It all started with a MAC Paint Pot.

I read about the paint pot in Rubenesque, got it for myself, and then it all went downhill from there. I actually don’t regret my “descent” into cream shadow oblivion, and I don’t think I have enough to warrant any worry over a “problem.”

Apart from two cream eyeshadow duos from e.l.f., these are my only cream eyeshadows. I think that’s a decent amount, considering my lack of self-control. I’ll talk about them as a whole, and then I’ll try to talk about them one by one.

The reason why I love cream shadows is because they are sort of multi-purpose. They act as an eyeshadow base or wash, and some better formulated ones can act as your primer already. There is a complexity that they add to an eye look, I think, and they’re so darned easy to use.

First up is my stash of Maybelline 24H Color Tattoo. So far, I have Tough as Taupe, Bad to the Bronze, and Audacious Asphalt.

These are beautiful cream eyeshadows, raved about all across the Internet. The hype isn’t unwarranted, though, because these little pots are amazing. I’ve been trying not to buy cruelty-free products anymore, so I guess I’ll live with these ones for the time being, but I really don’t mind because they are amazing.

These are crease-free and long-lasting with great pigmentation and a wide range of colors.

Maybelline 24H Color Tattoo Swatches, L-R: Bad to the Bronze, Audacious Asphalt, Tough as Taupe

I got pretty basic and neutral shades, which is great for versatility and um, usage. Bad to the Bronze is a pretty, toned down bronze that is fairly shimmery, but can appear quite natural on the lids. I like using it for a “no makeup makeup” look. Audacious Asphalt is a shimmery mid-tone silver that I have to figure out how to use on my eyes without making me look like a lady of the night. Tough as Taupe is a matte medium concrete that is absolutely beautiful.

And the rest of my collection!

Buxom Stay-There Eyeshadow in Pug, a beautiful dirty, silvery taupe. The texture of the shadow is kind of more bouncy than cream. I thhought I got slightly dried up stock, though I’ve read that it’s not that unusual for the product to separate from the class container because of its texture. I do want to get the other colors as I find the whole line to be super cute (named after dog breeds!) and the box is just darling.

Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner in Stiletto, a deep aubergine. I love the texture of this shadow, and it is extremely pigmented. Sadly, it’s come to my attention that Benefit is also not cruelty-free, so I’m not sure if I want to spend my money on the other cream shadows I had my eye on.

Stila Smudgepot in Kitten, a beautiful shimmery pale pink color. Difficult texture. It applies quite patchily, and when you’ve managed to get an even base, your eyelid wrinkles seem to be accentuated.

MAC Paint Pot in Rubenesque, by far my favorite color for a base and overall lid wash. It’s a golden, peach-pink with a lovely texture and great longevity. I have my eye on a number of other shades (recently acquired Bare Study, which is in transit), but they are also not CF, so I don’t know…

Swatches, L-R: Buxom Stay-There Eyeshadow in Pug, Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Stiletto, Stila Smudgepot in Kitten, MAC Paint Pot in Rubenesque

Anyway, hope that helps! If you’re curious, my favorites are all of them except for the Stila Smudgepot, just because of the texture. My favorite colors are Rubenesque, Bad to the Bronze, and Kitten. The CF ones are Buxom and Stila, if I’m not mistaken.

Let me know if you like these types of entries. Someone asked me to do a makeup collection, but I feel like that might be too premature and/or braggy. So, let me know if that’s something you’d like to see, too? Have a great week ahead!