Eyeshadows are a versatile makeup product that can be used to enhance the beauty of the eyes in a number of ways. From simple stacking, to complex blending, eyeshadows can be used as an easy and quick way to change up your look. But with so many different shades, formulas, and brands out there, how do you know which ones are best for you? In this post we’ll go over all the different eyeshadows and help you find which ones are best for your needs.
Types of Eyeshadows
Below we have compiled a list of some of the most popular eyeshadow choices available today along with some helpful tips on how to use them best.
Powder Eyeshadows
This is one of the most common types of eyeshadows and can be used for a variety of applications. They come in many different shades, from neutral to vibrant, and are usually made up of a combination of shimmer and matte finishes. These can be easily applied with the help of brushes or fingers, as they are quite pigmented and do not feel too powdery on the skin.
The downside to using this type of eyeshadow is that it tends to crease if you have oily eyelids or if you constantly rub your eyes. If you are looking for something that will last all day, this may not be the best choice for you.
Cream Eyeshadows
These types of eyeshadows have a much softer texture than powder shadows and can easily blend in with your finger or a brush. They come in many different shades as well, but they are usually more translucent than other types of eyeshadows. This makes them perfect for creating natural looks that require minimal effort.
Cream eyeshadows can last for several hours if you don’t constantly rub your eyes or if you use primer beforehand. They are also very easy to remove with makeup removers and cleansing oils.
Matte Eyeshadows
These types of shadows have a soft finish that is neither matte nor shimmery. They come in many different shades but are usually neutral so they can be easily combined with other makeup products. They are great for creating dramatic looks as well, especially when paired with dark eyeliner or liquid lipsticks.
Matte eyeshadows are easy to apply and don’t feel chalky on the skin, which makes them a popular choice among many makeup enthusiasts.
Glitter Eyeshadows
These types of shadows are made up of shimmery or matte finishes and come in many different shades that range from neutral to vibrant. They can be used for both day and night looks, as they can either blend into your regular eye makeup, or stand out with some added sparkle. These have a high level of shine and are great for adding a bold, dramatic effect.
Top Eyeshadow Palettes
Here is a curated list of some of our favorite eyeshadows that can be used to create some amazing looks. The list is comprised of different eyeshadows that are easy to apply and you can take them with you while you are travelling. Some of our top picks include:
Urban Decay Naked Palette
The Urban Decay Naked Palette is a collection of 12 neutral eyeshadows with a mix of matte, satin, and shimmer finishes. The shades range from light, natural-looking colors to deeper, smokier tones. Some of the shades included in the palette are:
- Virgin (a pale, cool-toned beige with a matte finish)
- Sin (a champagne shimmer)
- Naked (a matte beige-brown)
- Sidecar (a sparkly beige-brown)
- Buck (a matte warm brown)
- Half Baked (a golden-bronze shimmer)
- Smog (a deep coppery bronze shimmer)
- Darkhorse (a deep, dark brown with a hint of shimmer)
- Toasted (a warm, reddish-brown with a gold shimmer)
- Hustle (a deep, cool-toned brown with a matte finish)
- Creep (a deep, charcoal gray with a hint of shimmer)
- Gunmetal (a dark gray with a silver shimmer)
The palette also comes with a dual-ended brush and a mirror, making it great for both at-home use and travel. The shades can be used to create a variety of looks, from natural, everyday looks to bold, smoky eyes.
Popular Looks
Some popular looks that can be created with the Urban Decay Naked Palette are:
The “Naked” look: a natural, everyday look that can be achieved by applying the shades Virgin, Sin, and Naked all over the lid, with a touch of Sidecar in the inner corner for a subtle highlight.
The “Smoky Eye” look: a classic smoky eye look can be achieved by applying Hustle or Creep all over the lid, then blending Smog or Darkhorse in the crease for depth.
The “Warm & Smokey” look: for a warm and smokey look, apply Half Baked all over the lid, then blend Buck in the crease and Toasted on the outer corner for a warm, bronzy finish.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette
The Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette is a collection of 14 warm-toned eyeshadows with a mix of matte, satin, and shimmer finishes. The shades range from warm beiges and pinks to deep reds and plums. Some of the shades included in the palette are:
- Tempera (a beige with a matte finish)
- Golden Ochre (a yellow-toned beige with a matte finish)
- Vermeer (a light pink with a iridescent finish)
- Buon Fresco (a lavender with a matte finish)
- Antique Bronze (a dark brown with a satin finish)
- Love Letter (a deep red with a matte finish)
- Cyprus Umber (a dark brown with a matte finish)
- Realgar (a bright orange-red with a matte finish)
- Burnt Orange (a deep orange with a matte finish)
- Venetian Red (a dark red with a matte finish)
- Warm Taupe (a light taupe with a matte finish)
- Red Ochre (a deep red-brown with a matte finish)
- Primavera (a gold-champagne with a shimmer finish)
- Red Earth (a deep terracotta with a matte finish)
The palette also comes with a dual-ended brush and a mirror, making it great for both at-home use and travel. The shades can be used to create a variety of looks, from natural, everyday looks to bold, smoky eyes.
