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The 12 Best Eyeshadow Palettes, Tested and Reviewed by Editors

From neutral to bold, these matte and shimmery eyeshadow palettes guarantee all eyes will be on you.

By Mary Honkus Plus Icon

Mary Honkus

The Best Eyeshadow Palettes of 2023
Testing Verdict: The Top 3 Eyeshadow Palettes
The Best Eyeshadow Palette Brands
The Best Eyeshadow Palettes for Different Eye Colors
How We Selected the Best Eyeshadow Palettes
How We Tested and Reviewed the Best Eyeshadow Palettes
Why Trust WWD
Meet the Experts
Meet the Author

The Best Eyeshadow Palettes of 2023
Testing Verdict: The Top 3 Eyeshadow Palettes
The Best Eyeshadow Palette Brands
The Best Eyeshadow Palettes for Different Eye Colors

View More

If you took a peek into anyone’s makeup bag 20 years ago, you’d surely find a few things floating around: a great mascara (likely that pink and green tube of Great Lash itself), lip gloss, and maybe a little concealer. As for eyeshadow palettes, well, those were reserved for the pros. Nowadays, the best eyeshadow palettes are widely available, allowing makeup enthusiasts and professionals alike to explore their creativity and hone in on their artistry skills.

Danessa Myricks, a celebrity makeup artist and founder of her eponymous beauty brand, embraces this evolution and encourages everybody to integrate an eyeshadow palette into their routine. “They offer flexibility and diversity of looks,” she explains. “Everyone loves options, and a well-curated palette gives you the confidence that everything you need is all in one place.” Professional makeup artists Jonet Williamson and Brittany Lo credit eyeshadow palettes’ initial accessibility and subsequent explosion to Urban Decay. The 2010 launch of the original Naked Palette sparked a craze that completely transformed the makeup industry. “That palette in particular was the trigger for many brands to lean deep into the palette conversation,” adds Myricks.

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That product, along with the rise of social media, created a snowball effect, only spiking consumers’ interest in eyeshadow palettes. “As people gained instant access on how to explore more with makeup, they began to think beyond the favorite shadows in their makeup bag and were open to experiment with more,” explains Myricks.

Brands took note, and 13 years later there are more options than ever before. Today’s eyeshadow palettes aren’t just stocked with impressive color ranges. The most versatile options also include an array of finishes — from buttery mattes and subtle shimmers to glistening metallics — and most are carefully curated with complementary colors, so anyone can fashion a cohesive eye look without having studied color theory. Byond the mega edits containing 30-plus shadows, smaller compacts of four to six hues have also become a mainstay for those who want to explore but keep things simple.

With the help of our experts and plenty of product testing, we sifted through dozens of eyeshadow palettes on the market to find the best of the best. Along the way, we examined bestseller lists and reviews, and swatched, swiped, and blended a few of the formulations for ourselves to analyze the color payoff, texture, and longevity. In the end, we narrowed our list down to 12 impeccable eyeshadow palettes that will spark creativity and make you fall in love with makeup all over again.

The Best Eyeshadow Palettes of 2023

Patrick Ta Major Dimension II Rose Eyeshadow Palette
Best Matte: Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette
Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Eyeshadow Palette
Best for Beginners: Tarte Tartelette in Bloom Amazonian Clay Eyeshadow Palette
Best Affordable Option: NYX Ultimate Shadow Palette
Best Cool-Toned Option: Colourpop Stone Cold Fox Eyeshadow Palette
Morphe 35C Everyday Chic Artistry Palette
Best Mini Palette: Nars Quad Eyeshadow Palette
Huda Beauty Pretty Grunge Eyeshadow Palette
Best Pastel Palette: Juvia’s Place Garden of Juvia Eyeshadow Palette
Natasha I Need a Nude Eyeshadow Palette
Best High-End Palette: Pat McGrath Labs Mothership X: Moonlit Seduction

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Testing Verdict: The Top 3 Eyeshadow Palettes

Palettes are a personal choice: Maybe you only wear matte, neutral eyeshadows, or perhaps you’re looking for a palette with multiple finishes and a wide range of simple to statement-making shades. Because of the variation within the category, our testers selected the top three eyeshadow palettes for different results and skin types, rather than one best overall. Below, our top picks:

