Just like fashion, makeup trends come and go. The ‘80s were all about neon eyeshadow, the ‘90s saw ultra-thin brows, and we're still trying to forget the fake tan craze of the early aughts. But there's one makeup look that’s been a staple through the decades: neutral eyeshadow. We’re talking about the nudes, taupes, browns, and blacks that complement every skin tone. Think of the best nude eyeshadow palettes as the makeup equivalent of a white button-up—a classic that can be used over and over again for a variety of looks.
Given the timelessness of nude eyeshadow palettes, it should come as no surprise that makeup artists reach for them time and time again. “In my personal experience with neutral eyeshadow palettes, they are remarkably versatile and I have a habit of blending and utilizing all the shades,” says celebrity makeup artist Dominique Lerma. So versatile are neutral palettes in fact, that the best kinds can create anything from glamorous glittery eyeshadow looks and dramatically defined eyes to the more subtly contoured makeup that's great for daytime wear.
Whether you prefer easy everyday looks or tend to mix and match all kinds of colors, you can’t deny that a great neutral eyeshadow palette is a necessity in your makeup bag. If you’re looking to refresh your selection, or don’t have one yet (no shade—pun intended), you’ve come to the right place. We’ve consulted the experts on exactly how to weed out the best palette for you and got their favorites. From Charlotte Tilbury’s The Sophisticate to the cult-favorite Urban Decay Naked, these are the best neutral eyeshadow palettes ever.
The Best Neutral Eyeshadow Palettes
- Best Overall Neutral Eyeshadow Palette: Too Faced Born This Way The Natural Nudes Eye Shadow Palette
- Best Budget Neutral Eyeshadow Palette: Morphe 35U Gilded Desert Artistry Palette
- Best Luxury Neutral Eyeshadow Palette: Bobbi Brown New Nudes Eye Shadow Palette in Blushed Nudes
- Best Matte Neutral Eyeshadow Palette: Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette: the Neutrals
- Best Shimmer Neutral Eyeshadow Palette: Natasha Denona Glam Eyeshadow Palette
- Best Versatile Neutral Eyeshadow Palette: Patrick Ta Major Dimension Eyeshadow Palette
Too Faced is genius for creating this palette. Not only are these nude, rose, and brown shades gorgeous, but you'll notice that the matte shades come in a bit larger pan than the sparkly ones. Matte shades are ideal for every day, meaning you'll get way more use out of them than the fun glittery ones. This palette earns major bonus points because each of these shadows is infused with skin-loving ingredients like coconut water and hyaluronic acid, meaning they apply smoothly and easily.
Pros: Includes a mix of finishes; Highly pigmented; Long-wearing; Blendable; Infused with skincare ingredients; Includes 16 shades.
Cons: Reviewers note some of the glitter shades have fallout.
Morphe is a beauty brand that gives you a ton of bang for your buck. For under $30, you get just about every neutral shade you could want in this palette (35, to be exact!) and a range of finishes. From warm browns, rose tones, and cool nudes, this palette really has it all. Each shade has an impressive amount of color payoff and applies so silky, that you'll be shocked that they are powders.
Pros: Under $30; Includes 35 colors and a mix of finishes; Highly pigmented; Has a range of undertones.
Cons: Some reviewers note the packaging feels cheap.
Cassandra Garcia, Bobbi Brown’s Global Makeup Artist, considers this rose-toned palette her "all-time favorite." This particular version (there's a gold-toned and smokey variation, too) is full of neutral blush tones you can use to create a range of looks from a soft, everyday glam to a dramatic smokey eye. We love that this palette has a range of finishes—matte, shimmer, and metallic—so you can really switch up your look from day to day. Each shade is long-wearing and blends together so nicely. Despite only having five shades, this palette will last you thanks to its big pans.
Pros: Pro-approved; Includes a mix of finishes; Long-wearing; Big pan size.
Cons: Some reviewers note the shimmer shades have fallout.
As a top pick for pro makeup artist Isabel Y Rosado, this just-released eyeshadow palette is already a favorite among experts. She says this 90's makeup-inspired palette has so many flattering shades for all skin tones. The magic behind this palette is the truly neutral shades—nothing is too warm, or too cool. As for how it performs, I can personally attest that these shadows blend like a dream. I used just three shades (MN2, MN5, and MN8) to create an everyday smokey eye, and boy, was I blown away by the final result. The subtle differences in the shades made for a contoured effect that had me believing I was a makeup artist, even though I'm the furthest thing from it.
Pros: Pro- and editor-approved; Shades work for all skin tones; Blendable; Highly pigmented; Applies smoothly; Includes a mirror.
Cons: Includes only matte shades.
Another favorite of Rosado's, this palette has a variety of finishes but I want to draw your attention to the shimmers that make up most of the shades. These all have a pretty metallic finish that you can switch up the intensity with your application: use an eyeshadow brush for a more subtle finish or use your finger or a damp brush for a high-impact payoff. Understand these aren't the chunky glittery shadows of your middle school days, so you won't experience any of that pesky fallout. What's more, is that every shadow is labeled for its ideal placement. Talk about ease.
