Splurge or Save: Cream Eyeshadow Sticks

About a month ago I treated myself to the By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Misty Rock (£29). Something I swore I wouldn't do given the extortionate price tag, but you know how it goes in Space NK, you just can't leave empty handed. Before I knew it I was covered in swatches and already paying for this beauty.


Everything about this product is beautiful. It is encased in a stunning gold tube and it definitely has a luxurious feel to it (for that price I wouldn't expect anything less). Misty Rock is a gorgeous rosy mauve shade which looks really metallic on the eye, something I am loving for summer. It glistens in the sun and can look different colours in different lights, it is totally multi-dimensional.

L-R By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Misty Rock, Kiko Long Lasting Stick in 38 Golden Taupe, 37 Burgundy, 05 Rosy Brown, 06 Golden Brown

In a bid to stop me from buying any more I decided to try out a few Kiko Long Lasting Stick Eyeshadows (£6.90) and they have totally blown me away. The shade range is fantastic and I really struggled to only choose four, as there are lots of neutrals and bronzes as well as a few bright shades for anyone feeling brave enough.

Golden Brown and Rosy Brown are my two favourites of the ones I picked up, with the latter being an almost perfect if slightly less dimensional dupe for Misty Rock. They are easily bendable but set fast and have an amazing lasting power.

Burgundy is a slightly less purple version of Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Metallic Pomegrante, which can be built up into a high intensity colour or blended into a soft wearable everyday shade. It also looks stunning with a bronzer a medium brown shade blended into the crease for extra definition.

Verdict: After thorough testing these last few weeks I can honestly say there is little difference between the formulas and when swatched Misty Rock and Rosy Brown look almost identical. Sure, the By Terry offering looks and feels much more luxurious, and lasts a smidgen longer on the lids, but is that really worth and extra £22.10? I'm not convinced. So when it comes to cream eyeshadow sticks I would save and go to Kiko.