Eyeshadow palettes are so addicting. I have an overwhelming amount and it's really not necessary, but makeup brands just keep coming out with them. Then your favorite beauty gurus do tutorials and you're like I need this! When it comes to eyeshadow palettes, I care most about blendability and color pay off. I'd rather have to build color up a bit then have too much pigment and have the shadows be hard to blend. A shadow that is patchy and hard to blend is never fun and definitely not a good look.
All of the palettes below perform really well, have beautiful colors and can be used to create many looks. I'm also not going to include any limited edition palettes because that seems mean (RIP Tarte Clay Play Volume 1). As you will see, I also like palettes that are good to travel with (sturdy packaging, a mirror, have all the colors you would need). These are listed in the order that I love them (Soft Glam being my all time favorite).
1. Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Palette/Modern Renaissance
This palette is pretty much perfection. I honestly never thought anything could replace my Anastasia Modern Renaissance Palette, but I think this may have. It pains me a little to say that though which is why MR is included in this blog. When I first saw Soft Glam I was kind of like been there, seen that, I'm bored. However, I started seeing all of the beautiful looks Influencers were creating and how much they were loving it. It really is just the perfect palette and I find this is the palette I reach for on the daily and take traveling with me. It's beautiful for brides, for everyday and the office, but you can definitely smoke it out for night time. That said, there will always be a very special place in my heart for Modern Renaissance and I highly recommend that one as well, especially if you like berry tones and oranges. Although there are some duplicate shades, I give you permission to get both!
2. Huda Beauty Desert Dusk Palette
This palette is just so special and beautiful. Reds, Oranges and Purples oh my! There's also a variety of formulas, some mattes, shimmers, toppers and even a pressed glitter. You can create really fun and dramatic looks, but also neutral wearable looks. I honestly didn't think I'd love it as much as I do, but I really, really love this palette. If you don't love the color story or the high price point, I'd also recommend Huda Beauty's mini obsession palettes. They come in a variety of colors, are easy to work with, great for travel and just really pretty.
3. Dominique Cosmetics Latte Palette
This is another palette that isn't necessarily the most groundbreaking or unique, but it's just good. The shadows are so creamy. I love that you can use vanilla cream to brighten your under eyes in addition to using it as a shadow. I love that it's mostly matte shades, but the three shimmer shades are gorgeous. The two pops of color are perfect. This is another palette that never fails me.
4. Urban Decay Born to Run Palette
This palette was actually created with a traveler in mind. I say this like I'm a huge traveler and I'm really not, but I still like my all in one palettes. The shades in Born to Run are so stunning and rich. They are kind of fall/grunge like, which I am all about. They are also easy to work with.
5. Morphe X Jaclyn Hill Palette
This is definitely one of my go to palettes. Jaclyn really killed it with this one. There are so many transition shades, the beautiful warm tones we all love so much and stunning pops of color. I also love the highlight shades. I'm not going to lie, I really don't typically like Morphe's eyeshadows, but this palette is blend able, pigmented and the amount of shades you get for the price point really can't be beat. PS please do not confuse this with her new Vault Palettes. The formula is not the same. I'm a professionally trained makup artist and I find them really patchy, hard to blend and not pigmented. Stick with the original!
6. The Persona Identity Palette
This palette is my new obsession. The quality is so good and the price is so reasonable. I really love that you have warm and cool tones in the palette. The bronze shades, the plum shades, you can create so many amazing looks with this palette. I'd highly recommend.
Honorable Mentions: Dose of Colors 5 pan palettes
From mauves and berries, to brown and sienna's these little palettes are amazing. There are only 5 shades in each (you probably gathered that from the heading), but they are just so beautiful and easy to work with. They are all matte shades, which I happen to love, but if you like pops of shimmer then you would need to reach for another palette. They are super sleek and compact, which makes them perfect for traveling and the brush that comes inside is actually really good.
Juvias Place: I'm just going to say Juvias Place palettes in general (my personal favorite is the Douce, but i think the Masquerade is the most bang for your buck). The formula of these palettes is phenomenal and the price is even better. If you are looking to play with fun pops of color, definitely check out Juvias Place!
Colorpop Palettes: Again, I'm listing this as a whole because Colorpop has so many palettes and they keep coming out with more. They are another brand that boggles my mind with amazing quality pressed shadows at a low price. My personal favorites are the Kathleen Lights Dream Street Palette and the Yes Please Palette, but that's really just based on preference.
Glitter Shadows
These are not palettes, but i feel like I have to mention them especially if you like glitters. They are all pretty pricey, especially for one eye color but they are just special and take any eye look to the next level. My all time fave are the Hourglass glimmer veils. They make your eyes look wet and sparkly and so stunning. If you are looking for a slightly less expensive version, I also love the tarte chrome pots. They are slightly more pigmented/glittery as opposed to wet looking, but absolutely gorgeous nonetheless. And finally, the Stila Magnificent Metals. Not only are all of these so beautiful on the eyes, they are so easy to work with, they last all day and you don't need any glitter glue!
