Best eyeshadow palettes

Eye makeup is something of a lifesaver when you have to show your face to the world after a heavy night of partying or restlessness. Since your peepers are first to show the signs of last night’s effects, an eyeshadow range in different colours and finishes is essential for a glamorous transformation.   

When choosing the perfect palette, look out for shades that compliment every eye colour as well as hues that appeal to your own unique style. A good palette should take the trickiness out of your eye makeup look and include light, medium and dark tones. Make sure these come in matte and shimmery finishes, which are both equally important for building intensity and adding brightness.

With multiple bestselling palettes, Urban Decay has made eyeshadow shopping easy for makeup newbies, but there are plenty of game-changing collections from brands like Lime Crime and Too Faced to consider as well. Whether you’re primping for a night out or prettifying your face for a wedding, we’ve done the legwork to find you 7 eyeshadow palettes for every type of glam. 

Looking to switch up your nude eye game? Enter Urban Decay’s Naked Heat, the latest edition to the brand’s cult Naked range. A must for beginners, the stunning edit of deep and light colours features brown, nude and red-based tones. The pigment-packed mattes blend smoothly with the velvety shimmers, while the double-tapered brush makes for a breezy application. You can also mix and match colours from other Naked palettes. No wonder it’s showing up on some of the best beauty accounts on Instagram.

A quad of matte, shimmer and gel-like pearlescent tones, Illamasqua’s Demise palette brings texture and sparkle to the eyes for a dramatic look. The richly pigmented mattes last impressively long, making this collection ideal for evening makeup. We found the peachy ‘Wilt’ shade perfect for highlighting the brow bone, while the black-blue ‘Gimp’ hue is a great alternative to eyeliner. If you need to carry less in your handbag, this is the palette for you. 

Our favourite clutch-friendly palette comes from none other than the makeup artistry legend. The creamy copper, bronze and champagne shadows drape the lids in warmth with the dreamiest shimmer. Perfect for turning your office look into a full glam, it comes with a step-by-step guide for a simple transformation. Whether you pair the look with a dramatic red pout or subtle nude lip, it’s sure to make you feel super-glam.