As a makeup enthusiast, I've spent countless hours experimenting with various eyeshadow palettes, searching for those versatile gems that can take any look from day to night with just a few swipes. It's a journey that's been as colorful as it has been rewarding, leading me to curate a list of the best eyeshadow palettes that I believe every makeup lover should know about. This carefully selected lineup is a treasure trove of pigments, ranging from the essential neutral eyeshadows for your everyday makeup look to the bold and vibrant hues that make a statement.

Each palette has been chosen not just for its unique color story, but also for its blendability, pigment payoff, and staying power. Whether you're a seasoned makeup artist or someone who's just beginning to explore the world of eyeshadows, I'm confident you'll find something in this list that speaks to your soul. I've made sure to include options that cater to all preferences and skin tones, ensuring there's a little something for everyone. 

So, if you're on the hunt for your next eyeshadow palette or simply looking to add to your collection, dive into this list with me. Let's explore the goodies that await!

• 1
  Editor’s Choice

  Nyx Professional Makeup Ultimate Shadow Palette

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With a top rating of 5 out of 5 for the best eye palette on my list, the NYX Professional Makeup Ultimate Shadow Palette is a versatile choice that caters to every skin tone with its rich selection of nudes. Featuring a variety of finishes, including glitter, shimmery, and metallic, it allows for endless creativity, whether you're aiming for a subtle day look or a dramatic evening look. 

For an enhanced effect and longer-lasting wear, start with an eye primer to create a smooth base. This extra step helps intensify the pigments and build your look more effectively, ensuring your eye makeup stays flawless throughout the day.

Type: Powder

Color: Warm Neutrals

Finish Type: Multi-mix

2

Best Natural Eyeshadow Palette

Prism Makeup Changeable Eyeshadow Palette (Neutral)

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I've found my go-to for achieving that glowingly charming, feminine look with a palette that's not only cost-effective but packed with variety. This compact, travel-sized treasure holds 40 ultra-versatile shades, blending warm and cool neutral tones like yellow, gold, orange-brown, rosy pink, purple, taupe, and even charcoal black. Its range of finishes, from velvety matte and satin to pearly shimmer and metallic glitter, offers endless creativity. The colors, perfect for daily natural looks or dramatic smokey eyes, boast a long-lasting formula with rich payoff and supreme blendability. It's designed to flatter all skin tones and eye colors, making it a palette that truly has it all — contour, highlight, and everything in between. 

Each shade harmoniously pairs with complimentary colors, offering a spectrum of finishes like matte, metallic, foil, and satin. This palette is my secret weapon for creating any look imaginable. 

Type: Powder

Color: Neutral

Finish Type: Multi-mix

3

Best for Dramatic Eyes

Maybelline The Nudes Eyeshadow Palette

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Next on my radar is the Maybelline nude eyeshadow palette, boasting a captivating array of highly pigmented colors. From bold beiges to sultry sands, brazen bronzes, and tempting taupes, this palette offers endless possibilities. The creamy, blendable powder formula ensures seamless application and requires minimal effort for blending. With 12 expertly curated shades, it's ideal for crafting custom eye makeup looks, whether you prefer duos, trios, or quads. 

Plus, it comes with a convenient dual-ended eyeshadow applicator, making on-the-go touch-ups a breeze. Elevate your eye game with this versatile palette, perfect for both everyday wear and glamorous evenings out, earning a rating of 4.5 on my 5 scales.

Type: Matte Powder

Color: Nude 

Finish Type: Shimmer

4

Best Warm Shades

UCANBE Toffee Fusion Eyeshadow Palette

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The Toffee Fusion eye palette, true to its enticing name, is a sweet pick for makeup enthusiasts across the board, from beginners to professional artists. Boasting 48 warm and cool natural shades, it offers a rich variety of finishes including matte, shimmer, metallic, and satin, catering to an array of creative expressions. While many users adore the palette's diverse color range, some wish for more pronounced pigmentation. 

In my opinion, this palette is especially suited for those with brown eyes. Warm tones like golds and bronzes will highlight their richness, while cooler shades offer a stunning contrast, making brown eyes pop beautifully.

Type: Powder

Color: Warm and Cool Neutrals

Finish Type: Multi-mix

5

Best in Longevity

Revlon ColorStay Day to Night Eyeshadow Palette

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I recently tried Revlon's new powder eyeshadow palette, and I'm genuinely impressed! The promise of up to 24-hour wear intrigued me, and it truly delivers. Its lightweight powder-cream hybrid formula is a game-changer; it applies like a powder but has the staying power and creamy feel I love. The pigmentation is fantastic, allowing me to create looks that transition effortlessly from day to night. The buttery soft texture blends like a dream, making the application seamless and enjoyable. 

This palette has revitalized my makeup routine, offering both subtle and dramatic looks with ease. A definite must-have for anyone looking to elevate their eyeshadow game!

