elf No Budge Matte Shadow Stick At a Glance At A Glance
The e.l.f. No Budge Matte Shadow Sticks are matte eyeshadow sticks.
• Shades: 8 available at $5 each.
• Formula: Creamy matte eyeshadow dries down to last all day.
• Packaging: Retractable eyeshadow stick with a sharpener.
• Versatility: Wear alone or paired with eyeshadow.
After being blown away by the metallic line, I have to try the elf No Budge Matte Shadow Stick collection! This is their matte lineup that promises to be just as awesome as the metallics, and they feature groovy, retro bright colors. I have all eight shades and I am putting them to the test with a detailed review and swatches. Keep reading to find out if these are worth your cash.
Details & Claims
First, let’s start with where to buy the sticks. Most retailers that carry elf should have them. Please note that Ulta does not have all of the shades, but, you can find the full lineup on elf’s website, and also at Amazon and Target.
They should have a creamy and blendable formula that applies easily for long-lasting wear. The twist-up design has a built-in sharpener in at bottom, which you can see pictured below. You simply pull it out and push it back in. Each stick should be highly pigmented to be worn alone, over, or under eyeshadow.
To apply these stick eyeshadows, you can swipe them across your eyelid or lash line as is. If you want to use an eyeshadow or eyeliner brush, you absolutely can. They can be blended with your fingers or a brush. Allow them to set.
Swatches & Shades
Below are swatches of all eight shades. You can see how boldly pigmented, yet matte they are.
Bombshell
Cool Beans
Groovy
Lava Lamp
Out of Sight
Stellar
Thrift Shop
Vintage Suede
Review
My least favorite shade is Stellar. I do enjoy how much the yellow pops on my eye, as I normally cannot get yellow eyeshadows to stand out on my fair skin. Its formula is much different from the others. It is very dry, which makes it look patchy on the eyelid and causes it to be difficult to build up. You can see this result in the photo below, and how it wants to settle into every fine line on my eyelid. This also makes it want to crease.
Cool Beans and Lava Lamp also have drier formulas, but somehow they work, unlike Stellar. The rest have incredibly creamy formulas that really build up and blend well.
I like to apply these directly to my eyelid with the stick, then blend out with an eyeshadow blending brush. It is fun to use multiple shades and blend them all together with a brush. These are also great as smudgy eyeliners, and along the lower lash line.
I find that you get enough time to blend them out, then they dry down to be totally matte. They will not move, fade, smudge, or crease all day.
Ultimately, I do note the formula inconsistencies with Stellar, Cool Beans, and Lava Lamp. Outside of those, these do perform as well as the metallic shimmer line. You can check those out in my elf No Budge Shadow Stick review. Both the mattes and shimmers are go-to’s for me when I am in a rush or feeling lazy.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Most shades have a creamy, blendable formula
- Highly pigmented colors that stand out on the eyelid
- Easy to apply directly from the stick and blend with a brush
- Can be used as eyeshadow, smudgy eyeliner, or along the lower lash line
- Dries down to a fully matte finish
- Long-lasting with no movement, fading, smudging, or creasing
Cons
- Formula inconsistency across shades (Stellar, Cool Beans, and Lava Lamp are drier)
- Stellar shade is patchy, settles into fine lines, and can crease
- Some shades are harder to build up due to dryness
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the e.l.f. No Budge Matte Shadow Sticks really crease-proof?
Yes, once set, they resist creasing on most lids—even without primer. Oily lids may benefit from a base underneath.
Can you blend them before they set?
Yes. You have about 30 seconds of blend time before they lock in. After that, they don’t budge.
Do they twist up or need sharpening?
They’re retractable and also come with a built-in sharpener at the base for precise application.
Are these good as a base under powder shadows?
Yes, they work well as a matte base to intensify or anchor powder shadows.
Can you wear them alone?
Definitely. They’re pigmented enough for a one-and-done look, especially for quick matte eye makeup.
Shop The Sticks
I find that the shades that work the best are just as awesome as the original metallics. Sadly, some of the shades are inconsistent, which we do not experience with the metallics. Overall, these are great and last all day as both eyeshadow and eyeliner. The pops of color are spectacular, and these are easy to work with at all experience levels. How often do you use stick eyeshadow? Until next time, continue to let your true beauty shine.
