If you’re not in love with your current eyeshadow palette, I promise you: you just haven’t found the right one. When you discover the best eyeshadow palettes to suit your aesthetic, no shade will go untouched. But as is true with most categories in the beauty world, it’s easy to get blinded by pretty packaging and seemingly limitless options.
When you *really* get into the details of eye makeup shades, finishes, and wearability, though, you’ll notice that the best eyeshadow palettes should check a handful of non-negotiable boxes. Celebrity makeup artist Ashlee Glazer tells Marie Claire that she asks herself the following questions before investing: “Does it have a variety of colors to be used for more than one function? Is there a medium blending tone and a glitter eyeshadow? Is there a popular, everyday shade I’ll always reach for?”
While there are plenty of 12-plus pan palettes, four shades are really all you need. “A perfect palette has a medium or bright-toned lid color, a rich, deep tone for definition or liner, a blending shade that is a combination of the first two, and something with a sparkly finish or frosty tone to highlight or add a pop,” says Glazer.
Whether you're looking for an everyday eyeshadow palette or some gifting inspiration in advance of the holiday season, we have you covered. From the glitter eyeshadows at Charlotte Tilbury to the unbeatable neutral eyeshadow palettes from Patrick Ta and every buzzy brand in-between, these are our favorite tried-and-tested eyeshadow palettes.
Best Eyeshadow Palettes
- Best Eyeshadow Palette Overall: Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette: The Original
- Best Do-It-All Eyeshadow Palette: Lawless The Little One Talc-Free Eyeshadow Palette
- Best Eyeshadow Palette for Beginners: Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Eyeshadow Palette Pillow Talk
- Best Luxury Eyeshadow Palette: Prada Beauty Dimensions Multi-Effect Refillable Eyeshadow Palette
- BestVersatile Eyeshadow Palette: Patrick Ta Major Dimension Eyeshadow Palette
- Best Buildable Eyeshadow Palette: Pat McGrath Mothership VI: Midnight Sun
Great for beginners and seasoned pros alike, this fully matte palette from Makeup by Mario is timeless and well-deserving of a spot in anyone’s makeup drawer. Consisting of 12 universally flattering neutrals—from soft white to intense black and everything in between—it offers endless creative possibilities. Whether you’re going for a natural, “my-eyes-but-better” look or prefer to turn up the drama, its lightweight yet deliciously creamy formulas have you covered. Each shade applies evenly with medium buildability and blendable coverage for beautiful, long wear.
Number of Shades: 12
Finishes: Matte
What We Love: Universal shades; buildable; cruelty-free
What We Don’t: No shimmers
Review for MC: “I really like the idea of ‘eye contouring’—that is, using matte and neutral colors to shape your crease, add depth to your lashline, or bring forth your inner corner. The Makeup By Mario Master Mattes palette is my go-to because it has every shade I need to softly define my eyes for a lunch meeting or add a ton of depth before an event. The palette has a nice balance of cool/warm tones and light/dark colors, making it a great option for a pretty wide variety of skin tones and undertones. These shades are super buttery and blendable, and with the right eye primer, they stay on for what can feel like forever.” — Isabella Sarlija, Freelance Beauty Writer
With 12 universally-flattering matte neutrals, this palette is a great option for a wide variety of skin tones and undertones.
If one-and-done is your eye makeup motto, this palette is for you. With eight shades, including a light cream primer and a jet black that can be used as a smudged eyeliner, this quite literally has everything you could ever need to achieve your go-to makeup look. There’s a handful of light neutrals great for daytime, bold and sparkly hues for when you want a fun pop, and deeper tones that come in handy when you want a smoky eye or more intense glam. Pro tip: Apply the shimmer shades with your finger for a stronger sparkle effect and wet the colors you want to make into a liquid liner.
Number of Shades: 8
Finishes: Matte, shimmer, metallic
What We Love: Editor favorite; great neutral shades; good for color correction and eye-liner
What We Dont: Shades lean warmer
Review for MC: “This nifty little palette has become my most loved and used (and trust me, I own a lot). With these eight essential matte and shimmery neutrals, I can create everything from low-key daytime looks or turn things up a notch for nighttime. They have a smooth, velvety feel and blend like an absolute dream. Plus, the slim compact makes it the perfect travel essential—since it has everything you need, there’s no need to pack anything else!” — Jenna Igneri, Freelance Beauty Writer
This slim compact contains eight essential mattes and shimmers, making it perfect for travel.