Popular Looks
Some popular looks that can be created with the Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette are:
The “Warm Neutrals” look: a warm neutral look can be achieved by applying Golden Ochre all over the lid, then blending Warm Taupe in the crease and Tempera on the inner corner for a subtle highlight.
The “Smoky Eye” look: a classic smoky eye look can be achieved by applying Cyprus Umber or Red Earth all over the lid, then blending Burnt Orange or Red Ochre in the crease for depth.
The “Bold & Bright” look: for a bold and bright look, apply Realgar or Venetian Red all over the lid, then blend Buon Fresco on the crease and inner corner for a pop of color.
Huda Beauty Rose Gold Palette
The Huda Beauty Rose Gold Palette is a collection of 18 eyeshadows with a mix of matte, metallic, and pressed glitter finishes. The shades range from neutral pinks and beiges to bold purples and blues. Some of the shades included in the palette are:
- Bossy (a warm, matte beige)
- Maneater (a metallic copper)
- Flamingo (a matte pink)
- #Blessed (a metallic gold)
- Flawless (a matte peach)
- Shook (a metallic silver)
- Bikinibody (a matte light pink)
- Henna (a matte warm brown)
- Samantha (a metallic rose gold)
- Miami (a matte coral)
- Dollface (a matte baby pink)
- Shawty (a metallic pink)
- Baewatch (a matte red-orange)
- Ride or Die (a metallic purple)
- Faux Fur (a matte cool-toned brown)
- Gucci (a metallic blue)
- Trendsetter (a matte dark brown)
- Rose Gold (a pressed glitter pink)
The palette also comes with a large mirror and a dual-ended brush, making it great for both at-home use and travel. The shades can be used to create a variety of looks, from natural, everyday looks to bold, glittery eyes.
Popular Looks
Some popular looks that can be created with the Huda Beauty Rose Gold Palette are:
The “Rose Gold” look: a rose gold look can be achieved by applying Samantha or #Blessed all over the lid, then blending Flamingo or Bikinibody in the crease for a subtle pink touch.
The “Smoky Eye” look: a classic smoky eye look can be achieved by applying Faux Fur or Trendsetter all over the lid, then blending Henna or Baewatch in the crease for depth.
The “Bold & Glittery” look: for a bold and glittery look, apply Gucci or Ride or Die all over the lid, then blend Rose Gold on the inner corner or all over the lid for a glittery finish.
Tarte Tartelette In Bloom Clay Palette
The Tarte Tartelette In Bloom Clay Palette is a collection of 12 eyeshadows with a mix of matte and shimmer finishes. The shades range from warm, neutral tones to deeper, smokier shades. Some of the shades included in the palette are:
- Flower Child (a matte, warm-toned beige)
- Silly (a matte, cool-toned pink)
- Jetsetter (a matte, cool-toned taupe)
- Rocker (a shimmery, warm-toned bronze)
- Smokeshow (a matte, warm-toned brown)
- Firecracker (a matte, warm-toned orange)
- Activist (a matte, cool-toned plum)
- Funny Girl (a shimmery, cool-toned pink)
- Sweetheart (a shimmery, cool-toned peach)
- Rebel (a matte, cool-toned dark brown)
- Leader (a matte, cool-toned dark gray)
- Dreamer (a shimmery, warm-toned champagne)
The palette also comes with a mirror, making it great for both at-home use and travel. The shades can be used to create a variety of looks, from natural, everyday looks to bold, smoky eyes.
Popular Looks
Some popular looks that can be created with the Tarte Tartelette In Bloom Clay Palette are:
The “Warm & Neutral” look: a warm and neutral look can be achieved by applying Flower Child all over the lid, then blending Rocker in the crease and Jetsetter on the outer corner for a subtle taupe touch.
The “Smoky Eye” look: a classic smoky eye look can be achieved by applying Smokeshow or Rebel all over the lid, then blending Leader or Activist in the crease for depth.
The “Bright & Bold” look: for a bright and bold look, apply Firecracker all over the lid, then blend Sweetheart on the crease and Funny Girl on the inner corner for a pop of color.
