It can be a difficult task to find natural eyeshadows that are both good for you and the environment. This includes also finding eyeshadows that are not tested on animals and don't have poor reviews.
One thing to remember when shopping for natural eyeshadows is this: Mineral makeup is king. Mineral makeup is largely made up of purely natural ingredients, including titanium oxide, zinc oxides, iron oxides, and mica. Non-organic shadows tend to contain very few naturally occurring ingredients. They also can contain preservatives that may not be good for you.
The following list includes several tried and true natural eyeshadows, as well as a few wonderful eyeshadow primers and an illuminator that can be used to wake up the eyes.
Everyday Minerals Eyeshadow
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Courtesy of Everyday Minerals
Clean, simple formula
Lightweight
Buildable
Possibly too shimmery for some
We absolutely love the color options available in Everyday Minerals Eyeshadows. And, you can't beat the price. These eyeshadows have great staying power if applied wet (just dip your brush in a bit of water before dipping it into the shadow) and over an eyeshadow primer.
Finish: Sheer | Form: Powder | Size: 0.03 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Alima Pure Eyeshadow
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Courtesy of Amazon
Many color options
Can be applied dry or damp
Creamy feel
Shades could be a bit brighter
These eyeshadows are a favorite because there are so many color options that range from matte to shimmer and the price is right too. They tend to be richly pigmented so the color is rich, not barely there. And these shadows are free of Bismuth oxychloride (BOC), which may be a big plus for natural, organic makeup lovers.
Price at time of publish: $18
Finish: Matte | Form: Cream | Size: 0.06 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Zuzu Luxe Eyeshadow
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Courtesy of Amazon
Vegan
Full of rich, bio-available nutrients
Comes in 16 shades
Not very long-lasting
Enhance your eyes with Zuzu Luxe 100 percent natural mineral eyeshadows. Fresh and superbly blendable, these gorgeous shadows come in 16 stunning, ultra-wearable shades that can be worn alone or combined.
Price at time of publish: $18
Finish: Velvet | Form: Powder | Size: 0.07 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
RMS Beauty Cream Eyeshadow
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Courtesy of Amazon
Glowing and light-reflective
Made of raw minerals
Amazing for dry or aging eyes
Too subtle in appearance for some
Unlike most commercial eyeshadows that accelerate aging and emphasize lines, RMS Beauty Cream Eyeshadows double as an eye cream to nourish and moisturize the eye area. It's 100 percent natural and packed with organic ingredients.
Finish: Sheer, Metallic | Form: Cream | Size: 0.15 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Zuii Organic Eyeshadow
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Courtesy of Zuii Organic
Perfect for sensitive eyes
Talc-free
Naturally derived, mineral enriched colors
Need to apply two coats for richness
Zuii Organic's eyeshadows get rave reviews from our experts. One writes that Zuii is one of the best natural brands on the market today for eyeshadow. Their shadows are highly pigmented and there are many amazing colors to choose from. We love Moss (deep green), Black Diamond (very black with subtle sparkles), Blackberry (deep purple), Blue Marine (beautiful medium royal blue), Brownie (dark gold), Mustard (medium tan with slight yellow and shine), and White Diamond (sparkly white).
Price at time of publish: $25 for Blackberry
As with all mineral shadows, you should apply with an eyeshadow brush and apply a primer on lids beforehand.
Finish: Sheer | Form: Powder | Size: 0.21 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Urban Decay Naked Eyeshadow Palette
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Courtesy of Nordstrom
Strong staying power
High blendability
Velvety texture
Pricey
Some of the most popular eyeshadow palettes on the market, Urban Decay's Naked series is well-priced considering you get so many shadows in each palette. For luminous shades with shimmer and sparkle, try the Naked 2 palette. Or, for something a little sexier, opt for the Naked Cherry palette.
Price at time of publish: $54
Finish: Shimmer, Satin, Matte, Metallic | Form: Cream | Size: 0.21 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Jane Iredale Smooth Affair for Eyes
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Courtesy of Amazon
Lasts long
Chic appeal
Works solo or as primer
Feels pasty on eyelids to some
If you have oily lids, you may have noticed your eyeshadow melts into your crease. Keep this from happening with a lid primer, like this one from Jane Iredale. This lid primer doubles as a shadow best applied with a finger.
Finish: Sheer | Form: Powder | Size: 0.01 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion
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Sephora
Vibrant pigments
Crease-free
Lasts up to 24 hours
Hard to apply
Urban Decay's primer potion is a beauty editor favorite. Most mineral eyeshadows require a primer on your lid to make them stay longer and this is an excellent option.
Price at time of publish: $25
Finish: Natural | Form: Cream | Size: 0.33 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
RMS Beauty Illuminizer
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Courtesy of Amazon
Gives a sensuous glow
Not sticky or greasy
Completely natural
Doesn't have staying power
The must-have addition to any natural makeup collection, this no-glitter luminizer from RMS is the perfect highlighting balm for the inner corner of the eyes, under the eyebrows, along the collarbone, or anywhere else you want a subtle, sexy glow.
Price at time of publish: $55
Finish: Sheer, Luminous | Form: Balm | Size: 0.17 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
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Byrdie / Ashley Rebecca
Everyday Minerals Makeup Brushes
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Everyday Minerals
Wallet-friendly
Dense and plush
Vegan
Synthetic fibers shed a bit
Mineral makeup usually requires a good mineral makeup brush for application. These brushes from Everyday Minerals get great reviews and are loved for their price.
Brush Material: Synthetic | Size: 1.0 x 1.0 x 6.7 in.
What To Look For in a Natural Eyeshadow
Ingredients
Natural (or mineral) makeup, like these eyeshadows, are made up of certain ingredients like zinc oxides, mica, titanium oxide, and iron oxides.
Highly Pigmented
Some natural eyeshadows are sheen or sheer, so it's imperative to look for shadows with a lot of pigment. Highly pigmented shades will allow you to get the most out of your eyeshadow. It'll provide a bright or natural pop of color to your eyeshadow and let you get the most bang for your buck.
Blendability
The great thing about eyeshadows is their ability to create a multitude of looks. To use them for different looks, make sure your shadows have blendability. This will allow you to cut crease, create different shapes, or fuse a multitude of colors together.