Type: Cream Powder

Color: Pink Nude

Finish Type: Shimmer

6

Best Ingredient Formula

Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Eyeshadow Palette

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The Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Eyeshadow Palette is a revelation for my fair skin, offering a symphony of versatile and flattering shades that enhance natural beauty while providing an indulgent, skin-friendly experience. Infused with Tucuma, Cupuaçu, and Murumuru Butters, the formula not only delivers stunning, long-lasting color payoff but also nourishes the skin, ensuring a smooth application every time. 

Its range of hues, from subtle earth tones to vibrant pops of color, allows for endless creativity, perfectly complementing fair complexions without overwhelming them. This palette is a true gem, blending skincare with makeup artistry to create a product that feels as good on the skin as it looks.

Type: Cream Powder

Color: Sultry Nights

Finish Type: Shimmer

7

Best Dupe

e.l.f. Perfect 10 Eyeshadow Palette

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The e.l.f. Perfect 10 Eyeshadow Palette in Nude Rose Gold is a treasure for those with green and hazel eyes, offering a stunning array of shades that effortlessly accentuate and bring out the natural beauty of these eye colors. This power palette blends effortlessly, with a mix of matte and shimmer finishes that cater to every occasion, from subtle day looks to dramatic evening glam. The rose gold shades work harmoniously with green and hazel eyes, highlighting their natural vibrancy. The formula is impressively pigmented and long-lasting, ensuring your look stays flawless throughout the day.

Quick Tip:

Use the darker shades in the palette to define your lash line for an instant eye-opening effect.

Type: Powder

Color: Nude Rose Gold

Finish Type: Shimmer

8

Best Color Payoff

Urban Decay Naked3 Eyeshadow Palette

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I finally got my hands on the Urban Decay Naked3 Eyeshadow Palette, and let me tell you, it's the viral sensation everyone needs in their makeup arsenal. The range of rosy-hued neutrals is a game-changer, especially for someone with green eyes. These shades make my eyes pop like no other! The trick is to blend, blend, blend. Start with the lighter shades for the base, then work your way into the deeper shades for the crease and outer corners. 

The versatility is unmatched — perfect for soft, everyday looks or dramatic evening eyes. Honestly, it's a must-have, no matter your eye color.

Type: Powder

Color: Rose-hued Neutrals

Finish Type: Shimmery Opaque

9

Best Luxe Eyeshadow Palette

Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Palette Multi-Color

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For my beauty “gurls” out there, this eye palette is your new go-to. The Anastasia Beverly Hills eyeshadow palette comes packed with 14 versatile shades, ranging from essential neutrals to vibrant colors, ensuring it complements any eye look you're going for. Whether you're feeling ultra-matte for a daytime vibe or metallic for an evening out, this palette has you covered. Its highly pigmented formula means you get an intense color payoff with every swipe, allowing for buildable intensity to match your mood. 

Plus, the travel-friendly packaging, complete with a dual-ended brush and attached mirror, makes on-the-go touch-ups a breeze. And with titanium dioxide included, you're also getting some sun protection for your delicate eyelids.

Type: Powder

Color: Multi-Color

Finish Type: Glossy

10

Most Popular Eyeshadow Palette

Jeffree Star Cosmetics Orgy Artistry Eyeshadow Palette

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I'm obsessed with the Orgy Palette's reputation for its wildly intense shade range. It's packed with creamy, blendable mattes that are a dream to work with. As someone who's experimented with numerous palettes, the intensity and pigment of these nudes on any skin tone are unmatched. What makes me even prouder to use it is the brand’s commitment to being vegan and cruelty-free. As an adult, finding eyeshadow shades that complement mature skin tones without settling into fine lines has been a challenge, but this palette nails it. 

The matte finish is smooth, and the variety of neutral to bold shades means I can create any look I desire, effortlessly blending them for a seamless finish.

Type: Powder

Color: Soft and Warm Nudes

Finish Type: Matte

11

Too Faced Chocolate Gold Eyeshadow Palette

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Diving into the Too Faced Chocolate Gold Eyeshadow Palette is like unearthing a treasure chest of dazzling colors, all inspired by the full spectrum of the rainbow. What sets this palette apart is its luxurious infusion of creamy cocoa powder and radiant gold particles. Not only does the cocoa powder act as an antioxidant, protecting my skin from free radical damage, but it also imbues the palette with an irresistible chocolate scent that makes every application a sensory delight. The gold particles lend the metallic shades an unparalleled high-shine appearance, making my eyes sparkle like never before. 

The mix of metallic and matte shades, all highly pigmented and long-wearing, blend effortlessly, allowing me to create stunning, multidimensional looks with ease.

Type: Powder

Color: Multi-Mix

Finish Type: Metallic and Matte

12

Huda Beauty Mercury Retrograde Eyeshadow Palette

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Just like its name suggests, the Huda Beauty Mercury Retrograde Eyeshadow Palette takes your makeup game into a celestial dimension with 18 intergalactic shades and 4 innovative textures, opening up infinite possibilities for your look. Whether you're aiming for a bold statement or a subtle nod to the cosmos, this palette has got you covered with its versatile range of hues. It includes ingredients like Iridescent Pearls & Multi-Reflective Glitter that catch the light in the most enchanting ways. 

