pro picks

The 17 Best Liquid Eye Shadows for All-Day Wear

These easy-to-apply formulas are almost too good to be true.
The 17 Best Liquid Eye Shadows of 2020
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When it comes to eye shadow, liquid formulations are about as foolproof as it gets. "It's nearly impossible to mess up with liquid shadows because they're so creamy and easy to work with," says makeup artist Allan Avandaño, who adds that you can wear them alone or atop traditional shadows. What's more: They usually come in easy-to-tote-around tubes that are perfect for throwing in your bag if you're crunched for time, prefer touching up throughout the day, or want to amp your makeup for post-work activities.

They're pretty effortless to use, too: simply swipe, blend, and go. "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 blending brush that allows you to blend and apply at the same time." If you want to step it up a notch, take this tip from makeup artist Delina Medhin: "I love to lay down powders to build shadow and depth, then add the liquid as the topper."

In regards to formula and finish, liquid shadows are also some of the best when it comes to powerful pigment and long-lasting payoff, though they come in sheer options too that are especially ideal for beginners who aren't used to working with a ton of shadow. Regardless of whether you're an eye shadow expert or a total neophyte, liquid products for your lids are definitely worthy of having in your collection for all the aforementioned reasons. Makeup artists can't get enough of them, either, and favor both affordable and high-end options that deliver gorgeous results.

Take a look at the 17 best liquid eye shadows, approved by beauty editors and pro artists to add to your collection, stat.

All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

  • Glossier Skywash on white background
    Courtesy of brand
    1/17

    Glossier Skywash

    Makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes reaches for Glossier Skywash whenever she wants a dose of matte color in seconds, flat. Opt for one of its neutral shades like Echo, above, or take a page from Hughes's book and dive right into the baby blue or electric green hues. 

    $18 (Shop Now)

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    2/17

    Kosas 10-Second Liquid Eye Shadow

    There's a reason Kosas named this Best of Beauty-winning product 10-Second Liquid Eye Shadow — that's really how long these eight vibrant shades (including Globe, above) take to apply. One swipe will paint your eyes with watercolor-like pigments that you can blend with fingers or leave on their own. 

    $28 (Shop Now)

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    3/17

    Danessa Myricks Colorfix 24-Hour Cream Color

    It's honestly hard to find a beauty expert who doesn't love Danessa Myricks Colorfix 24-Hour Cream Color – especially makeup artists and Allure editors, who've awarded it with a Best of Beauty title. These highly pigmented and budge-proof creams come in just about every shade you'd ever need, in both matte and metallic iterations. 

    $18 (Shop Now)

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    7/17

    Almay Velvet Foil Cream Shadows

    Another of Medhin's favorites, Almay Velvet Foil Cream Shadows are perfect for no-makeup makeup days. This range of neutral shimmers can brighten the eyelids without drawing too much attention. 

    $8 (Shop Now)

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    8/17

    Ciaté London Shadow Flip Multichromatic Shifting Liquid Shadow

    Don't let the itty-bitty size of Shadow Flip Multichromatic Shifting Liquid Shadow fool you because Ciaté London gave these babies some serious power in the pigment department. Each shadow shifts between hues, so your eye looks take on different colors in different light settings. Peacock, above, shifts from green to blue to purple.

    $20 (Shop Now)

  • Courtesy of brand
    9/17

    E.L.F. Cosmetics Liquid Glitter Eye Shadow

    These Liquid Glitter Eye Shadows by E.L.F. Cosmetics are every bit as sparkly as they are wallet-friendly. Like a club dancefloor in a tube, the silvery shade Disco Queen shown above is always sure to start a party.

    $5 (Shop Now)

  • Courtesy of brand
    10/17

    Dominique Cosmetics Beautiful Mess Liquid Eye Shadow

    You don't need expert-level makeup skills to get along with Dominique Cosmetics's Beautiful Mess Liquid Eye Shadow — in fact, the imperfection is kind of this product's point. Mix and match any of these six glitter-packed shades for a color-shifting look that doesn't require much time nor effort. 

    $20 (Shop Now)

  • Courtesy of brand
    11/17

    MAC Dazzleshadow Liquid

    If you're on the hunt for a really glitzy, look-at-me option, MAC's Dazzleshadows are an excellent option. "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 makeup artist Elisa Flowers. She likes to apply them two different ways: layered on top of regular shadows for a glittery accent or applied in multiple layers for an extra bold look. 

    $23 (Shop Now)

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    12/17

    Esteé Lauder Pure Color Envy Shadow Paint

    This fairly under-the-radar option from Esteé Lauder comes courtesy of Flowers, who favors their creamy texture, buildable gel formula, and long-lasting finish. "These are incredibly easy to blend into a soft, shimmery wash of color using an eye shadow brush," she explains. "I adore them for every day as well as for events because they hold up so well, which can be tough to find."

    $35 for a set of three (Shop Now)

  • Courtesy of brand
    13/17

    Stila Shimmer & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow

    Stila's Shimmer & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow is pure dreaminess in a tube. Beloved by beauty editors, bloggers, and professionals alike, they make a solid staple in one's makeup collection. Makeup artist and Beauty Is Boring founder Robin Black says they're one of her must-haves for several reasons. "They're easy to use, long-lasting, provide a ton of color payoff, and come in a fun range of colors," she says.

    $24 (Shop Now)

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    14/17

    Giorgio Armani Beauty Eye Tint Liquid Eyeshadow

    Black says she can't get enough of Giorgio Armani's Eye Tints and especially loves layering them for ultra-intense looks. "The creamy, lightweight texture is so easy to blend with fingers or a brush and they stay put without creasing for ages," she says. 

    $30 (Shop Now)

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    15/17

    Surratt Beauty Lid Lacquer

    Allure's wellness editor Rosemary Donahue is a huge fan of these glossy Lid Lacquers from Surratt Beauty, which come in eight stunning shades and are perfect for getting a "wet effect." "These are so easy to quickly swipe on for a wash of color — I just use my finger, because you don't have to be a perfectionist with this product," she says. "Even though the formula is creamy and glossy, they don't seem to crease easily even after a long day of wear."

    $36 (Shop Now)

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    16/17

    Wander Beauty Exquisite Eye Liquid Shadow

    This high-shimmer liquid shadow from Wander Beauty is a go-to for Black and Avandaño, both of whom say it's a staple in their kits. "While this is a fairly new product for me, I'm really impressed with it," Black says. "The staying power is great and though the color range is limited, the ones they have are beautiful."

    $22 (Shop Now)

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    17/17

    Revlon PhotoReady Eye Art

    Another affordable option, Revlon's dual-ended Photoready Eye Art features a metallic liquid shadow on one end and glitter formula on the other. "You can make your look subtle or be a disco queen depending on your mood," says Avandaño, who swears by the $10 paints. "They're long-lasting and highly pigmented so you can go about your business and not worry about it moving throughout the day." 

    $10 (Shop Now)

Keywordseye shadowliquid eye shadowlancomeGlossierrevlonWander BeautyM.A.C.RimmelEstee Laudershopping guideshoppingeye makeupmetallicDanessa MyricksAlmayL'Orealelf comseticsCiaté LondonKosasHaus Laboratoriesmakeup artist