8 Best One-and-Done Eyeshadows That I Use Non-stop

Don’t have enough time to play and blend different eyeshadow shades? Here are 8 reliable one-and-done eyeshadows to effortlessly create an impressive look.

I love playing with a beautiful eyeshadow palette, blending different shades and combining various textures. But, unfortunately, I don’t have the time to do it most days - no matter how easy these are to blend out. The solution? Using a one-and-done eyeshadow.

In fact, despite having a collection of eyeshadow palettes, the single eyeshadows are the ones I use the most, either by themselves or on top of other formulas. 

Why? Because these are usually more special and easier to apply. This is handy, especially when I don’t have much time or feel a bit lazy.

Without further ado, these are the one-and-done eyeshadows that I’ve been using non-stop lately.

Urban Decay’s Moondust Eyeshadows

I can’t stress enough how much I love Urban Decay’s Moondust eyeshadows, especially the shade Space Cowboy. To the point that this would be one of my very first purchases if I lost all of my makeup.

Urban Decay’s Space Cowboy eyeshadow can be used all over the eyelid or as an eyeshadow topper. The particles are compact and small, perfect for creating a sparkly yet refined look. Unlike a classic pressed glitter formula, which is usually crumbly and dry, this one feels slightly creamy when applied with the fingertips.

This is undoubtedly the one-and-done eyeshadow I reach out to the most, especially on the days I have to go to the office.

I usually set my eyelids with Fenty Beauty’s Amplifying Eye Primer or a light coat of Glossier’s Cloud Paint and then apply this eyeshadow all over using my fingers.

KVD Beauty’s Dazzle Stick Eyeshadows

Besides being relatively recent in my makeup collection, I reach out for KVD Beauty’s Dazzle Stick in the shade Hail Surge every other week.

It’s a creamy and glittery eyeshadow with a champagne base. It can be used by itself all over the eyelid. The glitter particles are noticeable but not too thick or chunky - ideal for creating a sparkly yet elegant look.

I usually apply the eyeshadow stick directly all over the eyelid, without any base underneath. And then, I slightly dab and blend it with my fingertips - to make it more even.

Given the formula texture, I don’t recommend applying it with a brush - as you’ll quickly lose most of its pigmentation. 

Pros? How effortless it is to create a beautiful eye look with this eyeshadow.

Cons? It will fade and budge after a few hours. I usually apply mine around 7 am, and I notice it no longer looks as good after lunch. So, I typically use another light coat that lasts until the day's end.

Given how convenient this product is in terms of packaging and application, I am OK with carrying it in my purse and reapplying it at work after lunch.

ColourPop Super Shock Shadows

OK, ColourPop Super Shock Shadows have been the first one-and-done eyeshadow that genuinely wowed me. 

I remember getting the shade Ladybug on a free-shipping campaign to check if I could get ColourPop products safely delivered to Spain, and the rest is history.

The ColourPop’s Super Shock Shadows formula is one of my absolute favorites. Why? Even though it’s technically a compact powdery eyeshadow, it feels like a cream when I apply it with my fingertips. Plus, these are cruelty-free, vegan, and super affordable (6,69€ each).

I love these so much that I have some unopened spares of my favorite shades. Just in case these become impossible to find. Crazy, I know!

How do I apply these? All over the eyelid with a thin layer of eyeshadow primer underneath.

So, whether you’re new to makeup and don’t want to spend a lot of money or you’d like to try some one-and-done eyeshadows… these from ColourPop are a great starting point.

Here’s a tip if you don’t live in the US: ColourPop has several free-shipping worldwide campaigns yearly. If you want to try their products but are unwilling to pay for shipping (on top of custom taxes), subscribe to their newsletter and wait for such a promotion to land in your inbox.

e.l.f. Liquid Eyeshadows

Keeping on the low-cost trend, I’ve recently discovered e.l.f.’s liquid eyeshadow formulas. I purchased a few shades and formulas during my recent trip to London, given these are not available in Spain.

Before you jump into e.l.f.’s website or your nearest stockiest, I must tell you that some of their shades and formulas (not all of them) are easier to work with. 

First, there are two main categories for e.l.f.’s liquid eyeshadows: Liquid Glitter Eyeshadows and Liquid Metallic Eyeshadows. In terms of the formula, I prefer the latter. 

Why? Because the formula is smoother and easier to work with. In comparison, given the glitter particles, the liquid glitter formula is harder to create a polished and refined look.

Given I am more into nude tones than bright eyeshadow colors, I’ve only bought two liquid metallic eyeshadows and one of the liquid glitter ones.

