Can we all please take a moment to thank the Beauty Gods profusely for creating One Wash Wonders?
Those magical neutrals that look amazing on their own, don’t require any makeup skills, and cut down the time you spend on your eyes to a handful of seconds are definitely the types of shadows I’m most grateful for.
In case you need a little inspiration for your first (or tenth) OWW purchase, here are my all-time favorites!
The Budget Buy: Essence I Love Nude Eyeshadow in 04 Sweet Like Chocolate (€3.19/$3.56)
Essence Sweet Like Chocolate gives lids the prettiest warm luminosity. I really like to use it in the summer to enhance my slightly darker complexion, so if you have a medium skin tone, chances are you’ll love this.
I’d recommend it to: the eyeshadow newbie. Because it doesn’t require mad makeup skills, and it’s cheap as chips, so you can decide if it’s a product category you want to explore further without breaking the bank.
The Terrific Treat: Burberry Eye Colour Wet & Dry Glow Shadow in 002 Nude ($29)
Jumping straight to the opposite end of the price spectrum, we find this gorgeous gem from Burberry Beauty. The packaging is swoon-inducing, and the texture is smoother than silk, but the coolest thing about this one is that you can wet it to get a higher color payoff and a more metallic finish, so it’s really like having two eyeshadows in one. If you’re interested, here’s a full review on my blog.
I’d recommend it to: the new mom. Because after many sleepless nights and makeup-free days, you deserve a special treat more than anybody else!
The Drugstore Dream: Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo Leather 24hr in Creamy Beige ($6.99)
When I’m uninspired makeup-wise, nine times out of 10 I end up throwing Creamy Beige on my lids and a bright lipstick on my lips. What I like the most about it is that, if I apply a very thin layer (which I recommend, in order to prevent any creasing), it looks like the perfect My Lids But Better shade. It’s a great option to frame the eyes without adding any color or shimmer.
I’d recommend it to: the lipstick lover. I know from experience that Creamy Beige pairs nicely with any lipstick shade.
The Speedy Stick: KIKO Long-Lasting Stick Eyeshadow in 06 Golden Brown ($12)
To me KIKO Golden Brown is the one wash wonder par excellence. I usually apply it all over the mobile lid and along my lower lashline straight from the stick and, after blending out the edges, it looks like I’ve used two different shadows. It takes me 30 seconds, tops, to do both eyes. Lazy makeup at its finest!
I recommend it to: the girl who’s always running (late). I dare you to find an eyeshadow that does a better job, faster!
Are you an OWW fan? Let me know what your favorites are… There’s always room for a new one in my makeup bag! 😉
These are exactly the kind of shades I reach for when I’m in a hurry (or yes, just feeling lazy).
I don’t need any more eyeshadows…I don’t need any more eyeshadows..I NEED ALL THESE EYESHADOWS BECAUSE I’M LAZY.
But no really, all the shadows I own become “one wash shadows” to me haha
Not exactly because I’m lazy, but they just turn out muddy when I do it.
Haha! Maybe you’re overblending? 🙂
Just when I am taking a break from beating up my face with all that makeup, you came along with your effortlessly beautiful style! I am so into your posts now Carolina.
So enjoyed the photos which are inspiring me to go back to ‘less is more’ mantra again!
Thank you, Nivedita! It’s sooo nice to hear that you like my posts and find them inspiring. 🙂
How thoughtful of you to recommend an eyeshadow exclusively for me! I will send the link to Mr. Loca, but I am pretty sure he will ignore it as per usual.
The OWW I am relying on these days is the MaxFactor liquid eyeshadow in “Coffee”. No blending, no priming, fades lovely.
Hello Carolina, what is the lipstick you’re wearing in the top photo paired with Burberry? It is gorgeous on you!
Hi Grace! It’s Maybelline SuperStay 14HR in Please Stay Plum.
Awesome, I wasn’t expecting it to be drugstore since it was paired with Burberry heh ^^, so now it’s definitely easier for me to check it out on my next run, thanks!
My favorite washes are Stila Kitten and NARS Lhasa!
I love this post! My favorite one-wash color is from the e.l.f. smudge pots… it’s a light taupey nude similar to Burberry 002. I also like Free Love by Urban Decay, which is a bright peachy color.
I don’t often do one wash eye shadows but I do eye pencils/crayons a lot as a wash. I currently am using taupe from the Sephora waterproof jumbo eye pencil line. I’ll have to check out that Kiko stick! I’m a fan 🙂
Id you haven’t already, you got to try the Nars dual intensity eyeshadows. I like subra and phoebe. Using a wash of color, they look like you’ve used 3 and a lot of blending. A-mazing.
This is so my type of makeup and they all look so pretty on you!