The 12 Best Eyeshadow Palettes Money Can Buy

NARS eyeshadow palettes are known for their highly pigmented colors and smooth application, and this addition to their line is no exception. The Skin Deep Eyeshadow Palette features 12 neutral brown shades that range from dark brown to shimmering beige. The four shades at the top are bigger because they can be used as the go-to transition shades. The bottom eight shades include two matte shades for creating depth and six metallic/shimmer shades to highlight and brighten.

Each shade is highly pigmented and blendable, but keep in mind that a little product goes a long way. This palette was created with all skin tones in mind, so it includes shades that are both warm-toned and cool-toned.

Few palettes created as much buzz as the Morphe and Jaclyn Hill collaboration did upon its launch—and for good reason. You get 35 shades for an affordable price, and the colors range from light ivory to a true black. While most of the palette is neutral, it also includes some standout shades like seafoam green and a cobalt blue shimmer so you can add some variety to your looks.

The majority of reviewers give this palette 5-stars, with customers raving about the pigmentation, shade range, and lasting power of the shadows.

This is the number one bestseller in eyeshadow palettes on Amazon, and it's no surprise why. It features 16 pigment-rich shades ranging from rose gold to dark brown with finishes that run the gamut—metallic, satin, matte, you name it.

If you're a sucker for eyeshadow palettes with multiple options, look no further than this 96-pan beauty. Even with 96 shades in matte and shimmer finishes, none of them feel redundant or unnecessary. The colors are all super versatile and can take you from day to night.

If you’re looking for a completely matte palette that will make all of your dreams come true, the Kat Von D Shade + Light Eye Contour palette is it. Modeled after the brand’s best-selling Shade + Light Contour palette for your face, it does the same exact thing for your eyes. Each section has a “base shade,” plus shades to lift, balance, and define your eyes.

The palette is divided into a neutral, cool, and warm sections so you can create a look with the undertone you’re in the mood for. You can stick to only using colors from each section or mix and match them to get a little creative.

To truly make your eyelids stand out in a crowd, add neon pops of color with the help of this 35-pan eyeshadow palette. It’s a great collection to have in your makeup arsenal to add dimension and flashy, vivid hues to your look.

Inside you’ll find a range of buildable, easy-to-blend colors—think: bright purples, yellows, pinks, and more—in shimmer, satin, and matte finishes. Whether you’re headed to a festival, carnival, or simply want a bold, eye-catching eye look, this eye shadow palette has everything you’ll need to make a statement. 

This addition to the Urban Decay Naked family is now a staple in most beauty lovers’ makeup collections. While there are some staple warm colors in this palette, like deep cranberry and terra cotta, there are also some unique shades that are thrown into the mix (think deeper plum shades). Unlike the previous Naked palettes, these shadows are more buttery so they're much easier to blend. Plus, the mix of mattes, shimmers, and metallics are good for daytime and nighttime looks. 

Reviewers noted that this palette is beautifully made, and the inclusion of more unusual colors was much appreciated. If you gravitate towards warm-colored shades, this palette is a must for your collection. 

Though this palette isn’t entirely cool-toned, most of the palette pulls cooler. The neutral and warm tones in the Tarteist PRO palette help compliment the cool-toned looks you’re creating. It has 16 matte shades and four shimmers so you have a variety to choose from. All of the shadows are infused with Amazonian clay to make the shadows smooth and rich, and they’re deeply pigmented so a little goes a long way.

This palette contains seven shades in four finishes, and that’s more than enough to achieve a wide range of eye looks—from sultry smokey eyes to subtle neutrals—that can take you from day to night. The finishes include matte velvet, satin, silk, and lamé, and all hues offer major color payoff for all skin tones. 

Just like clothing, you can layer your eyelids with any combination of shades from this palette. For a daytime look, you may opt for one shade that you can build on later ahead of date night or drinks with friends. Long story short: There are multiple ways to enjoy this palette, so have some fun with it. 

A night out calls for a bold, vivid eye look and this palette with 10 classic shades can help you achieve just that. All of the shades—ranging from pretty jewel tones to matte neutrals—are richly pigmented and glide on easily to sculpt, highlight, and define the eyes without creasing. Plus, all shades are infused with cream, so they boast an emollient-like texture, allowing them to be applied and blended with ease.

Six of the shades offer matte, pearl, and shimmer finishes, while the other four offer metallic, satin sheen, and iridescent finishes worthy of a double take. One stroke is all it takes for intense color, and voila you’re ready to paint the town red. 

If you prefer to shop for your makeup at the drugstore, don’t head to checkout without adding this eyeshadow palette—aptly called Ultimate Shadow Palette—to your cart. It features 16 eyeshadows in various textures, shades, and finishes—mattes, satins, shimmers, metallic, just to name a few—that are anything but boring.

Best of all, there are six different palettes to choose from, depending on the colors you use regularly. Choose “Ash” if you like cool greys and blues, “Phoenix” for reds and corals, “Smokey & Highlight” for bold, smokey eye looks, “Brights” for vivid pops of color, and “Warm Neutrals” and “Cool Neutrals” depending on your skin’s undertone.