Anyone who’s ever used makeup before knows that eye shadow sticks aren’t anything new — but it’s about time that their usually smudgy, short-lasting formulas got an upgrade. Yes, there are tons of shadow sticks on the market to choose from, but what if I told you that Victoria Beckham Beauty’s EyeWear Eye Shadow Sticks just raised the bar for this beginner-friendly eye makeup? The latest launch from the luxury brand currently holds a special spot in my makeup bag for its blendable, no-fade formula that never ceases to amaze me.
An eye shadow stick may not sound revolutionary at first, but believe me when I say this one tremendously moves the needle. What makes it so special is its impressive long-wear formula, which allows each of its seven highly-pigmented shades to stay put for up to eight hours. Cosmetic chemist Marisal Mou ← LINK TO HER! says its long-lasting, waterproof formula lives up to its claims due to the additions of methyl trimethicone and trimethylsiloxysilicate, two “film formers” that help lock the cream shadow in place. “They enhance adhesion and substantivity of color to the skin and more importantly, improve water and rub resistance and stability of deposition of product on the skin,” she says. Another nifty ingredient that Mou calls out is diisostearyl fumarate, an additive that helps with dispersing color pigments and reduces feathering, bleeding, and creasing. “It also gives a rich, smooth feel to the skin,” she says.
Beyond EyeWear’s formulation, each of its seven approachable shades easily found a place in my day-to-day routine. Currently, there are two finishes to choose from: a subtle shimmer or a rich, concentrated matte. Like Victoria Beckham’s fashion line, each shade was intentionally added to the shadow stick lineup to match your everyday wardrobe, kind of like a capsule collection for makeup — no wonder EyeWear made its world debut on the runway at Victoria Beckham’s Paris Fashion Week A/W 2023 show. It’s definitely a neutral-heavy collection but colorphiles like myself will be glad to spot a vibrant yellow aptly named Sunflower and a delightful baby pink called Macaron, my two favorite hues in the collection.