Don’t get me wrong, 12-pan palettes have their time and place. But if you’re looking for a palette that delivers one perfectly curated eye look, Charlotte Tilbury has you covered. These compact little quads help to make a statement-making eye more beginner-friendly. Each set has a prime, enhance, smoke, and pop, so you know exactly what to do with each color. However, my obsession with this guy is rooted in the long-wear results and blendable formula. It stays looking fresh from a.m. to p.m. and miraculously never creases. What's more, there’s a set for every undertone and aesthetic.
Number of Shades: 4
Finishes: Matte, shimmer
What We Love: Editor favorite; travel-friendly; non-creasing
What We Don’t: Small color range
Review for MC: "I'm a Charlotte Tilbury girl through and through (seriously, I've tried every single product). But the Luxury Eyeshadow Palette in Pillow Talk is undoubtedly among my top three favorites. I use it quite literally every single day. The pinky hues make my blue eyes pop, there's never any fallout, and the four-pan color combination is perfect for creating a look that's subdued enough to wear to work or shimmery enough for a night out. I'm not a pro, so I usually just mix the lighter and darker pinks across my lid, pop some shimmer in the center, and drag the burgundy onto my lower lash line." — Samantha Holender, Beauty Editor
This four-pan palette is great for creating both subdued daytime and shimmery nighttime looks.
When Prada launched its Prada Color lineup of cosmetics earlier this year, we couldn’t wait to get our hands on it—these eyeshadow palettes, in particular. Inspired by the fashion house’s archival prints, they contain four thoughtfully curated powder formulas that allow you to experiment with pared-down and bold looks alike. Each palette includes a unique set of three neutrals and one vibrant accent shade in matte, satin, and metallic finishes, all housed in a gorgeous two-tone metallic compact that you’ll want to keep on display at all times. Also nice? They’re refillable, so once you use it all up, you’ll only need to purchase a refill rather than the entire compact (which saves you some $$$ along the way).
Number of Shades: 4
Finishes: Matte, satin, metallic
What We Love: Editor favorite; refillable
What We Don’t: Pans are shallow, so colors mix easily
Review for MC: “I’ve been obsessing over Prada Beauty since the launch of its full lineup of makeup and skincare, and this palette became an instant favorite. Despite containing all powder formulas, they have a light, buttery-soft feel to them that’s super comfortable for all-day wear. Plus, they blend beautifully. The accent shade requires a bit of building up for a truly bold look, but as a non-pro, this allows for fewer mistakes! If you have hazel eyes like me, go with 01 Portrait—you’ll be amazed at how much the azalea shade makes your eyes pop. I like to dab it in my inner corners for a fun twist.” — Jenna Igneri, Freelance Beauty Writer
These eyeshadows have a light, buttery-soft feel and blend beautifully.
This palette is worth the investment—and you can trust me here. I’ve hit pan on each and every square. Versatility is at the forefront, with a mix of cream bases, velvety mattes, metallic shades, and opalescent toppers for an extra little pop. Mixing and matching is great, but if you look closely, you’ll notice the palette is technically broken down into three uber-compatible quads. No matter what combo you choose, I promise that everything is super wearable. Nothing will feel too intense or bold off the bat—it’s buildable by design.
Number of Shades: 12
Finishes: Matte, cream, shimmer, metallic
What We Love: Editor favorite; many finishes; easy to blend
What We Don’t: Not very long-wearing
Review for MC: "When I need to pull myself together with a little low-key glamour, I pull out this beautiful, sleek eye palette. The magic is that there’s a little bit of everything in the 12 shades—there are two sheeny cream bases, four buttery matte powders, three fine, pearlescent shimmers, and three disco-glitter metallics, all in warm, neutral tones. The rich pigments are all super flattering on their own, but they also layer effortlessly. You can brush them on for an easy wash of color or work them into a full-on smokey eye. They blend so smoothly with maximum payoff and zero fallout. I like to dab Divine in the inner corners of my eyes to brighten and layer Transition, Scandal, and Exquisite for something more defined when I’m headed out to date night. No matter what look I’m going for, the palette really delivers presto fabulousness." — Brianna Peters, Freelance Beauty Writer
The rich pigments in this palette are super flattering on their own, but they layer effortlessly to create a variety of different looks.
