Best Eyeshadow Palettes: From Budget to Luxe

; brands, and at just $3, you have little reason not to try multiple colorways. It’s a versatile choice, and of these affordable palettes, the “Rose Water” and “Carnival Candy” colorways are the crowd favorites. The colors, though mattes, are surprisingly blendable and stand well on their own or mixed and matched with other shadows, and the color payoff is truly something to marvel at. While the packaging may feel a bit flimsy (and it is), we’re fans of the compact size and inclusion of a small mirror. There’s zero weight to this palette, so it’s an absolute no-brainer for travel. Like any good find, the Bite Size Palette sells out incredibly fast, so if you spot your favorite colors at your local or preferred online stockist, don’t hesitate to snag one or four! Incredibly inexpensive Includes mirror in packaging Great color payoff for the pricepoint Zero to minimal fallout Perfect for beginners and makeup minimalists Multiple colorways Limited availability and often sells out quickly Flimsy packaging Best luxury palette: Byredo “Eyeshadow 5 Colors” — $75.00 A far cry from the typical pan or duo or quad, Byredo’s five-color curation is as inspiring as the niche brand’s iconic scents. They feel reminiscent of a collector’s item, and we love this quality coming from a luxury brand as we start to see more and more throwaway launches from other prestige counterparts. A unique variety of looks are possible with this small but mighty palette: Think subtle washes of color with depth or buildable bold, monochrome looks to mix and match, however your mood strikes. Each shade wears exceptionally well on its own, with or without primer, but when combined, they create a blend that’s second to none. These shades are divine both used dry and worn wet for even more pop. Velvet pouch for portability Includes mirror in packaging Ultra-luxe color stories Stunning packaging Easy-to-blend formulas No fallout Perfect for makeup minimalists and collectors Pricey Includes power nut allergens Best cool-toned palette: Urban Decay “Naked2 Basics” — $35.00 The original “Naked” palettes are iconic for good reason. We lean on “Naked2 Basics” as a nonnegotiable cool-toned staple because it’s easy to use and does what it says without any glistening gimmicks. With just six ultra-neutral shades, it’s flush with taupes and greys that form a solid base for any smoky eye, contour, or liner play. The colors in this palette fit the bill, offering range and depth to really play with and personalize your look, no matter how casually or seriously you’re wearing your makeup. The formulas blend buttery smooth without fallout and can be sheered out for a truly soft focus look, or built up for something far more intense. Travel-friendly compact Easy-to-blend formulas Great for creating soft focus looks Perfect for makeup minimalists and neutrals lovers Only includes one finish: satin-matte Limited shade range Best warm-toned palette: Charlotte Tilbury “The Bella Sophia” Luxury Eyeshadow Palette — $55.00 Warm honeyed hues are what make up the magic of “The Bella Sophia.” Machhausen attests: “When creating a warm day look for someone with blue eyes, golden shades can really pop.” Adding this palette to our rotation has been a game changer, not only because the colors are divine and iridescent, but also because the textures are unrivaled. You can use these shades in layers to build and blend for an endless number of effortlessly lavish looks—and for those sensitive to eyes, they’re even safe to layer, offering no irritation. Touring the spectrum from a soft peach, golden, and rich amber, and coming equipped with two unique textures (a fabulous pop of glitter and velvety rich matte alternative) promotes confident and creative use with this palette. The ‘Magic in Matte’ shade, Machhausen says, can be “used to create softness and dimension when contouring the eye, whereas the ‘Magic Glitter’ can be added to the base of the lid for a classy finish.” Travel-friendly compact Includes mirror in packaging Ultra-luxe color stories Great for creating soft focus looks Perfect for makeup minimalists and neutrals lovers Pricey Limited shade range Only includes one finish: satin-matte Best matte palette: Makeup by Mario “Master Mattes” Eyeshadow Palette — $50.00 Anything that Mario Dedivanovic, the Picasso of makeup, reaches for invariably reaches cult status. His “Master Mattes” Palette, curated with a discerning client roster in mind, serves as a go-to for the red carpet looks for his A-list clientele. It’s just as versatile for your everyday looks, so don’t let