Patrick Ta Major Dimension II Rose Eyeshadow Palette: A unique standout for its mix of cream and powder eyeshadows in a range of matte to shimmery finishes, Patrick Ta’s eyeshadow palette is our testers’ choice for those who want major versatility. The cream formulas come in just two shades, but they go on sheer to suit fair to deep skin tones for a standalone glossy lid look or as a primer for powders you apply on top.
Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette: This 12-pan stunner is our top pick for the best neutral eyeshadow palette. Compared to other neutral palettes we tested, this one included far more options for medium and deep skin tones, including a deep carbon black pigment that can double as eyeliner. Although matte, the formulas aren’t drying and didn’t crease on oily eyelids during testing (a qualm our panel had with other matte eyeshadow palettes).
Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Eyeshadow Palette: If you’re looking for one palette that’ll have you covered you for no-makeup makeup days as well as special occasions, Anastasia Beverly Hills’ Soft Glam palette is our choice. Depending on the combination you choose, these powders can deliver soft, daytime eyeshadow looks as well as dance floor-ready drama. On top of wearable neutrals, the palette includes shimmery rose, soft eggplant, and rich burgundy shades.

Patrick Ta Major Dimension II Rose Eyeshadow Palette

Number of shades: 12
Finishes: Matte, satin, pearlescent
Special features: Mirror included, mix of powder and cream shadows
Sephora Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars

$70

Buy Now at sephora

$70

Buy Now at Patrick Ta

Complete with a mix of cream and powder formulas, Patrick Ta’s lustrous Dimension II palette is a rosy dream. The shadows are flawlessly organized: Pearlescent shimmers fill the top row, buttery mattes pack the bottom, and two cream bases reside on the left hand side, protected with an ingenious cover to ward off any stray glitter flecks. Aesthetics aside, the multifunctional mix is one of the most wearable, user-friendly options currently available, and it has quickly become a part of my daily wardrobe. These shadows diffuse with a featherlight touch, and finished looks maintain integrity through marathon days, officially making creasing and patchiness a thing of the past (even on hooded eyes).

Price upon publish date of this article: $70

Best Matte Eyeshadow Palette

Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette

Number of shades: 12
Finishes: Matte
Special features: Mirror included
Sephora Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars

$50

Buy Now at sephora

Lauded as one of the best matte eyeshadow palettes ever made, Mario Dedovonic’s Master Mattes is a favorite of makeup enthusiasts and professionals alike. (Myricks even calls it the “gold standard.”) This best nude eyeshadow palette features 12 neutral shades inspired by the beauty of human skin tones and covers a full range of hues from light to deep. The darkest shade — matte 12 — is made with carbon black pigment, making it more intense than traditional black shadows. All the colors provide dynamic color payoff, though, and the silky, featherweight texture can easily be built up or blended out to achieve a variety of makeup looks.

Price upon publish date of this article: $50

Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Eyeshadow Palette

Number of shades: 14
Finishes: Matte and metallic
Special features: Mirror and dual-ended brush included
Sephora Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Saks Fifth Avenue Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4/5 stars

$45

Buy Now at sephora

Buy Now at saks fifth avenue $38.35

On days when I need to keep things soft and natural, I reach for this Anastasia Beverly Hills Palette. But I also lean on it to build dramatic smokey eyes for special events. The luxurious, all-encompassing palette was built to satisfy every eye makeup need with its coalition of nine velour mattes and five illustrious shimmers. The scope of warm browns, terracottas, and golden metallics pop on all skin tones and especially accentuate blue eyes. Taking your look from day to night has never been easier, either: With the included double-edged brush, enhancing definition can be done in seconds.

Price upon publish date of this article: $38.35

Best drugstore Eyeshadow Palette

Nyx Professional Ultimate Shadow Palette

Number of shades: 16
Finishes: Matte, metallic, shimmer
Special features: 4 colorways to choose from, vegan and cruelty-free
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Ulta Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars

Buy Now at Amazon $20

$20

Buy Now at ulta

Nyx is known for crafting professional-quality makeup at affordable prices. While the brand’s lip products and eyeliners regularly go viral, its eyeshadow palettes lie relatively under the radar. But after playing around with a few iterations of the Ultimate Shadow Palette, I’m convinced it’s only a matter of time before it becomes a TikTok-famous beauty product.

