The Best Eye-Shadow Palettes, According to Makeup Artists

Since masks have all but obliterated the statement lip, a head-turning lidded look has never been more important. Consider buying in a Best Eye-Shadow palette if you've never tried shadow before or simply want to update your look. It'll give you hundreds of compatible colors in one convenient compact. There are a lot of buzzy alternatives out there, so we surveyed seven celebrity makeup artists — some of whom have worked with superstars like Zendaya, Lizzo, and Mary J. Blige — to figure out what's actually worth buying. Here are their top picks, ranging from a £4 drugstore find to an investment palette you'll use every day.

Bite-Size Eyeshadow Palette by Xulnaz Cosmetics

If you don't want to spend money on makeup right now but yet want to try out a new look you saw on YouTube, we recommend this £ 4 Xulnaz. Cosmetics palettes. Margina Dennis, a New York City-based makeup artist, recommends them as a "COVID-friendly, economical makeup kit for talent on set," because they're inexpensive enough to dump afterward for sanitary reasons. You don't need to be a makeup artist to appreciate these, though. They have "a wide choice of colors and finishes" and "excellent pigment payoff for a variety of skin tones," according to Dennis. We're particularly fond of the "Hot Jalapeno" palette, which features deep greens and browns, but they also offer seven additional palettes. Furthermore, all Xulnaz. products are vegan and cruelty-free.

Dennis also recommends Wet n Wild for affordable, highly pigmented palettes. This one is only available in four colorways, and while they're primarily neutrals, Dennis says there's a shade range to suit any skin tone. If you're new to makeup, this palette is especially helpful; each shadow is labeled so you know where to apply it — one for your brow bone, crease, and eyelid, as well as a transition shade — to help you create a whole eye look.

Although this is a little more expensive than our previous two picks, it's still a good price at £7. Dennis appreciates how vibrant the pigments are in this rainbow-colored palette, but if neons aren't your thing, NYX also offers a neutral palette for the same price. Even better, you can virtually sample the colors before you buy them on NYX's website.

The Chocolates Eyeshadow Palette by Juvia's Place

Porsche Cooper, a celebrity makeup artist who has worked with Mary J. Blige, Iman, and Winnie Harlow, recommends Juvia's Place as an affordable bronze and neutral palette. Cooper explains, "It's filled with a rich tan and auburn, as well as matte and glossy dark chocolate options to achieve the most stunning smoke signals on your eyes." This palette, like the NYX palette, includes six colors, and Cooper feels it's worth the extra money even though it's more than double the price. "Each shadow's color is exceptional enough to inspire makeup artists and beginners alike to create gentle and high-glam looks.

Haze Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette by Huda Beauty

Alexx Mayo, a celebrity makeup artist who has worked with Lizzo, praises Huda Beauty's products for their value. "These shadows have such a buttery composition that glides across the eye with maximum intensity," he says. Mayo favors the neutral palette, which she calls "wonderful," but the same highly pigmented product is also available in rose and purple hues. Keep in mind that while Huda Kattan is a makeup artist, some Huda Beauty products necessitate a certain level of skill and aren't suitable for novices.

Eyeshadow Palette Tarte Tartelette In Bloom Clay Eye

 

Mylah Morales of SixK.LA, who has worked with Rihanna and Taraji P. Henson daily, suggests any of Tarte's five "Tartelette" palettes. She describes the shadows as "creamy and blendable for a natural eye makeup appearance" and claims that the collection is "vegan and cruelty-free." Each palette contains 12 colors that range from matte to metallic and are "ideal for all complexion tones," according to Morales.

Cover Shot Eye Shadow Palette by Smashbox

"This palette was intended to resemble the sunset in California," says Sixx.LA makeup artist Steven Arturo describes it as "the best natural Eye-Shadow Palettes" with shadows that "work on every skin tone." Unlike the other palettes we've covered, this Smashbox favorite has two different double-sized base hues — in other words, the powder you use first and then construct your eyeshadow look around. "The texture offers a terrific color payoff and the hint of sheen for added radiance," says Arturo, who uses them to highlight the brow bone.

Sheika Daley, Zendaya's makeup artist, suggests any of Pat McGrath's palettes because they "have a gorgeous assortment of colors that are very saturated and easy to apply." Even the "matte hues deliver maximum effect," according to Mayo.