This is a party palette if we've ever seen one. While there are matte, shimmer, satin, and glitter finishes to spare, our favorite shade is Blood Moon: a warm copper that glistens upon application. As is typical with all Pat McGrath shadows, these are reflective as can be, buildable to the max, and pigmented as hell. (Editor’s note: While the shades can be used dry, spray them with a setting spray to get a liquid metal effect.)
Number of Shades: 10
Finishes: Matte, satin, shimmer, glitter
What We Love: Editor favorite; multiple finishes; intensely pigmented
What We Don’t: Expensive
Review for MC: “I’ll be honest…I’m not much of a smoky eyeshadow person, and you’ll rarely find me wearing anything super sparkly, but this Pat McGrath Labs palette is the exception. The initial pigment payoff of McGrath’s shadows is unmatched, and they build up nicely for incredibly vibrant color. The mattes are great as a base for contouring and creating dimension, and the shimmers and metallics have a luxurious, fine glimmer; they’re not super glittery or chunky. More importantly, they stay put for hours without any sparkly fallout—important for a late night out. This palette has quickly become my go-to for more special occasions when I want my eyes to be the center of attention.” — Jenna Igneri, Freelance Beauty Writer
Quite the party palette, you’ll find ten pigment-packed shades in a range of matte and sparkly finishes.
Other Eyeshadow Palettes We Love
A solid eyeshadow palette doesn't have to break the bank—look to this Maybelline 12-pan drugstore eyeshadow palette. It's a neutral lover's dream, with browns, taupes, hits of ivory, and a gold pop comprising the palette. “It’s a great example of a palette that offers it all, and if you aren’t looking to break the bank, it’s a budget-friendly option,” notes Caroline Baribeau, a makeup artist represented by Honey Artists. Even with an affordable price tag, quality's not compromised—every color blends seamlessly and looks flawless.
Number of Shades: 12
Finishes: Matte, shimmer
What We Love: Expert-recommended; affordable; great basic color selection
What We Don’t: Some fallout
Hands down, the worst part about investing in an eyeshadow palette is letting a handful of colors go to waste. The good news? Hourglass has a solution with this genius product, which lets you create the palette of your choice. “This palette is a more economical buy than most; the upfront cost is more, but once you start using it, I find that replacing one shadow at a time is better than replacing a whole palette when your favorite color runs out,” says Stephanie Peterson, a makeup artist represented by Art Department Agency. “Also, it allows you to pick colors that all suit you, rather than a palette where only two or three colors suit your needs.” Take your pick from a wide variety of single-shade inserts and pop ‘em on into the gold shell, and you’re ready to go!
Number of Shades: 5
Finishes: Matte, satin, shimmer, metallic
What We Love: Editor favorite; refillable; customizable
What We Don’t: Pans are somewhat difficult to pop in and out
Ever-versatile, these five-shade palettes contain everything you need to create an entire eye look, including soft day shades for contouring, sculpting, lifting, and a smoldering shade, should you wish to create something more dramatic for the evening. The long-wear formulas stay put all day—there's no need to touch up at lunch. "Lancôme's eyeshadow palette has more cool tones that work well for a clean girl aesthetic,” notes makeup artist Jonet Williamson. “The matte shadows are super easy to blend, and the shimmer is the perfect hint of champagne that would work well for just about every complexion.”
Number of Shades: 5
Finishes: Shimmer
What We Love: Expert-recommended; versatile; long-wearing
What We Don’t: Pigment requires building up
Pigment is the name of the game with this bold beauty buy. With everything from deep navy blues to pops of bright pink, there’s ample opportunity to have some fun with your makeup look. While a handful of shades are certainly daytime-appropriate, the fun shimmers and intense mattes can up the ante on your eye makeup for a night out. Peterson notes that Mented Cosmetics’ shades are so richly pigmented, so she considers them her go-to when working with darker skin tones. “They really understand complementing deeper skin tones beautifully,” she says. As if this palette couldn’t get any better, it’s also vegan, non-toxic, and cruelty-free.