the boldness of the pigment intimidate you, says Machhausen. “This palette combines ultra-matte textures and ultra-pigment intensity with a powdery, smooth texture,” he says. But here’s the thing: “You can wear these shadows in a subtle, fine blend or get creative with washes of ultra-intensity.” Every shade is soft and creamy to lay down and layer with, and there’s no fallout in sight, no matter how much you build or blend. Travel-friendly compact Ultra-pigmented colors Soft and creamy textures Easy-to-blend formulas Great for all skin tones and neutral lovers Pricey Limited color selection Best versatile palette: Isamaya “Wild Star” Pressed Pigment Palette — $105.00 Bold eye looks are a must, says Machhausen—and if that sounds intimidating, well, you’re not alone. There’s an ethos within bold options, and this includes bringing your wild side to the forefront. “By layering color and using pigments in a thin translucent wash, we can take a person that’s not necessarily accustomed to bolder looks into something extraordinary,” he said. “Sometimes we don’t want to blend out all the edges—start using products that enable you to play with boundaries and color without the need of the color blending into the skin, and an array from densely saturated hues to lighter washes opens the stage for more fun, less work.” Of all the bold options we’ve played with, we’ve gravitated most toward Isamaya. It’s the best (and boldest!) we’ve found in fusing color, ease, and dimension. Ultra-luxe color stories Great for bold and unconventional looks Includes bright and smokey colors No fallout Perfect for color enthusiasts Pricey Not beginner-friendly Best custom palette: Mob Beauty “Eyeshadow” — $16.00 For those (like us) who constantly feel like something is missing from their eyeshadow collections, a custom-built palette may be a game changer. Mob Beauty has a spectrum that encapsulates all: mattes, shimmers, and a mass collection of wild hues, so it’s a veritable full meal for every shadow fan. The formula, too, feels like the best kept secret, so we’re thrilled to let you in on why it’s so special: The pigments are milled in such a way that the color doesn’t streak or chalk, and the textures can be built up as a smoky finish or sheered out for a soft focus look. Travel-friendly compact Ultra versatile color stories Great for bold and unconventional looks Affordable Limited color selection Not beginner-friendly Best clean palette: RMS Beauty “Eyelights” Luminous Cream Eyeshadow Trio — $44.00 Without much to fuss about, these shadows are a perfect everyday staple. The finish is almost wet to the eye, a unique look not found in other shadow formulations, and the colors have subtle hints of shimmer for a healthy twinkle. Their creaminess makes them very much ill-suited for layering, but can be blended out onto the lid easily and with fingers. Great color payoff Zero to minimal fallout Perfect for minimalists Clean formulation Not ideal for layering Limited color selection Not beginner-friendly Best palette for travel: Danessa Myricks “Groundwork: Defining Neutrals Palette For Eyes, Brows, Face & Lips — $65.00 If you’re a multitasking marvel, look no further than Danessa Myricks. We’ve used these shades on our cheeks for contouring, our lashes instead of liner, our brows, and even as lip tints when moistened. So even though the palette was built to serve a more minimalist portfolio, the functionality and adaptability make it ideal for any on-the-go artist or person. And aside from that, it’s beyond gorgeous. Deep colors create natural to bold looks Ample color options for face, eyes, and lips Easy-to-blend formulas Multi-use for eyes, brows, face, and lips Perfect for travel Not all shades are eye-safe Flimsy packaging Best palette for the clutch: About-Face Smokestick — $17.00 When we spot a makeup product made for convenience, we buy it in every color ASAP. This Smokestick pencil glides on skin like an absolute dream, it doesn’t budge until we take it off, and the shades are just magical. This brand is an absolute win; it’s so simple to use this pencil to create a sultry and smoky look, no skills required. It’s not only creamy, it melts into the skin for a refined, diffused result—expect a little smudge (it’s part of the charm) but no creasing. It’s ideal for subtle enhancement or full-on smokiness, and it even doubles as a great base for layering shadows on top. Even when worn alone, it’s a touch stunner. Great for creating smoky looks Easy to apply Perfect for on-the-go Includes a smudge brush Zero to minimal fallout Affordable Limited color selection Flimsy packaging