The best eyeshadow palettes can help to elevate your makeup look by complementing your eye color and natural features, following the latest beauty trend, or simply adding a little sparkle to your look.
So if you've nailed the basis of how to apply your makeup and are looking to add more than simply a slick of the best eyeliner, a trusty eyeshadow palette is the perfect tool. We'd recommend looking for a palette with enough versatility to give you a few different looks out of it—but there are other factors to think about, too, such as the overall makeup look you're going for, how many shades come in the palette, the texture and pigment of the formulas, and how long the eyeshadow lasts once applied.
Our in-house beauty expert and deputy editor, Aleesha Badkar, tested several great eyeshadow palettes on the market—including picks for all budgets, be it luxury or affordable. She found Charlotte Tilbury's Instant Eye Palette in Pillow Talk to be the perfect all-rounder that suits any eye color and ticks all the boxes with its diverse range of dreamy pink shades—while Sleek MakeUP I-Divine Palette defies all expectations for a budget palette.
Meet the expert on eyeshadow palettes
- Warren Dowdall is Senior Pro Artist for Bobbi Brown. He has advised My Imperfect Life readers on choosing an eyeshadow palette, including the shades that will really make specific eye colors pop.
- Morag Ross is a celebrity make-up artist and UK spokesperson for SUQQU. She has shared some tips for choosing a good eyeshadow palette.
How we tested the best eyeshadow palettes
When testing the best eyeshadow palettes, I used each palette a few times to try out all of the different color combinations that each one offered and test how versatile each one really was. I also made sure to test each palette with a similar face of makeup on—including a contoured base, a touch of blush and highlighter, a light tight line, a small slick of liquid eyeliner and mascara—to make sure that my perspective of my finished look wasn't skewed at all.
As I have quite oily skin, I wore each eyeshadow over a thin layer of primer to help each look last as long as possible and try and minimize the risk of creasing. I also took the following criteria into consideration.
- Shade range—both number of shades and the versatility of the color palette
- Texture of product
- Pigment
- How loose the shadow was
- Staying power
- Packaging—should be sturdy enough to protect the eyeshadows but light enough to carry around
When deciding which eyeshadow palettes to test, I selected a range of popular and bestselling products, as well as options from brands that I like or that have a good reputation. I also tested palettes that had been recommended to me by friends and other industry experts, including makeup artists and well-known beauty journalists.
When testing these palettes, one of the most important factors for me was staying power—especially as I'm prone to oily skin, so I often find that eyeshadows can gather in the crease of my eyelid after just a couple of hours. Being of South Asian origin, I'm also very aware of pigment; no matter how bright a shade might look in the palette, if the pigment is weak it often doesn't show up well on my skin.
The best eyeshadow palettes reviewed by our in-house beauty expert
Charlotte Tilbury is known for its beautifully packaged make-up products and high-quality formulations—and this palette doesn't disappoint. It's just what you need for a soft, romantic, and dreamy look.
The colors in the palette—a range of pink and nude shades—suit pretty much every eye color (I think), and it has the right balance of mattes and shimmers to take you seamlessly from day to night and everything in between. And while the four different trios make it a great option for beginners or for those who prefer a more simple make-up routine, the selection of shades can also be mixed and matched for more exciting looks that still blend beautifully together.
When testing, I loved the texture of the powder, which allowed for the perfect amount of product to be collected on the brush for an impactful hit of pigment without going overboard. My only niggle with pigment was that the smoky options didn’t quite pack the punch that I was looking for when it came to using on my slightly darker skin tone. I did also find that the product collected slightly in the eyelid crease after a long day of wear—even with a primer underneath. That being said, it did last for most of the day without fading, so a spritz of setting spray over the top might be the fix you need if you find the same occurring.
And I can't talk about a Charlotte Tilbury product without mentioning the aesthetics—the signature rose gold case gives you a hint of how special this palette is and would look fabulous on any dressing table. J'adore!
See our full Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Instant Eye Palette review to learn more about how it works with different eye colors
Here to prove that an eyeshadow palette doesn’t have to cost you more than your actual evening out, the Sleek All Night Long was love at first sight for me. The striking neutral shades made me truly excited to dip in and start mixing and matching to find the best look for me, with a balance of mattes and shimmers that make it a lot more versatile than it might seem at first glance.
I love the pop of red that you can match with a sparkly chocolate, pretty muted mauve or glamorous gold, and I found that the pigment was surprisingly high-quality, meaning that each shade really did stand out even on my darker skin tone—making it one of the best eyeshadows for dark skin on my list. One gripe I did have was that the formula only properly stayed put for a few hours, so a spritz of a good setting spray could be worthwhile with this one.
Too Faced’s Born This Way range of foundations and concealers is designed to suit the natural hues of all skin tones and this eyeshadow palette definitely fits in with the gang. With four different groupings of gorgeous neutral shades, ranging from champagne through to a rosy nude combination, a caramel gold option, and a silky chocolate look, you can create a range of neutral looks to suit whatever your skin tone.
When using, I found that both the matte and shimmer shades blended with a satin-like feel and the addition of coconut water and hyaluronic acid in the formula left my lids feeling on the softer side—even after a day of heavy make-up, which was really nice to experience.
