14 Best Eyeshadow Palettes for Beginners to Ace Unique Makeup Looks

Written by Sayantani Deb, Makeup & Beauty Writer
Updated on Feb 22, 2024
Best Eyeshadow Palette for Beginners
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Getting a perfect eye makeup look can be effortless with these best eyeshadow palettes for beginners that come in a variety of colors and are easy to use. Based on our observations, when you’re new to the world of makeup, choosing the best eyeshadow palette can be overwhelming. You may need to test different finishes and colors to figure out what compliments your skin tone the best. However, with the eye area being delicate, it’s important to invest in eyeshadow palettes that feature a smooth texture and are easy to apply. That’s why these eyeshadow palettes are perfect for beginners. You can experiment with different eye makeup looks without hurting your delicate eye area.

Another feature that stands out about these eyeshadow palettes for beginners is their longevity and staying power. Applying and reapplying eyeshadow to maintain the perfect look can be daunting. Frequent touch-ups make the application tiring and annoying as well. So, read through this article to get your hands on the best long-lasting eyeshadow palettes for beginners to get the eye makeup game going.

14 Best Eyeshadow Palette for Beginners

Add a pop of color to your eyes with this glam eyeshadow palette by NYX Professional Makeup. It features 16 pigmented colors that glide on the skin smoothly to make the application easy and effortless. From matte to satin and shimmery to metallic, you get a wide range of mesmerizing finishes to make your eye makeup look stand out. So, even if you're a beginner, this product provides a variety of colors and finishes to start with. After going through the experience of customers, we came across this review that sums it up - “I was looking for a colorful palette and came across this one. It is so beautiful and the colors are bright. I already used it twice and the colors do not disappoint.  If your looking for fun colors to play with, try this palette out, you will love it.”

Pros
  • Bold colors
  • Cruelty-free
  • Long-lasting
  • Highly pigmented formula
  • Wide range of colors
Cons
  • Inefficient packaging
  • Best Buildable Texture

    Prism Makeup Highly Pigmented Eye Makeup Palette

    Prism Makeup Highly Pigmented Eye Makeup Palette
  • The beautiful eyeshadow colors this palette by Prism Makeup provides is all you need to up your eye game. Featuring a blendable texture, you can create a perfect smokey or feisty look effortlessly. With this richly pigmented palette, you are in for a treat, as it has glittery, natural, metallic, and shimmery shades that complement your love for sparkling and alluring looks. Slay flattering looks as this eye makeup palette instantly illuminates your eyes.

    Pros
    • Buildable texture
    • Versatile
    • Easy to use
    • Glides smoothly
    • Suitable for sensitive skin
    Cons
    • Small in size
  • Best Gentle Formula

    Jane Iredale PurePressed® Eye Shadow Palette

    Jane Iredale PurePressed® Eye Shadow Palette
  • When you are new to the world of eye makeup, you need an eyeshadow palette that contains a variety of shades and is easy to use. From metallic ivory to a matte creamy look, it has a wide variety of shades to create glamorous and timeless looks. While most eyeshadow palettes do only the work of making your eyes pop out with bold and beautiful colors, this does more than that. Its nourishing formula comprises skin-nourishing ingredients, shea butter, pine bark extract, and jojoba seed oil, all of which work synergistically to calm and moisturize the skin while imparting a creamy finish.

    Pros
    • Safe for sensitive eyes
    • Talc-free formula
    • Cruelty-free
    • Creamy texture
    • Glides on smoothly
    • Cruelty-free
    Cons
    • Packaging could be better
  • Best Gentle Formula

    Maybelline New York The Blushed Nudes Eyeshadow Palette

    Maybelline New York The Blushed Nudes Eyeshadow Palette
  • Designed to accentuate your eyes, Maybelline’s eyeshadow palette is the perfect pick to create both natural and dramatic looks. Infused with rose gold, bronze, and beige pigments, it is a go-to palette to create dazzling looks and make heads turn. You can easily blend the creamy colors to experiment with new looks every day. It comes with a double-ended sponge applicator so you can stash it in your purse to make on-the-go application easier. This 12-shade collection ensures your love for neutral and dramatic looks doesn’t fade.

