What is the point of eyeshadow?

Eyeshadow 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 eyeshadow?

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

Commerce Photo Composite — Byrdie / Lecia Landis

Fact: The perfect glitter eyeshadow palette sparks joy. Whether it’s bold and bright or made up of bronze-toned neutrals, there’s just something special about a shiny, shimmery makeup palette that makes us swoon. “I love a good glittery eye,'' makeup artist Michael Brown tells us. “It’s also an easy occasion look as it doesn’t really take a lot of time or skill to throw together—just create a base, layer on your glitter and finish with mascara,” Brown adds.

Byrdie Researched & Approved

Our best overall pick is the Pat McGrath Mothership V: Bronze Seduction Palette, which boasts superior pigment level and a texture so soft and silky it’s almost like applying velvet to your eyes. For a more affordable pick, consider the NYX Professional Makeup Ultimate Utopia Eyeshadow Palette which features a full range of shades at an excellent price.

While not as functional as a great concealer or clear brow gel, a glitter eyeshadow palette is still a useful inclusion in any makeup kit—one swipe across the lids can take you from boardroom to bar in seconds (and we’re 100% here for that).

From wearable neutrals to disco hues and everything in between, we conducted hours of research on the best glitter eyeshadow palettes., evaluating each on shades, pigment level, texture, and finish. After consulting a celebrity makeup artist and considering dozens of options, we landed on the products in this roundup.

Ahead, find the best glitter eyeshadow palettes to create dramatic, statement eyes.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

PAT McGRATH LABS Eyeshadow Palette at Sephora

Jump to Review

Best Neutral:

Too Faced Born This Way Eyeshadow Palette at Sephora

Jump to Review

Best Pink:

ColourPop Eyeshadow Palette at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Finish:

NABLA Palette at Ulta

Jump to Review

Best Jewel Tones:

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Palette at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best for Blue Eyes:

Charlotte Tilbury Eyeshadow Palette at Nordstrom

Jump to Review

Best for Sensitive Eyes:

Huda Beauty Eyeshadow Palette at Sephora

Jump to Review

Best Shade Range:

Juvia’s Place Eyeshadow Palette at Ulta

Jump to Review

Best for Green Eyes:

NARS Voyageur Eyeshadow Palette at Sephora

Jump to Review

Best for Daily Use:

Morphe Palette at Amazon

Jump to Review

In This Article

Our Picks
Final Verdict
What To Look For
FAQ
How We Researched
Why Trust Byrdie

PAT McGRATH LABS Mothership V: Bronze Seduction Eyeshadow Palette

Sephora

View On Sephora View On Patmcgrath.com View On Selfridges.com

What We Like

Easy to wear shades
Beautiful textures
Satin, shimmer, and glitter finishes

What We Don't Like

Expensive

It would be criminal of us to talk eyeshadow and not mention Mother and makeup legend, Pat McGrath. Mothership V: Bronze Seduction is a beautiful mix of copper, bronze, and deep pink, making it versatile but highly wearable.

“Pat’s shadow formulas are unmatched,” adds Brown. “Silky soft, they blend beautifully and wear really well over the course of a day.”

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

Too Faced Born This Way Sunset Stripped Eyeshadow Palette

Sephora

View On Sephora View On Ulta View On Toofaced.com

What We Like

Mix of glitter and matte/satin shades
Great neutrals
Contains coconut water to support hydration

What We Don't Like

Not as pigmented as others

A mix of soft pinks, deep taupes, and shiny charcoal, the Too Faced Born This Way Sunset Stripped palette is a great all-rounder. It’s actually a mix of classic matte, satin, and glitter shades, so you can build out a look that speaks to your mood, or the occasion. The glitter specifically is also quite creamy, so you shouldn’t experience too much fallout.

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

4.7

ColourPop Truly Madly Deeply Pressed Powder Eyeshadow Palette

Ulta Beauty

View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Colourpop.com

What We Like

Bright color palette
Richly pigmented

What We Don't Like

Only a handful of glitter shades

Aside from looking straight out of a ‘90s romcom, this candy-colored palette is pigmented, versatile, and works on all complexions. While not every shade is a true glitter, we love the fact you can mix and match for a customized finish. Try dusting on a satin hue first, before layering glitter on top.

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

Beauty Bay

View On Ulta View On Beautybay.com

What We Like

True glitter
High shine finish

What We Don't Like

Only 4 shades
Risk of fallout

How stunning is this palette from Nabla? Each color has a holographic finish, for a dimensional, light-catching effect. The glitters themselves contain both large and small pigments, so they adhere to the lids relatively well. For added longevity, put a primer underneath.

Shades: 4 | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Urban Decay Stoned Vibes Eyeshadow Palette

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Walmart

What We Like

Great shade range
Rich pigment
Dimensional, chunky glitter particles

What We Don't Like

Risk of fallout

“This has been in my kit for a long time,” explains Brown. “The colors have so much depth, and I love the metallic finish—one swipe provides amazing coverage.”

