Revlon Colorstay Smoky Shadow Stick in Torch

Revlon Smoky Shadow Stick in Torch

Not to brag or anything, but I have the greatest sister in the world.

When I was stressed out about not having power and missing two whole weeks of work after Hurricane Sandy, she wanted to cheer me up and because she knows me so well, she knows that there's a surefire to raise my spirits.

Surprise me with makeup.

Guaranteed to make me happy every time.

So when she surprised me to the Revlon Smoky Shadow Stick in Torch (and a Revlon nail polish that will likely make it into my December Favorites because I am seriously obsessed with it), which I'd been wanting for a while, it definitely did perk me up.

Essentially, the Revlon Smoky Shadow Stick is a cream shadow in pencil form. However, unlike traditional shadow pencils like NYX's Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencils, the Smoky Shadow Stick contains two colors, a light and a dark shade.

Torch comes with a light pinky beige shade with a satin-y finish and a warm chocolate brown with a satin-y finish.

Torch Smoky Shadow Stick swatches

The stick is designed to create a smoky eye, so the packaging instructs using the light shade from lashes to brow and the darker shade along the lashline and in the crease.  To that the end, the end with the light shade is rounded while the darker end comes to a point to allow for more precision.

Light, rounded end of Revlon Smoky Shadow Stick

Dark, pointed end of Revlon Smoky Shadow Stick

Now, I usually don't wear cream shadows on their own. No matter how good they are, I find that they inevitably crease or fade as the day does on.  Instead, I use them as bases for powder shadows so my eye look is a little more vibrant.

I haven't tried to wear the Smoky Shadow Stick on its own so I can't attest to its staying power.  However, I will say that based on the feel of the shadows in the stick, I have a seriously difficult time believing these shadows would last the 12 hours that Revlon claims.  They're a little too creamy for that.  The darker shade is slightly drier than the light, though, so you might get longer wear out of that.

The formula of these shadows is good, but they're not the best cream shadows I've ever tried. They're not even the best cream shadows I've tried from the drugstore - Maybelline Color Tattoos takes that title. 

Still, I really like this product.

The colors are really wearable and work well under natural looks. I frequently pair it with shadows from the Naked 2 Palette to the powdered shadows a little extra oomph.

And while I may like the Maybelline Color Tattoos better, the fact that the Smoky Shadow Stick is, in fact, a stick makes it super easy and convenient to use. I can apply it directly to my eye and use a blending brush to buff the shadows out. If you're traveling, you also get two shades in one product so you don't have to pack as much makeup.

 I definitely recommend checking out the Revlon Smoky Shadow Sticks the next time that you're at the drugstore.  Torch is good for everyday looks, but they're available in four other shades too. I think I'll pick up the purple one sooner or later...

Have you tried the Revlon Smoky Shadow Sticks?  How do they work for you?