Don’t get me wrong—makeup-related compliments from anyone at any time are wonderful,but there’s something about receiving a compliment from, um, an actual makeup artist that just kind of transcends all others. Makeup artistry is their profession, after all.

Now, I don’t score this particular kind of coveted remark often, but I have noticed an interesting pattern. Any time a makeup artist has openly admired my makeup, it’s always been on my shimmery shadow MO. And since I pretty much abhor powder and cream formulas, their compliment always befalls whichever liquid eye shadow I happen to be wearing on that blessed day. (Spoiler: I have lots of liquid eye shadows I collect and adore equally.)

As someone who is rather inept when it comes to eye makeup (for years, I strictly wore mascara and maybe a quick flick of liquid liner), my obsession with liquid eye shadow makes sense. While it may sound counterintuitive (liquid equals mess, right?), these types of formulas usually involve way less mess and fallout, they’re easier for me to blend, they’re faster to apply, and they don’t move once they dry. For someone who adores the look of ethereally glimmering eyelids (Hi! Me!), there couldn’t be a better medium. Therefore, I pretty much exclusively wear liquid eye shadows in lieu of the powder options most makeup artists seem to prefer. 

Because all of the best liquid eye shadows have scored me loads of compliments over the years and because summer is approaching and ’tis the season for a fuss-free liquid formula to shine, I’m sharing nine of my all-time-favorite liquid eye shadows below. Plus, some game-changing makeup products to pair them with because why would you stop at your lids when compliments are on the table? Keep scrolling. 

You wouldn’t think a liquid eye shadow that’s basically pure glitter could manage to be understated, and yet this iconic cult favorite from Stila manages just that. Not only is each and every shade gorgeous and glimmering, but there’s also zero mess, zero fallout, and you can really customize your look—a tiny touch near the inner corners of your eyes for something subtle or lacquered layers for something more statement-making. Customer Review:  “Very easy to apply if you are needing a quick look. Lasts all day with no creasing if you just use a little eyeshadow primer. It won’t affect color payoff. Also a quick easy way to use as an eyeshadow topper. Convenient and easy.” Pro: features a lightweight, water-diffused texture. Con: has slight glitter fallout with all-day wear. Product Specs: 0.15 oz tube with wand applicator

You’re going to notice a theme within this article—almost every single one of my favorite liquid eye shadows has at least some shimmer. (I just find the effect so dang pretty and photo-worthy.) That said, props to Glossier for launching the one and only matte-finish eye shadow I regularly keep on standby. (It’s a very cool, very vibey liquid-to-powder situation.) In fact, Team Who What Wear unanimously agrees this sheer matte formula is one of the brand’s best launches yet. (See us wear and review every single shade here.) . Customer Review: “Very sheer and matte but it is upfront about that and I found the formula easy to work with and it works for the purpose I had in mind (eyeshadow highlighting) with my complexion quite well. Sets off my eye color nicely.” Pro: lasts up to 12 hours without smudging. Con: product dries quickly very quickly on the skin. Product Specs: 0.11 oz with wand applicator

Although this is one of the more relatively new liquid eye shadows on the scene, it’s quickly made its mark as one of my all-time favorites. The clever name doesn’t lie—this is a no-fuss formula that yields a pretty wash of saturated color with a subtle, eye-catching glint of shimmer. It’s clean, water-based, buildable, and totally resistant to creasing unlike so many cream and powder formulas. Customer Review: “I was keen to try this, but had seen some mixed reviews about its longevity on the eye. Decided to try it and am very glad I did. It is super easy to use and last all day. Gives quite a strong metallic finish but these are really easy to wear colors and the effect is very pretty. Particularly nice in the summer.. Will definitely try more colors.” Pro: formula is packed with active skincare ingredients. Con: does not allow for buildable dimension. Product Specs: 0.06 oz tube with doe-foot applicator 

