10 Best Cream Eyeshadows 2024 | UK Makeup Artist Reviewed

Sitting pretty in the number one spot on our list is Barry M's range of mini metallic eyeshadow creams. They are cheap and cheerful and they make makeup simple – choose one shade and wear it daily, or experiment with a few! Plus, Barry M's product range is completely vegan and cruelty free.

There are six shades in the range including warm, pink- and orange-tinged shades of gold and bronze as well as a gorgeous blue and a jewelly green. Applied with your ring finger in a couple of dabs, the colour stays on proudly for several hours, providing a warming, sparkly frame to any eyelids. 

Charlotte Tilbury's Eyes to Mesmerise cream eyeshadow is a hugely popular product at the very top of the price range. These mini pots are so great, once you know your signature shade you'll be using the very last smudge of colour and re-buying again and again. They brighten and perk up tired eyes in a flash! 

As this cream is infused with water, it's extremely lightweight and pleasant to the touch, so it won't cake or clump on the eyelid. Probably the top selling point is the inclusion of vitamin E, which soothes and hydrates eyelids making the higher price tag well worth it. Choose from just two classic shades of pink or gold and get glowing!

The more seasoned makeup lovers among you will be aware that in glitter eyeshadow terms, NYX know what's up. They have released endless palettes over the last two decades, and their creamy glitter shadow formula is finessed to perfection. It glides on easily and stays put without creases or smudging. 

The ten colours in this palette include statement glitzy black, classic silver and gold, all of which are perfect for sprucing up your standard smoky eye. There are also four elegant pinks that have a feminine whimsy, plus purple and blues that will ensure your eyes sparkle their brightest. 

Now, the eyes may not seem like the most appropriate place to smear chocolate, but bear with us. If their smoky pink palette wasn't up your alley, Too Faced have released a range of silky-smooth matte cream shadows that ensure your eyes get their just desserts.

The chocolatey creams, pinks and browns are delectable on any skin tone and complement brown and green eyes while making blue eyes pop. This product is also waterproof, meaning it won't budge even on sticky, sweaty days at the seaside or through night-long dancefloor marathons. A product suitable for daily wear but glam enough for night.

If you're after a sexy, neutral-toned eyeshadow palette, this has to be your pick. Everything from the sassy leopard-print case to the glimmering pinks, creams and midnight black say scandal-meets-subtlety. Use a plush silky shadow brush to smother your lids in a blend of sultry shades.

This mini palette costs around the same as some of our single eyeshadows, so value for money is a no-brainer. Add to that the built-in mirror for toilet-break touch-ups and the fact these shadows are scented with tequila sunrise and you've got yourself a winning formula. 

Want an ethereal pixie look? The whole Pixi by Petra range was made for you. We love these glimmering tubes of metallic cream that come in stunning pastel shades – as well as two gorgeous pinks, there's a funky silver that would flatter any eyes or skin tone.

The handy tube makes the glitzy shadow simple to apply using a super soft wand, and the product may be glitter-rich, but it still glides smoothly onto skin. The effect is definitely more VIP than trackie Bs; it provides a noticeable sweep of sparkle that gives your eyes their time to shine. More good news is that the entire Pixi range is totally cruelty-free.

Pop this little wand in your pocket for an emergency burst of glitter on the move. This is another fun, flirtatious cream eye shadow that twinkles with life and requires only a single sweep along the lid to make a statement. The soft wand is textured enough to avoid blobs and clumping. 

Stila is a completely cruelty-free brand so you can sleep soundly knowing you've chosen an ethically respectable product. Plus, we love the range of shades which include a couple of flattering pinks, a silver-spiked black and classic bronze and gold. One downside is that there is a big risk of drying if the lid isn't screwed on correctly every time. 

One of the best-selling cream eyeshadow sticks on the market for good reason, Lancôme's luxury stylo pen is easy to use, available in a good range of shades and provides colour that lasts. The standard golds and bronzes glisten tastefully, while dark blues, sands, browns and purples are available too. 

While this isn't a waterproof makeup, it stays put for at least 12 hours. For the price, however, this really is one of the best subtle colour ranges and years topping makeup charts can't be wrong. The fine tip and smooth-twist mechanism make it easy to eek out the product over months. 

Opt for one of these cute little pots of metallic colour from Maybelline if you love the idea of choosing a one-off eyeshadow colour that works for every day and stays in place for ages. The shades range from gold and bronze through peaches, pinks and dusky taupe. 

Sadly, several beauty bloggers, YouTubers and influencers report that it doesn't quite reach the 12-hour mark without some creasing, though it does stay put. For affordable colour, however, it's a decent pick and can be applied with precision using a fine-tip brush.

We like this super-efficient eyeshadow stick because it takes up minimal makeup bag space and can be easily slipped into a pocket for touch-ups on the go – not that you'll need them! The creamy, matte formula has excellent staying power according to reviewers online. 

This product is available in a huge range of shades, including several creams, browns, purples, pinks, bronze and a couple of greys so there are multiple picks for every eye colour on the 'no-makeup' side of the spectrum. The high price tag and the fact this cream eyeshadow isn't cruelty-free are what keep it lower down our list.