The 6 best eyeshadow palettes I can’t live without after testing 25+

When you’ve spent more than five years as a full-time commerce reporter covering beauty, you learn a few things about what makes a truly best eyeshadow palette.

For me, it started long before I ever got paid to swatch shades for a living, back in the days of YouTube beauty gurus and that legendary Coastal Scents 88 Warm Palette (if you know, you know). My obsession began with pixelated tutorials and frosty champagne lids, and by the time I finally unboxed my first Naked palette, it felt like I’d reached beauty nirvana.

Fast forward to now, and I’ve tested more palettes than I care to admit — all in the noble pursuit of finding the perfect shimmer, matte and glitter balance.

The true magic of a neutral eyeshadow palette lies in its ability to make you feel effortlessly put together. Whether you’re going for quick getting-ready chic or I have a 9 a.m. meeting and no caffeine yet” survival mode, a lineup of soft taupes, caramels and buttery creams can do the heavy lifting. The right one blends seamlessly, flatters every skin tone and becomes that trusty sidekick you never leave behind — even when you swear you’re “just bringing mascara.”

But sometimes a girl just wants sparkle, and that’s where the glitter eyeshadow palette steals the show. I’ve tested everything from subtle celestial dustings to full-on disco-ball energy, and while my vacuum cleaner might not love it, my eyelids certainly do. There’s something delightfully dramatic about a palette that refuses to play it safe, catching the light (and compliments) every time you blink.

“Color theory is helpful to make eye color pop in their own unique way,” Alana Wright, celebrity makeup artist, told Post Wanted. “It’s best when there is a variety of textures — like shimmer, matte, and satin — to ensure the eye look created has dimension.”

Of course, the trend cycle has swung us back into the world of the cool toned eyeshadow palette, and honestly? I’m here for it. Silvery taupes, smoky mauves and icy grays have officially replaced warm browns as the new “it” shades in my rotation. There’s something instantly polished about a cool-toned look; it’s mysterious, modern and a little editorial, like you might have somewhere fabulous to be, even if it’s just brunch.

And for those days when you’re feeling bold and fearless, a colorful eyeshadow palette is pure serotonin in compact form. Swiping on electric blue or hot pink shadow is like saying, “Yes, I have my life together — and also, I’m fun.” For cream lovers, the cream eyeshadow palette deserves its own standing ovation, melting onto lids like silk and lasting through everything from deadlines to dance floors.

In short, these palettes are your multi-shader tiny, portable mood boards. And after years of testing, blending and obsessing, I can confidently say: the best eyeshadow palette isn’t just the prettiest — it’s the one that makes you feel like the main character.

Best Overall: Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette

Revolve

The Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette stands out as the best eyeshadow palette I reviewed thanks to its exceptional blend of artistry and everyday wearability. This is my fifth full palette I’m using in full. When I hit pan on an eyeshadow, I immediately pound the alarm and head to Sephora.

First and foremost, the color story is impeccable. The palette includes a curated mix of warm neutrals and vivid berry tones that offer both subtle daytime sophistication and vibrant evening glamour. The formula is richly pigmented, smooth, and easy to blend, so each shade applies with minimal effort yet delivers impressive payoff. Whether you’re going for a soft wash of color or full-on drama, this palette has the versatility to make it happen.

Victoria McDonnell

Beyond the shades themselves, what elevates this palette is how thoughtfully it’s been constructed (and after reviewing all of Anastasia Beverly Hills, its quality reigns supreme). The nine matte shadows offer a flawless base for creating depth and structure, while the six shimmer and metallic finishes bring dimension and luminosity to the lid. This balance means you’re not forced into a single look; whether you prefer a soft, neutral eye or a bold sultry vignette, the palette has you covered.

Moreover, the consistency across finishes means you won’t experience patchiness or uneven wear, a common issue in lesser palettes. The packaging is also travel-friendly, with a mirror built in, making it a true all-in-one solution. I personally love the shade “Raw Siena” and find that it blends out as a wearable crease shade.

