Cream shadow sticks! Now, if you’re thinkin’, “Been there, done that (*snaps*),” and wondering why you should spend a hot second contemplating another cream shadow stick, well, GURL, when I walked up on Laura Mercier’s new $24 Caviar Stick Eye Colours at Sephora a couple weeks ago, I suddenly heard this Lionel Richie song…
Okay, not really, but I did achieve makeup nirvana…
I love these things so much that I just got a great idea! — you, me, all of us, mojitos (and Shirley Temples) and a HUGE karaoke bar.
And criss-cut fries. 🙂
We’ll all wear different shades of Laura’s Caviar Sticks on our eyes and take the stage by storm!
For the record, these sticks aren’t new, but Laura’s adding six spring shades to go with the 12 shades currently in her permanent collection (here are swatches).
I wish I knew why it took me so long to notice these, and now I’m kicking myself in the butt for that…
It’s not that we haven’t seen shadow sticks before. At one point in time, MAC had something similar, the Shadesticks, that are now discontinued, and Bobbi Brown recently released something very similar for spring.
So, shadow sticks, what are they, exactly? Generally, they’re cream eyeshadows that come in twist-up packaging.
You take one, draw directly on your skin, blend out the edges, and BAM! — you’re wearing eyeshadow.
Simple, and really, really easy.
Great idea, right? Because you get to skip the brushes and fallout, but here’s the deal: most of the ones I’ve tried suffer from one or more problems. Either they’re hella chalky, or they disappear halfway through the day, or they crease like crazy, prompting my fine lines to hold up a sign that reads, “Hello, world!”
But not Laura’s. Laura’s cling to my lids for at least 8-9 hours, aren’t chalky and refuse to have anything at all to do with my fine lines.
Plus, they are eminently easy, to which you might be thinking, “Karen, you’re so predictable!” and you’d be right. 🙂 But what can I say? I just really appreciate products, particularly eye makeup, that’s simple and easy.
On top of all that, Laura gets the volume on the shimmer just right…
Obvs, if you’re a makeup minimalist who firmly believes in never wearing more than gloss and mascara, these do constitute an extra step, but if you’ll regularly go a step further than that, by also doing your brows, wearing a single eyeshadow, concealer and lipstick, these could be a great fit.
With 18 available shades, there’s a lot to choose from, and I’ve been vascilating between three — one, Sand Glow, from Laura’s batch of six new colors, and Grey Pearl and Seashell from the previous 12.
I’m leaning toward Sand Glow…
Picture this: golden tan MAC Soba, but more golden and shimmery, and with a cream shadow formula.
I KNOW!
Oh, but then there’s purplish taupe Grey Pearl. That one might drive the cool-toned girls wild, and it also reminds me of something I’ve seen from MAC, namely Shale, in a cream version.
Last, but not least, Seashell, a lemony gold. So pretty! A dab at the inner corners of my eyes works like a quick nap.
PRICE: $24 each
AVAILABILITY: Available now at Laura Mercier counters and lauramercier.com
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A (wish these were about $10 less)
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
My very first caviar stick arrived in the mail today from Sephora! I got Khaki – I had a hard time deciding between that one & Sand Glow. I have a feeling I’ll eventually end up owning both. You’re making me want Seashell too. . .
Hi Emi,
NICE! I have my eye on that shade too. Might have to “visit” it (hahaha) again at Sephora. Let me know if you find some good combos!
Grey Pearl has this WARM-toned girl going wild! I can imagine waking up exhausted, having just enough time to swipe on and dab at some caviar sticks…a quick wiggle of mascara, a little blush, add in my eyebrows…aaaahhhh. Awake!
Hi Alison,
Exactly! Several of the shades have that wide-eyed effect. 🙂
Have you tried much from Laura’s line? I heart her stuff!
I’ve had bad luck with her primer and TM but the Artist’s Palette is amazing! Love Cameo and African Violet.
African Violet is my jam! 🙂 So are her eye pencils.
I was quite literally thinking that Grey Pearl looked like a cream version of Shale, too before I even read that part!! 😛 I LOVE purply-taupes–they’re my favorite favorite favorite!! I have warm, yellow-toned skin and I wear cool purple-taupes like that all the time! I think it looks great on EVERYONE! 😀 Definitely need to swatch that one at the counter this weekend!
Yes! Do you have Vex or Ploof? Either would look with Shale or Grey Pearl!
I cannot even begin to describe the warm fuzzy feelings I have for Sand Glow. That shade looks perfectttt. I haven’t tried these (yet) since I haven’t had a fabulous time with shadow sticks before but I might give Sand Glow a go. And I love your mojito and fries idea, mmmm.
Hi Jay,
So Sand Glow. AMAZING. Add a little bit of black liner, mascara and you’d be good!
Are you a Laura fan too, btw?
Oh, it looks like I NEED to get Grey Pearl into my life!
Me too! That color is gorgeous!!
Do either of you gals have Shale? Because it looks AMAZING on top of Shale! You could add a little Phloof, too, maybe in the inner corner. Or Vex. 🙂
I love and adore Shale! If I get this it will be the first combo I try.
I am so impressed by the new shades! I already purchased Sand Glow and Rosegold, and now want to go back for Grey Pearl!
Hi Louise,
Me too. I think I might have to spring for Khaki… Let me know if you find any other must-have colors!
Sand Glow is my favorite! I love a good stick/cream shadow. It makes things SO much easier!
Yes! I’m all about easy eyes.
Shale in a cream, SHALE in A CREAM!!!!!
Swooon
I wish there was a LM counter in my city :-(, I just know the next time I’m in Leeds I’ll go mad on LM/Nars/Burberry 🙂
You’re so funny! I may have did a dance around my office when I realized that too, LOL!
Paint me Happy 😀
Laura Mercier has opened a counter in my city…
Now I just have to try to not spend too much money!
I’m intrigued with the 8-9 hour wear time and the fact that these don’t accentuate fine lines. How do you think Sand Glow would work as a liner (smudged out a little at the edge)? I’m not shadow-y, but I’m liner-y. 🙂
Hey Kim,
Happy Friday! You could totally use it as a liner, but the line would be kinda chunky. I think it can look very cool with lots of mascara, or maybe even false lashes. 🙂
Awesome – thanks! You know I’m the queen of lots of mascara, so this would definitely work for me. 🙂
I have Rose Gold and Amethyst and I LOVE them both! I have my eye on Grey Pearl, too. These are by far the best cream shadow sticks I’ve tried. Sand Glow is lovely on you, Karen!
Thanks Jen B. I think I need Rose Gold in my life, STAT!
I only looked (and bought Orchid and Sand Glow) at Sephora, which doesn’t have Grey Pearl on its website. This is the first time I’ve seen it and it is gorgeous! Looks like it is at Nordstrom, but is it their exclusive?
How lovely!
After reading an NY Times blurb about rose gold, I got it. The problem was that they didn’t have a photo and for me, it’s weird to line both the top and bottom lids with the same color. I’ve had the plum and khaki Caviar Sticks for almost two years and use them regularly (along with black karat and a brush) for a smokey eye but this one kind of baffles me. I think I may stick to using the rose gold just on the top lid. Otherwise, I feel like I look like I have a cold!
i just bought mint snow. it looks really fresh, unique and mermaid-y. i also have amethyst (my FAVORITE!) and turquoise. i might go back and get some more! these babies just don’t come off.