When eyeshadows at luxury markets score a pretty price on pretty packaging, it is a cue to look for the best drugstore eyeshadow, something that offers sublime makeup results and cutting-edge formulations at affordable prices.

At competitive prices, budget-friendly brands such as e.l.f, Nyx Professional Makeup, Maybelline, Covergirl, Revlon, Physician’s Formula, etc. offer a wide variety of eyeshadow pans, with sets of all the lovely colors one can imagine. They offer an assortment of textures, finishes in mattes and shimmers, high-pigmented formulas, and user-friendly sizes. For glam with a bang for your buck, the drugstore palettes are approved and loved by makeup artists, beauty influencers, and consumers alike. 

Take a look at our compilation of high-rated drugstore shadow palettes, straight from the Editor’s archives.

• 1
  Best for Long-lasting Wear

  NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Ultimate Shadow Palette

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You don’t have to splurge on a high price point to get shade options as the NYX ultimate shadow palette features 16 shadows to make you fall in love. The intensely pigmented and creamy formula glides smoothly on your lids for effortless blending. This palette range has all the necessary finishes from satin, shimmer, and matte, to metallic. Available in exotic color combinations from warm nudes to cool neutrals and popping neons to rainbow cakes, you can choose from an array of palettes.

2

Smoothest Application

MAYBELLINE NEW YORK Eyeshadow Palette

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The Nudes eyeshadow palette by Maybelline has found its spot in almost every makeup kit since its launch. The high-pigmented, long-staying powder cakes come in a sleek and compact pan, which has been a long-time favorite for the girlies. The classic nude set offers beige, black, brown, and bronze, while the Blushed Nudes palette has pink and lilac hues. Another variation is the 24k Nudes palette with dazzling metallics. This range is the ideal drugstore pick, delivering top-notch results at affordable prices.

3

Buildable Formula

e.l.f. Bite-Size Eyeshadows

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For on-the-go everyday makeup finds nothing beats the e.l.f. bite-size eyeshadows. With super compact packaging, these mini pans have four shadows. The creamy and blendable powders serve highly pigmented application on your eyelids. With a balanced mix of mattes and shimmers, you can choose from the seven color combinations, or literally hoard them all! There are basic smokey pans, rosy pinks, cool greens, and blues, berry-toned palettes, and pumpkin-inspired shadows as well.

4

True Color Payoff

COVERGIRL Eye Enhancers

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When you need just a single shadow, hop on to the Covergirl’s single-cake pan. We all have that one overused eyeshadow we keep coming back to or there’s always one missing piece from a well-equipped palette. Offering silky and sheer powder shadows, this range is perfect for blending and building any makeup look, whether natural or dramatic.  From icy blues to deep rosy pinks and champagne golds, you can find almost any color you would want.

5

Best Creamy Texture

REVLON Crème Eyeshadow Palette

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For someone who loves a cream eyeshadow that is easy to glide on with fingertips, Revlon has just the right thing in store for you. Each kit has four cream shadows that are sheer and light reflective. You can create infinite luminous looks by blending and building these soft and sheer shadows. The highly pigmented colors are crease-resistant and available in a broad spectrum of color-coordinated themes. There are six lovely palettes to choose from.

6

Most Highly-Pigmented Formula

Aromas Eyeshadow Palette

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Getting 18 shades at this price is a total steal but possible with this eyeshadow palette by Aromas. The palette is a fantastic choice to add a dramatic flair to your makeup looks. From soft mattes to glistening shimmers, this 18-shadow pan has exotic hues from the pink family. Rosy pinks, dusty mauves, juicy berries, copper tones, taupe, etc. — the palette offers a wide range of shades that can be used standalone or blended with multiple colors for artsy looks.

7

Best Monochrome Range

ALMAY Eyeshadow Palette

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Nothing creates an everlasting shadow impact better than monochromatic eye makeup, like this drugstore eyeshadow palette by Almay. The product has an innovative range of quad-palettes that offer a single color in multiple finishes, from matte, metallic, and satin to shimmer. The velvety smooth powders are ideal to wear from day to night looks. You can choose from neutrals to pop vibrant colors and create versatile looks. The compact pressed powders are easy to use, blend, and build up for fresh and creative eye looks.

8

Best Multitasking Product

MAYBELLINE NEW YORK The City Mini Eyeshadow Palette

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Set in the cityscapes and its moods across the day, Maybelline’s mini eyeshadow palettes are iconic with creative color combinations. Each palette has a medley of shades curated with an artsy edge. The custom shades vary with collections like Concrete Runway, Brunch Neutrals, Downtown Sunrise, Graffiti Pop, Urban Jungle, and Rooftop Bronze. The creamy powders glide on smoothly and melt instantly as you blend. Every pan consists of six thematic colors, which lets you carry simple everyday looks from morning to glam-filled looks at night.

9

Best Color Options

MILANI Eyeshadow Palette

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Featuring a 12-shade pan, Milani’s velvety powder shades range from everyday neutrals to jewel-toned metallics. The high pigment formula allows effortless blending and layering of shades. Offering the perfect combination of mattes and shimmery shadows, there are three palettes in this range to choose from. The Bold Obsession palette is packed with bold to basics, while the Soft and Sultry palette features smokey browns and illuminating beiges. Lastly, the pure Passion pan is all about a rosy and berry-toned set of colors.

10

Best Shimmer Effect

Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips

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For that added glam and glitz nothing comes closer to shimmery lids. The Physicians Formula’s shimmer-infused palettes offer six pressed powdered strips that deliver a hi-shine effect. The intensely pigmented and multi-reflective shimmers have an excellent blendable formula. Without creating creases, your shadow will last you an entire day. You can amp up your eye makeup with any of the three kits. From grey smokey shades to pink-hued and nude colors, there’s a combo for every occasion.

