Eyeshadows come in so many colors, formulas and textures that you could go cross-eyed trying to choose. There are six main types of eyeshadow textures; three of the most popular are matte, shimmer and metallic. So, what's the difference between these three?

Matte textured eyeshadows work best when trying to achieve a very simple and natural eye makeup look. It’s a safe choice for eyeshadow texture and can help to reshape and define your eyes because most matte eyeshadows have more pigmented color, which makes them blend beautifully. It is a flat color without any glitter or shine. Matte shadows work well on every age range, especially mature skin, as they won’t attract attention to fine lines or create a crepe-like texture on the lids. Be careful, though, because matte shadows can sometimes be chalky or patchy but will blend better and work great once an eyeshadow base is applied.

Metallic finishes seem to have underlying gold or silver shimmer to give a more foiled effect.They look shiny and resemble actual metal like gold, silver, foil, copper and bronze. This works well on ebony or darker skin tones. Persons with mature skin or with fine lines and wrinkles should avoid metallic textures as it will settle into the lines.

Shimmer eyeshadow contains small particles that reflect the light. It comes in virtually any color imaginable, in warm colors and cool colors. Shimmer eyeshadow offers sheer coverage with a subtle shine and a hint of sparkle. It's definitely more glamorous, less natural. Shimmer shadows can be mixed with other textured eyeshadows for a "wow" look, especially great for an evening look when there is less light and wearing more eyeshadow is more appropriate. Shimmer-textured eyeshadows offer great sheer coverage without sinking into your creases or fine lines and can also be layered to create a richer, more vibrant finish. This also makes shimmer shadows ideal for more mature skin.

So, now you know the difference. Which eyeshadow type is your favorite?