Fun fact: The shades in this palette are also infused with real tourmaline to bring the good vibes. We’re unsure just how well it works, but we think it’s a cool extra feature nonetheless.

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

Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Eyeshadow Palette - Walk of No Shame Collection

Sephora

View On Nordstrom View On Sephora View On Charlottetilbury.com

What We Like

Easy to apply
The four shades work well together

What We Don't Like

Expensive
Not a classic glitter

If you’re more of a makeup minimalist but still want to enjoy a little shine, look no further than Charlotte Tilbury’s iconic Walk of No Shame quad. The rose-tinted shades are universally flattering, but work especially well to complement those with blue eyes. It’s buildable as well, so you can work up to your desired intensity.

Shades: 4 | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

4.9

HUDA BEAUTY The New Nude Eyeshadow Palette

Sephora

View On Sephora

What We Like

Wearable colors
Highly pigmented
Comes with a concealer base

What We Don't Like

Not entirely made up of glitter shades

“This is another favorite of mine, both in terms of the shade range, texture, and finish,” explains Brown. “The pinks are just so soft and illuminating, while the glittery hues just melt into the skin. It’s also talc and fragrance free, so is safe for those with more sensitive eyes.”

Shades: 18 | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Ulta Beauty

View On Ulta View On Juviasplace.com

What We Like

Amazing shade range
Highly pigmented

What We Don't Like

Not all shades have a glitter effect

If you want to own every eyeshadow color of the rainbow, add this Juvia’s Place palette to your wishlist, stat. Packed with neon hues, metallic shades, and glitter textures aplenty, it’s all you need to create a bright, bold makeup look.

Shades: 30 | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

4.5

NARS Mini Voyageur Eyeshadow Palette in Quartz

Sephora

View On Sephora View On Ulta View On Narscosmetics.com

What We Like

Great color payoff
Fine glitter prevents fallout

What We Don't Like

Expensive

Small but mighty, this NARS palette uses a super fine glitter, so it blends easily, and won’t spill out onto your cheeks. Quartz especially combines a mix of plum, pink, and copper—a mix that’s glamorous but still easy to weak. Also, the purple undertones do a stellar job at enhancing green or hazel eyes.

Shades: 6 | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Morphe

View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Morphe.com

What We Like

Huge range of colors
Great mix of shimmer and glitter shades
Affordable

What We Don't Like

Not as pigmented

If you want a palette that indulges your glitter makeup fantasies but can still be worn daily to work, the Morphe 35C Everyday Chic Artistry Palette is perfect. While there’s a great shade range overall, we love the fact it’s packed with taupes, plums, and browns—plus a few glitter hues for good measure. It’s also not as highly pigmented as some of the others on this list, which is a good thing if you prefer a soft finish.

Shades: 35 | Cruelty-Free: Yes| Byrdie Clean: No

Ulta Beauty

View On Nordstrom View On Ulta View On Limecrime.com

What We Like

Buttery texture
Pigmented

What We Don't Like

Smaller shade selection

This tiny palette still packs a punch in the color department. Made up predominantly of green and gold, the each individual color is buttery and richly pigmented for great coverage in one swipe.

Shades: 8 | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Ulta

View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Nyxcosmetics.com

What We Like

Affordable
40 shades
Saturated pigment
Great shade range

What We Don't Like

Not entirely made up of glitter shades

As far as price goes, this palette from NYX can’t be beat. Not only does it boast 40 pigmented shades, but has an excellent mix of rich metallics, heavy glitters, and saturated shimmers so you can literally achieve any look with the single palette.

Shades: 40 | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Final Verdict

We simply can’t go past the Pat McGrath Mothership V: Bronze Seduction Palette as our winning formula. Not only is the color payoff unmatched, but the texture is so soft and silky it’s almost like applying velvet to your eyes. The NABLA Glorious Lights Glitter Palette is a true glitter with a light-catching finish, and the NYX Professional Makeup Ultimate Utopia Eyeshadow Palette because it serves up excellent shades at an excellent price.

Meet the Expert

Michael Brown is one of Australia’s leading celebrity makeup artists and experts, and has worked on countless photoshoots, campaigns, red carpet looks and magazine covers over the course of his 20 year career. Michael has also held Australian ambassador roles for global brands including St Tropez, Marc Jacobs, Moroccanoil, Ardell Lashes and Olay.

What to Look For in a Glitter Eyeshadow Palettes

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.

FAQ

What is the point of eyeshadow?

Eyeshadow 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 eyeshadow?

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.

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 Emily Algar has been a beauty journalist for over eight years—not to mention someone who is very fond of a glitter eyeshadow moment (especially now that parties are back on the agenda). For this edit, we also tapped a makeup expert and scoured through internet reviews to find the best of the best.

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