss-like consistency. Liquid shadows are highly-pigmented and long-lasting once the product sets.
Liquid eyeshadows may seem intimidating at first, but they are easy to apply. They usually come with a built-in applicator that helps you apply the eyeshadow smoothly and evenly. These are also very slim, making them easy to bring on-the-go.
However, liquid shimmers can dry quickly, so you have to work fast. They also tend to crease easily, especially if you have oily lids.
Cream eyeshadows offer versatile, rich shades that are buildable and blendable. This formula is an excellent alternative to powders since they are more pigmented and last longer.
These usually come in pots and can easily be applied with your fingers, but you can use brushes for a more precise application. However, cream formulas tend to crease, so you have to be mindful of where you place it on your eyelids. You can also avoid creasing by applying a primer beforehand.
This formula also might not be the best to use in warmer weather. These eyeshadows may melt and run throughout the day.
Stick or crayon eyeshadows are very handy and ideal for keeping in your makeup bag for touch-ups throughout the day. They often come in a retractable stick or a pencil-like form that requires sharpening.
These are very easy to apply and go on smoothly. You won't need a brush since the product's tapered tip also allows you to precisely apply your eyeshadow. They are also buildable and blendable.
They are also highly-pigmented, long-lasting, and can even work as eyeliner. However, this type of eyeshadow can break if you press too hard or get rubbed off if you're not careful.
Eyeshadow pigments are just powder eyeshadows in a loose form. Professional artists and makeup enthusiasts often use these to create bold and creative looks. This powder is highly pigmented, allowing you to achieve vibrant colors with just one layer.
However, you will need a primer for the pigment to adhere to your eyelids. You also have to wet your brush before applying pigment eyeshadows. Moreover, this formula can be a bit tricky and messy to apply. It can even be drying, so it's not the best choice if you have dry skin.
There aren't strict rules when it comes to eyeshadow colors. You can wear any shade you feel like wearing! But if you're looking for an eyeshadow that makes your eyes pop and suits your style, here are some things to keep in mind.
If your eyes are blue or gray, opt for copper, bronze, or red-orange shades to make your eyes stand out. It might be best to avoid shades that are similar to your eye color. Shades like these can make your eyes look tired and dull.
If you have light brown or hazel eyes, you can wear almost any color. But if you want to brighten and highlight your eyes, go for gold, bronze, brown, and green shades.
For people with green eyes, red and purple hues can brighten and highlight your eyes' gold notes. Darker and deep brown eyes can also go for any shade, but darker shades like navy, burgundy, and dark green can help make your eyes pop.
If you're going for a more casual outfit and makeup look, stick with shimmer shades in neutral and nude tones. You can also opt to lightly apply shimmer shadows on top of nude eyeshadow for a little sparkle.
But if you want smokey eyes, darker shimmer shadows, like taupe or dark brown, are a good option. For a softer smokey eye look, bronze and rose shades are the way to go.
For parties or night looks, try bold and vibrant shimmer shadows like reds, blues, and yellows. You can also combine matte eye shadows with shimmer ones to create your own shades.
If you can't decide on a single shade, you can always go for shimmer eyeshadows in palettes. Eyeshadow palettes house multiple shades and give you more options, allowing you to play with different eye makeup looks.
You can always opt for makeup palettes with three to six shades. These are perfect for beginners and if you're looking for something to bring on-the-go. You can easily fit this palette in your makeup kit.
There are also palettes with more shades, allowing you to create more makeup looks. However, these palettes can be challenging to keep in your makeup kit. These are great to use and store at home.
Either way, shimmer eyeshadow palettes are convenient since you'll have many shades in one compact than many single ones. Plus, these palettes usually come with matte or transition shades.
Eyeshadows aren't harmful to most people. Still, it's essential to be mindful of specific ingredients, especially if you have sensitive skin and eyes. Some chemicals and ingredients to look out for are sulfates, fragrances, and synthetic dyes.
Sulfates can cause irritation and dryness, especially if you have dry or sensitive skin. It strips away the natural oils from the eyelids, causing them to dry up even more.
Some other ingredients to watch out for if you have sensitive skin are fragrance and synthetic dyes. It's better to avoid eyeshadows with these products because they can cause allergies and irritation in some people.
Ready to create your own unique eye makeup? Try some of our favorite eyeshadows and eyeliners!
Shimmer eye shadows are great for making your eye makeup pop! They can also be used to add a little more sparkle to your daily makeup. They are very versatile, making them a handy makeup product to have in your collection.
To choose the right shimmer eyeshadow, make sure it’s highly-pigmented. You should also decide on a formula and color that works for you. You might also want to consider a palette for more options. Lastly, make sure to opt for an eyeshadow that won’t harm your skin or eyes!
Author: Janina Maddatu
Now that you've got your eyeshadow all figured out, it's time to invest in a good eyeliner. This one recommended by beauty blogger Eye Charlene won't smudge even in the direst of times!
0.016 oz.
$22.00
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