Truly, what cements this palette at the top of my list is its staying power and universal appeal. The shadows remain vibrant and intact throughout a full day — even under long hours — so you won’t need constant touch-ups. The berry and rose tones complement a wide variety of skin tones and eye colors, making it a go-to choice whether you’re dressing up for an evening out or just want an elevated daytime look. Fabulously, the Modern Renaissance Palette delivers on shade selection, formula performance, and versatility — which together make it the premier eyeshadow palette you’ll reach for again and again.

Shade range: 14 shades

---

Best Drugstore: e.l.f. Cosmetics The New Classics Eyeshadow Palette

Amazon

When it comes to eyeshadow palettes that combine versatility and quality, The New Classics Eyeshadow Palette from e.l.f. Cosmetics easily stands out. Featuring 18 carefully selected shades in a mix of matte, satin and shimmer finishes, this palette offers endless possibilities for both everyday and elevated looks.

Each color feels smooth, blends effortlessly, and delivers rich pigmentation that rivals high-end formulas— proof that you don’t need to spend a fortune for professional-level results.

Its incredible balance of variety and value makes me keep opting for it in my makeup stash. For a modest price, you receive a full spectrum of neutral tones that complement every skin tone and style. The thoughtfully curated selection means you can transition from soft daytime glam to bold evening drama with ease, all from a single compact. Plus, after reviewing the near-entirety of e.l.f. Cosmetics, its commitment to being vegan and cruelty-free makes me love the brand even more. Quality at a great price point? Yes, please!

Most impressive, though, is how The New Classics lives up to its name. The timeless neutrals anchor your collection with everyday reliability, while the subtle mix of satin and shimmer shades brings a touch of modern sophistication. It’s a palette that invites creativity yet remains effortlessly wearable — a rare find in the drugstore aisle and one that earns its place as a true staple in any makeup bag.

Shade range: 18 shades

---

Best Neutral: MAKEUP BY MARIO Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette: The Original

Sephora

A few years back, I had the pleasure of meeting Mario Dedivanovic in person — yes, the very seasoned makeup artist behind Kim Kardashian’s iconic looks — and was immediately struck by his passion for crafting formulations that feel just as good as they look. His iconic offering, the MAKEUP BY MARIO Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette: The Original, perfectly embodies that commitment.

With 12 richly pigmented, ultra-matte shades, this palette delivers on both effortless blending and staying power. When I applied it, I found each hue to glide on beautifully, layer seamlessly, and maintain that soft, skin-like finish — even under lighting and long wear.

Victoria McDonnell

love how the Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette: The Original offers a perfectly balanced spectrum of neutral tones that suit every skin tone and style. The range flows seamlessly from soft bone and warm taupe to rich espresso and deep chocolate, allowing for endless combinations that always feel elevated and modern. The mid-tones create smooth transitions, while the deeper shades add natural definition and intensity.

The texture reminds me of his foundation that feels like second skin: creamy yet lightweight, blending effortlessly for a soft-focus finish that lasts beautifully throughout the day. Each shade maintains its depth without ever appearing flat, creating eyes that look polished and refined.

For anyone who wants the best of the best, straight from Kim Kardashian’s own makeup artist, this 12-shader palette is the ultimate investment. The Master Mattes palette delivers exceptional color payoff, smooth application, and long-lasting wear, making it a staple for both everyday and professional use. Whether you’re crafting a subtle wash of color or a more defined, sultry look, it performs with ease and precision every time. It’s the definition of timeless luxury — versatile, elegant, and unmistakably MAKEUP BY MARIO.

Shade range: 12 shades

---

Best Glitter: HUDA BEAUTY Icy Nude Eyeshadow Palette

Sephora

I’ve tested the HUDA BEAUTY Icy Nude Eyeshadow Palette thoroughly, and I can confidently say it earns the title of best glitter eyeshadow palette I’ve reviewed. From the moment I tapped the glitter shades on my flat eyeshadow brush, I noticed something immediately: there was virtually no excess fallout. The shimmer stays exactly where you pick it up and goes exactly where you want it — none of that messy speckling under the eyes or on your cheeks. That alone sets it apart from so many palettes where the glitter almost seems too loose or finicky to handle.

