We lost count of the amount of eyeshadow palettes that launched last year, each as dazzling and beautiful as the next. From celebrity brands to drugstore dupes, it’s starting to get a little overwhelming navigating through 50 shades of brown to find the right one for you, especially if you’re looking for one palette that does it all.
Struggle no longer, we’ve trawled through some recent best-sellers to pick the top six eyeshadow palettes that will take you from day to night. Whether you’re after a daytime office look, a cocktail evening with the ladies or something for going out out, get your blending brush ready because these palettes will cover all (inner and outer) corners.
NARS NARSissist Wanted Eyeshadow Palette
The new limited edition Nars palette dropped just last month (yaasss!) and it’s everything we wanted it to be and more. Taking the torch of rose gold hues, deep matte browns and a much-needed sprinkling of glitter, this palette is ideal for medium-deep skin tones.
For daytime, keep it matte using the deep brown on a blending brush through the eye socket. Blend upwards towards the brow bone and add a subtle highlighter with a lighter matte colour. If you’re going out, vamp it up with the matte red through the crease and add glitter – lots of it.
£55, Shop Here
OPV BEAUTY Yemoja Palette
You will definitely have heard of the Yemoja palette on Instagram but if you haven’t, allow us to introduce you to your new favourite eyeshadow collection. Inspired by a Nigerian goddess from the Yoruba religion, the Yemoja palette comes with a range of pigmented matte, shimmer and foiled shades, ideal to take you from desk to date.
Gorgeous on deep skin tones, these colours don’t only look great in the palette but are very rich once applied. For a glamorous night time look, build up a smoky eye with the dark browns and pack the shimmery gold Ogun shade over the top with lashings of mascara.
£29, Shop Here
ICONIC LONDON Day To Slay Eyeshadow Palette
The Day to Slay eyeshadow palette from Iconic London is serious eye candy in more ways than one. You’re not the only one guilty of buying something because the packaging is so pretty – we do it too, but with the Iconic London palette, it’s definitely worth it.
All in a golden-brown hue, this palette combines the right number of matte colours with a great selection of shimmers. The red undertones mean that the colours are flattering on deep skin tones as well as warm-tone medium skin. For an evening date, dust Merlot Monday’s all over the lid and using a pencil brush, take some under the lower lash line too. Intensify the outer corners of the lid with Deep Soul and take a little pop of VIP Vibes in the inner corners. Your date won’t be able to keep their eyes off you.
£45, Shop Here
JUVIA’S PLACE The Nubian Eyeshadow Palette
The Juvia’s Place Nubian Eyeshadow palette is the ultimate collection of neutral eye colours, amazing for creating subtle and natural looks. The four mattes and eight shimmers are all within the realms of brown so it’s a great starting point for eyeshadow beginners. The colours are all mix and match and designed for easy-blending.
We definitely need to give a shout out to the packaging on this one. The glorious Queen Nefertiti as the brand image was an idea that came from Juvia’s Place owner, Chichi Eburu, a Nigerian-born mother of two who founded the brand four years ago. Since then, it’s been a hit on Instagram with bloggers such as Bretman Rock and Jackie Aina loving the beautiful brand and fabulous quality.
£30, Shop Here
TOO FACED Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bar Eye Shadow Palette
As a cult-classic, Too Faced eyeshadows are always included in palette shortlists. The cruelty-free brand has just opened a store in London’s Carnaby Street and has recently brought out a new Chocolate Gold palette that has been a hit rival of Fenty Beauty’s Galaxy palette.
The Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bar, comprising 16 luscious shades, is a favourite among bloggers and beauty journos with its buttery consistency and easy-to-blend formulas. The colour pay-off of each shadow is consistently impressive and the shade selection is ideal for warm-toned skin and brown eyes.
The shadows are made with actual cocoa-powder which is antioxidant-rich and smells completely divine. What’s great about this palette is that it comes with a true black shade which is hard to find with a lot of brown palettes. Use a small amount on a precise brush to intensify your brown shadow, making sure to blend thoroughly.
£39, Shop Here
Makeup Revolution Re-Loaded Palette Iconic Division
This final palette screams value for money. If you know of anywhere else that you can get 15 shadows for £4, we repeat, £4, then please let us know! If you’re not looking to splurge on an eyeshadow or you’re practicing before the real thing, Makeup Revolution is a great place to begin. For an unbelievable price, these colours are pigmented and long-lasting.
Although the powder is not as finely milled as the other, more expensive palettes, this warm burnt shade collection will still do a good job. On a tapered blending brush. Use the dark teal on the outer half of your eyelid to create a smoky eye and bend in with the jade green over the remaining lid. Finish your look with a slick liquid liner and two to three coats of your favourite mascara.
£4, Shop Here