The compact 16-pan arrangement packs a major punch in terms of vibrancy and longevity. Each swatch reveals a true-to-color hue that blends with ease. Velvety mattes can be intensified or diffused with the flick of a brush, while the metallic and shimmery shades feel smooth and consistent rather than having an uncomfortable graininess that is common among inexpensive eyeshadows.

Price upon publish date of this article: $20

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Best Eyeshadow Palette for Beginners

Tarte Tartelette in Bloom Amazonian Clay Eyeshadow Palette

Number of shades: 12
Finishes: Matte and shimmer
Special features: Mirror included, arranged in color-coordinated rows for cohesive application
Sephora Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Revolve Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars

$45

Buy Now at sephora

$45

Buy Now at revolve

Lo frequently finds herself reaching for Tarte palettes because they “do an incredible job at creating color combinations that make sense together and don’t include those extra hues that you never end up using.” The Tartelette in Bloom palette, in particular, goes even further to take the guesswork out of determining what eyeshadows work best together, making it especially great for beginners.

Twelve neutral mattes and shimmers are organized into three rows, each containing a base, lid, crease, and liner shade. Following the color scheme allows anyone to seamlessly execute an everyday smokey eye. Additionally, the soft, blendable formulas are infused with Amazonian clay, which prevents smudging on oily eyelids and ultimately extends the wear time for any skin type.

Price upon publish date of this article: $45

Best Cool-Toned Eyeshadow Palette

Colourpop Stone Cold Fox Eyeshadow Palette

Number of shades: 30
Finishes: Matte and metallic
Special features: Cruelty-free
Ulta Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars

$35

Buy Now at ulta

If you’re on the beauty side of TikTok (aka BeautyTok) chances are you’ve watched someone swatch Colourpop eyeshadow — that term has garnered more than 1 billion views on TikTok, thanks to the high impact shades and well-thought-out color stories.

The brand has no shortage of palettes to choose from, but only one was the number-one top-selling eyeshadow palette at Ulta in 2022: Stone Cold Fox. The icy 30-pan stunner offers a mix of cool-toned satiny mattes and shimmering metallics that look just as bold on the lid as they do in the pan. I find that the tiniest tap of product is enough to build a striking eye look. And although metallics tend to crease on my hooded eyes, this affordable formula looks just as fresh at the end of long days.

Price upon publish date of this article: $35

Morphe 35C Everyday Chic Artistry Palette

Number of shades: 35
Finishes: Matte and shimmer
Special features: Zero-fallout formulation
Ulta Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars

$28

Buy Now at ulta

$14 $28 50% off

Buy Now at morphe

Beauty influencers have celebrated Morphe’s inexpensive pro-level eyeshadow palettes since the dawn of YouTube, including the functional 35C Everyday Chic Artistry palette. At $28 for 35 unique shadows, it’s the most cost-effective option on our list from a brand that creates some of the best eyeshadow palettes of all time.

We appreciate that it contains novice-friendly hues (like taupes and browns) for those looking to build out their makeup collection, while also providing room for vibrant experimentation with soft purples, jades, and sapphires. The bouncy formulas blend with minimal effort no matter what makeup brush set you have on hand, and you’ll experience zero fallout, even when swiping the iridescent shades. Considering the price — which comes out to less than $1 per shadow — the quality truly rivals some palettes that are triple the cost.

Price upon publish date of this article: $28

Best Mini Eyeshadow Palette

Nars Quad Eyeshadow Palette

Number of shades: 4
Finishes: Matte, metallic, shimmer, and sparkling
Special features: Compact, comes in four colorways
Nordstrom Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars

$44.20 $52 15% off

Buy Now at nordstrom

$52

Buy Now at nars

While larger eyeshadow palettes give you the ability to create a vast assortment of makeup looks, they’re not the most travel-friendly. Mini palettes, on the other hand, typically hold four carefully curated shadows in a small compact, making them easy to store in your weekend bag and allowing you to build a uniform eye look without second guessing yourself. Nars Quad Eyeshadow Palette takes things a step further, fashioning its signature mini in four universally flattering colorways that feature matte, metallic, shimmering, and sparkling finishes. The pure pigment powders provide the same payoff whether you’re using a makeup brush or your fingers, so you can rest assured your final look will appear blended and smooth — whether you’re completing your makeup in transit or have ample time to perfect it at your vanity.