Number of Shades: 10
Finishes: Matte, shimmer
What We Love: Expert-recommended; highly pigmented; vegan
What We Don’t: Deceiving color depiction in photos
Beauty lovers everywhere mourned when Urban Decay announced the discontinuation of their iconic Naked palette. Fortunately, this gem came along to appease our sorrows. The brand’s Reloaded palette comes with the same versatile shades that we know and adore—satin nudes, peachy creams, metallic bronze, and rich browns—allowing us to create a variety of natural and dramatic eye looks. “This palette has a great range of colors with a nice variety of mattes and shimmers,” says makeup artist and hairstylist Gregg Hubbard. “It’s easy to use regardless of skill level, too, making it a great gift for the new-to-makeup wearer.” The velvety formulas are not only long-lasting and highly pigmented, but they’re also cruelty-free!
Number of Shades: 12
Finishes: Matte, satin, shimmer, metallic
What We Love: Great for every day; flattering on all skin tones
What We Don’t: Texture is slightly chalky
If you prefer mattes over shimmers and glitters, this is the palette for you. "These eyeshadow palettes are a makeup artist's best-kept secret (not so secret). The color payoff is beautiful, and this particular Warm Mattes SlimPro palette complements any complexion shade,” says makeup artist Dominique Lerma. Its 12 shades include a mix of warm neutrals and a handful of bold, pigment-packed shades like fiery Flame and golden Saffron, allowing you to create endless looks. An added bonus? “The powder formula also allows you to use them as a highlighter, blush, or contour—now that’s a win!” adds Baribeau.
Number of Shades: 12
Finishes: Matte
What We Love: Expert-recommended; great staple
What We Don't: No shimmers
What to Look for in an Eyeshadow Palette
Skill Level
"When deciding to add an eyeshadow palette to your makeup collection you'll want to consider the type of makeup looks you want to achieve and also your skill level," says Williamson. "If you're a beginner, pick up a palette you can use day to night."
Variety
While strictly matte or glitter palettes have a place, a great eyeshadow palette typically contains a combination. "Look for one that has some really good matte textures (black, brown, and a nude) that suit your complexion as well as two to three shimmers: one more neutral for daytime, a pressed glitter for more glam looks, and a warmer tone or fun pop of color," says Williamson.
Payoff
"When choosing an eyeshadow palette, I tend to gravitate towards a product or brand with a beautiful color pay-off," says Lerma. "Look for something finely milled, which means a little goes a long way during the application process."
How Many Eyeshadow Palettes Do I Need?
How many palettes is too many? Ask a beauty editor this question, and they’ll tell you the sky’s the limit. But really, Baribeau and Peterson agree that most folks can get away with just a few.
Peterson recommends owning a neutral daytime palette and a deeper palette for the night. “I find it super helpful to have a mix of deeper matte shades for shaping and lighter shimmer shades for highlighting and adding dimension,” she says. “I also love it when a palette has one poppy color—like a bonus color you can play with.”
It comes down to how much you like to play with different shades and colors, adds Baribeau. “If you’re pretty simplistic when it comes to eyeshadow colors, you can get away with owning one or two palettes—there are so many great options that have a range of shades from light to dark with a variety of mattes and shimmer.”
How Do I Use an Eyeshadow Palette?
So, you bought a stunning 12-shade palette…and you have no idea how to use it. As Hubbard explains, eyeshadow palettes allow you to create multiple looks from one product, and most often, these shades are curated to work well with one another. When in doubt, start from light to dark, says Baribeau. “Lighter or highlight shades should be placed on the inner corner of the eye and brow bone, medium tones in the middle, and the darkest shades on the outer corner of the eye.”
Peterson recommends thinking of your eye like a painting, using dark colors to deepen and light colors to bring shapes forward. “Light, shimmery colors add incredible dimension and highlight and can make your eyelid or inner corner pop.”
Pro tip? “If you want shadows to be softer, stick with a fluffier brush, as it will better diffuse the product,” says Baribeau. “Denser brushes will apply the eyeshadow more compactly. But regardless of how you apply, always blend for a seamless look.”
How Long Does an Eyeshadow Palette Last?