You'll find 9 buttery mattes perfect for creating depth, 2 sheer multi-reflective shadows for a unique duo-chrome effect, 6 high-shine creamy metallics to brighten your look, and 1 glitter powder that adds an out-of-this-world sparkle to any eye look. This palette is a must-have for those who dare to experiment and dream big with their makeup.

Type: Powder

Color: Multi-Mix

Finish Type: Matte and Metallic

13

Lancôme Hypnôse 5-Color Eyeshadow Palette

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Last but not least, my favorite Lancôme's Hypnose 5-Color Eyeshadow Palettes stand out in my collection. Expertly curated, these palettes offer a comprehensive day-to-night eye color wardrobe. With five shades ranging from matte to metallic, each palette is designed for versatility, enabling the creation of both classic looks and playful expressions with ease. The high-pigment formula ensures a one-swipe payoff and buildable intensity, looking true on the skin. The texture is smooth and soft, making application a breeze — it wears comfortably throughout the day. 

Other than having a high price tag, its compact size and included mirror make it perfect for on-the-go touch-ups. Plus, with step-by-step instructions and two foam applicators, achieving French-inspired, luxury makeup artistry is made simple.

Quick Tip:

For a more intense look, apply the metallic shades with a wet brush.

Type: Powder

Color: Bleu Hypnôtique

Finish Type: Shimmer

Selecting the best eyeshadow palette can be a fun yet daunting task, given the plethora of options available. Here are some tips to help you make the perfect choice:

1. Consider Your Skin Tone: Choose shades that complement your skin tone. Warmer palettes usually work well for warm undertones, while cool undertones may benefit from palettes with cooler shades. Neutral palettes tend to be universally flattering.

2. Think About Your Eye Color: Certain colors can make your eyes pop. For example, purples and bronzes complement green eyes, warm browns and gold look great on blue eyes, and blues and pinks can enhance brown eyes.

3. Quality Over Quantity: A palette with a few high-quality, pigmented shades is better than one with many lackluster options. Look for palettes that offer good color payoff and blendability.

4. Matte And Shimmer: A mix of matte and shimmer/metallic finishes can offer versatility, allowing you to create a wider range of looks, from daytime to dramatic evening makeup.

5. Consider Your Lifestyle: If you're always on the go, look for compact palettes with a mirror and application tool. If you love creating different looks, opt for a larger palette with a broad color range.

6. Ingredient Check: If you have sensitive skin, look for palettes that are free from irritants like fragrances or certain chemicals. Vegan and cruelty-free options are also available for those who prioritize ethical beauty.

7. Versatility: A good palette should serve multiple purposes. Consider if the shades can be used for highlighting your inner corner or under the brow bone, or if any can double as a blush or contour.

By taking these factors into account, you can select an eyeshadow palette that not only enhances your natural beauty but also fits seamlessly into your makeup routine.

Using eyeshadow palettes efficiently not only maximizes their potential but also can elevate your makeup game. Here are some tips to get the most out of your palettes:

1. Prime Your Eyelids: Always start with an eyeshadow primer to create a smooth base. This helps the shadow adhere better, making it last longer and appear more vibrant.

2. Understand Color Theory: Familiarize yourself with which colors complement each other and your eye color. This knowledge will help you blend shades more harmoniously.

3. Use the Right Brushes: Invest in a variety of brushes for different purposes: a flat brush for application, a fluffy brush for blending, and a pencil brush for detailing. The right tool can make a significant difference.

4. Blend, Blend, Blend: The key to professional-looking eyeshadow is blending. Use a clean, fluffy brush to blend the edges of each color smoothly, avoiding harsh lines.

5. Mix Textures: Don't be afraid to mix mattes with shimmers or metallics. Mattes are great for the crease and outer corners, while shimmers can highlight the center of the lid or the inner corner.

6. Highlight Strategically: Use lighter shades or shimmers to highlight the inner corner of your eyes and beneath your brow bone. This opens up the eyes and makes them appear brighter.

7. Layer Your Shadows: Start with lighter colors as a base and gradually add darker shades to build depth and intensity. Layering helps with blending and longevity.

8. Experiment with Color: Use the palette's variety to experiment with different looks. Even a bold color can be wearable if blended well with neutral shades.

9. Double-up Uses: Many eyeshadow shades can double as an eyeliner, brow filler, or highlighter. Use a damp angled brush to apply darker shades as liners, and match your brow color with suitable matte shades.

10. Keep It Clean: Regularly clean your palette and brushes to prevent color mixing and ensure the longevity of your beauty products.

11. Practice Makes Perfect: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations and techniques. Practice helps you discover what looks best on you.

12. Stay Inspired: Look up tutorials or images for inspiration on how to use your palette’s colors in new and exciting ways.

By following these tips, you'll not only use your eyeshadow palettes more efficiently but also have fun creating a wide range of looks that showcase your creativity and enhance your natural beauty.