What impressed me even more was the beauty of the color transfer. When I pressed the glitter shades from the palette onto my lids, the payoff was bold, clean and even. The flat brush helps pick up just the right amount, and the pigment glided on seamlessly. The glitter doesn’t get patchy or lose intensity; it delivers that full-on sparkle without needing three or four layers. This means I get real, high-impact shine with minimal effort, which is exactly what I look for in a great glitter palette.

Beyond performance, the overall palette formulation and shade range elevate it. The Icy Nude palette offers a cleverly curated mix of neutrals and icy glitters that feel both wearable and show-stopping. The matte transition shades blend effortlessly, giving me the perfect base to let the glitter pop. And when it’s time for sparkle, the glitter shades step up and deliver consistent results — whether I apply them with a brush, dampened brush or fingertip. All in all, this palette gives me the control, precision and radiance I want, making it my top pick for a standout glitter eyeshadow palette.

Shade range: 18 shades

---

Best Color Range: Tarte tartelette In Bloom Amazonian Clay Eyeshadow Palette

Sephora

The Tarte Tartelette In Bloom Amazonian Clay Eyeshadow Palette stands out as a must-have for anyone seeking the perfect balance of versatility and elegance. Its thoughtfully curated 12-shade collection, featuring nine mattes and three subtle shimmers, effortlessly spans soft daytime neutrals to bold, sultry evening tones. Each shade is designed to work in harmony, allowing me to create a complete look —from crease to lid to liner — without ever feeling limited.

The mix of finishes ensures you can achieve both natural, understated looks and more dimensional, dramatic styles, making it a palette with one of the best color ranges available.

Victoria McDonnell

The formula and quality of this palette elevate it above the rest. Infused with Amazonian clay, the eyeshadows are silky, blendable and long-wearing, while the compact packaging with an included mirror makes it travel-friendly and convenient for daily use. I’m obsessed with the thoughtfully designed shades that complement one another so well, the palette functions as a complete one-stop solution for a variety of occasions, whether casual, professional or glamorous.

Its consistency and pigmentation make it easy to achieve professional-looking results without requiring multiple products.

Complementing the palette, Tarte’s Tartelette Mascara has become my go-to pick among tubing mascaras. It separates and defines lashes beautifully without flaking or smudging, perfectly pairing with the eyeshadow palette to complete any eye look. Together, the Tartelette In Bloom palette and Tartelette Mascara provide a reliable, high-quality combination for effortlessly versatile makeup that works across different skin tones and styles. Once you try, you’ll never go back.

Shade range: 12 shades

---

Best Cream: Lancôme Idôle Café Crush Nude Eyeshadow Palette

Ulta Beauty

Having tested many palettes, I can confidently say that the Lancôme Idôle Café Crush Nude Eyeshadow Palette stands out as the best cream‑eyeshadow palette I reviewed.

From the moment I first touched the pans, the texture revealed itself as satisfyingly buttery soft — easily gliding across the skin with minimal effort and blending beautifully, truly living up to the “smooth and soft texture” promise the brand highlights. This velvety feel makes application feel like a luxury experience rather than just makeup; the shadows melt into the lid rather than sit on top of it.

The true standout feature of this palette is the versatility and depth of the 12-shade range: including rich coffee-inspired tones from vanilla browns through latte mid-tones to deep espresso and berry-piqued shades. Because the formula is so creamy and blendable, you can build from a soft daytime neutral into a bold evening look with ease. I found that even when working quickly, the colours layer without becoming muddy; the buttery texture allows for smooth transitions and defined edge blending, which is often a challenge with less refined formulas.

To top it all off, the staying power and performance cement why this is my top pick: the palette promises up to 12 hours of intense color, with “one-swipe payoff and buildable intensity.” In my wear tests, the payoff was strong and the finish remained polished throughout the day. The buttery softness didn’t compromise performance; instead it made blending seamless and the end look clean and sophisticated. For anyone seeking a premium cream-eyeshadow palette that marries texture, range and performance, this palette ticks all the boxes.