Pros: Pro-approved; Includes a mix of finishes; Easy to apply; Highly pigmented; Includes a mirror; Includes 15 shades.
Cons: Expensive.
MC's Beauty Editor Samantha Holender personally attests that this palette is worth the investment, saying she's "hit pan on each and every square." Because of this palette's incredible versatility, you may find yourself a new go-to. Complete with two creamy bases, velvety matte and metallic shades, and fun pearlescent toppers, you can create multidimensional looks for day to night. Mix and match shades to your heart's content and rest easy knowing that you'll use every color.
Pros: Editor-approved; Blendable; Highly pigmented; Long-wearing; Vegan formula; Includes a mix of finishes and textures.
Cons: Expensive.
Also Recommended
If you want to feel like a pro makeup artist while doing your eyeshadow, turn to Viseart's palettes. Because of their incredible blendability and high-impact color, pros everywhere have this palette stashed in their kits. Case in point: Lerma says she "cannot live without" this palette. "The pigments are long-wearing, they’re easy to blend, highly pigmented, and the packaging is compact and easy to travel with," she explains about her top pick.
Pros: Pro-approved; Highly pigmented; Long-wearing; Blendable; Multi-use formula; Travel-friendly.
Cons: Only comes with matte shades; Expensive.
An oldie but a goodie, this list would be incomplete without Urban Decay's Naked palette. Sadly, the iconic original palette has been discontinued, but we now have this rose-toned version that, dare I say, may be better than the OG. The rosy eyeshadows make my hazel eyes pop from a mile away by highlighting the green tones. I honestly think these shades would look great on anybody, though, because they are just as gorgeous. Another major bonus is that this palette comes with a mirror and its own eyeshadow brush that not only works surprisingly well but makes this palette a must-have on vacations.
Pros: Editor-approved Consists of a mix of finishes; Highly pigmented; Blendable; Long-wearing; Includes a mirror and dual-ended eyeshadow brush; Travel-friendly.
Cons: Some reviewers note the lighter shades have fallout.
While this palette is on the pricier side for four shades, Charlotte Tilbury products have top-notch quality. This one is another one of Garcia's top picks as it comes with four complementing shades that work together to create a range of looks. Each one delivers major color, is non-creasing, and easily blends together. Use one or two shades for a pared-down everyday look, or go more multi-dimensional by combining them together, which is what they're intended for. Use the lightest shade all over the lid and upper browbone, the second-lightest shade to enhance your crease, and the darker two shades to line your lashes and smoke everything out.
Pros: Pro-approved; Buildable; Highly pigmented; Vegan formula; Easy to apply.
Cons: Only comes with matte shades.
In my humble opinion, Tarte makes some of the best eyeshadow palettes on the market, and they are actually a great value. This 12-pan palette has some of my favorite smokey colors to blend in the crease for a defined eye, plus the matte base shades pair beautifully. There are glimmery shades too, in case you want to get a little more fun with your look. You can skip around the palette to create a personalized look or use my favorite method and work across in rows to take out the guesswork in choosing complementary colors.
Pros: Editor-approved; Under $50; Includes a mix of matte and shimmery shades; Long-wearing; Dermatologist-tested.
Cons: You may need to layer the lighter shades for better color payoff.
If you're wanting a pro-approved palette that has different neutral shades than you're used to, here it is. Although they are on the warmer side, Lerma says these browns and sunset shades are "universally flattering against every eye color shade and complexion." Don't be intimidated by the rust colors, either. They make for fun shades to play with if you're in need of a pop of color. Lerma enjoys them, too, adding "Rust browns will forever be staples in my kit and for my personal use."
Pros: Pro-approved; Highly pigmented; Long-wearing; Blendable; Multi-use formula; Travel-friendly.
Cons: Only includes matte shades; Expensive.
Don't sleep on Colourpop for affordable, high-quality makeup. The brand is a fan favorite for luxury-like products at a budget-friendly price, as we can see with this top-rated eyeshadow palette. It includes 30(!!!) cool-toned shades with a mix of purples, smokey greys, deep black and browns, and a bunch of fun metallics. The world is your oyster with a palette as big and varied as this one. Nearly every Ulta review mentions the high color payoff these shadows give, not to mention shoppers love their blendable, long-wearing finish.
Pros: Highly pigmented; Blendable; Includes a mix of finishes; Great value; Under $50; Long-wearing.
Cons: Reviewers note there is some fallout with the lighter shades.
Everyone's preferred smokey eye makeup is going to be a little different. Some may prefer deep, dark stormy greys while others may prefer a shadowy pop of color. Either way, this palette can do any smokey eye your heart desires. Shades include a mix of staple mattes, shimmers, and, my personal favorite, metallics. The metallic shades Rebelle, Maverick, and Haphazard pack a punch of statement-making color and all you need to do to apply this is use your finger and swipe across your lid. I also like to use the creamy black shade as eyeliner or when I'm feeling really bold, as a base to make my eyeshadow look last longer.
Pros: Editor-approved; Includes a mix of finishes and textures; Highly pigmented; Long-wearing; Blendable; Applies smoothly.