Unfortunately, your most prized eyeshadow palettes won’t last forever. “Makeup packaging will have an image of a small open jar with a number next to it—that’s your ‘best by’ date, given in months,” explains Peterson. “For example, if it has a number six next to it, your palette is best used within six months. Powder-based palettes can usually go a little further than the date listed, but if you notice a change in texture or the color is off, it’s best to toss.”
How to Fix a Broken Eyeshadow Palette
“There’s no worse feeling than when your favorite palette crashes down on the bathroom floor—but don’t worry, it’s an easy fix!” says Baribeau. To begin, crush the cracked eyeshadow pieces with a toothpick or pencil tip until you form a powder. “Then spray the eyeshadow with isopropyl alcohol until it has a good soaking, then pack it back together with a tissue—I like to wrap the tissue around a small coin for a firmer surface,” she says. Press down for 30 seconds, then wait for your palette to dry completely—it’ll be as good as new!"
How to Clean an Eyeshadow Palette
If your palette needs a deep clean, Peterson and Baribeau suggest spritzing a light mist of isopropyl alcohol over the entire palette—the moisture will evaporate relatively fast, so you can pick your brush back up in no time. If you notice your colors have spilled into each other, causing them to muddle, Peterson recommends spraying each shade with alcohol and then rubbing the top layer in a circular pattern with a clean spoolie brush. Then, gently tap the excess powder out. “This will bring back the brilliance of the original color,” she says. Similarly, Baribeau cleans up muddled shades with a baby wipe. “I prefer this over a makeup wipe, as it doesn’t leave any residue on the palette,” she says.
Meet the Experts
Born and raised in Maryland, Caroline discovered her love for the arts from a young age. This love for fine art, theater, and dance drew her to New York City. It was here that she reconnected with a friend who introduced her to the world of makeup. Caroline felt she was finally able to combine her passion for the arts in one medium: makeup.
Caroline works as a makeup artist in editorial, advertising, commercial, and TV/film. She enjoys crafting every makeup look through showcasing one’s natural beauty. She is known for her easygoing attitude, professionalism, and attention to detail.
Stephanie Peterson is a skilled and versatile makeup artist whose passion for beauty began at a young age. Growing up in Houston, she worked alongside her mother at the makeup counter, where she also had the opportunity to witness the rise of the Laura Mercier line and collaborate with global artists. Early in her career, Stephanie gained extensive product knowledge while working for iconic brands such as Hard Candy, Chanel, Clinique, Hourglass, NARS, Shiseido, and countless more. After moving to New York City, Stephanie transitioned to working on set, collaborating with photographers and studios, and refining her craft. Her experience assisting top artists and participating in New York Fashion Week solidified her place in the industry.
Now represented by Art Department, Stephanie has contributed to countless exciting photoshoots for national beauty and fashion campaigns flying all over the world, embracing every opportunity to learn, grow, and explore the world of makeup artistry.
Makeup Artist Jonet Williamson discovered her love for art at a very early age. While growing up in New Orleans, one of the world's most eclectic and inspiring cities, Jonet was admitted into the gifted art program of her magnet high school. Here, she began to master color theory, symmetry, texture, and innovation. From paint brushes to makeup brushes, she has used those same skills to solidify her style as a pro within the beauty industry.
In 2005, Jonet began her journey in beauty, working as a makeup artist for M.A.C. Cosmetics. Here, the feeling of connecting with other women and helping them see the beauty within themselves became her greatest passion.
With a willingness to learn and an eye for perfection, Jonet moved to New York City in 2014, determined to further her artistry and career. Since then, her work has been featured in commercial campaigns (Dolce & Gabanna, Levis, Shea Moisture), editorials (Essence, L'Officiel), and TV and film productions (CBS, MTV, TNT).
Gregg Hubbard has touched faces and lives from Bangkok to Berlin, Toronto to Taipei. Select commercial and editorial clients include: Lee Jeans, Cushnie, Eileen Fisher, Carolina Herrera, Lulu Lemon, Nike, Gortex, Allure, Elle, Harper's Bazaar, Refinery29, and Vogue.
Dominique Lerma is 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 when she was given the opportunity to work with the world-renowned M.A.C. Cosmetics and soon became a Viva Glam Ambassador. Her 9 years in the beauty industry have 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.
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