Most of us can create a simple makeup look: a sweep of mascara here, a swipe of lip stain there. But when it comes to eyeshadow, things get a little more complicated.
Mastering a polished eyeshadow look isn’t always easy, especially if you have hooded eyes, sweaty lids, or find your shadow creases after 20 minutes. So, for many of us, spending precious time rummaging through an eyeshadow palette feels more stressful, if anything.
That was until I discovered these Anastasia Beverly Hills Glidr Shadow Sticks. They’re available in 25 wearable shades (though there are a few colourful hues if anyone fancies a bright cobalt shadow?) in a variety of finishes, including mattes and shimmers.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Glidr Shadow Stick
Anastasia Beverly Hills Glidr Shadow Stick
The concept is simple: you swipe on, blend and go – requiring little thought, time or skill. So when I say these sleek sticks have taken over my makeup bag, I mean it.
What I love about the Anastasia Beverly Hills Glidr Shadow Sticks:
- Genuinely last without creasing or smudging – tried and tested
- Glide on without tugging, thanks to their creamy and pigmented formula
- You can use one shade for a wash of colour, or layer multiple hues
- Available in 25 shades, in a range of finishes
The formula
The ABH Glidr sticks really hit that sweet spot: the formula is beautifully creamy, yet they dry down quickly, so you have a short window of playtime to buff and blend the shadow before it sets. In my opinion, this is the secret sauce that makes these sticks stand out from the rest.
They are designed to last 12 hours – which, if you’re contending with a hot commute or sweaty lids, is a game-changer – nor do they smudge or cause creasing. And I can fully attest to this: when removing the eyeshadow, I had to spend a little longer than usual breaking down the cream formula.
The application
These sticks are really eyeshadow for beginners. As much as I love a palette, the glide-on-and-go formula has completely taken over my makeup bag – and it’s down to how easy they are to use. Like a huge makeup crayon, you directly scribble them onto your lid, only needing your finger or a dense brush to blend. I say dense because while they are beautifully buttery on first application, they do lock down quickly. So you need something fairly sturdy to buff and blend.
There’s also so much versatility. If you’re in a rush, one shade is all you need: glide it over your lid and tap with your finger for a pigmented wash of colour. If you want to create a more dimensional look (like I did), you can blend multiple shades together.
Shade Silverspun
Shade Lilac Pearl
Shade Brandy Flame
I took the hue Silverspun and swept it over my eyelid and brow bone. Then layered on Brandy Flame in my outer corner to build depth and dimension, and then took Lilac Pearl to my inner corner to add a pop of pink sheen. With each application, I had about 10-15 seconds to blend before the formula set. I also swept Brandy Flame on my lower lash line to double up as an eyeliner.
The overall thoughts
There’s no way you can go wrong with one of these shadow sticks. They are a great option for anyone who likes to wear eyeshadow but has limited time or skills to create a polished and effective look.
The formula is beautifully creamy, they don’t smudge or crease, they are available in many shades and finishes, and the application is literally fool-proof. The only slight downfall is that they are £27 per stick. A little on the spenny side, though you get nearly two inches of product (measured it myself), so one stick will last you.
From now on, if someone says to me they’re struggling with eyeshadow or need a quick solution for on-the-go makeup, these will be my first recommendation.
Clare Stephenson is the Senior Fashion and Beauty E-commerce Writer for Cosmopolitan, ELLE and Harper’s Bazaar. She has been an e-commerce writer since 2022, creating matter-of-fact reviews and shopping pages filled with her favourite products for every budget and need – whether that’s a glow-giving foundation, a high-tech LED face mask or the perfect wear-with-everything blazer.
Alongside writing, Clare loves to be in front of the camera creating shopping content, putting viral products to the test to see which ones are truly worth the hype. Through her work, she has interviewed leading dermatologists, makeup artists and industry experts to bring readers trusted advice and product recommendations.
Clare has contributed to titles across the Hearst UK portfolio, including Women’s Health, Good Housekeeping, Red and Prima. Prior to joining Hearst, she earned a BA in Multimedia Journalism from Bournemouth University, focusing her studies on magazines and editorial. She later worked as an editorial assistant at Voir Fashion Magazine, covering events including Fashion Week and interviewing notable brand founders.
Outside of work? You can find Clare strolling through London’s Columbia Road Market, pouring her fourth coffee of the day or heading to a Pilates class.
Follow Clare on Instagram @clarefrancesstephenson.
