This Dual-Ended Shadow Stick Glides Like Butter—and Holds Up on My Oily Eyelids (2025)

As a fan of effortless eye makeup, the Clinique High Impact Shadow Play Eye Shadow + Definer intrigued me as soon as I heard about it. With limited time to get ready these days, I’m always looking for quick and efficient ways to create a makeup look that still makes a statement. Promising to deliver pigmented color that lasts all day, I wanted to see if this eyeshadow duo would become a new staple in my routine. Clinique also has a dedicated eye safety promise that requires all of its eye makeup products, including eyeliners, shadows, and mascaras, to go through meticulous evaluations—even ophthalmologist testing. So, I trusted that I wouldn't experience any irritation during the testing process. To find out whether this product lives up to its claims, keep reading for my honest review.

About My Eyes: Oily eyelids that break down product

One of my main challenges when it comes to doing my makeup is my oily eyelids. Eyeshadows and eyeliners don’t stay on without applying a primer first. Depending on the look I’m going for, the oiliness in my lids can accentuate a grungier, more lived-in look, but that is not my day-to-day aesthetic. Most of the time, I go for something more natural but structured. As a result, using a primer before I put on eye makeup is essential so that my makeup feels put together but is also long-wearing.

Currently, I use the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion before an eye makeup application. I use the primer on my entire eyelid and then apply any eye makeup on top of it. As a fan of cream eyeshadows, I was looking forward to wearing the High Impact Shadow Play stick to get a sense of how the product wore. Opting to test it out with and without primer, I added the stick to my makeup routine for one full week.

How to Apply: Use alone or layer it up

Since the High Impact Shadow Play stick is a dual-ended eyeshadow product, there are so many ways that you can use it. The brand first encourages you to wear one color by itself and then use both colors to create a bold eye look. One end is a cream shadow while the other end is a powder definer. This allows you to apply both formulas directly to your eyes, using your fingers or the built-in sponge applicator to blend, sculpt, shape, and define your look. Since the formulas can be applied to all areas of the eye, the brand suggests experimenting with different shapes and styles and working with different levels of intensity.

The Results: Pigmented eye looks with tons of variety

I love cream eyeshadows for their versatility and how an application is nearly impossible to mess up, and this sentiment rings true with the High Impact Shadow Play stick. Using this product was a fun way to tap into my creativity and create several different eye looks in very little time without feeling overwhelmed. Using the shadow stick in the shade Day + Night, I experimented with using the gorgeous, creamy matte pewter shade and the shimmery navy blue powder eyeshadow, testing out different looks and getting a feel for the product.

I had a seamless and effortless experience using this eyeshadow duo. The cream and powder formulas in this stick are easy to use, highly pigmented, and have little to no fallout. Whether I buffed out the colors on my lids or went down to the waterline, the product didn't cause my eyes to tear. Additionally, the built-in applicator makes using the powder shadow especially straightforward; whether I wanted to smoke out the powder shadow or create a winged eyeliner, the applicator was there to help create my look of the day. Transparently, I would sharpen my look with an additional blending brush or smaller applicator brush, but I still think the built-in applicator is convenient and can be used alone if I ever need to pack light.

Though I enjoyed my experience with the duo, I don’t think I can use this product without a primer. On the days that I wore the duo without it, the High Impact Shadow Play duo didn’t live up to its promise of 12-hour wear. Without a base for the shadow duo to cling to, I found that my eye makeup tended to fade and look dull after the five or six-hour mark. I would happily use this product again in the future, but I would always make sure my lids were prepped correctly.

The Value

For about $34, I think that the High Impact Shadow Play duo has a good value. For two shadow colors and a built-in applicator, this product has an appealing price point to someone who wants a variety of options and a tool that they can work with all in one. Additionally, this makes for a great product to travel with. With daily use, I see the duo lasting for two or three months before needing to purchase it, and I think that’s fair.

Similar Products: You have options

Nudestix Magnetic Eyecolor: Rich in color and easy to apply, the Magnetic Eyecolor by Nudestix complements all skin tones. Though it is not dual-ended, the Magnetic Eyecolor is a decent alternative if you need more shade options.

Bobbi Brown Dual-Ended Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow Stick: Promising to take the guesswork out of creating an eye look, the Dual-Ended Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow Stick by Bobbi Brown can be used in all areas of the eye. With a shimmer and matte shade on either end of the product, stick with Clinique if you also want an applicator.

Final Verdict

The Clinique High Impact Shadow Play duo is an impressive dual-ended stick that helps create a variety of eye looks in seconds. While it’s easy to use, my oily eyelids ate away at the product. In the future, I will make sure to prep with an eye primer. That being said, my eyes felt great while wearing the product. No matter how close I got to my waterline or how much I smudged the product during application, I didn't experience any tearing or discomfort. All in all, this is a great addition to your makeup bag whether you are a makeup novice or a pro.