From Natural Looks to Deep Smoky Eyes, These Eyeshadow Palettes Should Have a Place in Your Makeup Bag.
Is it just me, or have we collectively lost our interest in eyeshadow palettes? I began my beauty career around 2016 when eyeshadow palettes were the stars in our makeup bags, with cut-crease looks being the standard for any occasion, and a 40-shade nude palette was essential. However, over the last decade, bold eyeshadow styles fell out of popularity in favor of a natural "no-makeup" look and minimal eye makeup, perhaps just a quick swipe of an eyeshadow stick if necessary. Yet, as we shift away from the "clean girl" aesthetic, it's hard to overlook the resurgence of eyeshadow trends happening now. Blue eyeshadow is trending on my social feeds, and more dramatic eye makeup and eyeliner are gradually returning to runway shows after many seasons of bare eyelids and no mascara. Despite the changing makeup trends, there's still a need for a good eyeshadow palette in everyone’s makeup collection. Whether you prefer natural everyday eye looks or wish to sport a sultry smoky eye, here are the absolute best eyeshadow palettes for the task.
**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-to-wear neutral tones, available in both warm and neutral palettes
- **Cons:** Shimmer lovers may prefer the Ethereal Eyes palette
This is likely my most frequently used eyeshadow palette, great for my hooded eyes that look best with matte, neutral shades. It's incredibly user-friendly, even for beginners, thanks to its carefully curated selection of wearable matte shades that allow for everything from natural eye makeup to sultry evening looks. It comes in warm and neutral color options, with the neutral palette being ideal for everyday use, in my opinion. With 12 natural shades that blend effortlessly, they're pigment-rich yet easy to sheer out, with zero fallout. If you're seeking a versatile palette that suits various eyeshadow styles, I highly recommend this one.
2. **Hourglass Curator Eyeshadow Palette**
- **Best Eyeshadow Quad**
- Shade Options: 6
- Colors: 4
- Eyeshadow Finish: Mix of matte, satin, metallic, and shimmer
- **Pros:** Contains a range of finishes, buttery-soft powders, easy-to-wear curated shades
- **Cons:** Investment purchase
If you tend to use only a few favorite shades from a standard palette, an eyeshadow quad might be the ideal choice for you. These curated palettes prevent you from accumulating lots of unused shades, focusing instead on the ones you'll actually wear. Hourglass's eyeshadows are incredibly soft and blend seamlessly. Depending on your chosen palette, you'll find a mix of satins, mattes, metallics, and shimmers. For those wanting an all-matte option, I recommend The Minimalist. Its compact size makes it perfect for transitioning daytime looks into bolder evening ones. Although it's pricey, 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: Mix of matte, satin, and shimmer
- **Pros:** Variety of wearable and trendy shades, refillable, luxurious formulas and packaging
- **Cons:** Investment purchase
While Victoria Beckham Beauty is perhaps best known for its Satin Kajal Liners, if you're looking for a compact palette for achieving the perfect smoky eye, her Eye Wardrobes should definitely be on your radar. These mini palettes make eyeshadow application simple, featuring four shades that range from universally flattering neutrals to trendy blues, allowing for numerous eye looks. Particularly suited for evening makeup and glamorous looks, I followed Victoria's favorite shade, Victoria, and can confirm it's excellent for brown eyes, while also serving as a neutral palette for all eye colors. The luxurious, buttery pigments blend flawlessly every time.
4. **Urban Decay Naked 2 Basics Eyeshadow Palette**
- **Best Matte Eyeshadow Palette**
- Shade Options: 1
- Colors: 6
- Eyeshadow Finish: Matte
- Urban Decay's Naked Palettes
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From Natural Looks to Deep Smoky Eyes, These Eyeshadow Palettes Should Have a Place in Your Makeup Bag.
You'll use up every color.
