The 14 Best Eyeshadow Palettes Money Can Buy

Best Overall: NARS Voyageur Eyeshadow Palette

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There may only be six shades in this palette, but make no mistake about it—the six are next-level versatile. They look great on an array of eye colors and skin tones and do get the job done to create plenty of different looks, even though they all are fairly neutral. We reach for it time and time again, for both every day and special occasion wear, and have even hit pan (AKA used up all the shadow) a few times, a makeup rarity.

Size: 6 x 0.02 ounces | Number of Shades: 6 | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Best Budget: Essence Like Wild Nature Earth Eyeshadow Palette

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This palette is easy on the wallet but doesn’t skimp on shade options or shadow quality. We like the nine neutral, earth-tones in this one, though there are three other versions, each inspired by a different element—air, fire, and water—with a set of shades that corresponds with each. For this price, we say pick up all four.

Size: 9 grams | Number of Shades: 9 | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Best Drugstore: NYX Professional Makeup Ultimate Utopia Shadow Palette

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Not only is this one of our favorite drugstore options, but it’s also one of our favorites for offering plenty of versatility, drugstore brand or not. We’re talking about an impressive array of 40 shades, in all kinds of colors and finishes. No matter what kind of eye makeup look you’re going for, we guarantee you’ll be able to create it with this palette.

Size: 1.2 ounces | Number of Shades: 40 | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Best Warm-Toned: Urban Decay Naked Heat Eyeshadow Palette

4.8

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There’s arguably no palette out there with more of a fan following than the OG Urban Decay Naked, which has spawned countless new variations on the theme since its launch over a decade ago. For fans of any and every warm shade, this iteration is choice. It houses a dozen colors, ranging from pale peach to deep terracotta, with a mix of matte, shimmer, and metallic finishes that can be mixed and matched in any number of ways. Each shadow is buttery and blendable and touts a unique pigment infusion system to ensure the color is vibrant and long-lasting. Don’t think you’ll use all 12? Check out the mini version, which streamlines the options down to six.

Size: 12 x 0.05 ounces | Number of Shades: 12 | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Best Warm-Toned, Runner-Up: Natasha Denona Bronze Eyeshadow Palette

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Creamy mattes, chromes, metallics, and shimmers make up this palette, which boasts 15 warm shades. You have your standard copper and champagne tones, as well as a few more unexpected options, think of a metallic purple and deep eggplant (though they all have warm undertones). Still, all of the hues work beautifully on a wide range of complexions, points out Ariana Rose, a StyleSeat cosmetologist and makeup artist, who is a fan. Scibelli also likes this option, noting that all of the colors are beautiful and can be used in a multitude of ways.

Size: 15 x 0.65 ounces | Number of Shades: 15 | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Best Cool-Toned: Smashbox Cover Shot Eye Palette

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Prefer your colors on the cool side? This palette offers eight takes on the theme, ranging from pale pink to deep plum. Pigmented and blend-able, they also all mix and layer together nicely, always a good thing when it comes to getting maximum versatility from any palette.

Size: 0.27 ounces | Number of Shades: 8 | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Best Brights: Ace Beaute Slice of Paradise Palette

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For those who love to experiment with vibrant shadows, this set of 12 brights is choice. The rainbow-inspired colors are bold, fun, and saturated and include all kinds of options not usually found in many palettes, think a Kelly green and tangerine orange. Finely-milled and pressed, they also all pack intense color pay-off.

Number of Shades: 12 | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Unknown

Best Brights, Runner-Up: Juvia’s Place The Magic Mini Eyeshadow Palette

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“The formula of these eyeshadows is some of the best out there, extremely pigmented and easy to work with,” says Rose, adding that she likes that their palettes feature a mix of both bright and neutral tones. That’s the case here, with lots of fun poppy colors combined with a few more wearable neutrals.

Number of Shades: 16 | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Best Textures: UOMA Beauty Black Magic Carnival Color Palette

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The 10 shades in this palette offer plenty of variety when it comes to both texture and color. There are some wearable neutrals, choice for every day, alongside bold shades ideal for experimenting with trendier looks. And the textures can’t be beaten, with velvety mattes, shimmers, and full-on metallics that further up the versatility factor. Not to mention that they’re all long-lasting and water-resistant.

Number of Shades: 10 | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Best Nudes: Persona Identity Eyeshadow Palette

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Whoever said nude shadows were boring never met this palette. Rose says it’s one of her go-tos, which she uses both on herself and her clients. “It’s got everything you need for both day and night looks and features warm and cool tones,” she says. She also lauds the formula for being smooth and easily blendable with minimal fall-out.

Number of Shades: 12 | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Best Neutrals: Morphe x Jaclyn Hill Divine Neutrals

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For those who like to keep their shadow simple and subdued, this pick is choice. Rose is a fan of all of their palettes, calling them a solid and affordable option. This one in particular features a dozen neutral, wearable shades in a mix of matte, satin, and shimmer finishes that still ensure there’s plenty of versatility.

Number of Shades: 12 | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Best Over-Sized: Lorac Mega Pro Palette

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All of the Lorac Pro palettes are great, but the larger ones offer a huge variety of shades so that you can create lots of different looks, says Rose of another of her favorite options. There are 32 shades, ranging from white to deep navy, all of which can be used either wet or dry. (Try them wet to up the pigment intensity and/or if you want to use them as a liner.)

Number of Shades: 32 | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Best Splurge: Pat McGrath Mothership II Eyeshadow Palette-Sublime

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Yes, this pick is super pricey, but the 10 curated shades do make for a complete shadow wardrobe all on their own. The mix of neutrals, saturated jewel tones, and high-impact trend shades (think an ultra-foiled gold hue) offer tons of versatility, all of which tout cream-to-powder formulas that feel and go on like butter. Not to mention that the luxe lacquered case feels like a work of art in and of itself.

Number of Shades: 10 | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No