First swipe and I was hooked. The Julep Eyeshadow Stick Duo in Sand Shimmer and Smoky Tawny Matte glides on like butter—no tugging, no patchiness. The shimmer shade gives my lids that 'just-back-from-the-beach' glow, while the matte is my secret weapon for adding depth without looking overdone.

What surprised me most? The staying power. I wore the smoky tawny to a sweaty outdoor brunch, and it didn’t budge—no primer needed. The built-in smudger is genius for quick blending (I use it to soften the edges before the formula sets). Pro tip: Coat the smudger with product first for seamless application.

Yes, the creamy-to-powder transition feels odd at first (it stays slightly tacky for an hour), but that’s what makes it so blendable. And the vitamin C/E infusion? My sensitive eyelids haven’t had a single reaction—unlike some high-end brands I’ve tried.

Downside? The matte shade leans sheer (buildable though), and these run out faster than my $5 drugstore sticks. But for travel or rushed mornings? Worth every penny. I’ve repurposed the nearly-empty sticks as cream highlighters—zero waste!