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Whether you’re a die-hard cut-creaser or love a beautifully simple single-shade moment, the best eye shadow palettes always enhance your look. We know, there are tons of palettes to choose from (not to mention eye shadow sticks or cream shadows), but our editors and makeup-artist friends have swatched hundreds of palettes to bring you this thoughtful curation filled with the dreamiest shimmery, satin, matte, duo-chrome hues, and even options for mature skin. Each perfectly pressed pan glides onto lids like butter, lending well to seamless blending, and won’t fade or crease throughout the day. It’s no overstatement to say we’re obsessed. If you’re an eye shadow palette newbie, overwhelmed by the cornucopia of shades, take a deep breath and relax—we’ve got you. The following palettes have quickly risen to the ranks of our all-time favorites, and you’re about to find out why.
Our Top Eye Shadow Palettes
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Overall: Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Eye Shadow Palette: The Neutrals
Makeup by Mario
Master Mattes Eye Shadow Palette: The Neutrals
Why it’s worth it: “This palette basically covers any neutral tone you could ever need for an eye look,” Tobi Henney, a bicoastal makeup artist, says regarding the Makeup by Mario Master Mattes: The Neutrals Eye Shadow Palette, making it a no-brainer choice for beginners and experts alike. Inspired by the wide range of skin tones the brand has tested on, all 12 matte eye shadow shades are highly pigmented, easily buildable, and oh-so blendable.
As for the texture, these luxe powders are super light, creamy, and matte. “I love to do a wash of color with one of the lighter shades and then build the crease and undereye area with a darker tone for a super simple everyday or night look,” Henney says.
Tester feedback from former associate manager of special projects Talia Gutierrez
“This cool-toned neutral palette is the easiest way to create a sultry eye shadow look that can be done using any single shadow on its own or blended with a handful of the 12 shades to choose from. I tend to reach for this palette on nights out with my girlfriends, paired with a sharp, black winged liner. I swipe my favorite grayish-blue shade MN11 on my entire eyelid and shade MN7, a pale mauve, on my inner corners for an easy-to-create, NYC cool-girl aesthetic that took less than a minute to create.”—Talia Gutierrez, associate manager of special projects
Tester feedback from beauty closet associate Edward Horgan
“These palettes sit in the very top of my eye shadow drawer because I turn to them that often. The cool tone option is my go-to for every variation of a smoky eye you can think of. The shadows blend beautifully, and each palette provides the perfect gradient of colors to build up and layer to whatever intensity you desire. Whether you’re a casual day-to-day makeup girl or a full glam diva, these palettes are must-haves for sure!” —Edward Horgan, beauty closet associate
- Number of shades: 12
- Finishes: matte
Best Shimmers: Pat McGrath Labs Mothership XI: Sunlit Seduction
Pat McGrath Labs
Mothership XI: Sunlit Seduction
Why it’s worth it: When it comes to photoshoot-worthy makeup, Pat McGrath Labs can’t be beaten. Just about every palette in the Mothership lineup is adored by at least one Allure beauty editor, but the Mothership XI: Sunlit Seduction is a glitzy, warm-toned beauty. This 10-shade palette features sunrise-inspired glitters, metallics, satins, and mattes that we guarantee will become mainstays in your makeup routine. Sunlit Seduction, and the Mothership line in general (11 colorways in total!), earns our top spot for its mix of finishes, richly pigmented colors, and blendable shades that never skip, apply unevenly, or fade.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
“It’s safe to say I’ll guard my Pat McGrath Labs palettes with my life. It’s not simply how gorgeous the palettes themselves are, but the pigments are so dazzling that I swoon just looking at the eye shadow pans—let alone when they’ve taken residence on my eyelids. As someone who generally leans towards pinkish makeup (be it eyes, cheeks, or lips), Sunlit Seduction is a dream. (Note: There are 11 Mothership palettes, so there’s something for your taste, I promise.) While there are endless combinations to play with, I’m shouting out Astral Pink Fetish, a sparkling pink with golden pearls, that I love sweeping all over my lids—especially over a matte base like Nude Rose. Did I mention they blend in so seamlessly and layer really nicely? Because they absolutely do.”—Sarah Han, commerce editor
- Number of shades: 10
- Finishes: shimmery, satin, metallic, matte
Best Nudes: Patrick Ta Major Dimension Essential Artistry Edit Eyeshadow Palette
Patrick Ta
Major Dimension Essential Artistry Edit Eyeshadow Palette
Why it’s worth it: Patrick Ta Beauty’s latest drop, the Major Dimension Essential Artistry Edit Eyeshadow Palette, is changing the neutrals game for good. Each of the three six-shade palettes—Light, Medium, and Dark—is packed with the kind of wearable tones you’ll actually reach for every day. No neon surprises, no glitter bombs, just endlessly flattering neutrals that look good on everyone. The creamy, velvety textures blend like a dream and deliver major color payoff—so whether you go for a soft wash or a full-on smoke, you really can’t mess it up.