Price upon publish date of this article: $44.20

Huda Beauty Pretty Grunge Eyeshadow Palette

Number of shades: 18
Finishes: Matte, duo-chrome shimmer, glitter
Special features: Mirror included, shades infused with aloe vera and coconut oil
Sephora Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars

$65

Buy Now at sephora

“Huda Beauty creates beautiful color stories that are a perfect mix of practicality and fun,” says Myricks. The Pretty Grunge palette shines with its fresh rendition on dramatic and neutral shadows. The 18-pan kit includes rich sands, mauves, browns, and burgundy tones, and features a range of finishes — from creamy mattes and subtle shimmers to flashy duo-chrome glitters. The sparkling shades deserve major recognition for producing zero fallout, a notable feat given glitter’s inherent messy nature. Beyond that masterful formulation, TikTokers can’t seem to get enough of the palette’s versatility. Thousands of tutorial videos have been uploaded to TikTok, while Pretty Grunge Palette has amassed 1.8 million views on the app since it launched just a few months ago.

Price upon publish date of this article: $65

Best Pastel Eyeshadow Palette

Juvia’s Place Garden of Juvia Eyeshadow Palette

Number of shades: 16
Finishes: Matte and shimmer
Special features: Cruelty-free
Ulta Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars

$25

Buy Now at ulta

As far as pastel eyeshadows are concerned, it’s extremely difficult to create highly pigmented formulas that stay true to color once applied, especially for those with deeper skin tones. Lighter hues have the tendency to turn chalky, but you’ll never have to worry about that with Juvia’s Place palettes. After struggling to find makeup products suited for her dark skin, founder Chichi Eburu set out to fill the gap, and the brand’s palettes quickly rose to fame for delivering on the inclusive promises.

The Garden of Juvia palette particularly stands out with its dazzling rainbow of shadows that include everything from matte sea green to glittering electric violet. Each color looks just as brilliant in the pan as it does on the lid, and can withstand long hours of wear with minimal to no creasing.

Price upon publish date of this article: $25

Natasha Denona I Need a Nude Eyeshadow Palette

Number of shades: 15
Finishes: Matte, metallic, foiled, and glossy
Special features: Cruelty-free, mirror included
Sephora Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Ulta Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars

$69

Buy Now at sephora

$69

Buy Now at ulta

According to Myricks, world-renowned makeup artist Natasha Denona is the queen of eyeshadow palettes. “Her formulas are next level, and the way she curates her color stories is a true testament to her artistry,” says Myricks.

Makeup buffs also seem to agree. While a number of her namesake palettes have scored coveted spots on best seller lists, I Need a Nude — one of the newest offerings — shot straight to the top at Ulta and Sephora after its launch in August. Inside you’ll find 15 cool-toned powders that feel weightless on lids yet deliver high-impact color. The multitude of finishes afford plenty of room for experimentation, allowing for anyone to build soft day to day looks or go full glam. On special occasions (like weddings), the foiled shadows offer a brilliant sparkle that pulls all the focus to the wearer’s eyes.

Price upon publish date of this article: $69

Best High-End Eyeshadow Palette

Pat McGrath Labs Mothership X: Moonlit Seduction Palette

Number of shades: 10
Finishes: Matte, metallic, and shimmery
Special features: Mirror included, duochrome shadows shift hues depending on the light
Sephora Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Ulta Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars

$128

Buy Now at sephora

$128

Buy Now at ulta

In the realm of high-end makeup, Pat McGrath Labs sits on the loftiest pedestal. Its Mothership palettes have become a thing of legend… and cost a pretty penny. (At $128, they’re the priciest items in the line.) Williamson assures that the price is justifiable because the pro-level formulas impart amazing color payoff and versatile textures. “Pat McGrath is one of the only brands still making palettes worth the hype,” she adds.