There are so many beautiful things you can do with this rare eye color, which means there are a couple of different routes that you can take when it comes to eyeshadow combinations. I love the NARS Quad eyeshadow palettes for their brilliantly matched shades that come together to create one impactful look—and the compact size makes them easy to pop in your bag for a top-up whenever you need.
If you want to go for subtle, Silver Screen features a pearly white, two silver variations, and a powdery smokey black—so was basically made to live in unity with grey eyes. But if you want to opt for something more striking, the warm golds with a touch of red in the Singapore will make grey eyes pop for a dramatic look. It's pricey, but I reckon it's worth the splurge—especially considering the powerful pigment and robust staying power that comes with this high-quality shadow.
It’s fair to say HUDA Beauty knows what they’re doing when it comes to eyeshadow palettes. The brand has built up a stellar reputation in the beauty industry for delivering some of the highest quality eye make-up products around—many of which come with striking individual qualities. And this delicious drop is no different.
Now I’ve said this is best for brown eyes simply because of its velvety brown shades, but with pinks, purples and golds also thrown in there for good measure, it could really suit any eye color. The seamless selection of eye-catching shades each pair perfectly with each other, with unique reflective marble creams alongside the usual mattes and metallics that I found really allowed me to create texture in my look. And there’s even a never-before-seen gloss shade that contains bronze and berry pearls inside to create an exclusive holographic color that made for a stunning modern eyeshadow hue.
Though black eyes are actually just VERY dark brown eyes, they do suit slightly different shades to lighter brown eyes. This celestial-looking palette is the perfect one to pair with deep, dark, and enigmatic eyes—which I can attest to more than most, as this is the eye color category I fall under. The depth and intensity of this eye color means that it can handle more shadowy hues without looking like you’ve sustained an injury, so I found that the dramatic purple with a touch of sparkle paired beautifully.
I also love the delicate pink shades that complement the more powerful violet shades, while the golds and coppers lend themselves to a sparkly look that will add a touch of luxury and sophistication to the eyes. The pigment was powerful enough for my skin tone and the staying power was super impressive—there are no downsides to this palette that I could find!
How to choose the best eyeshadow palette for you
Eyeshadow palettes are one of those make-up bag stars that have become a bit of a status symbol in the last couple of years, with big names like Urban Decay and HUDA Beauty usually taking the crown as everyone’s go-to best eyeshadow palettes—but for good reason. The two brands have mastered what it means to be a good eyeshadow palette with their versatile shades and textures. But that’s not all to take into consideration when picking the best eyeshadow palette for you...
“The first thing to consider when choosing an eyeshadow palette is the versatility of the colors and how you would use each of them,” advises Morag Ross, celebrity make-up artist and UK spokesperson for SUQQU. “Always look for something that contains lots of colors that appeal to you, rather than being dazzled by two shades and never touching the rest.”
She continued, “I always recommend looking for neutral shades first, but also something that will enhance your eye make-up and is multi-purpose,” explains Morag. “You want to be able to create an easy day look that is neutral and soft, but also be able to dip into the same palette to pump up the make-up for a party look.”
How to select eyeshadow that suits your eye color
“If you’re after a subtle look, look for analogous shades,” says Bobbi Brown Senior PRO Artist Warren Dowdall. “These are shades that are grouped beside each other on the color wheel. These colors are similar to your natural eye color. For example, if you have brown eyes, muted browns will look pretty and soft.
“The other option is to go for contrasting shades,” he adds. “These are shades that are opposite to your natural eye color on the color wheel. These shades will add vibrancy and really pop the eyes.”
What are the best eyeshadow colors for blue eyes?
Champagnes, bronzes, and coppers, Dowdall advises. “Warm metallics and sparkle shades really look stunning, and for a more muted look, warm neutrals work beautifully.”
Which eyeshadow colors suit green eyes?
Soft nudes with a pop of purple. “Use a rich aubergine or amethyst eyeshadow on a slightly damp brush and brush it along the lash line. Soft mauves are another option, and pair these with a caviar black liner”, says Dowdall.
What are the best eyeshadow colors for brown eyes?
Cool chocolates, plums, metallic silvers, and greenish hues. Dowdall says: “Dark brown eyes can take quite a lot of depth so don’t be afraid to go dramatic with smoked-out black eyeliner.”
Which eyeshadow colors suit hazel eyes?
Metallic browns, golds, and greens to enhance the warmer tones of gold and green flecks hazel eyes sometimes have. “Antique and dusty pinks are also a really pretty option, but try and avoid overly heavy smokey eyes as this can make the eye color look dull”, Dowdall adds.
How do you clean an eyeshadow palette?
Apply a little makeup remover to a Q tip or reusable cotton pad. Then, carefully wipe around the edges of each pan to clean away stray eyeshadow that's built up within the palette. For the mirror, wipe with a dry piece of tissue first, then use diluted vinegar to clean any smears.
How long do eyeshadow palettes last?
Wondering, does eyeshadow expire? While palettes do tend to last longer than other makeup products such as mascara, eventually your eyeshadow will expire. If the packaging doesn't have a specific use-by date, look for an open cosmetics jar symbol with a number in that indicates how many months your shadows are good for. If you can't see this and your palette is made up of powder eyeshadows, it should probably be used within 2-3 years.
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