The 10 Best Eyeshadows for Darker Skin Tones That Will Make Your Eyes Pop

Palettes, pigments, and shimmers with incredible color payoff.

model wearing bold eyeshadow
(Image credit: Francois G. Durand)

Whether you’re on the hunt for a metallic shimmer, do-it-all palette, or bright and bold quad, there’s a few things to keep in mind when looking for the best eyeshadow for dark skin tones. You want a color that won’t disappoint in the pigment department and pops against the skin, says Danessa Myricks, makeup artist and founder of Danessa Myricks Beauty. “The pigmentation of the product is a really big deal,” she says. “For deeper skin tones, it's about making sure that the colors are true. When the colors aren't true, that's when they can appear chalky and muddy on the skin." 

While dramatic, bright colors are easy to find thanks to brands like Pat McGrath, Juvia's Place, Huda Beauty, and more, nailing down the nude hue that works best for dark skin tones might seem a little trickier. "A lot of people think that there are certain neutral shades that they can't wear based on their skin tone, but the contrast is great. If somebody wants to keep it soft and doesn't want too much of a wow [factor], just think less contrast," Myricks says. "For example, if you have warm brown tones in your skin, a lighter, cool-toned brown shadow would create more contrast rather than mimicking the tone that exists in the skin already." 

Keep scrolling for Myricks' (and our) picks.

Taylore  Glynn

Taylore Glynn is the Beauty and Health Editor at Marie Claire, covering skincare, makeup, fragrance, wellness, and more. If you need her, she’s probably roasting a chicken, flying solo at the movies, or drinking a bad Negroni at JFK.

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