“This palette comes in three colorways—for light, medium, and dark skin tones—but honestly, you can use any of them, no matter your complexion. I have pretty fair undertones and still love the darkest palette for smokier looks, while the light one’s perfect for everyday glam. The shades never look chalky and blend like a dream, so even the deepest black goes on sultry and smoky, never draggy or heavy.”—Lily Wohlner, commerce writer
Tester feedback from senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin
“As a huge fan of Patrick Ta blushes, I can’t say I’m surprised by how much I love these eye shadows. I’m often drawn to all-matte palettes—sometimes, simple is best!—and this one has every shade I need for everyday looks and full glam. The shadows are ridiculously easy to blend, too.”—Sarah Felbin, senior commerce editor
- Number of shades: 6
- Finishes: matte
Best Travel-Friendly: Victoria Beckham Beauty Eye Wardrobe
Victoria Beckham Beauty
Eye Wardrobe
Why it’s worth it: Victoria Beckham Beauty’s Eye Wardrobe Palette is the kind of sidekick you’ll want with you everywhere: It’s compact enough to slip into your bag, yet endlessly versatile. Each four-shade palette pairs buttery mattes with luminous shimmers, giving you everything you need for a complete eye look in one sleek compact. The shadows feel creamy and silky to the touch, blend seamlessly, and, a miracle of miracles, barely produce any fallout, even with the glittery finishes. When testing, we were especially impressed by their staying power—no stray shimmer under the eyes, just pigment that lasts long after the night’s over.
“I affectionately call my Victoria Beckham Eye Wardrobe my pocket-size luxury whenever I whip it out of my on-the-go makeup bag. It’s the ideal palette for a bold look with rich warm-toned shades and just enough sparkle.” —Kassidy Silva, social media director
- Number of shades: 4
- Finishes: matte, shimmery
Best Color Options: Hung Vanngo Beauty Color Story Eyeshadow Palette
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Hung Vanngo
Color Story Eyeshadow Palette
Why it’s worth it: Makeup artist Hung Vanngo is the artist behind some of Hollywood’s most unforgettable looks (see: Selena Gomez). Now, his Best of Beauty-winning Color Story Eyeshadow Palettes let you channel that same artistry. Each of the eight curated palettes—ranging from the warm New Neutrals to the electric Brilliant Blue—offers eight shades in four buttery-smooth finishes: metallic, satin, matte, and 3D velvet matte (which has a soft-focus finish). Every pigment glides on effortlessly and blends seamlessly, so you can go from a soft wash of color to a full-on statement eye without needing a masterclass.
“Selena Gomez’s makeup artist created an eye shadow palette? I’m sat. As a lover of all thinks pink, the Rebellious Red & Pink palette has all my essential shades—think cool-toned rose and deep burgundy—in a mix of perfectly balanced shimmers and mattes. When I’m in a rush, I’ll swipe on my favorite rose-gold shimmer shade with a finger, and it diffuses beautifully. If I have more time, I layer on a deeper pink in the center of my lids and bring it down to the outer halves of my lower lash line for extra glam.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
- Number of shades: 8
- Finishes: matte, satin, metallic
Best Eye and Face Palette: Danessa Myricks Beauty Groundwork: Defining Neutrals Palette
Danessa Myricks Beauty
Groundwork: Defining Neutrals Palette
Why it’s worth it: Danessa Myricks Beauty’s Groundwork: Defining Neutrals Palette is a versatile, brown-toned palette that covers all of our beauty bases. This palette features 10 cream-based shades that you can use just about anywhere on your face, including your contours, lips, and even eyebrows. Because the brand really knows how to spoil its fans, each cream shade also comes with a mini pan of its powder counterpart.
Tester feedback from former commerce writer Jennifer Hussein
“No matter what makeup look I’m going for, this palette is the first thing I reach for. It’s hands-down one of my fave beauty products for its versatility, but the long-lasting quality of each creamy, putty-like shade also deserves a round of applause.”—Jennifer Hussein, former commerce writer
- Number of shades: 20
- Finishes: matte
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you find the best eye shadow palette?
Powder formulas are the best for most people because they allow for seamless blending, so you can build color gradually and create dimension without the harsh edges. The one caveat? They may not be the best option for oilier or crepier lids, Jennifer Nam, a New York City-based makeup artist, told Allure. If you have oily lids, she recommends swapping powder eye shadows for cream or liquid eye shadows.
As for crease-prone lids or those with mature skin, cream shadows are also your best bet. “They have a smoother texture and are less likely to settle into fine lines and wrinkles,” New York City-based makeup artist Lisa Aharon previously told Allure. And while cream eye shadows come in multiple finishes, Aharon recommends matte formulas because of the soft and diffused look they provide that helps to smooth over the look of fine lines.
How do you apply eye shadow?
Nam suggests prepping your lids with an eye shadow primer (like Urban Decay’s Primer Potion) to keep mid-day oiliness, smearing, and smudging at bay. As for application, you have two options: your (clean!) fingers or your eye makeup brushes. If you’re only using a single shade, feel free to pat it on with your fingers, but when creating a multi-shade look (like a smoky eye), you’ll want to whip out your brushes for more precision. Many eye shadow palettes come with their own brushes, but if yours doesn’t have one (or if you just want an upgrade), Nam recommends Chanel’s retractable double-sided eye shadow brush.
Meet the experts
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best eye shadow palettes, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and professional makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what’s involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
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