Why Cream Eyeshadow Turns Powdery After Drying

The phenomenon of a cream eyeshadow turning powdery when it dries is typically due to the evaporation of volatile ingredients in the formulation. Cream eyeshadows contain a liquid base (like water or volatile silicones) that provides the creamy texture. When this liquid evaporates after application, the solid components, such as pigments and fillers, are left behind.

If the formulation has a high concentration of solid particles or lacks sufficient film-forming agents to bind these solids together into a continuous film, the dried residue can feel powdery.

This can sometimes be an intended feature for certain finishes (e.g., matte, long-wear) but might also indicate an imbalance in the formula if a non-powdery finish was desired.

As the previous response mentioned, understanding the specific ingredients and their proportions in the formula is necessary to determine the exact cause.