    Pros
    • Affordable
    • Gentle formula
    • Long-lasting colors
    • Travel-friendly
    Cons
    • None
  • Best Smudge-proof Shades

    L.A. Girl Cosmetics Beauty Brick Eyeshadow Collection

    L.A. Girl Cosmetics Beauty Brick Eyeshadow Collection
  • You can add brilliance to your eye makeup with this wonderful eyeshadow palette by L.A. Girl. Meant to spruce up your makeup looks, the satin finish of these shades feels light and soft on your eyes. When we tested out this product, we found that this nude eyeshadow palette is crease-proof, so you don’t have to worry about the colors rubbing off or cracking. The delicate nudes and bold neons ensure you’re in for a luxurious makeup experience.

    Pros
    • Cruelty-free
    • Smooth texture
    • Easy to use
    • Smudge-proof colors
    Cons
    • A bit powdery
  • Best Travel-friendly

    URBAN DECAY Naked Mini Eyeshadow Palette

    URBAN DECAY Naked Mini Eyeshadow Palette
  • URBAN DECAY Naked Mini Eyeshadow Palette is meant to achieve epic makeup looks. Owing to the velvety texture of the colors, you’d love how softly they sit on your eyes without weighing them down. The superior blendability offered by this palette makes it an instant favorite, as you can unleash your creativity and settle for the look that suits your eyes the best. After trying this product, we found that it’s a great addition to amp up natural and smokey looks.

    Pros
    • Compact
    • Excellent coverage
    • Suitable for daily wear
    • Blendable formula
    • Creamy consistency
    Cons
    • Difficult to remove
  • Best Waterproof Pick

    Vodisa Nude Neutral Eyeshadow Palette

    Vodisa Nude Neutral Eyeshadow Palette
  • Vodisa’s nude eyeshadow palette is a versatile pick for both daytime and party makeup looks. It contains a balanced mix of neutral shimmer shades and warm and cool mattes for adding glitz and glam to your eyes. With a rich color combination, you can make your special occasions extra cheerful and beautiful. The high-quality ingredients ensure your eyes don’t suffer while you create a feisty makeup statement. Don’t be surprised if this palette becomes your go-to for amplifying your overall appeal.

    Pros
    • Waterproof
    • Rich colors
    • Available in 25 colors
    • Good quality ingredients
    Cons
    • Not long-lasting
  • Best Variety of Shades

    UCANBE Professional 86 Colors Eyeshadow Palette

    UCANBE Professional 86 Colors Eyeshadow Palette
  • Vivid and bright, the extensive color range of UCANBE’s professional eyeshadow palette will make it your instant favorite for all the right reasons. This wonderful palette contains 86 shades, including 30 vibrant and 30 warm shades, making it an amazing addition to your beauty cabinet. You can pull off minimalistic and bold makeup looks with this beauty that offers everything you need to transform your eye game, even if you’re a beginner. This product is a complete package, as it also comes with 15 brushes that smoothen your makeup application.

    Pros
    • Easy to remove
    • Wide range of shades
    • Pigmented colors
    • Great gifting option
    • Blends smoothly
    Cons
    • Inadequate packaging
  • Best Ophthalmologist-tested

    Revlon PhotoReady Eye Contour Kit

    Revlon PhotoReady Eye Contour Kit
  • Create limitless makeup looks with this eye contour kit by Revlon. Equipped with a primer, 3 shadows, and a shimmery topcoat for highlighting, it’s a lovely pick to kickstart your eye makeup adventure. The wet/dry formula of the colors allows you the flexibility to achieve vibrant looks with different depths and intensities — so you can create distinct looks each day. With its double-sided applicator, you get more control and precision over the application.

