Makeup Artists Compliment My Makeup Whenever I Wear This Underrated Product

You wouldn't think a liquid eye shadow that's basically pure glitter could manage to be understated, yet this iconic cult favorite from Stila manages just that. Not only is each and every shade gorgeous and glimmering, but there's also zero mess and zero fallout, and you can really customize your look—a tiny touch near the inner corners of your eyes for something subtle or lacquered layers for something more statement-making.

Customer Review: "Very easy to apply if you are needing a quick look. Lasts all day with no creasing if you just use a little eyeshadow primer. It won’t affect color payoff. Also a quick easy way to use as an eyeshadow topper. Convenient and easy."

Pro: features a lightweight, water-diffused texture

Con: has slight glitter fallout with all-day wear

Size: 0.15 oz

Applicator type: wand

You're going to notice a theme within this article—almost every single one of my favorite liquid eye shadows has at least some shimmer. (I just find the effect so dang pretty and photo-worthy.) That said, props to Glossier for launching the one and only matte-finish eye shadow I regularly keep on standby. (It's a very cool, very vibey liquid-to-powder situation.) In fact, Team Who What Wear unanimously agrees this sheer matte formula is one of the brand's best launches yet. (See us wear and review every single shade here.) 

Customer Review: "Very sheer and matte but it is upfront about that and I found the formula easy to work with and it works for the purpose I had in mind (eyeshadow highlighting) with my complexion quite well. Sets off my eye color nicely."

Pro: lasts up to 12 hours without smudging

Con: product dries very quickly on the skin

Size: 0.11 oz

Applicator type: wand

This one quickly made its mark as one of my all-time favorites. The clever name doesn't lie—this is a no-fuss formula that yields a pretty wash of saturated color with a subtle, eye-catching glint of shimmer. It's clean, water-based, buildable, and totally resistant to creasing unlike so many cream and powder formulas.

Customer Review: "I was keen to try this, but had seen some mixed reviews about its longevity on the eye. Decided to try it and am very glad I did. It is super easy to use and last all day. Gives quite a strong metallic finish but these are really easy to wear colors and the effect is very pretty. Particularly nice in the summer.. Will definitely try more colors."

Pro: formula is packed with active skincare ingredients

Con: does not allow for buildable dimension

Size: 0.06 oz

Applicator type: wand

Who What Wear senior beauty editor Jamie Schneider considers this Sisley Paris number one of her all-time favorites. "It's creamy and buildable, blends like a dream (even when you leave it on for a few minutes), and the payoff is just so pretty," she gushes. "I have two shades, Copper and Antique Gold, and I honestly can't tell which one I love more. I can dress them both up or down, and the subtle shimmer catches the light in the most beautiful way."

Customer review: "I purchased this Eyeshadow in the shade 'Copper.' I am absolutely impressed with the formulation. This is very different from other liquid shadows. The formula is lightweight, easy to blend, easy to apply, provides even coverage that is buildable, and starts off fairly sheer. It does not pill concealer or eye primer. The shade 'Copper' has an incredibly sophisticated look. It could be used for special occasions or everyday wear. It is shimmery without being glittery and has a velvet finish. I absolutely love the product!"

Pro: doesn't crease, creamy and buildable formula that has incredible staying power

Con: one coat is quite subtle; you'll need extra layers for more dramatic eye looks

Size: 0.21 oz

Applicator type: wand

Armani simply doesn't make a makeup product I don't immediately fall head over heels for, but this best-of-the-best liquid eye shadow would have to be at the top of my list. And for what it's worth, this is one liquid eye shadow celebrity makeup artists regularly apply on their A-list clientele pre–red carpet. As for the finish, the brand has four options available: glitter, metallic, shimmer, or matte. So all you have to do is pick your poison. (Or, you know, throw in the towel and try all four.)

Customer Review: "As someone with really oily, hooded eyelids I was a little skeptical this would last. I've been on the hunt for products to wear on my wedding day and was super impressed with the longevity of this liquid eyeshadow! The finish is so radiant and shiny without being glittery or cheap looking—it just looks like the shiniest, wet sheen on the lids. I will absolutely be wearing it on my big day!"