Out of all the releases, Moonlit Seduction arguably contains the most user-friendly colors, with a selection of creamy contemporary neutrals in matte and gleaming finishes, as well as a few shape-shifting duo-chrome jeweled hues that dance in the light. The shadows pack a pretty punch when applied directly to the eye, but the payoff reaches new dimensions when mixed with water — it’s one of the best pigmented eyeshadow palettes on the market.

Price upon publish date of this article: $128

The Best Eyeshadow Palette Brands

Today, it’s standard for makeup brands to offer at least one eyeshadow palette in their product lineup. But there are a few brands that go above and beyond in terms of “pro-level formulas that offer amazing color payoff and versatile textures,” explains Williamson. All of our experts agree that Makeup by Mario and Natasha Denona palettes stand out amongst the oversaturated market because they are curated through a pro-lense. “The nuances in the shade perfusion and the textures make [these palettes] the gold standard,” says Myricks.

Makeup by Mario truly excels in the matte shadow department, as seen by the success of the Master Mattes Palette. The formulas are creamy, blendable, and buildable, and can be used to create a range of eye looks on different skin tones. For a wider scope of finishes, including shimmering wet-effect and glossy, Natasha Denona’s beautifully organized palettes deliver vibrant results for glamorous and everyday smoky eyes.

Tarte and Huda Beauty also dominate the category with their unique and cohesive color stories. “The color combinations [from these brands] make sense together and don’t contain those extra shades that you never end up using,” says Lo.

The Best Eyeshadow Palettes for Different Eye Colors

While both Myricks and Williamson agree that there’s no such thing as the “perfect” eyeshadow hue for your eye color, they emphasize that color theory is a powerful thing. With that in mind, the colors that are opposite of your eyes’ on the color wheel can make peepers pop.

Best eyeshadow palettes for blue eyes: When looking at a color wheel, you’ll find red and orange are the exact opposite from blue. Translated to eyeshadow colors, Myricks says that terracotta, copper, brown, gold, bronze, and peach shades can really accentuate blue eyes. Therefore, opt for a warm-toned eyeshadow palette, like Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Eyeshadow Palette, that offers a mix of those hues.
Best eyeshadow palettes for green eyes: Opposite of green on the color wheel you’ll find a mix of pinks and purples. For makeup novices, the thought of swiping on a bright color, like purple, may be nerve-wracking. It’s important to understand that there are so many nuanced hues in the purple spectrum that will emphasize green eyes. Think more along the lines of deep plums, rich mauves, and soft lavenders, (some of which can be found in Huda Beauty The New Nude Eyeshadow Palette) rather than bright electric purple.
Best eyeshadow palettes for hazel eyes: Because hazel eyes feature a combination of tones — usually brown, green, and gold — there are many ways to experiment with eyeshadow to underscore different hues in your eyes. Myricks recommends sticking with golden brown and green shades to really bring the same hues in your eyes to center stage. On the other hand, Lo suggests following suit with green eye recommendations, opting to swipe pinks and lighter purples along the lid to highlight the green and golden flecks in hazel eyes.
Best eyeshadow palettes for brown eyes: According to Myricks, “every color in the rainbow works well with brown eyes.” Though if you want some fine-tuned guidance on spotlighting brown eyes’ richness, Lo suggests blending warm browns, golden shades, purples, plums, and blues along the lid and brow bone. Considering this is such a large range of hues, it’s a good idea to select a palette with a vast selection. Morphe 35C Everyday Chic Artistry Palette contains 35 shades with a variety of finishes, as well as cool- and warm-toned options.

How We Selected the Best Eyeshadow Palettes

In order to find the best eyeshadow palettes that include a wide range of colors and finishes, we diligently researched the bestselling products across retailers, cross-checked customer reviews, and tested out new releases from the top brands. We also interviewed professional makeup artists to discover their time-tested palettes, and learn more about what to consider when purchasing an eyeshadow palette. Through this process, we were able to narrow down the vast options to the 12 best eyeshadow palettes currently on the market. Below, a few runner-ups that almost made the cut:

Too Faced Born This Way Natural Nudes Palette: While our testers were wowed by the number of neutral to bold shades in this palette, the shimmery shades felt heavy on eyelids and resulted in some fallout during application with a fluffy-bristled brush.
Lawless The Dreamy Dozen Eyeshadow Palette: This palette contains a number of soft, wearable shades for daytime, however the shadows require multiple layers to achieve the color payoff that similar options provide in one pass.
Tom Ford Eye Color Quad Eyeshadow Palette: Although it’s a gorgeous luxury eyeshadow palette, Tom Ford’s Eye Color Quads feature powder shadows that are hard to transfer to your lids without a damp brush — otherwise the pigments are nearly undetectable.