    Pros
    • Lightweight
    • Easy to apply
    • Smooth consistency
    • Buildable formula
    • Ophthalmologist-tested
    Cons
    • Might not be suitable for minimal looks
  • Best Paraben-free Formula

    Wet n Wild Always Naked Palette

    Wet n Wild Always Naked Palette
  • Wet n Wild’s eyeshadow palette is meant to unlock numerous eye makeup looks so you don’t have to settle for the same look every day. This eyeshadow palette is a diverse selection of shimmery, matte, and glittery finishes, and that’s what makes this palette a go-to for trying out a new makeup effect for special occasions. Our beauty experts loved how this luxe creamy formula glided on the skin smoothly. So, get the makeup brush out and indulge in flattering looks that last long, as this product delivers the perfection you aim for.

    Pros
    • Paraben-free
    • Fragrance-free
    • Cruelty-free
    • Easy to blend
    • Rich consistency
    Cons
    • Inefficient packaging
  • LORAC Pro Matte & Shimmer Eyeshadow Palette

    LORAC Pro Matte & Shimmer Eyeshadow Palette
  • Loaded with nourishing ingredients, LORAC’s eyeshadow palette is a treat to the eyes. The luscious colors offered by this palette are velvety smooth and cover the eye area evenly. Boasting superior longevity, you can rely on this palette for maintaining your eye makeup look without worrying about constant touch-ups. The colors don’t get cakey and feature a smooth matte finish that is meant to grab the spotlight.

    Pros
    • Travel-friendly
    • Gentle formula
    • Glides evenly
    • High-quality texture
    Cons
    • May not be long-lasting for people with oily skin
  • Best for Contact Lens Wearers

    Almay Blue Eye Eyeshadow Palette

    Almay Blue Eye Eyeshadow Palette
  • You can enhance your eye color effortlessly with this eyeshadow palette by Almay. It features a vitamin-E enriched primer base that evens out your eye area, protects it from the damaging effects of environmental stressors, and keeps your eyelids soft and smooth. The antioxidant-rich composition of this palette works its way into your eyes to maintain the natural texture of your eyes, leaving them healthy and soft. Our beauty experts loved using this palette, as it is devoid of harsh chemicals, including parabens, SLS, triclosan, mineral oil, formaldehyde, phthalates, and DMDM hydantoin.

    Pros
    • Hypoallergenic formula
    • Ophthalmologist-tested
    • Cruelty-free
    • Doesn’t contain fragrance
    • Suitable for sensitive eyes
    • Safe to use for contact lens wearers
    Cons
    • A bit glittery
  • LAURA GELLER NEW YORK The Delectables Pink Prosecco Baked Eyeshadow Palette

    LAURA GELLER NEW YORK The Delectables Pink Prosecco Baked Eyeshadow Palette
  • Featuring a creamy and crease-proof consistency, Laura Geller’s eyeshadow palette simplifies creating stunning looks. It consists of 14 matte and shimmer shades, so you get a good line-up of finishes available to experiment with as much as you please. You can go for pink, rose, gold, and subtle neutral shades to make your makeup look flawless and beautiful. The lush consistency of the colors results in minimal rubbing off to maintain your hued looks. You also get one blending eyeshadow brush to keep the application easy and breezy.

    Pros
    • Ideal for gifting
    • Creamy texture
    • Fade-proof
    • Suitable for night occasions
    Cons
    • Less pigmented
  • Ecvtop Professional Makeup Kit Eyeshadow Palette

    Ecvtop Professional Makeup Kit Eyeshadow Palette
  • This versatile eyeshadow kit by Ecvtop is a must-have to revamp your beauty kit. Apart from getting 20 eyeshadow colors, you’re in for a surprise, as it comes with 5 colors lip gloss, 1 concealer, 2 colors blush, and 1 color face powder to indulge in a lavish makeup experience. The pretty leopard case, mirror, and eyeshadow brush are welcome add-ons so you can apply these beautiful colors with ease. Give your eyes a lovely touch-up with this product meant to serve fashion goals.

    Pros
    • Pigmented colors
    • Good longevity
    • Comes with a pretty case
    • Travel-sized
    Cons
    • Not too bold

    Now that we have explored some of the best eyeshadow palettes for beginners, here are some tips to choose the best one for you.

    How to Choose the Best Eyeshadow Palette for Beginners?

