Natural or Full Glam Makeup Look, These Eyeshadow Palettes Were Tested on All Skin Tones (2024)

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TL;DR

Our Top Picks

Number of Shades: 14 | Finishes: Matte, glitter, satin | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This iconic palette is unparalleled for creating soft glam looks and much more. It contains a variety of neutral, cool, and warm nude shades in matte, glitter, and satin finishes, as well as some subtle pops of color that you can get creative with. The shades also vary in depth, making it a great option for tons of different complexions.

Our testers adored this palette's shade range and the shadows' “powdered sugar” texture. They said it applied super smoothly, delivering rich, even pigment in a single swipe, and blended seamlessly, too. They were equally impressed with its staying power, noting that the shadows stayed vibrant for hours with only some minor creasing.

Naosha, tester with a deep skin tone: “The eyeshadows were very buildable, but you didn't need to build them up much as one swipe gave plenty of color. They were true to color on my eyes and skin tone, which I appreciated as someone with a deep skin tone.”

Gabriela, tester with a light skin tone: “This is a palette I could see myself taking on vacation or becoming my go-to at home for both work days and nights out.“

Number of Shades: 12 | Finishes: Matte | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Inspired by '90s-style neutrals, this matte palette from Makeup By Mario offers 12 smooth and buildable shades. Designed so that people with all complexions can use it to create a variety of neutral looks, it strikes a balance between cool and warm tones.

According to our testers, this is one of the best formulas on our list, and Byrdie editors agree. The shadows have the perfect softness (not too much that they’re a powdery mess), making them a total breeze to apply and blend. The matte pigment packs a punch and can be built up for your desired color payoff, and we found that they wore beautifully throughout the day. Our one minor con with this palette is that many of the shades leaned a bit cool, and we wish there were a few more rich, warm shades to complement deep skin tones.

Naosha, tester with a deep skin tone: “The palette was extremely pigmented and blendable. I would maybe add just a *touch* of warmth to the color story as the colors just appeared a bit muddled on me.”

Gabriela, tester with a light skin tone: “There was a seamless transition between colors. The shades complement each other well and would suit a variety of skin tones and occasions.”

Number of Shades: 9 | Finishes: Matte, shimmer, primer | Cruelty-Free: No

With this Dior palette, you get a well-rounded color story, great quality shadows, and a bit of luxury, all wrapped up in a small, travel-friendly package. It boasts nine gorgeous shadows, ranging from fair to dark, with matte and shimmery finishes and a creamy shade that doubles as a primer.

Our testers both liked the cool-toned color range of this palette, noting that it was useful for creating smoky eye looks. While the shades weren’t the most pigmented on the first swipe, they were buildable with some effort. The primer is a nice touch but wasn’t super effective; both testers said the shadows lacked longevity, with the darker colors fading fastest. We recommend using your go-to eyeshadow primer rather than the one included in the palette for best results.

Naosha, tester with a deep skin tone: “This shade range is wonderful for cool tones. I am warm-toned, so I usually go for warm/golden shades, but even these neutrals complement my skin well.”

Number of Shades: 12 | Finishes: Matte, shimmer, cream | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Makeup artist Partick Ta’s top tip for multidimensional looks that pop is to layer powder shadows over cream ones, and this palette allows you to do just that. Two highly pigmented creams form a base for a collection of matte, glitter, and shimmer shades, allowing you to blend, contour, and perfectly emphasize your natural eye shape.

Shades with brown, pink, orange, and pale gold undertones create a lovely warm-toned display that one of our testers noted would look great on sun-kissed vacation skin. They both appreciated how richly pigmented the powders were and how smoothly the creams applied. The powders were easy to blend with no patchiness in sight, and the finished look wore well without fading. However, Naosha, our tester with deep skin, observed that all the shades looked pretty similar to each other on her complexion.

Gabriela, tester with a light skin tone: “The shade range is nice for a warm-toned bronzy look. The powder shadows blended very well together, as did the creams. The shadows transitioned seamlessly to create a cohesive look and blend between shades.”

Number of Shades: 15 | Finishes: Matte, shimmer, “wet look” | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Many eyeshadow aficionados say that Natasha Denona has some of the best eyeshadow palettes you can buy, and we agree. The brand’s I Need A Nude palette boasts 15 nude shades in a mix of high-impact finishes: matte, shimmer, and “wet effect” options that give the eyelids a glossy, ethereal touch.

While the eyeshadows varied in terms of pigmentation and texture, our testers found them fairly easy to blend with minimal fallout. The shimmer shades added dimension, and the mattes were excellent for blending the edges. We love that the color story allows for versatility; the muted tones are perfect for daytime wear, and the brighter metallics can amp up your look at night. However, our tester, who had a deep skin tone, said she would have appreciated more gold shades for a classic nude look on her complexion.

Naosha, tester with a deep skin tone: “These shadows blend with ease. It’s very easy to create a clean transition with various colors on the eyes.”

Gabriela, tester with a light skin tone: “The color story is really beautiful and allowed for a variety of looks. I also loved the shimmer shades because they added a nice dimension to the looks.”

Number of Shades: 12 | Finishes: Matte, cream | Cruelty-Free: Yes

A matte, neutral palette is practical for everyday use but can also be great for taking looks from day to night. This popular palette features 12 shades spanning from very pale to almost black, allowing you to keep it subtle or add definition and depth for smoldering evening looks. The top row leans a bit warm in tone, while the bottom row is more neutral/cool. This makes it a fantastic choice for a wide range of skin tones.

The palette includes two cream shadows that function as a base for your look but can also be used as eyeliner for added definition. Our testers appreciated how beautifully the powder shadows layered over the creams—they blended seamlessly. While they didn’t have any issues with the packaging, it’s worth noting that some online reviewers say their eyeshadows fell out of the palette, so this one might not be the best option to travel with.

