12 of the best shimmer eyeshadows that’ll take you through party season and beyond

12 of the best shimmer eyeshadows that’ll take you through party season and beyond

Credit: Courtesy of brands

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12 of the best shimmer eyeshadows that’ll take you through party season and beyond

By Chloe Burcham

2 years ago

All products on this page have been selected by the editorial team, however Stylist may make commission on some products purchased through affiliate links in this article

6 min read

Fancy switching things up and trying a shimmery shadow? Here are the expert tips and the products that’ll get you in the mood for party season.


Party season is on its way, and if there’s one make-up staple that can always be relied upon, no matter the dress code, it’s a good shimmer eyeshadow.

Easy to wear (and nothing to be scared of), there’s an endless amount of shimmery shades that come in an array of formulas. Palettes, individual powder eyeshadows, liquids or creams, there’s something for everyone, no matter your budget. It’s just a matter of choosing your preferred finish and deciding how sparkly you’re willing to go.

If you’re someone who tends to steer clear of shimmers because you don’t want to look like an extra from Euphoria or maybe you want to tread the waters but aren’t sure where to start, then listen up. 

We want to make shimmery eyeshadow accessible to everybody so, to lend a helping hand, we’ve turned to the experts and asked them exactly how to make it work for you, no matter how you want to wear it. 

What’s the best way to wear shimmery eyeshadow without going too over the top?

“The easiest way is to make sure you’re using neutral shades like champagne or soft pink,” explains make-up artist David Gillers (@jnx_mua). “However, looks like this need to be anchored, so I would opt for a soft brown liner along the lash line to give the look a bit of structure.”

Applying it all over the lid isn’t the only way to incorporate it into a make-up look, notes make-up artist Grace Insole, who believes you can be even more subtle than that. “A pop of shimmer in the inner corner is always a great place to start – it really opens up the eye without being overwhelming,” she says. 

What’s the best placement for shimmery eyeshadow?

It’s really dependent on the type of eyeshadow you’re using. “I tend to keep it on the lid, rather than extending above it, because some formulas – like powders – don’t blend as easily in the crease,” says Insole.

However, if you do want to go above the lid, opt for a cream shadow that’ll give you a bit of playtime to blend it upwards and outwards before setting in place and being less likely to move or transfer throughout the night. Insole also notes that the lid is great for creating a halo eye effect, which is the strategic placement of eyeshadow to make eyes look bigger or round – because it attracts the light and brightens the eyes.

How can you make a shimmery eyeshadow look last?

The best way is to use an eyeshadow primer. Both Gillers and Insole love Too Faced Shadow Insurance 24-Hour Eye Shadow Primer, £20, while the Stylist beauty team loves Milk Makeup’s Hydro Grip Eye Primer, £21.50. Apply it directly onto lids, blotting them with powder first if yours tend to get oily, and then let it set for a few minutes before applying your eyeshadow of choice on top. Make sure to use a setting spray to ensure your whole face will last as long as possible – we love Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray, £26.

12 best shimmer eyeshadows for party season and beyond

best shimmer eyeshadow

Reeson Lid Elixir

Combining the colour payoff of make-up with all the benefits of your favourite eye cream, this genius cream eyeshadow is packed with skincare ingredients that work to lift, hydrate and nourish the delicate eye area while you wear it. Smooth a small amount over the eye lid for a sheer, glossy effect or build up the formula for a shimmery wash of peachy champagne colour. For best results, make sure you let it dry before applying any other products. 

Shop Reeson Lid Elixir, £28

buy now

best shimmer eyeshadow

Hourglass Voyeur Eyeshadow Stick in Aurora

Creamy and crease-resistant, these shimmer sticks are the easiest way to create high-impact colour with zero effort. Simply scribble over the lid and blend with your favourite fluffy brush – it’s foolproof.  

Shop Hourglass Voyeur Eyeshadow Stick in Aurora at Cult Beauty, £33

buy now

best shimmer eyeshadow

Pat McGrath Labs Fetisheyes Liquid Shadow

Offering up to 10 hours of crease-proof, smudge-resistant wear, these liquid eyeshadows create a gorgeous glaze of colour on the skin and can be worn alone or layered over powder eyeshadow for a light-reflecting finish.