11

ETUDE Play Color Eyes

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With the onset of the autumn season, all the bakery and coffee-inspired colors take over our closets and makeup. To set the right mood, ETUDE’s Play Color Eyes range of mini-palettes is the ideal pick. All the warm brown, beige, milky, sandy, peachy, berry-hued, and soft pinks in your favorite mattes and glitters are available in these 10 shades pans. The silky powders are highly pigmented and last long without clumping, creasing, or falling out.

12

LAURA GELLER The Delectables

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With LAURA GELLER’s baked eyeshadow palette, you can get your earthy essentials in its stunning neutrals and browns. Featuring 14 shades in shimmery and matte finishes, this palette offers a supremely creamy formula. Glide on your lids effortlessly for a crease-proof and easy-to-blend application. The smooth effect will stay on well for long hours without fallout or smears. The rich colors are ideal for creating stunning looks that you can carry from day brunches to night outs.

13

Rimmel Magnif'eyes Eye Palette

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The Rimmel Magnif'eyes range has 12 editions under its garb, offering the coolest color combinations that one can wish for. The 12-pan palette has a silky-satin texture, offering high shimmer and a soft-matte finish. Its ultra-smooth and blendable formula is perfect for bringing your Pinterest makeup board to life. Plus, the rich and intense shadows allow effortless shading, sculpting, and defining. From an array of options to choose from, one can find palettes for any occasion or mood. There are muted nudes, soft browns, plush pinks, rainbow pops, candy hues, berry shades, jewel tones, and many more. 

14

Honeybee Gardens Eye Shadow Palette

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Upgrade your makeup stash with the compact 4-pan palettes by Honeybee Gardens. The indulgent colors are available in stunning combos, whether you need chocolate-milky tones for muted looks or bright berry eye makeup. There are seven palettes that will swoon you over. The vegan formula is enriched with ingredients that are suitable for all skin types. Enjoy the high-quality pigments that deliver long-lasting results. The buildable and blendable recipe of these shadows helps you create infinite looks.

15

L.A. Girl Beauty Brick Eyeshadow

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The cult favorite L.A. Girl Beauty always has something in store for the girlies. The brick eyeshadow will come in handy for all the fun looks that you can try. The 12-pan palette has intense pigmented shades in unique hues and tints. You can find neutral nudes, cool-toned smokey, flirty lilacs, and preppy rainbow colors in a variety of shadow kits. The super chic palettes offer a mix of mattes and shimmers alike, so you can blend in the perfect eye makeup for any mood or occasion.

16

Physicians Formula Rosé All Play Eyeshadow Bouquet

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Another from the Physicians Formula under our radar is the Rosé All Play eyeshadow. This 12-pan palette is abloom with springing shades of roses. The buttery-creamy texture melts into your skin like a dream. The blend is enriched with rose extract, goji, and Kakadu plum with soothing and nourishing properties. What’s more, there are satin, matte, and shimmery finishes for an amalgamation of flattering hues and tints, to create fresh and unique eye makeup looks.

We come across drugstore brands and products very often. While the market is swamped with endless products, choosing your newest addition can be daunting. Here are a few tips to bear in mind before purchasing your new shadow palette.

Skin Tone: Based on your undertones, whether cool, warm, or neutral, you can pick the eyeshadow colors that match well. For instance, those with warm undertones can go with colors like warm browns, orange, or red. Hues and tints of purple, blue, and green would work for cooler undertones. This will help you accentuate your complexion and overall makeup.

Variety of Shades: Eyeshadow palettes are available in a variety of sizes and options, from monochromes to a vibrant range, you can choose the one that offers maximum options. On the other hand, if you are looking for one particular shade, you can opt for single pans. 

Types of Finishes: Another major aspect of choosing shadows is the finish that they offer. Generally, a palette has a mix of matte and metallics, which is the ideal combo for creating numerous looks for any occasion. Based on your preferences, look for palettes that match your needs.  

Formulation: All the brands offer a different type of texture, from baked powders to creamy shadows and liquids. Opt for the kind of texture that allows you an ease of application. You can also look for the ingredients used in the formulation and ensure that it is suitable for your skin type.

In tandem, our contributor Bianca Lorena, a certified Aesthetic educator, says, “Ophthalmologist approved makeup products will keep your eyes (a sensitive part of your face) safe from irritation, stinging and damage. For people with sensitive eyes or those using contacts or wearing glasses, should use ophthalmologist approved products around the eyes for comfort.”

Our contributor Bianca Lorena, says, “The easiest way to use an eyeshadow for beginners is to opt for a makeup palette with complementary colors. A beginner approach to start out is by applying a lighter shade over the total lid (use a short hair synthetic brush), and then applying smaller amounts of any darker shades to the outer crease, and blend (using a fluffy dome brush). One must start with neutral and smoky color palettes - the classics!”

Step 1: Prep your eyelids by using eyeshadow primer or concealer to create a base.

Step 2: For simple looks, you can swipe across a single shade using your fingertips or brush over your lids.

Step 3: For enhanced looks you can try glam, smokey, chromatic, glittery looks by blending two or more shades. Using an eyeshadow brush in short round strokes helps in perfectly blending the shadows. 

Step 4: It’s advisable to begin your makeup with your eyes first. As the shadows tend to fall and dust off on the face, it can ruin your base. After finishing up the eye makeup, clean the face and then start with your full-face makeup. 

Contributor: Bianca Lorena, a Registered Nurse and Aesthetic educator - BLC Aesthetics