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There’s no denying that these days, the drugstore is a veritable cornucopia of incredible makeup options. And there’s perhaps no category where that holds more true than eyeshadow. The formulas are better than ever—long-wearing, non-creasing and non-caking, and highly pigmented. Then there’s the almost dizzying array of colors and finishes to choose from, a variety that easily rivals (if not exceeds) the options the pricier counterparts come in. The best part? At such affordable prices, you can easily completely stock your eye shadow wardrobe with a choice for any and every situation.
Keep reading for the best drugstore eyeshadows.
Best Overall
Milani Cosmetics Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadow
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Courtesy of Milani
Works wet or dry
Lightweight
Great color payoff
Pan could be slightly larger
This super unique, hybrid formula starts as a weightless gel but quickly dries down to a matte powder finish that’s highly pigmented and saturated. Also nice: You can apply it dry for a more sheer wash of color or wet for more intensity. Plus, it works just as well swiped on with your fingertips as it does dusted on with a brush.
Price at time of publish: $16
Shades: 21 | Size: 0.05 oz. | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Palette
NYX Professional Makeup Ultimate Multi-Finish Shadow Palette
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Courtesy of Ulta
Versatile
Durable packaging
Easy to blend
Reviewers note matte colors are sheer
How much do we love a good eyeshadow palette? Allow us to count the ways. Not only does it free up tons of space in your makeup bag, but it also makes it easy to score countless different looks, especially when it’s this palette you’re using. You get a gorgeous mix of three different finishes—matte, shimmer, and sparkly metallic—across a selection of a dozen versatile hues. All silky and easily blendable, they can also be mixed and matched, making the options truly endless. Bonus points for the durable plastic packaging.
Price at time of publish: $18
Shades: 12 | Size: 0.48 oz. | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Cream
Revlon ColorStay Crème Eye Shadow
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Ulta
Long-lasting
Versatile
Comes with a brush
Can be a little hard to remove
Despite all of the great drugstore eyeshadows out there, it hasn’t always been easy to find a good cream option... until now. This pick is ultra-creamy, ultra-blendable, and totally crease-free, equally in part with its pricier counterparts. It comes in 18 shades across four different finishes—matte, pearl, metallic, and satin—all of which look gorgeous on their own, though they can also be layered under powder shadows to up their staying power. Speaking of, this formula is waterproof and lasts up to 24 hours. Plus, each pot comes with a tiny brush for easy application.
Price at time of publish: $10
Shades: 18 | Size: 0.18 oz. | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: No
Best for Beginners
wet n wild Color Icon Eyeshadow 10 Pan Palette
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Courtesy of Walmart
Labels make application very easy
Easy to blend
Great color payoff
Color combinations are fairly similar
Sure, all drugstore makeup is affordable, but this brand really takes the cake when it comes to wallet-friendly price tags, and this palette is no exception. It includes 10 different colors and is an especially great choice for shadow novices. The palette is helpfully labeled with which part of the eye each shade is best for. You can obviously do whatever you please with the different colors and textures, but if you’re looking for a little guidance when it comes to finally mastering that smokey eye, this is the way to go.
Price at time of publish: $7
Shades: 10, 4 color combinations | Size: 0.3 oz. | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Stick
Milani Gilded Shadow Stick
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Courtesy of Milani
Easy to blend
No tools required
Not as versatile as other options
New York City makeup artist and beauty expert Neil Scibelli says he’s a big fan of eyeshadow sticks because they're so easy to work with. “I love this pick in particular because it comes in a range of colors: an olive green, a champagne—which is also great used as a highlighter—as well as a great chocolate and a lighter copper color. They go on silky smooth and can easily be blended in with your fingers,” he explains.
Price at time of publish: $9
Shades: 4 | Size: 0.06 oz. | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Long-Lasting
Maybelline New York Color Tattoo Up to 24H Longwear Cream Eyeshadow Makeup
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Courtesy of Amazon
Long-lasting
Great color payoff
Not as versatile as other options
These little pots pack a major punch. The creamy and rich color glides on beautifully (and can be easily applied with your fingertips, always a major plus in our book). And per the apropos name, the formula is waterproof, crease- and fade-resistant, and lasts up to 24 hours.
Price at time of publish: $7
Shades: 10 | Size: 0.14 oz. | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Brights
Juvia's Place The Zulu Eyeshadow Palette
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Courtesy of Ulta
Great color payoff
Versatile
Pricier than other drugstore options
Looking to adorn your eyes in bold, vibrant hues? Look no further than this colorful palette from Juvia’s Place, which contains nine pigment-rich shades ranging from matte tangerine orange to metallic lime green. This palette may not be for the faint of heart, but the show-stopping eye look possibilities are endless.