Naosha, tester with a deep skin tone: “The shade range is beautiful. It has everything needed for a basic, everyday look.”

Gabriela, tester with a light skin tone: “The shades seamlessly blended together to create a variety of looks. The pigment was amazing and really soft, which allowed for easy transitions.”

Number of Shades: 10 | Finishes: Matte, shimmer, glitter | Cruelty-Free: No

Pat McGrath eyeshadow palettes are expensive, but each palette's quality, artistry, and uniqueness make them a special treat. This one is the fifth iteration in the Mothership lineup, and its glittery eyeshadows and nuanced rose, bronze, and pearl tones make it stand out.

Aside from revering the undeniable quality, our testers loved how the shades blended seamlessly across their eyelids. The glittery eyeshadows in the palette are incredibly vibrant and impactful, adding shine and texture that instantly elevate any look. However, they are prone to fallout, so we recommend patting off excess product before applying them. The palette is perfect for creating dramatic or eye-catching moments. The color story skews dark and, according to our testers, isn’t the most cohesive or ideal for beginners. Those who love to get creative with their makeup looks will love this luxury pick.

Naosha, tester with a deep skin tone: “The shimmers appeared true to color and transitioned very well. The mattes were extremely pigmented when swatched, and there was no patchiness or need to dip the brush multiple times. The quality was absolutely phenomenal.”

Gabriela, tester with a light skin tone: “Pat McGrath shimmers are always a must-try. The colors look stunning on any complexion and bring a level of dimension that's uncommon with shimmer shades in other palettes.”

Number of Shades: 6 | Finishes: Matte | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Urban Decay’s Naked2 Basics palette is one virtually everybody should have in their makeup kit. It features a stripped-back collection of cool-toned taupe and nude eyeshadows that can be worn individually for simple, everyday looks or layered and blended for a subtle smoky eye.

The first thing that struck our testers was how harmoniously the colors work together, making it a fantastic choice for eyeshadow beginners who struggle to pair shades. The pigmentation impressed them from the first swipe, and the eyeshadows stayed on their lids all day with minimal creasing. The quality is great and the colors are basic in the best way, but if you’re looking for a palette that offers a lot of versatility, we recommend other options on this list.

Naosha, tester with a deep skin tone: “I would argue that this is one of the best-pigmented palettes for those with deeper skin tones. The colors are true to the pan, and even though neutrals typically look ashy on me, these did not. I was able to create a truly sculpted look and play with the darks and lights for a detailed look."

Gabriela, tester with a light skin tone: “If you're looking for a neutral, matte palette, this is a good option. The shades complement each other well to create a buildable look.”

Number of Shades: 5 | Finishes: Matte, glitter | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This small but mighty palette can create more looks than you might think. Inspired by the brand’s best-selling Bronze Palette, it offers five warm-toned shades in matte and metallic finishes. Each of the five shades is distinctly different, though they all pair together beautifully to create a variety of sunset-inspired looks.

Our testers loved virtually everything about this option. They commented on how creamy and blendable the shadows are and how seamlessly the colors complement each other. All the shades are richly pigmented and long-lasting, and despite the limited range, our testers were able to create varied looks with them. Both agreed that the warm and coppery colors would look great on virtually all skin tones.

Naosha, tester with a deep skin tone: “I feel this palette complements all skin tones, especially deeper ones. While the shade range is limited, you are still able to create a variety of looks with it, which I appreciate.”

Gabriela, tester with a light skin tone: “The shade range is gorgeous. I think the shades would look great on any skin tone as the colors truly pack a punch.”

FAQ

• How do I find the perfect eyeshadow palette?

  The perfect palette for you depends on what colors and finishes you gravitate towards—it’s completely personal. But generally, it’s wise to look for versatile eyeshadow palettes you can use for special-occasion and daily looks. Those with a variety of matte and shimmery neutrals are always a safe bet.
  

• What’s the best way to use an eyeshadow palette?

  Knowing how to layer and blend eyeshadows can take some practice, but Aharon has some pointers. She suggests investing in a fluffy eyeshadow brush, which is best for blending, and stocking up on cream and powder shadows to increase longevity and create dimension. When you’re ready to create your look, Aharon suggests a strategic approach to finishes. “Keep the shimmer on the lower half of the lid below the crease, which will help to open the eyes,” she says. “Matte shadow is great for building an eye shape through the crease and for intensifying the lash lines and outer corners.”

• What makes a good everyday palette versus an evening/special occasion one?

  While many palettes can work for day or night with the right application, Aharon says that an eyeshadow palette with rich pigment is best for creating bold evening look. “For every day, I like satin or matte finishes as they provide a softer effect,” she adds.

• How long does an eyeshadow palette last?

  Eyeshadow palettes can usually last up to two years, but for hygienic reasons, Makeup artist Neil Scibelli says it’s best to replace them after one year. Cosmetics products typically list their shelf life on the packaging, so when in doubt, refer to the packaging of the palette you choose.

• How do you clean an eyeshadow palette?

  Scibelli advises wiping down the edges with a makeup wipe. To clean the actual shadows, lightly scrape the top off with a disposable mascara wand and dust off that layer, or try spritzing a tiny bit of alcohol over the shadows.

• How do you fix a broken eyeshadow palette?

  Because eyeshadows are delicate powders, it’s not uncommon for them to crack or shatter—but this is often a fixable issue. “Add some rubbing alcohol to create a paste-like texture, then use a flat butter knife to pat it back down into its pan and let it dry overnight,” advises Scibelli. FYI, if you have sensitive eyes, skip this (the alcohol can potentially be irritating) and replace the shadow or palette entirely.