    1. Check the Formula

    One of the most important factors to consider before buying the best eyeshadow palette for beginners is ensuring the formula is both blendable and buildable to get the smoothing effect. The pigmented texture of eyeshadow colors also helps get the depth and coverage you need for a particular event and outfit. NYX Professional Makeup Ultimate Shadow Palette and Revlon PhotoReady Eye Contour Kit feature excellent buildable formulas to make the application flawless.

    2. Assess the Longevity

    Frequent touch-ups may ruin the look you want to flaunt. Getting the coverage and depth right may feel tiring if you need to redo it again and again. To ensure the eyeshadow gives a rich color payoff without smudging or rubbing off messily, you should go for an eyeshadow palette that offers a long-lasting finish. Maybelline New York The Blushed Nudes Eyeshadow Palette features good quality colors with superior longevity so that your looks remain polished and spotless.

    To help you keep up the longevity, our contributor Ghanima Abdullah, an experienced cosmetologist and beauty consultant, suggests, “Use an eye makeup primer before you apply your eyeshadow to enhance the longevity of your eyeshadow. Then when you set your face with a mist, your eyes will receive the treatment. Between these two, your eyeshadow will last much longer than normal.”

    3. Color Availability

    Our contributor Ghanima Abdullah says, “Eyeshadow is so much about self-expression and trying new shades and colors. If you're new to wearing eyeshadow, you can't go wrong with neutral shades. Try colors that are slightly darker than your skin tone to experiment with.”

    As a beginner, you need to experiment with a lot of colors and looks to figure out what suits your skin tone and eyes the best. Hence, it’s important to invest in an eyeshadow palette that offers a variety of colors so that you can pick and choose new colors every day to create different looks without worrying about the limited color options. UCANBE Professional 86 Colors Eyeshadow Palette is a great pick that comes with 86 shades so you don’t miss out on the beautiful shades and can let your creativity loose.

    Contributor: Ghanima Abdullah, Cosmetologist, The Right Hairstyles

    Conclusion

    Eye makeup may not seem to be an easy feat when you’re a beginner. The variations in formulas, colors, and texture can make finding the perfect palette overwhelming. These best eye shadow palettes for beginners are game changers, as they feature a huge variety of colors and are easy to apply, apart from being richly pigmented. So, slay with confidence and get the perfect smokey and dramatic looks effortlessly, as these are meant to enhance your eyes with a smooth finish and beautiful color.

    FAQ's

    Should beginners invest in high-end eyeshadow palettes?
    Yes, beginners can invest in high-end eyeshadow palettes to create stunning makeup looks.
    Are matte or shimmer shades better for beginners?
    Matte shades are suitable for natural looks, while shimmer can be a good pick for parties and special events.
    Are there specific colors that are suitable for beginners?
    No, there are no specific colors that are suitable for beginners.
    How many shades should a beginner's palette contain?
    A beginner’s color palette should at least have 6 shades to choose from.

    Why Trust Pinkvilla

    Sayantani, our makeup expert, loves a pop of color in her eyes. However, what caught her attention this time was how overwhelming and confusing it can be for beginners to get the perfect eyeshadow palette. Her love for smokey and dramatic looks encouraged her to find something for her friends who keep asking about makeup tips and tricks for beginners. After exploring the best picks for beginners, she suggested the best palettes and UCANBE Professional 86 Colors Eyeshadow Palette stood out for all the right reasons. The 86 shades of this palette make the experience fun, plus they are easy to apply and highly pigmented, so nothing better than that!

    Our product experts study the specifications of every product we suggest and try them out to bring what’s proven to be worthy of your money, time, and energy. We also have subject matter experts from various fields like Fashion, Skincare, Haircare, Home Decor, and Health & Fitness onboard to make sure our suggestions are credible and trustworthy. You can trust Select to be your faithful shopping guide for all the right reasons!

    Author BIO
    reviewer
    Sayantani Deb
    Makeup & Beauty Writer

    Sayantani is a certified hair and makeup professional turned writer with 2+ years of experience in the same genre. Ap More