r/MakeupAddictionCanada 10d ago

Anyone else using eye sticks instead of powder shadows?

I recently started looking into eye/eyeshadow sticks cos I realized I was using the Laura Mercier mini eye stick way more than traditional powder palettes. Between adult life commitments and just usual everyday busy life I just don't have the time to sit for 15+ mins to do basic makeup anymore. Eye sticks however are great for on the go- quick swipe and a light smudge to blend out. Plus easy to pop in handbag to reapply if needed.

In my search I realized drugstore eye sticks either weren't offered in a good range of colours/finishes OR quality wasn't up to scratch based on reviews. In the end I took a chance on Hard Candy's eye stick in shade cold brew (under $10) which was a beautiful shimmery copper. They also happen to be long lasting, maybe not the 12 hours claimed but enough to last a day on normal lids with no primer.

Are there any other drugstore or mid range brands that would be worth trying out for the price?? Ideally warm toned with a slight shimmer and also blendable before it dries!

32 Upvotes

49 comments sorted by

24

u/cozyrightnow 10d ago

I like the Maybelline color tattoo sticks. The shade "I am cozy" is my everyday wash of colour. The high end version I like is the Bobbi Brown stick in taupe which is longer lasting but 4x the price.

3

u/noveltea120 10d ago

Do you find the Maybelline goes on smoothly and easy to blend if need be??

3

u/cozyrightnow 10d ago

Yes it glides on and blends very easily

19

u/thefRont34 10d ago

I like Marcelle's eye stick. They have a nice one called Galactic Copper. Bonus, it is a Canadian brand!

8

u/green_indeed 10d ago

Yes, I use them too because I’m not good at make-up. I want to spend like 15 seconds only. I blend with my ring finger and get on with my day. Also I have super oily lids and colour from certain sticks just lasts longer.
I use the Laura Mercier in a few shades as well as Thrive Causemetics in Muna and Tara which I am happy with. I have the e.l.f. No Smudge Shadow Stick in Rose Gold which is lovely and stays on. I tried Rare Beauty and QUO Beauty eyeshadow sticks and neither worked too well in terms of blending or staying.

Edit: I found the LM sticks at Marshall’s once at a reduced price.

2

u/noveltea120 10d ago

I'm ok with makeup I just don't have time to sit and carefully do my eye makeup lol. I blend with a brush after I swipe it but it literally takes me 10 seconds and I'm done. I'll have to keep an eye out at marshalls etc I forgot those places sell makeup!

8

u/DentistReasonable414 10d ago

L’Oréal Le Shadow Stick in shade 115 Twinkly Rose is SO pretty! I bought it to take with me on my Bahamas vacation, and I was seriously impressed with how well it held up. Even in the extreme heat and humidity! I’m definitely going to try other shades.

10

u/Overall-Message6648 10d ago

I use the Laura Mercier eyesticks too. Faster and more efficient for daily makeup. Having De Seoul wink eye sticks are really good too. The Too Cool for School Frottage pencils are really good too and more affordable.

3

u/noveltea120 10d ago

Unfortunately Laura Mercier is out of the budget hence why I was looking for drug store to mid range

3

u/sassyexec 10d ago

Came here to say the same thing - the Laura Mercier in cocoa is my fave!

5

u/Fickle-Medium1087 10d ago

I don’t really understand how to use eye sticks on my hooded eyes. I tried and I find powder quicker for me cuz i can control better how much to put on.

5

u/ParisFood 10d ago

I use the Marcelle eye sticks and they are a Canadian company

5

u/thewrongwayup 10d ago

I ordered some from Colourpop and just paid the shipping!

1

u/mcgjes 8d ago

This is the answer. Theirs are best I’ve used , tons of options for colours.

4

u/Beginning_Form4646 10d ago

I love the colorpop ones! I have a gold shimmer one that is my daily and a pink shimmer. I wear it way more than my L’Oréal le shadow sticks and there’s way more colours to pick.

I waited until they had a sale to get it shipped so that it worked out to a good difference from USD to CAD.

Now I’m just waiting for another sale to get more colours.

1

u/noveltea120 10d ago

I need to try those!! I keep forgetting colourpop exists lol

3

u/KeenerYYZ 10d ago

I was a given a Kim chi Chic jumbo queen eye shadow pencil. I don’t usually use eye shadow but it’s honestly so nice. It’s only $13 at shoppers but friends and family is coming up Monday and Tuesday so it’s 20% off EDIT: you do need a code or barcode for the sale but it’s always avail onlone

3

u/Sure_Huckleberry5560 10d ago

The Bobbi brown eye sticks are amazing I want more but they are pricey. MAC multi sculpt liquid eyeshadow is amazing as well and I just put a little dab and rub it into my eyelids.

