The best eyeshadow palettes to take your make-up game to a new level
The possibilities are endless...
The possibilities are endless...
They say eyes are the window to the soul, so let's make sure they blooming well pop with the best eyeshadow palettes.
Sure, the best mascara, best eyeliner and eyebrow products are your everyday staples, but few products allow for as much creativity as a whole palette of different shades and textures.
Eyeshadows can add a subtle wash of flattering colour, allow you to create smouldering smokey nighttime looks, or express yourself with bright, colourful combinations. You can create endless looks for any occasion with just one product – making them worth the investment.
What makes the best eyeshadow palettes so great?
'Eyeshadow palettes are one of my obsessions! I love the versatility and many different looks that can be achieved with a palette mix of gorgeous shades,' pro make-up artist Cher Webb tells us. 'My go-tos are the NARS Skin Deep Palette (£56, Lookfantastic) for a classic bronze smokey eye; so versatile for both daytime and evening looks, the carefully selected shades are flattering on everyone and every eye colour.
'The Urban Decay Palettes are iconic; the pigment levels and shade selection set them apart and your desired look can be achieved with each palette's array of flattering shades. One of my personal favourites and an ideal starter palette is Naked Reloaded (£39, Feelunique), a perfect mix of colour and texture. BECCA Cosmetics have the very beautiful Pearly Glow Shimmering Eyeshadow Palette (£42, John Lewis). Each shade is like a colour wash, very eye catching and easy to blend and work with.
It’s really creative, fun and economical to customise your own palette and, as you are choosing your favourite colours, the whole palette will be used so there's no waste. Brands such as MAC, NARS & NYX offer this service with palettes ranging from mini two shade palettes all the way up to large palettes of fifteen.'
So, no matter your budget, we take you through the best eyeshadow palettes on the market. The possibilities are endless.
Best eyeshadow palettes for blue eyes
Now, there aren't necessarily any rules when it comes to what eyeshadow colours you can pull off. But in theory, the best eyeshadow colours for blue eyes are browns, bronzes and golds, all of which can really help make eyes stand out. If you're looking for something bolder try blues, pinks or corals.
Best eyeshadow palettes for brown eyes
Greys, warm browns and plum tones are all great picks for brown eyes and, for bolder options, bright pinks and purples make a great pairing.
Best eyeshadow palettes for green eyes
Browns, copper and silver tones all work really well on green eyes, while shades of purple will really make them pop.
Best eyeshadow primer
Prepping the area before application is key. You will obviously start by making sure the area is fully hydrated using the best eye cream for your needs, and then if you have oily eyelids and your shadow and liner likes to slip and slide all over the place, it's essential to use an eyeshadow primer. Probably the best in the biz is the below, which will grip shadow to your life all day long.
Urban Decay's Original Primer Potion | John Lewis
Buy it now
Here's our roundup of the latest and greatest eyeshadow palettes on the market right now.
Between them Sleek's palettes have every single colour you could ever possibly need; A New Day (above) contains the essential neutrals for everyday wear, while All Night Long (above) takes things up a notch for brighter, more shimmery looks. Want something bolder? Try 3AM on for size. Be sure to check out other high street brands like NYX, Maybelline and Rimmel for other great and affordable buys.
It's no exaggeration to say that Urban Decay's eyeshadow palettes are probably the most iconic on the market. Naked 3 is a great staple as it combines everyday neutrals with smokier shades for endless classic day and night looks. 'The Urban Decay Naked Palettes started a beauty revolution in 2010 when the OG Naked palette launched, becoming a catalyst for the palette craze with one sold every 7 seconds,' their Global MUA Danielle Roberts explains. 'Urban Decay have held the palette crown in the beauty game with its ability to move with trends and time, without ever compromising the pigmentation and luxurious application. From sultry and sophisticated with the Naked Cherry palette or the most recent Naked Honey, oozing in golden tones, there is a Naked Palette for everyone. They are so iconic that the Naked Original even had a funeral!' Sold.
It's no surprise that Charlotte Tilbury's eyeshadow quads, promising a different look in each palette, are insanely popular among beauty lovers. Colour rich and velvety, these shades are everything you want from an eyeshadow and more – and the glitter adds the perfect finishing touch at the end. The Bella Sofia (pictured) balances warm, rich brown with taupe and is a great day-to-night buy. Try The Sophisticate for daytime neutrals or the Vintage Vamp to experiment with rosier shades.
Make-up bag sized eyeshadow quads are probably one of the best beauty inventions to date; so much colour choice taking up such little space. We love the shade range in Tom Ford's eye quads – dab a little of the lighter shades on the eyelid for an understated daytime look, or go all out with a smokey eye using the darker shades. Dreamy.
Chanel's Les Beiges collections are iconic and always SO covetable, and this instalment is no different. The nudey brown and beige shades in this palette work with all eye colours, but if you have blue or green eyes this will really make them stand out.
OK, we know this palette is super spenny and you might need to save up for a while before purchasing. But you have never seen pigments like these. The staying power and the colour payoff is outstanding and the palette will last you ages.