Price at time of publish: $20
Shades: 9 | Size: 1.14 oz. | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Runner-Up, Best Brights
CoverGirl Trunaked Eyeshadow Palette in That’s Rad
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Courtesy of Ride Aid
Versatile
Works wet or dry
Long-lasting
Included applicator is flimsy
Scibelli says the palettes in this line (there are four to choose from) are also some of his favorites, calling them very versatile and highly pigmented. He calls out this option in particular: “It offers really fun pops of color, especially for those who are into a bolder look,” he says. (Though there are also more muted options for those who like a more toned-down option.)
Price at time of publish: $10
Shades: 8, 4 color combinations | Size: 0.23 oz. | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Nudes
Revlon Colorstay Looks Book Eyeshadow Palette in Original
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Courtesy of Amazon
Versatile
Very smooth texture
Long-lasting
Color payoff could be better
“I love this collection of eyeshadows, available in five different color palettes because they’re highly pigmented and go on velvety smooth,” says Scibelli. There’s a variety of colors to choose from, but this option, which touts eight gorgeous nudes ranging from sand to taupe to charcoal, houses everything you need for your day-to-day shadow wardrobe.
Price at time of publish: $8
Shades: 8, 5 color combinations | Size: 0.12 oz. | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Metallic
L'Oréal Paris Infallible 24 HR Eye Shadow
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Courtesy of Amazon
Long-lasting
Great color payoff
Not as versatile as other options
For those seeking a super foiled effect, these shadows can’t be beaten. The 13 shades come in a rainbow array of colors, all boasting a highly intense metallic effect, that you can score with just one swipe because the formula is so highly pigmented. Plus, the unique powder to cream texture goes on velvety smooth like a powder but feels as, well, creamy as a cream. Even better? The formula is waterproof and crease-resistant, and it lasts up to 24 hours.
Price at time of publish: $8
Shades: 13 | Size: 0.64 oz. | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Liquid
The Lip Bar Quick Lid One Swipe Liquid Eyeshadow
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Courtesy of Target
Beautiful shimmery finish
Dries down quickly
Long-lasting
Not as versatile as other options
Simply put, these liquid shadows from The Lip Bar are gorgeous. The richly-pigmented, sparkly formula dries down in just seconds for all-day (or all-night) wear. It's available in five universally flattering shades, from gold-tinged iridescent purple to glimmering champagne. The formula is buildable, too, so you can opt for subtle shimmer or full-on high glam. Did we mention it's also clean, vegan, and cruelty-free?
Price at time of publish: $12
Shades: 5 | Size: 1.2 oz. | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Glitter
NYX Professional Makeup Face & Body Glitter
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Courtesy of Amazon
Great color payoff
No fallout
Must use with brand’s glitter glue
When you want a little extra glitter and gleam on your lids, this is the way to go. Glitter is notoriously messy, but this makes it easy to do. All you have to do is pop on a little bit of the brand’s glitter primer first. It comes in the standard metallic hues you’d expect to find in a glitter and some fun rainbow shades, too.
Price at time of publish: $6
Shades: 12 | Size: 0.8 oz. | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Final Verdict
There is truly no shortage of epic eyeshadows to choose from at the drugstore. The Milani Cosmetics Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadow is our top pick since it's a hybrid formula that combines all the best elements of a powder and a gel in one. The brand also makes our favorite stick; the Milani Gilded Shadow Stick is ideal for those who like to apply their shadow sans brush. Those who love palettes will appreciate the array of a dozen shades that come in the NYX Professional Makeup Ultimate Multi-Finish Shadow Palette, while the Maybelline New York Color Tattoo Longwear Cream Eyeshadow gets our vote for offering the most long-lasting formula, staying put for up to 24 hours.
Meet the Expert
Neil Scibelli is a New York City-based celebrity makeup artist and beauty expert. He focuses largely on fashion, celebrity, and television, as well as sharing his beauty education via contributions to various makeup outlets.
What to Look For in a Drugstore Eyeshadow
Color
As with any shadow, Scibelli says you should first consider the color you want. Are you going for bright, bold tones or everyday neutrals? “I think drugstore eyeshadows can be a great way to both build your everyday collection, as well as step out of your comfort zone with colors that you’re not necessarily bound to because they’re a bit less of an investment,” he says.
Texture
Do you want cream or powder? It’s a matter of personal preference, says Scibelli, and many of today’s formulas combine the best of both.
How We Researched
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. Because she doesn’t wear eyeshadow regularly, she prefers inexpensive, drugstore options, which allow her to play with color and texture without spending tons of money. (Plus, she doesn’t feel bad when she doesn’t wear them.)
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