From Natural Looks to Bold Smoky Eyes, These Eyeshadow Palettes Merit a Place in Your Makeup Bag.

From Natural Looks to Bold Smoky Eyes, These Eyeshadow Palettes Merit a Place in Your Makeup Bag.

      Is it just me, or has everyone lost their passion for eyeshadow palettes? I began my beauty career around 2016, a time when eyeshadow palettes were essential in our makeup bags, and the cut-crease look was the preferred style for any outing, with a 40-shade nude eyeshadow palette being a staple. However, over the past ten years, dramatic eyeshadow styles have faded, replaced by the more natural "no-makeup" look and minimal eye makeup—often just a quick swipe of an eyeshadow stick. Nonetheless, as we move away from the "clean girl" trend, it’s hard to overlook the resurgence of eyeshadow. Blue eyeshadow is currently trending across social media, and more vibrant eye makeup and eyeliner are gradually making a comeback on runways, after seasons featuring bare eyelids and no mascara. Regardless of makeup trends, a high-quality eyeshadow palette still has its place in everyone’s kit. Whether you prefer a natural everyday look or want to go for a striking smoky eye, these are the top eyeshadow palettes to consider.

      **Best Eyeshadow Palettes**

      **Best Overall:** Makeup By Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette (£55)

      **Best Eyeshadow Quad:** Hourglass Curator Eyeshadow Palette (£67)

      **Best for Smoky Eyes:** Victoria Beckham Beauty Eye Wardrobe (£72)

      **Best Matte Eyeshadow Palette:** Urban Decay Naked 2 Basics Eyeshadow Palette (£30)

      **Best Affordable Eyeshadow Palette:** E.l.f Perfect 10 Eyeshadow Palette (£11)

      1. **Makeup By Mario Master Mattes The Neutrals Eyeshadow**

       **Best Overall**

       **Shade Options:** 2

       **Colors:** 12

       **Eyeshadow Finish:** Matte

       **Pros:** Wearable matte shades, easy neutral tones, available in warm and neutral palettes.

       **Cons:** Those who prefer shimmer might like the Ethereal Eyes palette instead.

       This palette is likely my most frequently used, perfect for my hooded eyes as it excels with matte, neutral shades. It's user-friendly, making it suitable for beginners, thanks to its thoughtfully curated selection of wearable shades in versatile matte finishes, allowing you to create anything from natural looks to sultry evening styles. It offers both a warm and neutral palette, with the neutral being ideal for everyday use. Containing 12 natural-looking shades in soft powders that blend easily, they are pigmented yet simple to sheer out, with no fallout. If you're searching for a versatile eyeshadow palette, this one comes highly recommended.

      2. **Hourglass Curator Eyeshadow Palette Realist**

       **Best Eyeshadow Quad**

       **Shade Options:** 6

       **Colors:** 4

       **Eyeshadow Finish:** Various (mix of matte, satin, metallic, and shimmer depending on the palette)

       **Pros:** Includes a mix of finishes, buttery soft powders blend seamlessly, and features curated shades.

       **Cons:** Considered an investment.

       If you often use up certain shades in a typical eyeshadow palette, an eyeshadow quad might suit you better. These curated palettes ensure you only have the shades you love without excess. The Hourglass eyeshadows are luxuriously soft and blend smoothly onto the lids. Depending on the palette, you can expect a combination of satins, mattes, metallics, and shimmer; if you prefer an all-matte option, The Minimalist (shown above) is my top pick. It's compact, making it easy to carry for transitioning from daytime to bolder evening looks. It is pricey, but I use every shade, making it a worthwhile investment.

      3. **Victoria Beckham Beauty Eye Wardrobe**

       **Best for Smoky Eyes**

       **Shade Options:** 7

       **Colors:** 4

       **Eyeshadow Finish:** Various (mix of matte, satin, and shimmer depending on the palette)

       **Pros:** Offers a range of both wearable and trendy shades, refillable, with luxurious formulas and packaging.

       **Cons:** An investment purchase.

       While Victoria Beckham Beauty is renowned for its iconic Satin Kajal Liners, if you’re seeking a compact palette for the ideal smoky eye, her Eye Wardrobes are a must-see. These mini palettes simplify eyeshadow application. Each palette contains four shades, ranging from the most wearable neutrals to on-trend blues, enabling a variety of eye looks. They're particularly effective for evening make-up and glam looks. Following Victoria's lead, I tried the palette named Victoria and found it excellent for brown eyes while being suitable for all eye colors. The pigments are wonderfully buttery and blend beautifully.

      4. **Urban Decay Naked 2 Basics Eyeshadow Palette**

       **Best Matte Eyeshadow Palette**

       **Shade Options:** 1

From Natural Looks to Bold Smoky Eyes, These Eyeshadow Palettes Merit a Place in Your Makeup Bag. From Natural Looks to Bold Smoky Eyes, These Eyeshadow Palettes Merit a Place in Your Makeup Bag. From Natural Looks to Bold Smoky Eyes, These Eyeshadow Palettes Merit a Place in Your Makeup Bag. From Natural Looks to Bold Smoky Eyes, These Eyeshadow Palettes Merit a Place in Your Makeup Bag. From Natural Looks to Bold Smoky Eyes, These Eyeshadow Palettes Merit a Place in Your Makeup Bag. From Natural Looks to Bold Smoky Eyes, These Eyeshadow Palettes Merit a Place in Your Makeup Bag. From Natural Looks to Bold Smoky Eyes, These Eyeshadow Palettes Merit a Place in Your Makeup Bag. From Natural Looks to Bold Smoky Eyes, These Eyeshadow Palettes Merit a Place in Your Makeup Bag. From Natural Looks to Bold Smoky Eyes, These Eyeshadow Palettes Merit a Place in Your Makeup Bag. From Natural Looks to Bold Smoky Eyes, These Eyeshadow Palettes Merit a Place in Your Makeup Bag. From Natural Looks to Bold Smoky Eyes, These Eyeshadow Palettes Merit a Place in Your Makeup Bag. From Natural Looks to Bold Smoky Eyes, These Eyeshadow Palettes Merit a Place in Your Makeup Bag.

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From Natural Looks to Bold Smoky Eyes, These Eyeshadow Palettes Merit a Place in Your Makeup Bag.

You'll reach the bottom of every hue.