Consider this a formal apology to the eyeshadow palettes gathering dust in my makeup bag. These days, eyeshadow sticks reign supreme — they're quick, foolproof and, unlike their powder counterparts, won't settle into fine lines.
So, you can only imagine my excitement when Charlotte Tilbury unveiled a shiny new line of eyeshadow sticks. Even better? They already have the seal of approval from Amal Clooney, who quietly wore one of the shades before its official launch.
Enter: the Exagger-Eyes Easy Eyeshadow Stick
Exagger-Eyes Easy Eyeshadow Stick
Amal isn't the only A-lister to have tried the eyeshadow sticks ahead of their release. Cher and Emily Blunt were also spotted wearing the new formulas on the Met Gala carpet, further cementing the red-carpet credentials.
Charlotte herself has branded the new shadows ‘a makeup artist in a stick’. While red-carpet-worthy eye looks usually require time, precision and multiple products, these sticks promise the same polished finish in less than 30 seconds. The technique is refreshingly simple: just scribble and smudge.
The lineup is impressive in its own right, with 12 flattering shades available in two finishes. Choose from soft-focus mattes for an ageless, blurring effect or twinkling satins for an eye-brightening effect.
Our verdict
Naturally, when I spotted Amal's exact shade — Oyster Twilight — in the beauty cupboard, it had to come home with me. It was easy to see why Amal was drawn to it: a light-reflecting warm nude, that works just as well for a quick daytime sparkle as it does for a speedy evening glam.
Following Charlotte's instructions, I scribbled and smudged the creamy formula across my lids. In less than 30 seconds (yes, I counted), I had a polished eye look that looked like it had taken far more effort than it actually did. I even had time to add a touch of shimmer to the inner corners of my eyes with one of the lighter shades, Ballet Quartz.
Beyond the time-saving appeal, what impressed me most was the staying power. Charlotte claims the shadows last for up to 24 hours and, while I've yet to need a smokey eye for quite that long, I can attest to their longevity. Once set, they don't budge — not even in the depths of a heatwave.
As a self-confessed eyeshadow magpie, my 60-year-old mum was quick to ask what I was wearing on my lids. Naturally, it seemed only fair to share — in exchange for her verdict, of course.
‘As I've gotten older, so have my eyelids,’ she tells me. ‘Powder shadows tend to settle into the fine lines on my lids, which isn't exactly flattering. These days, a cream shadow is my go-to, and Charlotte's sticks have instantly gone to the top of my list.’
‘I found the shimmery shades especially flattering on my mature eyes. The formula glides on smoothly and doesn't emphasise those pesky creases. It’s fuss-free too, I didn't even need a makeup brush to blend it — just a quick smudge with my ring finger, and I was ready to go.’
Safe to say, the creamy shadow sticks have earned a permanent place in both my makeup bag and my mum's. Consider us influenced, Amal.