Out of the three, my favorite is the shade Comet from the liquid metallic eyeshadow line. The formula has a nice consistency, is easy to blend, and creates a simple yet elegant look in no time.

The only con is that it does budget mid-day. But given the price and how easy it is to re-apply, it doesn't bother me even when I am at work. 

Charlotte Tilbury Hypnotising Pop Shots

Even though I am a huge fan of eyeshadows, I’ve only had the chance to try the ones from Charlotte Tilbury in the last couple of months.

Despite the great feedback on her eyeshadow palettes, I’ve purchased two of her Hypnotising Pop Shots eyeshadows instead: Rose Gold and Diamond Eyes. Why? Because these seemed incredibly special.

Of these two, Rose Gold is my favorite one for one-and-done eyeshadow looks. It becomes a creamy and stunning formula when used on top of Fenty Beauty’s eyeshadow primer. While the Diamond Eyes one falls more into the pressed glitter finish.

The Rose Gold shade is perfect for creating an effortlessly elevated look.

I still have to try the cream out of Charlotte Tilbury's single eyeshadows. But, unfortunately, most of the reviews I ran into mention that these are not worth the price.

R.E.M. Beauty Midnight Shadows

I was a bit skeptical about R.E.M. Beauty's products. I thought, "Ohh, not another celebrity makeup line!".

And I was not thinking about purchasing any product. But then, I went to Sephora with a friend, and we started swatching different products.

In my case, R.E.M. Beauty's Midnight Shadows were love at first sight—especially the Comet shade. I loved the color, the consistency of the formula, and how long-lasting it was.

Inevitably, I ended up purchasing it the very same day. And I am 100% sure I'll buy a couple more. Because out of all the liquid eyeshadows I own, this is the most reliable and easiest to work with.

The price is between low-cost and high-end, but the formula is way better than several products I own, which have cost me twice the price.

Honest Beauty Eye Catcher Lid Tint

Honest Beauty is one of my favorite conscious beauty brands. They have excellent formulas and are constantly coming up with new products.

When I discovered they had liquid eyeshadows, I knew I had to try these. I wanted to see how they pulled off a liquid eyeshadow formula, keeping their conscious ingredients philosophy.

I got my Honest Beauty Eye Catcher Lid Tint, in the shade Pay Day, as a part of a Holiday Season Set still available online (and discounted).

Once applied to the eyelid, it looks slightly darker on the package than it is. I usually use a single coat of product all over the eyelid. And then, I blend out the outer corner and the crease with a regular eyeshadow brush. To make it look more polished and avoid product accumulation in some areas. 

I was pleasantly surprised to see how easy it is to work with this liquid eyeshadow formula versus other formulas mentioned in this article.

The final result is very neutral and elegant, perfect for an office day look. Given my positive experience, I will definitely purchase some other shades.

RMS Beauty Eyelights Cream Eyeshadows

I know that RMS Beauty is one of the most renowned brands regarding conscious beauty. Given that its formulas are more glowy and I have combination skin, I tend to avoid these.

Luckily, some products in their portfolio fit my skin type well. That’s the case with their setting powder, mascaras, and cream eyeshadows.

I had the chance to try RMS Beauty’s Eyelights Cream Eyeshadows thanks to a Holiday Season Set that brought one of their eyeshadows in the shade Strobe, the Straight up Volumizing Peptide mascara, and their famous Living Luminizer highlighter.

While the highlighter formula doesn’t agree with my skin, I was pleasantly surprised with the remaining products. 

In the case of the eyeshadow, its format is quite curious. It comes in a package similar to a paint tube. The formula comes out so effortlessly that I would easily end out with more product on the back of my hand than I needed.

The formula is soft, like a mouse. I usually slightly blend and warm the formula on the back of my hand before applying it all over the eyelid with my fingertips. Always from the center to the corner. And then, I lightly blend out the corners and the crease with a regular eyeshadow brush.

On the package, the brand mentions that it's a fast-drying formula. So, work one eye at a time. From my experience, it dries faster than other non-powder eyeshadows. But it gave me enough time to blend the product evenly and create a refined look.

I’ve also noticed that this formula lasted longer than other eyeshadows mentioned in this article, even when I wasn’t using an eyeshadow primer. So, I’ll purchase different shades from this RMS Beauty range.

My Beauty Freak Tip: Use a liquid blush as an eyeshadow.

I started doing this a few months ago, and it immediately became one of my go-tos's when I want to create an effortless yet flawless look.

I usually apply a light coat of Glossier's Cloud Paint or Rare Beauty's Soft Pinch blush, followed by a coat of sparkly eyeshadow.