Liquid eyeshadow is one of those products that always looks so promising in its packaging. That dewy texture whispers, “Try me—I’ll coat your eyelids with the otherworldly gleam of an angel’s halo.” But then, I pat it on and inevitably find myself disappointed. Sometimes, the color creases within a couple of hours, migrating around my eyes in sad trickles of shimmery pigment. Or, the rich shade in the tube turns into a disappointingly patchy echo of color when it meets my face. Mattes, shimmers, glitters—I’ve tried them all and come to the conclusion that this is one product that tends to look better the further away it is from you.

There is one glowing exception to the rule, which I’ve hesitated to tell people about for two reasons. First, it’s not the most affordable option around; the matte formulas are $34 a pop, while the glitters retail at $39. If you thought Lidstar was on the verge of being too expensive, then you’ll probably have some reservations about this price tag. There’s also the question of the delivery system. In its previous iteration, it featured a twist-up brush that spewed out a bit too much product every time. I loved it so much that I forgave it anyway, scooping up the excess product and carefully storing it in the tiny jars I formerly used to preserve my custom-mixed oil paints. Would everyone else want to do this too, though? Doubtful.

Happily, Ellis Faas (the brand in question) announced a surprise re-design this month. This means I can finally tell you—with zero reservations—that these are worth every penny of their price tag. The update features a precise doe-foot applicator that allows you to spread the shadows on your lids like a gloss, then blend them out with your finger. There’s no wasted product, and I now have greater control over exactly where the formula goes.

As excited as I am about the makeover, it’s not the real reason why I believe these are the best liquid eyeshadows ever created. It’s the shade selection and formula that will win your heart over. I know the colors might not look particularly special upon first glance. The browns and purples and blues seem like shades you already own, and maybe they don’t thrill you straight out of the pen. But, I’m telling you, magic happens when you apply them.

Gently dab a few dots on each eyelid—you only need the tiniest touch of product. Then, take your ringer finger and diffuse the color. You’ll find that the formula seems to evaporate into thin air as you pat it in. Once you’re satisfied with the results, stop smudging and smearing it, and it dries down instantly. Unlike most liquid shadows, I can’t feel this on my lids at all once it sets; the texture goes from wet to fully dry in seconds and doesn’t budge for the rest of the day (even if I neglect to use primer).

The results? Incomparable. Faas is an iconic makeup artist and her instinctive understanding of skin tone, light, and shadow shows in every shade. Because no matter how unwearable they may appear when swatched as thick coats of color, they’re unbelievably flattering once you actually apply them. I particularly love the mattes in Creamy Eyes E114 (Bordeaux Red), E118 (Light Blue), and E125 (Khaki Green). E125 in particular transforms into the prettiest veil of moody green—the olive-tinged smoky eye of my dreams, the one I have only ever been able to create with one of these pens.

You’ll probably accuse me of exaggerating when I say this, but the glitters are even better. Ellis Faas calls them Lights, and they come gliding out of the pen like molten rivers of metal. Yet, they dry down to that same, featherweight finish—no gritty glitter particles, no sticky remnants to be found. They’re beautiful alone, but I love pairing them with the Creamy Eyes shades to create layers of dimension. (The bronzed E303 pairs perfectly with E125, try it.) Worn together, they give my eyes the hazy sfumato effect of a da Vinci painting. Yes, I am saying that these shadows will turn you into a work of Renaissance art. It’s something you just need to discover for yourself—thank me later.

Ellis Faas Creamy Eyes, $34, ellisfaas.com; Ellis Faas Lights, $39, ellisfaas.com

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