How We Tested and Reviewed the Best Eyeshadow Palettes

Three beauty writers and editors tested a total of 27 eyeshadow palettes to narrow down this list of the very best. Our panel of testers included women with different eye shapes and skin types and tones, including those with hooded eyes, double eyelids, oily eyelids, and dry skin. We used a variety of application methods while testing these eyeshadow palettes, including affordable makeup brushes, luxury makeup brushes, and clean fingertips. We tested different finishes available in each eyeshadow palette to asses color payoff and wearability, sporting the shadows for five to 18 hours. On top of key factors to look for in any eyeshadow, like if it creases or smudges during wear, we also considered the below criteria while testing.

Shade range: The best eyeshadow palettes are ones that entice you to use each and every shade. The palettes on our list include shades that run the gamut from inclusive neutrals to bold hues. Most importantly, we sought out palettes with shades should work well together, so you can blend, build, and buff the any of the tones onto your lids for a flawless look.
Finishes: Some eyeshadow palettes include just one finish — fully matte, satin, or shimmery — which caters well to those with a strong preference for certain finishes. We also highlighted palettes with a mix of finishes, ensuring that each one applied evenly without creasing or splotches.
Color payoff: Eyeshadow palettes can contain anywhere from four to 30-plus shades, but all those options are only helpful if they apply well onto the skin. During testing, we evaluated eyeshadow palettes with subtle to highly pigmented finishes, eliminating any options that left a splotchy or uneven result with both dry and damp makeup brushes.
Packaging: Without secure packaging, eyeshadows can crack in their pans, rendering some of the shades useless. We made sure that the eyeshadow palettes on our list feature sturdy packaging that stays closed, and awarded bonus points to options that come with additional features like built-in mirrors or separators that prevent powders from creeping into cream formulas.

Why Trust WWD

Since 1910, WWD — often referred to as “the fashion bible” — has been the leading industry voice of authority for senior executives in the global women’s and men’s fashion, retail and beauty communities, while also informing the consumer media that cover the market. Today, WWD’s breaking news and trend coverage continues to be a trustworthy resource for both fashion insiders and consumers alike. Our shopping editors continue to uphold WWD’s editorial standards and values with quality, expert-backed product selections. Learn more about us here.

Meet the Experts

Danessa Myricks is a self-taught celebrity makeup artist with over 20 years of experience in the industry. She has worked with the likes of Britney Spears, Madonna, and Ciara. After helping to develop products at well-established makeup brands, including Benefit Cosmetics and KISS, she launched her eponymous cosmetics brand, Danessa Myricks Beauty in 2015. Her line features multiple eyeshadow palettes, including the fan favorite Groundwork Palette.

Jonet Williamson is a New York-based professional makeup artist and content creator with over 15 years of experience. Her work has been featured in national campaigns for brands including Dolce & Gabbana, Levi’s, and L’Oréal. In her social videos, she enjoys creating beginner-friendly looks that anyone can feel confident replicating.

Brittany Lo is a New York-based professional makeup artist, and founder of Beautini, a wedding and special events beauty service.

Meet the Author

Mary Honkus is a freelance beauty writer with over five years of experience researching, testing, and writing about hair care, makeup, and skincare. She has held on-staff positions at InStyle, People, and Real Simple, and her bylines can be found in numerous other publications including Cosmopolitan and Us Weekly. Honkus bought her first eyeshadow palette at 16 (the Kat Von D Monarch Palette, RIP!) and has been blending ever since. For this story, she swatched and tested nine of the palettes featured, analyzing the texture, color payoff, and rating their efficacy. She currently resides in New York City.

This article was fact checked and reviewed by Leanna Yip, a veteran copy editor with over 12 years of experience, including eight years text editing researched shopping stories and in-depth product guides across several categories, including fashion, beauty, home, footwear, tech, gifts, and more.

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