Shade range: 12 shades

---

FAQ on eyeshadow

Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, it’s always good to have another eyeshadow trick or best practice in your beauty arsenal. Here to answer some commonly-asked questions is our makeup artist expert. Here’s an overview of her background:

• Alana Wright: A NYC-turned-LA makeup artist with experience in print, television and red carpet events. Her clients have ranged from bestselling authors and the former editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue, Elaine Welteroth, to Frank Ocean.

What is a go-to eyeshadow tip everyone should know?

“My go-to eyeshadow tip is to always use an emollient shadow base (concealer or shadow primer) before applying eyeshadow so that it can have long wearability,” Wright said.

As a personal recommendation, Anastasia Beverly Hill’s Mini Eye Primer ($13) is unbeatable.

How can I create an everyday eyeshadow look?

“A great way to create an easy everyday shadow look is paring a neutral shade with your bronzing powder,” she said. “Use the bronzer as a crease color and apply whatever neutral shadow color onto the lower lid. I love using a fluffy domed shadow brush to apply both shades because it does most of the blending for me.”

Additionally, Wright recommends a smaller brush that’s firm and flat to build a more intense color onto the lid, as much as desired. “Circle back and use your fluffy domed shadow brush to soften any hard edges to give a nice diffused look,” she noted.

How can I experiment with colorful eyeshadow as a beginner?

Wright says to “ease into it” or “dive right in.”

“The easiest way for me would be to use the colored shadow as an eyeliner using a small angled liner brush for application,” she continued. “A clean line is created by applying the shadow along the top lash line by connecting small dashes together in a soft dabbing motion.”

Plus, If more color is desired, she recommends blending the shadow onto the lid with a flat shadow placement brush.

How long should I keep an eyeshadow palette before it ‘expires?’

“The standard shelf life of cosmetics is 36 months, but I find powdered products to last a lot longer,” Wright said. “Spray your eyeshadow palette surface with 70% isopropyl alcohol and now and then to be sure that it’s sanitized. The isopropyl alcohol will evaporate without altering the product.”

How can I make my eye color pop?

“Color theory is helpful to make eye color pop in their own unique way,” Wright explained. She provides an overview of which colors look best and complement each eye color:

• Brown eyes: Different times of blue like navy and teal, along with deep plums.
• Green and hazel eyes: Purples and hues of green.
• Blue and gray eyes: Violet, red, orange and warm gold tones.

How I tested

Over the past five years, I’ve rigorously tested countless eyeshadow palettes to see which ones truly stand out. I evaluated each palette based on a set of key criteria that capture everything from performance to versatility:

• Pigmentation and Color Payoff: I tested how vibrant and true-to-pan the shades appear on the skin, including both single swipes and layered applications.
• Blendability and Texture: I assessed how smoothly the shadows blend, whether they patch or tug, and how easy it is to create gradients or transitions.
• Longevity and Wear: I evaluated how long the eyeshadow stays vibrant without creasing, fading or smudging throughout the day.
• Versatility and Shade Range: I considered how well the palette accommodates a variety of looks— from natural to dramatic — and if the shades complement each other.
• Formula Consistency and Finish: I checked the texture across all shades, including matte versus shimmer balance, powder kick-up and whether it delivers consistent performance across different finishes.

---

Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post

This article was written by Victoria McDonnell, New York Post Commerce Journalist & Content Strategist, who has spent countless hours researching, testing hundreds of products and comparing the latest makeup, skincare, hair and beauty items and trends to determine what’s truly worth your hard-earned cash. She evaluates formulas, textures, ingredients and more, in addition to consulting medical and industry experts. Some of Victoria’s latest conquests include testing the best vitamin C serums on the market, and a rinse-and-repeat review of the best shampoos of 2025. Victoria, who received a beauty industry essentials certification from the Fashion Institute of Technology, has been creating shopping guides for the New York Post since 2021 and previously held positions at Insider Reviews and CNN Underscored.

---