The Best Eyeshadow Palettes For Makeup Enthusiasts And Pros

 Makeup kits and palettes, especially eyeshadow ones, are great for streamlining your beauty routine. There are a lot of different shades out there, and figuring out which options work for your skin tone while also blending well together can feel like a cumbersome task. The best eyeshadow palettes pretty much do all the work for you; they typically include an assortment of cohesive or complementary pigments you can use to contour, define and highlight your eyes—with minimal fallout.

You often get the most bang for your buck with a kit that has shades, like nudes, that you’ll actually use or that will complement various looks. Indie beauty brand Flyte.70 co-founder Elena Frankel believes that many are worth the splurge if you use at least 50-75% of the shades included. We’ve rounded up some of the best options ahead from brands like Urban Decay, Dior, Pat McGrath Labs and more. These top-rated picks will help you take your eye makeup to the next level.

  • Best Eyeshadow Palette Overall: Uoma Beauty Black Magic Poise Color Palette
  • Best Neutral Eyeshadow Palette: Dior Backstage Eye Palette In Warm Neutrals
  • Best Nude Eyeshadow Palette: Urban Decay Naked3 Eyeshadow Palette
  • Best Metallic Eyeshadow Palette: Pat McGrath Labs Mothership IX Eyeshadow Palette: Huetopian Dream
  • Best Smoky Eyeshadow Palette: Huda Beauty Haze Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette In Kahki
  • Best Bronze Eyeshadow Palette: Natasha Denona Bronze Eyeshadow Palette
  • Best Matte Eyeshadow Palette: Makeup By Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette
  • Best Eyeshadow Palette For Bright Colors: Make Up For Ever Flash Color Palette Multi-Use Cream Color Palette

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Best Eyeshadow Palette Overall

Gorgeous Colors That Won’t Fade

EDITOR’S PICK

Uoma Beauty Black Magic Poise Color Palette

$44

Behold, the perfect palette for taking your eye makeup look from day to night. It includes rich pigments that range from warm neutrals like Omo (a matte nude brown) that’s perfect for the office to deep moody hues like Black Y’All (a matte black) that’s ideal for a night out on the town—plus sparkling toppers like Regal (a shimmery gold). Plus, the shades are water-resistant so they won’t budge.

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Best Neutral Eyeshadow Palette

An All-In-One Option That Makeup Artists Swear By

Dior Backstage Eye Palette In Warm Neutrals

$49

Professional makeup artists keep this palette at the ready backstage at runway shows, and it's no wonder why, since it includes everything you need for creating eye looks that go with everything. It comes with a primer and eight versatile, neutral shades—some of which you can also use as a highlighter or eyeliner.

Best Nude Eyeshadow Palette

A Cult Favorite Palette With Shadows That Work For Day To Night

Urban Decay Naked3 Eyeshadow Palette

$54

The third iteration of Urban Decay’s Naked Palette includes 12 nude tones for crafting barely-there to more dialed-up makeup looks. You can choose between matte, pearlescent and metallic finishes and use the included dual-ended, high-quality brush to dust them on.

Best Metallic Eyeshadow Palette

A Shimmery Mix Of Cosmic Colors

Pat McGrath Labs Mothership IX Eyeshadow Palette: Huetopian Dream

$128

Otherworldly is the best way to describe these pigments from Pat McGrath Labs. They all have a velvety texture, and the palette features a unique combination metallic, chrome and shimmer finishes. It’s well worth the price tag, as it’s a secret weapon for creating standout and memorable makeup looks.

Best Smoky Eyeshadow Palette

Sultry Shades That Last

Huda Beauty Haze Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette In Kahki

$29

Here’s what makes this eyeshadow palette obsession-worthy: chic packaging, travel-friendly size and buttery pigments—all of which have an intense color payoff that comes in handy when creating a smoky eye.

Best Bronze Eyeshadow Palette

The Golden Ticket Of Summer Eye Makeup Looks

Natasha Denona Bronze Eyeshadow Palette

$65

Take your makeup looks to the next level (think: gilded and bronze-y) with this 15-pan eyeshadow palette from makeup artist Natasha Denona. It features an assortment of brilliant, copper-tone shades that go on smoothly—with some also leaving a dazzling finish.

Best Matte Eyeshadow Palette

An Array Of Universally Flattering, Everyday Pigments

Makeup By Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette

$48

Makeup by Mario’s Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette features 12 luxurious matte pigments that can be used on every skin tone to highlight, contour or add definition to the eye area. Since the shades are buildable and blend easily, the palette is suitable for every skill level.

Best Eyeshadow Palette For Bright Colors

A Multi-Use Makeup Palette That Packs Dynamic Color

Make Up For Ever Flash Color Palette Multi-Use Cream Color Palette

$99

These pigments have a creamy texture, so they go on smoothly whether used anywhere on the face or body. They also have a rich color payoff; when applied, they’ll instantly make your eyelids pop.

What To Consider When Buying An Eyeshadow Palette

Quality

There are several characteristics that speak to quality in a palette. “First and foremost, one should consider formulas and finishes and how the textures lay on the skin, plus the level of pigment and fallout for each shadow in a palette,” says Frankel.

Versatility

Eyeshadow palettes aren’t a one-trick pony; you can use them to create a breadth of eye makeup looks for day-to-day wear or special occasions. Many feature a range of colors and a variety of finishes. But you can still find more niche offerings to suit your personal preference, whether you're into neutrals or bold pops of color or pigments with a shimmer or matte effect. If you want the most versatility, look for options that offer a mix of the above.

Shades

According to Frankel, it's important to determine the purpose of the eyeshadow palette. If it’s for everyday use, she suggests looking for an option with flattering and elevating shades for your skin tone. Matte and neutral shades tend to be flattering on every complexion. They’re also the best option for creating a barely-there or natural eye makeup look. If you want shades that will stand out, opt for one with bright pigments, like our vibrant pick from Make Up For Ever.

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