wet n wild Color Icon Multi-Stick Review: A Budget Cream Stick for Eyes, Cheeks and Lips

Cream sticks are the fastest way to put color on your face: swipe, blend with a finger, done. The wet n wild Color Icon Cream Eyeshadow Multi-Stick takes that idea further by working on eyes, cheeks and lips, at a drugstore price. This review covers the shade Royal Scam.

Below: how the formula behaves, how to get longer wear from it and where a cream stick falls short.

Who it's for

• Makeup beginners who want color without brushes or technique.
• Anyone who does their makeup in a hurry, in the car or at a desk.
• Travelers who'd like one product in place of three.
• People who enjoy bold color and want to try it without spending much.

What we liked

• Strong pigment. wet n wild describes the color as highly pigmented, and a stick format puts it down in one pass.
• Glides without tugging. The silky cream is kind to the thin skin of the eyelid.
• Buildable. One light swipe gives a wash of color; a second layer gives full intensity.
• Three uses. It can be eyeshadow, a soft liner, a cheek tint or lip color, which makes a small makeup bag go further.
• Conditioning oils. The formula includes passion fruit seed oil, argan oil and vitamin E to help it feel comfortable instead of dry.
• Cruelty-free and vegan. wet n wild does not test on animals.
• Slim and portable. The stick is under five inches long and needs no sharpener or brush.

What could be better

• Creams can crease. On oily or hooded lids, cream shadow tends to collect in the fold after a few hours. A primer or a dusting of powder shadow on top helps a lot.
• Blend quickly. Cream-to-powder formulas set, so work one eye at a time.
• Not marketed as waterproof. If you need color that survives a swim or a very humid day, look for a waterproof formula.
• A thick tip isn't a precise liner. It's good for a smudgy line, not a sharp wing.
• Bold shades don't suit every feature. A color that's striking on the eyes may not be one you'd wear on lips. Check that a shade is suitable for the area before using it there, especially around the eyes.

Key specs explained

• Cream-to-powder: goes on creamy, then dries down to a soft, velvety finish that feels less sticky.
• Multi-stick: a single product intended for more than one part of the face.
• Buildable: you control the intensity by adding layers.
• Vegan: made without animal-derived ingredients.

Tips for getting the most out of it

1. Start with clean, dry lids or a thin layer of eye primer.
2. Swipe, then blend the edges with a fingertip within about 30 seconds.
3. Set with a matching powder shadow for all-day wear.
4. Use it as a base under shimmer shadows to make them brighter.
5. Recap tightly. Cream sticks dry out if left open.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Can I use it on my lips and cheeks? Yes, the stick is designed for eyes, cheeks and lips.

Q: Does it need a sharpener? No.

Q: Is it waterproof? It isn't sold as waterproof.

Q: Is it tested on animals? No. wet n wild is cruelty-free.

Should you buy it?

For quick, inexpensive color that needs no tools, this stick is a smart buy, and it's a low-risk way to try a bold shade. Its weak point is the same as most cream shadows: wear time on oily lids. Pair it with a primer or powder and it becomes a very handy part of a fast routine.

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