This post discusses cream eyeshadow, its benefits for mature eyes, and the differences between it and other eyeshadow forms. I share a few of the challenges of cream eyeshadow as well as 3 beautiful and effective application techniques that also address those challenges. Product recommendations are included.
Cream Eyeshadow for Mature Eyes
For the past 20 years, I have been a vocal proponent of cream eyeshadows. And as a “mature woman”, I am happy to see that they are having a teensy weensy bit of a moment. They definitely haven’t gotten the airtime they deserve.
To be clear, I’m referring to those emollient eyeshadows that come in pots and sticks.
Perhaps you are familiar with their cousins but not quite “it” products called liquid eyeshadows typically in tube form. Liquid eyeshadows look like this:
While liquid and cream often get lumped together indiscriminately, they are in fact very different. Their ingredients, and how they look, feel, and applications are as different as a powder is to cream.
This discussion and my enthusiasm specifically for the over-50 crowd are aimed at cream eyeshadows.
While cream eyeshadows are not without their pitfalls, at the end of the day, they are like nuggets of gold for the more mature eye. While the beauty community at large surprisingly appears divided over the merits of cream, when compared to powder and liquid eyeshadow, I hold firm. Cream is unequivocally more forgiving on folds and wrinkles and easier for the beginner to apply and get a great result.
As with anything, the product and its formulation are critical factors and there are exceptions in all camps.
What Characterizes the Best Cream Eyeshadow for Mature Eyes
Simply put, emollience.
If you were to compare the ingredient lists of multiple cream eyeshadows, you would recognize that most if not all have some type of silicone or emollient at the beginning of the list. Furthermore, most even have multiple types of silicones near the beginning of said ingredients list.
Those silicones encapsulate the advantages of the cream eyeshadow. Much like a hydrating primer on the face, they apply effortlessly, glide over wrinkles and bumpiness, and create a smoother-than-original canvas.
Furthermore, the very tactile nature of the product and packaging beg for our fingers to apply it. Putting it on seems akin to child’s play.
Finally, for those of us with sensitive skin and eyes (my hand is raised), I find this type of eyeshadow to be less irritating than the powder or liquid alternatives.
Disadvantages of Cream Eyeshadows
Before we dive into the challenges of cream eyeshadows, let’s assess the characteristics of any good eyeshadow regardless of formulation (i.e. cream, powder, liquid). They are as follows:
- High-impact color also known as color payoff
- Longer-term staying power on the lid
- When multiple colors are used, each color is distinct on the lid for a length of time
- Easy to blend
- Easy to apply
- Non-irritating to the eyes
Cream eyeshadows typically have some trouble with #1, #2, #3. Formulation really matters, and I have recommendations at the end of this post.
#5, application for cream eyeshadows, can be either super easy with a single shadow or a bit trickier until you get the hang of it particularly if you use multiple colors.
How to Apply Cream Eyeshadow-3 Looks
Let’s walk through 3 styling techniques from simple to more advanced that also address the challenges listed above.
#1 Simple and Easy
If a casual “I woke up this way” look is the end goal, then arguably nothing is better than a single cream eyeshadow applied to the lids with a finger or if you prefer, a brush. Note that one eyeshadow is all you need for beautiful results. It’s quick.
What You Need
- 1 cream eyeshadow
- Type of cream eyeshadow: stick, pot, or anything creamy and colored. Some options to consider other than what is labeled “eyeshadow” are cream bronzer, blush, and even lipstick!
- Eyeshadow primer: this is an absolute must for all of these looks. If not, the eyeshadow will not wear well and will slip off quickly. Think #2 above.
- Your fingers and/or an eyeshadow brush. If you decide to use a brush, ensure that it is synthetic (as opposed to real animal hair) and its size fits easily on your eyelid.
How to Apply
- With your finger, an eyeshadow brush, or a combination of the two, pat the product on your lid. Blend evenly. Should you need more color, simply pat on another layer and repeat.
- Blend the edges out and up towards your browbone. The color should fade and transition naturally into a lighter version of the color on the lids.
- If desired, take the same or a smaller brush and place the color underneath the lower lashes or on the outer third of the lower lash line.
2 Optional Add-ons
- Create a more finished look by adding a lighter neutral cream eyeshadow on the outer edges up towards the browbone. A brush is oftentimes easier to do this. I have done this in the photo on the right.
- To create more color intensity, consider adding a shimmer on top. In the photo below, I have used a peach-colored luminizer that is typically used to highlight cheeks or areas of the face. It works!
What I Used
Urban Decay original Eyeshadow Potion
It! Airbrush and concealer brush
sigma e25 max blending brush
It! Superhero shadow sticks
RMS Beauty Peach Luminizer
#2 Dimension with Multiple Cream Eyeshadows
This look mimics what some of you might traditionally know about applying powder eyeshadow. 2 cream shadows are used to create more dimension and color to the lid. A brush may be easier than fingers for this method, particularly when blending.
What You Need
- A brush or fingers
- Eyeshadow Primer
- 2 Cream Eyeshadows
How to Apply
- Apply each color to each side of the lid.
- Target your blending where the colors meet in or near the middle, ensuring minimal demarcation between the colors. Avoid blending horizontally over the lid which will muddy the look
- Blend upward toward the browbone and outward.
#3 Increased Color Payoff and Longevity
Layering powder on top of the cream eyeshadow is an effective way to add longevity to the wear since it acts to “set” the cream. This technique also intensifies the color which in turn creates more dimension.
What you Need
- A brush or fingers
- Eyeshadow Primer
- 2 Cream Eyeshadows
- 1 Powder Eyeshadow
To note, the powder eyeshadow is the last step. The reverse, i.e. starting with powder and then layering cream on top, can result in a powdery mess. The concept is similar to the method of powdering a face as a last step.
While some are adept with their fingers, for me the brush is crucial with this technique to target the area accurately. As with the other 2 styles, eyeshadow primer is essential. Notice I have placed the powder on the darker side of the eye to intensify that darker color.
Just a Few Additional Tips
Here are a few miscellaneous tips and product recommendations:
- Cream shadow sticks as opposed to pots tend to have a stiffer consistency. They also dry much more quickly on the lid. It is important to blend quickly.
- Cream pots generally speaking may require more layers to achieve vibrancy. They will also wear off quicker. I know I’ve said it before, but a good eyelid primer is your friend.
- When choosing a brush or brushes, consider how soft or hard the bristles are on your eyelids. Softer is better as the skin on the lid is fragile.
- Some recommendations for cream shadows are: Trinny London Eye2Eye, RMS Beauty Buriti Bronzer or Eye Polish, Wet n Wild Multi Sticks, Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Sticks, It! SuperHero Sticks
This post was all about cream eyeshadow and its many benefits for mature eyes. I shared a few of the challenges of cream eyeshadow as well as 3 beautiful and effective application techniques that address those challenges. Product recommendations were included.
Thank you for reading!
xO
Andrea
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