What is the point of eye shadow?

Eye shadow can add depth and dimension to the eyes and help change appearance or even shape. It can complement your eye color and make it pop, and of course, can simply draw attention to your eyes.

What is best way to blend glitter shadow?

While it's typically recommended you blend matte shades with a brush—with glitter, the best tool is free: your fingers. Dabbing and dotting glitter shadows and pressing them onto the lid will pack most punch. If you're looking for a more subtle look, stick to your brush routine.

Can I use loose glitter for eye shadow?

Technically, yes. However, you never want to put anything on the eye without making sure it is deemed safe. Many palettes offer loose glitters, and using an eye primer or sticky base will allow you to apply a loose glitter shadow successfully.

The 12 Best Glitter Eyeshadow Palettes of 2022.

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A glittery eyeshadow palette makes it easy to call attention to your eyes and of course, dress up an otherwise casual outfit. Not just reserved for special occasions or the holidays, there's no excuse needed to don a dramatic, glittery eye look. You may be tired of your neutral palettes and are looking to change up your look, or perhaps re-watching Euphoria made you realize you need to up your makeup game, stat.

We've found some of the best options to match your mood, whether you want to add some glitter to the inner corners of your eyes for a subtle effect or transition your look to nighttime with a bold metallic accent. You can even try sweeping sparkly eyeshadow on your brow bone or cheekbones as a glittery highlighter. There are no rules in makeup, after all. When seeking out the perfect palette, you'll want to keep formula top of mind, as glitters can be tricky with fallout and longevity. Luckily we've done the hard part, researching, testing, and finding our favorites.

Read on for the best glitter eyeshadow palettes.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Viseart Eyeshadow Palette in Metallic Finish at Sephora

Best Budget:

Lamora Pro Eyeshadow Palette at Amazon

Best Drugstore:

Rimmel London Eyeshadow Palette in Jewel Rocks at Amazon

Best Splurge:

Pat McGrath Mothership III at Patmcgrath.com

Best Shade Range:

Too Faced Metallic Eyeshadow Palette at Ulta

Best Cream:

NYX Cream Quad Palette in Galactica at Ulta

Best Metallic:

Jouer Making Magic at Amazon

Best for Dark Skin Tones:

Juvia’s Place The Saharan Palette at Ulta

Best for Green Eyes:

Smashbox Cover Shot Eye Palette at Sephora

Best for Brown Eyes:

Urban Decay Stoned Vibes Eyeshadow Palette at Amazon

Viseart Eyeshadow Palette in Metallic Finish

View On Sephora

What We Like

Soft formula
Little fallout
Blendable

What We Don't Like

Looks chalky to some

Who else recommends it? Vogue also picked the Viseart Eyeshadow Palette.

Whether you only wear eyeshadow that complements your eye color or if you like to go bolder, this palette has something for everyone. The bright shades including icy silvers and rosy pinks can be well blended for a subtler look or layered for a smokier, nighttime appearance. This palette is definitely a splurge but will have your eyes looking like a work of art.

Finish: Satin and Matte | Colors: 12 | Size: 0.84 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Lamora Pro Eyeshadow Palette in Nude Exposed

View On Amazon

What We Like

Buildable
Applies smoothly
Waterproof

What We Don't Like

May sting the eyes

This budget-friendly pick features 16 colors that can be mixed to an almost endless variety of subtle or dramatic looks. You can even up the ante by first wetting your brush before applying. Users rave that the quality and colors rival that of higher-end brands—and it's a good choice for makeup beginners. The nude color palette makes it easy to work with, and the results will have you feeling fabulous.

Finish: Shimmery | Colors: 16 | Size: 3.21 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

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What We Like

Various versions available
Can create various eye looks
Good on all skin tones

What We Don't Like

Not much staying power

With a diverse shade range—from browns and pinks to purples—you'll be sure that you won't run out of color combos to experiment with. To make the most out of the palette, the versatile mix of mattes and shimmers can be used as eyeshadow, liner, and a highlighter. The best part? You wont break the bank doing so.

Finish: Shimmery | Colors: 12 | Size: 0.49 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Pat McGrath Mothership III Subversive Palette

Courtesy of Sephora

View On Patmcgrath.com

What We Like

Can be used wet or dry
Creamy texture
Strong saturation

What We Don't Like

Has fallout

This luxe palette is a favorite among makeup aficionados due to its unique, cream-infused powder formulas and oversized pans. Perfect for nighttime or smokier looks, the darker shades, including Xtreme Black and Blitz Amethyst, also double as eyeliner.

Finish: Matte, Pearl, and Sparkle | Colors: 10 | Size: 0.47 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Too Faced Chocolate Gold Metallic Eyeshadow Palette

View On Ulta

What We Like

Uniquely infused with real gold
Velvety wear
Multi-color effect creates dimension

What We Don't Like

Pricey

With 12 metallics and four mattes to choose from, this palette is well-loved for its smooth application, longevity, and quality of pigment. Living up to its name, the palette is infused with cocoa powder to add a sweet, chocolatey scent to your getting-ready routine.

Finish: Metallic and Matte | Colors: 16 | Size: 9.6 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

View On Ulta

What We Like

Great color
Can work on body as well
Vegan

What We Don't Like

Glitter may clump while applying

Cream eyeshadows are renowned for their quick application time and shiny finish. The combo of metallic shades and a cream-based formula equals an iridescent match made in heaven. The palette ensures minimal fallout so your glitter can stay on day and night.