Pro: glides on a smooth and blends easily

Con: offered at a high price point

Size: 0.13 oz

Applicator type: fine-tipped wand

There are so many mesmerizing shades of this liquid eye shadow it's almost overwhelming. (Don't worry—you'll recover quickly.) This pick is the perfect compromise between high pigment and smooth coverage, and the glossy finish will surely rake in all the compliments. "I'm particularly obsessed with the matte moss-green hue," notes Schneider. "It's vibrant yet not too neon, and the creamy payoff is just gorgeous."

Customer review: "I have a few of these so far, so my review is for more than one color! They are AMAZING! So easy to apply and blend with a brush. I usually have issues with cream or liquid eyeshadows blending properly (they set too quick, or get patchy, or just vanish off my skin), however these allow more than enough time to blend, you can build up the color OR sheer it out quite a lot, and they LAST!! My lids are incredibly oily and basically everything creases on them, sometimes even when I use eyeshadow primer, but these are good with and without primer!"

Pro: Waterproof formula has incredible staying power; over 40 shades to choose from; can use as an eye shadow, blush, highlighter, or lip color

Con: Can be difficult to remove, especially the brighter shades

Size: 0.34 oz

Applicator type: Precise tip

If it's sheer-to-bold coverage and eye-catching pigment you're after, Ami Colé's easy-to-apply Lid Joy Matte Liquid Eyeshadow would be my top recommendation. (It's the most-asked-about product in my DMs.) Oh, and if you pair it with the brand's Desert Date Cream Blush & Lip Multistick? Game over.

Customer Review: "Love this formula! The shade is perfect for medium to light skin shades. Wish they had more colors."

Pro: formula is long-wearing and crease-resistant

Con: very limited amount of product provided

Size: 13 oz

Applicator type: doe-foot wand

Makeup artists and beauty editors everywhere certifiably flip over Bodyography's Glitter Pigments, so when the brand debuted an equally beguiling liquid eye shadow counterpart, there was (probably literally) panic at the disco. Essentially, it's a long-lasting liquid chrome situation that can (if tested) last up to 24 hours without sacrificing one iota of the pure color pigments and crystal chrome pearls that comprise its anatomy.

Customer Review: "I love this creamy, dreamy pink eyeshadow because it is the soft pink tone I've been hunting for. This cream shadow is glittery but not sharp, it feels hydrating and gentle on my lids...pleasantly surprised. Yes, I highly recommend— you'll feel so pretty!"

Pro: offers intense, blendable color

Con: limited shade availability

Size: 0.07 oz

Applicator type: wand

"French makeup artist Violette showed me how to use her liquid Yeux Paints two ways: as allover shadows and as precise liquid liners," says Schneider. "For the former, she dots just a tad on the center of my lid (a little pigment goes a long way) before smudging it out with her fingertip. For the latter, she swipes the tapered applicator along my lash line, again blending with her fingers for a lived-in liner look. Both are equally gorgeous applications, making her array of matte and twinkling formulas even more swoon-worthy."

Customer review: "These eye shadows are wonderful! Only takes a little, [and] they go a long way. I use a smudging brush to apply & once on your eyelids it stays put! Amazing! I have never had an eye shadow that wears so long and looks so radiant!"

Pro: tapered wand makes it easy to use as liner, very pigmented, so the tube lasts a while

Con: dries quickly, so it's best to blend immediately after applying

Size: 0.11 oz

Applicator type: Wand

The world may or may not have quaked when it was announced Lady Gaga would be launching her very own makeup brand, Haus Laboratories, back in 2019. I tried all of the formulas when they launched, and without a doubt, Gaga's multitasking eye, cheek, and lip tint was the standout product for me. Each extremely pigmented shade is perfection, and I'm obsessed with how budge-proof the formula is after it sets.

Customer Review: "I love this pigment paint! Love the color, love that I can wear it as eyeshadow or use it as eyeliner, it lasts all day, It is amazing! Haus Labs, always giving us the best!"

Pro: protects and softens the skin

Con: sticky to the touch after setting

Size: 0.25 oz

Applicator type: tube