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An ELLE beauty report highlights five products experts and editors use to brighten the eyes, including cream sticks, face highlighter and matte eyeshadows. The recommendations describe different finishes and application styles, but also note drawbacks such as glitter, fading and sensitivity considerations.
ELLE has published a guide to five eye-highlighting products recommended by its editors and makeup experts, spanning portable cream sticks, face-and-eye powder highlighter and matte eyeshadows. The report describes ways to brighten the inner corner, lid or brow bone while flagging trade-offs including visible glitter, fading and formula preferences.
The report presents the products as editor-selected recommendations, not as results from a comparative clinical or performance test. It discloses that ELLE may earn a commission on items readers buy through the page. Makeup artist Judi Gabbay praises a Laura Mercier shadow stick for fast application, smooth texture and strong pigment. She says she can swipe it on and blend with a finger, without a brush. The report lists 20 shades and a cream formula; one stated drawback is that it may be too sparkly for some users.
Gabbay also recommends using a face highlighter on the eyes. The powder comes in six shades, and she says applying it to the inner corners and cheekbones can tie a makeup look together. The report describes its finish as beautiful but says it can appear more pigmented in photographs. For powder eyeshadow, Gabbay recommends Patrick Ta Beauty palettes, saying their matte and shimmer shades blend easily and can brighten the inner corners. Each palette is listed as having six shades; the report cautions that the shimmer shades are very glittery.
The other two picks focus on nontraditional or skin-conscious options. Makeup artist Gabbay says matte cream or ivory shadows can brighten the eyes without added sparkle, especially when she works with mature women or young girls. The Makeup by Mario palette is listed with 12 shades and no shimmer shades. ELLE associate beauty commerce writer Emma Aerin Becker recommends Tower 28’s water-based cream shadow stick, describing its cooling feel and metallic pigment. She says it works on her sensitive, eczema-prone eyelids, but the report lists fading as a drawback. That personal account is not a guarantee of suitability for others.
Choosing a Finish for Eye Highlight
The guide is useful because it treats eye highlighting as a choice of finish and application method, rather than a single glitter-based technique. A stick may suit someone seeking a quick, brush-free application; a face highlighter can coordinate eye and cheek makeup; and matte powder offers brightness without shimmer. These are practical distinctions for shoppers comparing products and deciding where to apply them.
The cited pros and cons also show why an expert recommendation is not a universal result. Some users may prefer a subtle matte effect, while others seek metallic shine. The report itself notes potential issues, including sparkle intensity and wear time. Its commission disclosure is relevant too: the guide is shopping content, and ELLE says it may earn money from purchases.
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How the Five Picks Differ
The products in the report are not interchangeable. The Laura Mercier and Tower 28 options are cream or water-based sticks, while the face highlighter, Patrick Ta palettes and Makeup by Mario palette are powders. The recommendations also vary in intended finish: the list includes metallic and shimmer choices as well as a fully matte palette.
The source relies on comments from makeup artist Gabbay and ELLE staff, along with customer-review excerpts for some products. It does not provide a shared testing method, price comparison, ingredient-by-ingredient review or performance measurements. The report says the Tower 28 product launched the previous year, but does not identify a specific date in the material supplied. These details limit how directly readers can compare the picks.
“These are my go-to when I need something quick and easy. I love that I can throw one in my bag and apply it without a brush.”
— Judi Gabbay, makeup artist, on the Laura Mercier shadow stick
What the Product Guide Does Not Establish
The source does not report independent testing, a standardized wear-time comparison, or evidence that any of the five products works for every skin type. Descriptions such as smooth, soothing or long-lasting are attributed to the experts, editors or customer reviewers who supplied them. The Tower 28 account reflects one writer’s experience and should not be read as a medical assessment of eczema or product safety.
The report also does not state the prices, availability by market, full ingredient details or exact publication date in the supplied material. It is unclear how the products were selected beyond ELLE’s disclosure that every item on the page was chosen by an editor. Readers should check current product information and ingredient lists before buying, particularly if they have a history of irritation or allergies.
What Shoppers Can Check Before Buying
The report does not announce a follow-up test or a scheduled update. Readers considering one of the picks can compare the current shade range and formula details with their preferred finish, then check the retailer or brand for updated availability and ingredients. For eye-area makeup, a cautious first application and stopping use if irritation develops are sensible steps; people with persistent skin concerns can ask a qualified health professional for guidance.
Any future assessment would need consistent criteria—such as wear time, ease of blending and performance across skin types—to support direct comparisons beyond the personal recommendations in this guide. For now, ELLE’s report offers expert and editor perspectives, while leaving those broader questions unanswered.
Key Questions
What is the main development in the report?
ELLE published an editor-selected guide to five products used to highlight the eyes, with comments from makeup artist Judi Gabbay and ELLE staff writer Emma Aerin Becker.
Do the recommendations all use shimmer?
No. The list includes metallic and shimmer products as well as the matte Makeup by Mario palette. Gabbay says matte cream or ivory shades can brighten the eyes without sparkle.
Which product is described as easiest to apply without a brush?
Gabbay describes the Laura Mercier shadow stick as a quick option she can apply and blend with her finger. The report also notes that its sparkle may not suit everyone.
Does the guide prove that the products are suitable for sensitive skin?
No. Becker says Tower 28’s water-based stick felt soothing on her sensitive, eczema-prone eyelids, but that is one person’s experience, not proof of suitability for all users. Check ingredients and seek professional guidance for ongoing skin concerns.
Did ELLE independently compare the products?
The supplied report does not describe a standardized test or shared performance measurements. Its recommendations are based on editor selection and attributed expert or personal comments, and ELLE discloses that it may earn commissions from purchases.
Source: elle.com