Cons: Expensive; Some fallout with metallic shades.
Another neutral palette Lerma turns to is Bodyography's Forever Summer palette. She says, "Twelve gorgeous shades of creamy matte and metallic eyeshadows that are a combination of tan, warm brown, gold, and bronze tones. I especially love that their formulas are cruelty-free, vegan, and gluten-free. When I want to keep my eyeshadow matte, I love to use a Champagne gold metallic shade (Bubbles) on my inner tear duct to brighten the inner eye and gives the look a wide awake feel."
Pros: Pro-approved; Includes a mix of finishes; Vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free formula; Under $50.
Cons: Contains more warm-toned shades than cool.
What to Look For in a Neutral Eyeshadow Palette
Not every nude eyeshadow palette on the market is going to fit your needs—and that's ok! To narrow them down, Rosado says to ask yourself two questions: "First do you like warm or cool tones? Then, do you prefer mattes, shimmers, or both?" Here, we dive into both factors to help you answer those questions.
- Tones
First and foremost, the most important factor to consider when shopping for your next favorite neutral eyeshadow palette is the tones and shades it offers. For Garcia, nude skin-like shades are a must to start the eye with, then she says to make sure there’s a taupe shade. “I love a taupe shade to make sure I have my soft defining shade for my crease and under the eye,” she explains. Meanwhile, Lerma recommends a wide range of brown shades. “When I am on the hunt for a new eyeshadow palette, I like to look for one that carries a few matte, neutral brown, warm brown, and rust-colored shades,” she explains.
Nude palettes also typically fall under one of three categories: cool-toned, warm-toned, or true-neutral. While Rosado says this boils down to personal preference, you may find that the palettes that match your skin's undertone will complement you the best. She argues, though, that "warm neutrals are so flattering amongst all."
- Finishes
This one also comes to personal preference, but having a variety of eyeshadow finishes will ensure you can create any look your heart desires. I, for one, am a huge fan of glitter eyeshadows for both daily wear and going-out looks. I also recognize the power of matte shades, though, as does Lerma who says, “Matte eyeshadows tend to be the most universal shades and can be used for daily eyeshadow looks." Unless you have a strong preference, you can't go wrong with a palette that has a mix of finishes.
How to Use a Neutral Eyeshadow Palette
The best neutral eyeshadow palettes can run the gamut of eye makeup looks—that's what makes them the best. Use them to nail your smokey eye makeup, create monochromatic looks, or add subtle contour to your eyes.
These palettes are true multitaskers through and through, but Lerma has two easy looks to get you started. First, she shares what she calls a "primed eye," using matte shades. Choose a brown shade that's two to three shades darker than your skin tone and go over your crease in a windshield motion. This will create major depth to the eye and is what Lerma calls, "a primed eye." She adds, “This technique is an old makeup hack and has been used by educators for decades.”
The beauty pro also has a go-to look that uses just three shades: A creamy light color to use across the lid and brow; a light brown or caramel-colored brown to add definition in the crease; and an espresso shade to smoke out the outer corners. “The result of using the right tools and intentional technique is remarkable, and that’s only using three eyeshadow shades,” she explains.
Meet the Makeup Experts
Dominique Lerma a Hollywood bred Internationally published Makeup Artist and Beauty Educator, known for her ability to create flawless complexions and innovative beauty looks. She grew her love for makeup artistry at a very ripe age and began beautifying faces for her fellow classmates at her all girl parochial high school. Her self taught passion flourished while she was given the opportunity of working with the world reknowned Mac Cosmetics and soon became a Viva Glam Ambassador. Her 9 years in the beauty industry has landed her on the pages of Instyle, Nylon, Runway, and Photo Vogue Italia. Dominique’s vast resume includes Beauty, editorial, celebrity, advertising, rebranding and bridal. She serves as a Beauty Educator for Frankie Rose Cosmetics and is a bilingual traveling sales representative for both Enzo Milano Professional Hair Styling Tools and Royal Langnickel Brush. Her creative expertise consists of Makeup artistry, hairstyling and men’s grooming.
Cassandra Garcia is a New York-based makeup artist. As an optimist and naturally curious person, Garcia is at ease working across all types of mediums and creating a broad range of looks, whether it’s an effortlessly undone or an iconic red carpet moment. Her celebrity clients include Kate McKinnon, Aidy Bryant, Heidi Gardner, and Vanessa Bayer, and her work can be found in publications such as Glamour, Marie Claire, GQ, and Hollywood Reporter. In addition, brands such as Reem Acra, Cynthia Rowley, Jenny Packham, Tibi, and Veronica Beard have called on Garcia’s expertise for runway looks. Garcia represents Bobbi Brown Cosmetics as its resident editorial makeup artist.
Isabel is a pro makeup artist born and based in New York City. She's worked with brands and publications such as Yves Saint Laurent, Hill House, Moda Operandi, Teen Vogue, Elle Mexico, Glossier, Levi's, Office Magazine, and more. Her work has graced the red carpet with the likes of Sarah Hoover, Michelle Hellman, and Mollie Acquavella. Isabel is also a member of the Latinx Creatives Collective.
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