Reader question: Help! I found the perfect neutral eyeshadow and now it’s been discontinued. What else can I use?

Besides concealer and blush, a good neutral eyeshadow is right up there in terms of my desert-island, can’t-live-without-’em, must-have beauty products. Here is why. You know how I always say that the number one place we all should apply concealer is at the inner corners of the eyes? Well, ever since I started using Latisse, which discolours your lids a bit (ugh), I’ve extended that tip to applying concealer (or a hybrid concealing/priming product like this) all the way across the lid and at the outer corners, too. (And if I’m looking REALLY tired, I’ll do the upside-down triangle thing as well.)

But you know what happens when you get all that concealer on your eyelids? It creases. Badly. And so I’ve found that the best way to prevent that is by applying a neutral, waterproof, cream eyeshadow on top. It works like magic! And you just slap it on with your fingers—no technique required! Now, I would love to recommend to you the product I favour, but as reader Kate recently discovered—after I got her hooked—it has been discontinued. This makes me want to cry because I’ve been loyal to this shadow for something like five years now, which is unheard of for a beauty ed, and my supply is quickly dwindling. BOO.

However, there ARE quite a few other options out there. So let’s dig in…

Kate writes:

So, sad of all sads, you got me totally addicted to Dior Eyeshow in Undressed Beige and I walk into Sephora today to pick up another pot and find it’s been discontinued!

[Editor's note: Yes... this is The One. It looks like this. If you ever spot it, BUY. IMMEDIATELY.]

I’m sure I can find a pot or two online or in department stores, but this is not a long-term solution.  Do you have a new fave that rivals it? I love the staying power of the Dior, and the colour is perfect for me. I’ve recently tried the new Chanel pots and while I think they’re great for evening, they’re just a bit too flashy for office and daywear. Any advice?

Okay, here goes!

I actually do think the Chanel Illusion d’Ombre in Émerveillé (discussed here) is a pretty close match, although it’s slightly more pink. The shimmer isn’t really any more than the Dior—it just looks that way in the pot.

Another Chanel option is the classic Ombre d’Eau fluid shadow:

It’s also waterproof and is what Lynne Ryan used on me during TIFF. I have a bunch of shades in my collection and I believe they rotate them all the time with limited-edition additions, but the best one (if you can find it) is Beach #82.

A very similar product (although less liquidy) is Guerlain’s Ombre Fusion:

You probably won’t be able to get it anywhere now since it’s a limited-edition product that was part of their summer offerings, but keep an eye out for next year. It’s a little more pink but still very pretty.

Then there are the M.A.C Paint Pots. I have Nubile, which is completely flat, but Bare Study has some shimmer:

And some peeps swear by Benefit’s Creaseless Cream Shadows… although I’m still not sure about that “creaseless” claim. Your mileage may vary. This is R.S.V.P. (sparkling champange):

If you’re up for something a little more dramatic, try Make Up For Ever’s Aqua Cream eyeshadow in #13… it is a nude but very metallic (ignore the turquoise one in this pic):

Also on the more metallic front, Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Intense Eyehadow in Champagne:

Whew! That’s a lotta options. And sadly, I haven’t come across anything like these in the drugstore price range (tell me if you have though!). But I do think this is one makeup wardrobe basic that’s well worth splurging on, since it’s something I wear every single day.

Tell me:

Are you a neutral eyeshadow-wearer?
What’s your go-to product?
Have you tried any of these?