From Natural Looks to Intense Smoky Eyes, These Eyeshadow Palettes Deserve a Place in Your Makeup Bag.
Is it just me, or have we collectively lost interest in eyeshadow palettes? My journey in beauty began around 2016, when eyeshadow palettes were the star of our makeup collections, and a cut-crease was the go-to eye look for any occasion. A 40-shade nude eyeshadow palette was considered essential for every makeup bag. However, over the last decade, dramatic eyeshadow looks have given way to more natural "no-makeup" looks and simplified eye makeup—perhaps just a quick swipe of an eyeshadow stick in some cases. Yet, as we shift away from the "clean girl" trend, it's hard to overlook the resurgence of eyeshadow styles around us. Blue eyeshadow is flooding my social media feeds, and more vibrant eye makeup and eyeliner are gradually making a comeback on runways after seasons of minimalistic looks with bare lids and no mascara. Regardless of current makeup trends, there’s still a spot for a quality eyeshadow palette in every makeup collection. Whether you prefer natural everyday eye makeup or a bold smoky eye, here are some of the best eyeshadow palettes available.
**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**
Makeup By Mario
Master Mattes The Neutrals Eyeshadow
Shade Options: 2
Colors: 12
Eyeshadow Finish: Matte
**Pros:**
- Wearable matte shades
- Easy-to-use neutral tones
- Available in both warm and neutral palettes
**Cons:**
- Those who prefer shimmer may lean towards the Ethereal Eyes palette
This is likely my most frequently used eyeshadow palette, perfectly suited for my hooded eyes which thrive on matte, neutral shades. It's incredibly user-friendly, making it ideal even for beginners, thanks to a carefully selected range of wearable shades across versatile matte finishes that can help create looks from everyday wear to evening glamour. It offers both a warm and neutral option, with the latter being perfect for daily makeup, in my opinion. The palette boasts 12 soft powders that blend seamlessly, whether used alone or together. They are well-pigmented but easily blendable, with zero fallout. For an eyeshadow palette that covers a variety of looks, I highly recommend this one.
**2. Hourglass Curator Eyeshadow Palette Realist**
**Best Eyeshadow Quad**
Hourglass
Curator Eyeshadow Palette
Shade Options: 6
Colors: 4
Eyeshadow Finish: Mix of matte, satin, metallic, and shimmer, depending on the palette
**Pros:**
- Features a mix of finishes
- Buttery soft powders blend smoothly
- Curated shades are easy to wear
**Cons:**
- A bit of an investment
If you often find yourself finishing off your favorite shades in a standard palette, then an eyeshadow quad might be the right choice for you. These curated palettes eliminate the frustration of unused shades and focus only on the ones you'll wear. Hourglass's eyeshadows are incredibly soft and blend beautifully on the eyes. Depending on your chosen palette, you can get a combination of satins, mattes, metallics, and shimmers, but if you prefer an all-matte option, I'd recommend The Minimalist. It’s great for transitioning from daytime looks to bolder evening styles. Although it's pricey, I use every shade, which makes it a worthwhile investment.
**3. Victoria Beckham Beauty Eye Wardrobe**
**Best for Smoky Eyes**
Victoria Beckham Beauty
Eye Wardrobe
Shade Options: 7
Colors: 4
Eyeshadow Finish: Mix of matte, satin, and shimmer, depending on the palette
**Pros:**
- Variety of wearable and on-trend shades
- Refillable
- Luxurious formulas and packaging
**Cons:**
- An investment
While Victoria Beckham Beauty is renowned for its iconic Satin Kajal Liners, those looking for a compact palette to achieve the perfect smoky eye should check out her curated Eye Wardrobes. These mini palettes simplify eyeshadow application, each containing four shades that range from versatile neutrals to trendier blues and everything in between, making them particularly suited for evening glam looks. Victoria Beckham’s favorite is the shade Victoria, which I'm also fond of—it works beautifully for brown eyes and is a great neutral palette for all eye colors. The shadows are luxuriously soft and blend flawlessly.
**4. Urban Decay Naked 2 Basics Eyeshadow
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From Natural Looks to Intense Smoky Eyes, These Eyeshadow Palettes Deserve a Place in Your Makeup Bag.
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