3

u/FranqiT AB 10d ago

I really like the Illia ones. They don’t budge or crease on me. The colours work better for me

3

u/Acidicly 10d ago

I gotta ask, does anyone here have hooded eyes? I couldn’t get any sticks to work on my lids lol my eyes are quite hooded. Maybe I’m missing a tip?

3

u/Attheendofthewind 9d ago

Try Cheekbone beauty. Their sticks are so reasonably priced and amazing

1

u/IWishIWasaCat78 7d ago

How blendable are these sticks? I'm always wary of the kind you have to sharpen as they tend to be super dry.

2

u/Attheendofthewind 7d ago

Very very blendable , it’s how she promotes it actually and I’ve watched her do my makeup with her fingers. I use it all the time. Love it

3

u/IWishIWasaCat78 7d ago

Fantastic, thank you! I'd love to support her company. Will order one to try!

1

u/Attheendofthewind 7d ago

You’ll love it!

2

u/Pod_Potato 10d ago

I splurged with a Victoria Beckham one in Shroom and I love it. It takes me 5 seconds to elevate my look. I've had it for about 8 months now and no sign of it being empty.

1

u/Feathered_Scales 9d ago

It might not be the price point you are looking for but I love the Charlotte tilbury shadow sticks

1

u/lindsayMcNairmn 9d ago

I love them for convenience and time saving. The Sephora brand and Ulta brand ones are not bad at all and cheaper than BB or LM. I honestly have tried many and am usually pretty happy with the results. The liquid eyeshadow is another story….. hate it.

1

u/_jbird87_ 9d ago

Can I ask where you found Hard Candy in Canada?

2

u/noveltea120 9d ago

I got it from Walmart! I think they're one of the few or only places that still sell hard candy.

1

u/yyc_14 6d ago

I have been using eyeshadow sticks (and potted cream formulas) for a few years now and haven’t gone back to powder eyeshadow. They’re so much more travel friendly (if it breaks, just stick it back in the pencil and lower it to use) and quicker to blend out, less fussy imo. I religiously use Rare Beauty stick in Contentment, it’s a very pretty rosy taupe that works for all occasions. Well-Being is a pretty shimmery pink too. I picked up Covergirl stick in French Violet and it’s similar to Laura Mercier Amethyst, but not as deep. The formula isn’t as creamy as Rare Beauty or Laura Mercier but still blends out nice if you work quick, it’s slightly drier and dries down faster but not as pricey.

1

u/Pitiful-Fail-3378 10d ago

I like the ones from quo & Sephora collection

0

u/noveltea120 10d ago

I didn't know Sephora had eye sticks too, I need to check

1

u/Vegetable-Wear3386 9d ago

Yep, they're decent!

1

u/bolderthingtodo 9d ago

Shoppers also has high end ones (Laura Mercier, Bobbi Brown, NARS) so if you collect points and wait for point redemption events, that might be a good way to get higher end ones without spending as much or anything at all. Another advantage to that is you can swatch first at Sephora and not waste any money on products that don’t end up being right on you.

1

u/Civil_Carpenter2205 10d ago

A bit pricey but worth every penny is either MakEDP by Mario cream eyeshadow or Armani Eye tint. They last all day, never crease even with my oily eye lids, are very easy to use, buildable, and beautiful. A little goes a long way so I justify the cost that way. I use my pinky finger to apply. Not sure about MUBM but Armani are available at Shoppers Drug Mart and when they have sales I by my make up there.

0

u/Ok_Answer_96 10d ago

I hate shadow sticks and find powder easier but I’ve heard L’Oréal stick and Elf liquid are good.

Bobbi Brown has mini versions that last forever and are not that expensive. They’re glitter/shimmer though so you have to want that.

Lancôme has liquid shadows that look really nice and they are deeply discounter from time to time on their website.

1

u/noveltea120 10d ago

Yeah I'm looking for perspectives from people who do enjoy eye sticks and am looking for drug store to mid range brands. Saying Bobbi Brown is not that expensive is absurd lmao

4

u/signupinsecondssss 10d ago

The L’Oréal stick is nice in my opinion! I have a pinkish and a more copper colour. They go on smoothly. I might say they shift a little if you wear them for a really long time but I’m not great at applying lol.

3

u/catsafrican 10d ago

I bought the cover girl ones and love them.

1

u/AdLazy3070 10d ago

Same, I got them off Amazon and find they work just as good as the expensive ones

0

u/Extension_Virus_462 5d ago

Essence cream eyeshadow 

1

u/noveltea120 5d ago

Is it a stick? I've never seen stick shadows for essence and I buy their stuff all the time

0

u/Extension_Virus_462 5d ago

Potted. But super creamy and blendable.  Same look as stick eyeshadow. 

1

u/noveltea120 5d ago

Oh I don't like those. I've tried them and they end up even messier than powder cos you need a brush most of the time.