Shop Pat McGrath Labs Fetisheyes Liquid Shadow at Lookfantastic, £27

buy now

best shimmer eyeshadow

Nars Laguna Quad Eyeshadow

With four flattering warm hues, this palette creates gorgeous sparkling peach and golden bronze looks – perfect for the party season and beyond. For an even richer colour payoff, apply with a slightly damp brush to help pick up even more shimmer pigments. 

Shop Nars Laguna Quad Eyeshadow in Laguna Sunset at Cult Beauty, £43

buy now

best shimmer eyeshadow

Urban Decay 24/7 Mono Moondust Eyeshadow

A classic among make-up artists, this little beauty creates an angelic crystal-like shimmer in an instant. Apply on its own for a wash of snow-shimmer sparkle or layer over your favourite matte eyeshadow to instantly inject a sprinkle of glitz. 

Shop Urban Decay 24/7 Mono Moondust Eyeshadow at Cult Beauty, £20

buy now

best shimmer eyeshadow

Sisley Ombre Eclat Liquide Eyeshadow in Coral

These liquid eyeshadows are perfect if you want to create a luminous wash of colour that lasts. Available in six neutral shades, wear alone or mix together for a satin smoky eye finish.

Shop Sisley Ombre Eclat Liquide Eyeshadow in Coral at Cult Beauty, £40

buy now

best shimmer eyeshadow

Chantecaille Radiant Gold Eye Shimmer

Packed with ultra-fine shimmer particles this golden peach eyeshadow is perfect for the festive season. It gives an opalescent wash of colour that looks gorgeous on all skin tones. Use a fluffy brush to create a soft veil of shimmer or apply with a damp wet brush to give a gilded finish. 

Shop Chantecaille Radiant Gold Eye Shimmer at Cult Beauty, £65

buy now

Lisa Eldridge Liquid Lurex Eyeshadow

Lisa Eldridge Liquid Lurex Eyeshadow

A key staple for party season, Lisa Eldridge’s Liquid Lurex Eyeshadows are available in 11 creamy and lightweight shades, from grungy purple to a golden-olive green. Loved by the Stylist team, they’re also Insole’s go-to. “Whether you’re using it all over the lid as a smoky eye, for the inner corners or as a shimmery liner, they can also be used by everyone no matter their make-up skill level,” she says.

Shop Lisa Eldridge Liquid Lurex Eyeshadow, £19

buy now

best shimmer eyeshadow

Charlotte Tilbury The Beautyverse Palette

If you’re into shimmer eyeshadows, it doesn’t get better than this dreamy palette. From warm buttery bronzes to ethereal cosmic colours, it has everything you need to create standout looks through the festive season and beyond. 

Shop Charlotte Tilbury The Beautyverse Palette at Cult Beauty, £60 

buy now

best shimmer eyeshadow

Mac Sparkler Eye Shadow in Gold Crush

With a cream-like texture, these eyeshadow pots give a wet-look shimmer that’s seriously festive. Apply with your fingers for an intense pigment payoff and use a fluffy brush to blend. 

Shop Mac Sparkler Eye Shadow in Gold Crush at Lookfantastic, £22

buy now

best shimmer eyeshadow

Victoria Beckham Lid Lustre in Starlight

These eyeshadow pots are not only seriously creamy and pigment packed but the opulent shades are actually blended with real crystals – for a gilded finish like no other.

Shop Victoria Beckham Lid Lustre in Starlight, £33

buy now

Danessa Myricks Beauty Infinite Chrome Flakes

Danessa Myricks Beauty Infinite Chrome Flakes

This little pot of joy well and truly took TikTok by storm thanks to its easy-to-use multi-chrome flakes. The formula, which needs no mixing or adhesive for application, is really as simple to use: just swipe it on to lids and watch the magic happen. There are six shades available to shop, including Cupid, a lilac pink with a rose shift, and Hot Lava, a blood-shade orange with a yellow shift.

Shop Danessa Myricks Beauty Infinite Chrome Flakes at Sephora UK, £27.50

buy now


Images: courtesy of brands

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