Armani simply doesn’t make a makeup product I don’t immediately fall head over heels for, but this best-of-the-best liquid eye shadow would have to be at the top of my list. And for what it’s worth, this is one liquid eye shadow celebrity makeup artists regularly apply on their A-list clientele pre–red carpet. As for the finish, the brand has four different options available: glitter, metallic, shimmer, or matte. So all you have to do is pick your poison. (Or, you know, throw in the towel and try all four.) Customer Review: “As someone with really oily, hooded eyelids I was a little skeptical this would last. I’ve been on the hunt for products to wear on my wedding day and was super impressed with the longevity of this liquid eyeshadow! The finish is so radiant and shiny without being glittery or cheap looking—it just looks like the shiniest, wet sheen on the lids. I will absolutely be wearing it on my big day!” Pro: glides on a smoothly and blends easily. Con: offered at a high price point. Product Specs: 0.13 oz tube with multipurpose applicator

I bet you haven’t heard of organic and naturally derived beauty brand Crop Natural, but I’m about to introduce you. It just so happens to be one of my all-time-favorite clean makeup brands, and this liquid eye shadow, in particular, is one of the very best in my collection (further proving natural makeup can be just as good as non-natural). Aside from the fact that it’s made using organic farming (which I love), it’s all incredibly long-lasting, ultra-saturated (a little goes a long way), blendable upon application (don’t wait too long), and totally budge-proof once it does indeed dry down. Customer Review: n/a. Pro: formula uses nontoxic, all-natural ingredients. Con: limited shade availability. Product Specs: 0.084 oz oz tube with want applicator

There are so many mesmerizing shades of this liquid eye shadow it’s almost overwhelming. (Don’t worry—you’ll recover quickly.) This pick is the perfect compromise between high pigment and smooth coverage and is lustrous enough to rack in all the compliments. If you want more dimension or definition, I recommend grabbing a few of the brand’s Colorfix Multi-Use Eye, Cheek & Lip Waterproof Liquid Pigments I’m linking below. Customer Review: “I swear every time I wear this on my lids I get looks from everyone and they all want to know what I’m wearing. This duo-chrome shift is great for hooded eyes—it makes [them] look much larger than they actually are.” Pro: delivers a multi-demensional chrome finish. Con: none. Product Specs: 0.85 oz tube with doe-foot applicator

If it’s sheer to bold coverage and eye-catching pigment you’re after, Ami Colé’s easy-to-apply Lid Joy Matte Liquid Eyeshadow would be my top recommendation. (It’s the most-asked-about product in my DMs.) Oh, and if you pair it with the brand’s Desert Date Cream Blush & Lip Multistick? Game over. Customer Review: “Love this formula! The shade is perfect for medium to light skin shades. Wish they had more colors.” Pro: formula is long-wearing and crease-resistant. Con: very limited amount of product provided. Product Specs: 13 oz tube with doe-foot applicator

Makeup artists and beauty editors everywhere certifiably flip over Bodyography’s Glitter Pigments (see below), so when the brand debuted an equally beguiling liquid eye shadow counterpart, there was (probably literally) panic at the disco. Essentially, it’s a long-lasting liquid chrome situation that can (if tested) last up to 24 hours without sacrificing one iota of the pure color pigments and crystal chrome pearls that comprise its anatomy. Customer Review: “I love this creamy, dreamy pink eyeshadow because it is the soft pink tone I’ve been hunting for. This cream shadow is glittery but not sharp, it feels hydrating and gentle on my lids…pleasantly surprised. Yes, I highly recommend— you’ll feel so pretty!” Pro: offers intense, blendable color. Con: limited shade availability. Product Specs: 0.07 oz tube with wand applicator

The world may or may not have quaked when it was announced Lady Gaga would be launching her very own makeup brand, Haus Laboratories. My fellow beauty editor Courtney Higgs and I tried all of the formulas soon after the buzzy launch, and without a doubt, Gaga’s appropriately named Glam Attack shadows were the standout product for me. Each extremely pigmented shade is perfection, and I’m obsessed with how budge-proof the formula is after it sets. Customer Review: “I love this pigment paint! Love the color, love that I can wear it as eyeshadow or use it as eyeliner, it lasts all day, It is amazing! Haus Labs, always giving us the best!” Pro: protects and softens the skin. Con: sticky to the touch after setting. Product Specs: 0.25 0z