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We Tried 10 Glossy Lid Eye Shadows. Here's How They Fared IRL

Here's everything you need to nail the glossy lid look
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M.A.C. Studio Eye Gloss, $22
If you want an eye gloss that doesn't mess around when it comes to shine, then this particular product is one to consider. The eye gloss creates a beautiful, shiny finish that catches the light and adds a nice, subtle shimmer to the eyes. While its finish isn't as wet as the packaging might suggest, it still leaves eyes gleaming and our editors happy with the finished look.

Of all the formulas we tried, this eye gloss can feel tacky and heavy on the eyes. So be sure to keep your application light (pea-size between the two eyes), as Hughes says the biggest mistake she sees people make with their eye gloss is over saturating.

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Milk Makeup Eye Vinyl, $20
We've got to give it to Milk, they really killed the game on this one. To make life as simple as possible (especially when working with a conventionally messy product), this eye gloss comes in the form of a click-pen, which dispenses the perfect amount of product and allows you to easily draw on your gloss. The gloss comes in four shades: clear, purple, black and nude, and holds up a full eight-hour work day without creasing. One editor reported she loved the way the product made her eye shadow stand out and the eye gloss "instantly gave her eye shadow life."

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True to its name, this eye gloss contains small diamond-like particles, which instantly brightens the eye area and adds a glowing sheen over eye makeup.

And get your cameras ready ladies, because your selfie game just went up a notch. One editor noticed how much more her eyes popped on camera after applying this, and received several compliments on her eye makeup color throughout the day. While the eye gloss certainly enhances your eye look, it can feel a bit sticky and begin to look oily when over-applied. Simply dab throughout the evening to smooth out the texture and creasing.

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NYX Lid Lacquer, $7
While eye gloss is an earth-shatteringly beautiful look all on its own, it can also be used to accentuate a sexy eye look. This buildable black gloss, which also comes in clear, instantly upgrades a smoky eye to a glossy, high-fashion look when you add a little of the product to the outer corners of the eye. Due to its silky (not sticky) consistency, it is much more fuss-free than some of the others we tested, and lies on top of eye makeup without disturbing it. In fact, one editor didn't notice any creasing until late afternoon — five hours after applying it. Plus, it didn't feel like she had anything on her eyes (a rarity with most eye glosses). Can we get an amen?

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Honest Beauty Magic Balm, $18
Multi-tasking products are always a win, especially those with skin benefits. So when Hughes told us this skin-hydrating balm is one of her go-tos for glossy lids we were ecstatic to find yet another use for the all-purpose balm (when we're not dabbing it on our cheeks or lips for that dewy finish).

When used as an eye gloss, the lightweight balm adds a nice subtle shine and doesn't feel sticky, heavy or greasy on the lid. However, there is zero shimmer in this makeshift shadow, so eyes don't pop as much as they would with a little extra glitter. That being said, it's the perfect gloss to reach for when you want to work that natural look with a little extra shine.

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BY JESSICA AMARIS | JUN 7, 2017 | SHARES
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