How To Use an Eyeshadow Stick—Plus 6 Looks To Try

When we say “eyeshadow,” your mind likely goes toward the classic pressed-powder eyeshadow. And while we love powder shadow, we think eyeshadow sticks are worthy of equal attention. These handy little sticks—sometimes referred to as eyeshadow crayons or shadow sticks—require zero tools to apply (or blend), making them a favorite for quick on-the-go applications. Plus, they’re portable, versatile, and incredibly user-friendly, even for beginners. 

Below, we’ll cover everything you need to know about eyeshadow sticks, including what they are and how to use them for a seamless eyeshadow application. Plus, we’ll share a few of our favorite quick and easy eyeshadow looks to bookmark for your next night out.

What Is An Eyeshadow Stick? 

Eyeshadow sticks are cream eyeshadows that come housed in a tube rather than a pan, palette, or pot. They typically boast a crayon-like applicator and can be thin (almost like an eyeshadow pencil) or thicker, like a crayon. 

Like all eyeshadows, eyeshadow sticks can come in a range of colors and finishes. The L’Oréal Paris Paradise Le Shadow Stick collection features eight shades in both matte and shimmery finishes, all of which offer buildable pigmentation with transfer- and smudge-resistant wear. 

One of the biggest benefits of shadow sticks is how easy they are to use. Unlike traditional powder shadow, which is almost always applied with a brush, eyeshadow sticks can be swiped directly onto the lids. While you can use a brush to blend out the color, it’s not necessary: your fingers will do just fine. This also makes them ideal for those looking for eye makeup that travels well—unlike palettes, eyeshadow sticks won’t take up much room in your bag.

How To Use an Eyeshadow Stick

Using an eyeshadow stick could not be easier. Follow the steps below for an effortless eyeshadow application.

1. Prep your lids

Before applying eyeshadow, you’ll want to make sure your lids are clean and free of any residual makeup from the day (or night) before. It’s also a good idea to prep your lids with eyeshadow primer to help extend the wear of your makeup. If you don’t have an eyeshadow primer on hand, use a medium-coverage concealer, such as the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Full Wear Concealer Up To 24 HR Full Coverage. Simply apply a thin layer onto your lids and let it dry before reaching for your shadow stick.

2. Apply your chosen color (or colors) 

Next, swipe your chosen eyeshadow color directly onto your lids, blending the pigment with your fingertip. The warmth from your finger will help the color “melt” for a seamless wash of color. 

If you prefer, you can also use an eyeshadow brush to blend out the shadow stick. Just swipe the shadow stick across your eyelids, then use a fluffy eyeshadow brush to buff out the color across your eyelids. The L’Oréal Paris Paradise Le Shadow Sticks glide on effortlessly and are super easy to blend, no matter which tool you decide to use. 

While you can easily create a striking look using just one hue, we love how pairing several similar colors creates dimension. If you’re opting to use more than use eyeshadow color, apply the lightest first and be sure to blend the boundary between colors well to avoid any harsh lines. 

3. Complete your look

After you’ve applied your eyeshadow and blended it out, you can move onto the other steps in your eye look, if desired. We love how a few swipes of mascara helps open up the eyes and draws attention to your shadow. If you need a mascara recommendation, we suggest giving the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Panorama Washable Mascara a try—the clump-resistant formula offers up to 24 hours of smudge- and clump-resistant wear. 

6 Looks to Try with an Eyeshadow Stick

There are plenty of ways to use an eyeshadow stick in your makeup routine—and below, we’re sharing six of our favorites.

Natural eyeshadow look

Shadow sticks lend themselves incredibly well to creating natural, everyday eye makeup looks, since they’re buildable and you can tailor the intensity to your liking. Simply grab a neutral-leaning matte shade—we love Alluring Rose and Brown Bliss—and swipe it across your lid for an understated yet flattering wash of subtle color. 

Soft smokey eye

To nail a smokey eye, you’ll want to snag at least two different eyeshadow crayons—one lighter, one darker. Start by swiping the lighter shade across your lid, blending the pigment just past the crease for a diffused effect. Then, define your outer corners with the deeper shade, taking care not to bring the color too close to the center of your eyelid. Then, use your finger or a blending brush to blend where the two hues meet for a seamless gradient. If you’d like, you can blend the darker hue outward a bit as well for a softer take on the classic cat eye. Complete the sultry smokey eye look by lining your upper and lower waterlines and adding a few coats of mascara to your upper lashes. 

Pastel lids

It’s fun to change up your eyeshadow look every once in a while—and shadow sticks make experimenting with vivid colors a breeze. Start by snagging a colorful eyeshadow stick in a shimmery pastel hue (if you need a recommendation, we’re big fans of the L’Oréal Paris Paradise Le Shadow Stick in Magnetic Mauve). Swipe the color across your lids, then use your finger or a brush to blend out the formula. If you want to go extra bold, bring the color all the way up to your brow bone for a look that’ll stun. 

Brown shimmery shadow 

Shadow sticks provide the perfect base for an all-out shimmery eye makeup look—and you won’t have to worry about fallout the way you might with powder eyeshadow. Start by swiping a shimmery shade, like Magnetic Bronze, across your lids, blending the color slightly past your brow bone. Then, pat a shimmery or glittery liquid eyeshadow onto the center of your lids for an extra glitzy finish. 

Subtle cut crease

A cut crease looks complicated, but the technique is surprisingly simple to do. Start by sweeping a matte or shimmery shadow stick (we love Brown Bliss) onto your crease and along your brow bone, blending the color upward and outward for a cat eye-like effect. Typically, you’ll want this shade to extend to just beneath your brow bone. 

Then, use a packing brush to apply a full-coverage concealer to your eyelid only. Let the concealer dry fully, then pat a light-colored shimmer shadow on top of it for a graphic cut crease effect. 

Y2K silver lids 

Y2K makeup is one of this year’s biggest trends—and there’s perhaps no better way to embrace the aesthetic than with a bold silver eyeshadow look. Fortunately, this nostalgic look is super easy to nail. Start by grabbing the L’Oréal Paris Paradise Le Shadow Stick in Ice Sparkle and swipe the shimmery silver shade across your lids, blending the color past your crease toward your brow bone. One pass will provide a subtle silver sheen, but you can build up the pigment if you’d prefer a more striking metallic effect. 

Next Up: How to Do Natural Eye Makeup for Every Skin Tone