Finish: Glitter | Colors: 4 | Size: 0.14 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Jouer Making Magic Ultra Foil Eyeshadow Palette Gift Set

View On Amazon View On Jouercosmetics.com

What We Like

Highly pigmented
Long-wearing
Has an enhanced wear

What We Don't Like

Pricey

No mattes here, the 12 foiled shades ensure optimal shine so you can adorn your eyes in light-reflecting shades like Moonstone and Dragonfly. A sweet plus? The set comes with a shimmery, gold eye topper that can be worn by itself or layered over eyeshadow as a finishing touch.

Finish: Shimmery | Colors: 12 | Size: 9.76 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

View On Ulta

What We Like

Highly pigmented
Blends easily
Inspired by Fulani culture

What We Don't Like

May smudge a bit

This popular palette includes 12 oversized shades that pair especially well with darker skin tones. The vibrant hues, ranging from rose gold to burgundy, are named after the various subgroups within the Fulani of West Africa.

Finish: Shimmer and Matte | Colors: 12 | Size: 0.63 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Smashbox Cover Shot Eye Shadow Palette in Punked

Courtesy of Sephora

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What We Like

Perfectly purse-size
Intense pigment pay-off
Little fallout
Grunge-inspired

What We Don't Like

Chalky to some

Complete with eight flattering, pigment-powered shades, this palette's compact size means it fits easily in your bag for when you’re on-the-go. The pink and lavender shades of the grunge-inspired Punked combo are especially flattering for green eyes.

Finish: Shimmer. Metallic, and Matte | Colors: 8 | Size: 0.27 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Urban Decay Stoned Vibes Eyeshadow Palette

Courtesy of Sephora

View On Amazon

What We Like

Gemstone-inspired with real tourmaline
Energizing
Gorgeous colors

What We Don't Like

Hard to remove

The four mattes in this fan-favorite palette can be used as a base before layering on the marbleized top shades. Each color is also infused with the healing gemstone tourmaline and the set comes with a handy two-sided eyeshadow brush and a mirror.

Finish: Shimmer and Matte | Colors: 12 | Size: 0.36 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Makeup by Mario Master Metals Eyeshadow Palette

View On Sephora

What We Like

Liquid-foil effects
High metal shine
Beautiful payoff

What We Don't Like

Can be a bit messy

The best things come in small packages—and Makeup by Mario proves it with this petite, yet mighty, eyeshadow palette. Sometimes, all you need are the basics to give you a full glam moment. Try experimenting with the various shades by doing a multi-colored lid for a festive look. The warm orange and gold hues particularly complement cool-toned blue eyes by adding contrast.

Finish: Metallic | Colors: 5 | Size: 0.05 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Natasha Denona Mini Gold Eyeshadow Palette

View On Sephora

What We Like

Pocket-sized
Comfortable to wear
Hydrating

What We Don't Like

Not much staying power

This pocket-sized, five-shade palette features green and gold hues—perfect for making hazel eyes pop. The varied finishes also make it easy to experiment with lid and crease combos.

Finish: Shimmer and Matte | Colors: 5 | Size: 0.028 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

What to Look For

Formula

If you've ever owned a glitter eyeshadow, you know that not all are created equally. The wrong palette will have your entire face covered in glitter (sometimes everywhere but the lid) and that is of course a no no. Glitters with a silkier and more satin finish that glide on the eye are typically the most optimal when it comes to pigment and payout with the lowest risk of fallout.

Complementing Colors

While there is of course wiggle room when working with glitter shades (after all, the point is to pop), finding colors that compliment your eyes is always a plus. For blue eyes, reach for earthy tones. Green eyes, neutrals. And for brown eyes, lucky you, you can pull off just about any color.

Shade Range

If you are a palette queen and have the ability to purchase in multiples, finding color-specific palettes may be your thing. But if you're looking for one master-shimmer palette, go for something with variety. The bigger the variety, the more bang for your buck. You never know when you'll be in the mood for something different.

Final Verdict

Glitter eyeshadow palettes are not only fun to experiment with but are also a great way to amplify your day or nighttime look. With colorful hues and also cruelty and paraben-free formula, our top pick is the Viseart Eyeshadow Palette in Metallic finish. For a more affordable pick that still offers a range of high-quality shades, you can't go wrong with the Lamora Pro Eyeshadow Palette.

FAQ

What is the point of eye shadow?

Eye shadow can add depth and dimension to the eyes and help change appearance or even shape. It can complement your eye color and make it pop, and of course, can simply draw attention to your eyes.
What is best way to blend glitter shadow?

While it's typically recommended you blend matte shades with a brush—with glitter, the best tool is free: your fingers. Dabbing and dotting glitter shadows and pressing them onto the lid will pack most punch. If you're looking for a more subtle look, stick to your brush routine.
Can I use loose glitter for eye shadow?

Technically, yes. However, you never want to put anything on the eye without making sure it is deemed safe. Many palettes offer loose glitters, and using an eye primer or sticky base will allow you to apply a loose glitter shadow successfully.

The 14 Best Eyeshadow Palettes Money Can Buy

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