Morphe Jaclyn Hill Palette
The Morphe Jaclyn Hill Palette is a collection of 35 eyeshadows with a mix of matte, metallic, and shimmer finishes. The shades range from neutral, warm tones to bold, bright colors. Some of the shades included in the palette are:
- Pooter (a matte, warm-toned beige)
- Chip (a matte, cool-toned taupe)
- Mocha (a matte, warm-toned brown)
- Pool Party (a shimmery, cool-toned teal)
- Cranapple (a shimmery, cool-toned red)
- Jada (a matte, warm-toned purple)
- Royalty (a metallic, cool-toned purple)
- Twerk (a matte, warm-toned peach)
- Hustle (a matte, cool-toned brown)
- Meeks (a shimmery, warm-toned brown)
- 24/7 (a matte, cool-toned dark brown)
- Roxy (a matte, warm-toned coral)
- Jacz (a metallic, warm-toned bronze)
- Buns (a matte, cool-toned dark brown)
The palette also comes with a large mirror and a dual-ended brush, making it great for both at-home use and travel. The shades can be used to create a variety of looks, from natural, everyday looks to bold, colorful eyes.
Popular Looks
Some popular looks that can be created with the Morphe Jaclyn Hill Palette are:
The “Neutral & Warm” look: a neutral and warm look can be achieved by applying Pooter all over the lid, then blending Mocha in the crease and Jacz on the outer corner for a subtle bronze touch.
The “Smoky Eye” look: a classic smoky eye look can be achieved by applying 24/7 or Buns all over the lid, then blending Hustle or Chip in the crease for depth.
The “Bright & Bold” look: for a bright and bold look, apply Pool Party all over the lid, then blend Cranapple on the crease and Royalty on the inner corner for a pop of color.
Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette
The Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette is a collection of 16 eyeshadows that are infused with cocoa powder and have a mix of matte, satin and shimmer finishes. The shades range from neutral, warm tones to bold, cool-toned shades. Some of the shades included in the palette are:
- Gilded Ganache (a shimmery, warm-toned brown)
- Milk Chocolate (a matte, warm-toned beige)
- Black Forrest Truffle (a shimmery, cool-toned black)
- Triple Fudge (a matte, cool-toned brown)
- Salted Caramel (a matte, warm-toned light brown)
- Marzipan (a matte, warm-toned pink)
- Semi-Sweet (a matte, warm-toned medium brown)
- Strawberries Cream (a matte, cool-toned pink)
- Candied Violet (a shimmery, cool-toned purple)
- Amaretto (a matte, warm-toned light brown)
- Hazelnut (a matte, warm-toned dark brown)
- Crème Brulee (a shimmery, warm-toned gold)
- Haute Chocolate (a matte, cool-toned dark brown)
- Cherry Cordial (a shimmery, cool-toned dark red)
- White Chocolate (a matte, cool-toned beige)
The palette also comes with a large mirror and a dual-ended brush, making it great for both at-home use and travel. The shades can be used to create a variety of looks, from natural, everyday looks to bold, smoky eyes.
Popular Looks
Some popular looks that can be created with the Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette are:
The “Warm & Neutral” look: a warm and neutral look can be achieved by applying Milk Chocolate all over the lid, then blending Semi-Sweet in the crease and Gilded Ganache on the outer corner for a subtle bronze touch.
The “Smoky Eye” look: a classic smoky eye look can be achieved by applying Haute Chocolate or Triple Fudge all over the lid, then blending Marzipan or Amaretto in the crease for depth.
The “Bright & Bold” look: for a bright and bold look, apply Strawberries Cream all over the lid, then blend Candied Violet on the crease and Black Forrest Truffle on the inner corner for a pop of color.
Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Palette in The Dolce Vita
The Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Palette in The Dolce Vita is a collection of four eyeshadows that are designed to create a classic, smoky eye look. The shades are:
- Prime: a matte, warm-toned beige shade that can be used as a base or to highlight the brow bone.
- Enhance: a matte, cool-toned taupe shade that can be used to add depth and definition to the crease.
- Smoke: a shimmery, cool-toned dark gray shade that can be used to add intensity to the crease and outer corner of the eye.
- Pop: a shimmery, cool-toned dark plum shade that can be used to add drama and intensity to the outer corner of the eye.
The palette comes in a sleek and compact case, making it great for both at-home use and travel. The shades are designed to be easy to blend, and the colors are highly pigmented and long-lasting.
Popular Looks
Some popular looks that can be created with the Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Palette in The Dolce Vita are:
The “Smoky Eye” look: a classic smoky eye look can be achieved by applying Prime all over the lid, then blending Enhance in the crease and Smoke on the outer corner for depth and intensity. Finish off the look by using Pop on the outer corner for a dramatic effect.
The “Smokey Plum” look: A smokey plum look can be achieved by applying Prime all over the lid and Enhance on the crease, then blending Pop on the outer corner of the eye, and Smoke to blend and add intensity.
The “Plum & Shimmer”: For a subtle plum and shimmer look, apply Prime all over the lid, then blend Enhance in the crease and Pop in the outer corner and inner corner of the eye for a pop of color.
How Eye Shadows Can Add to Your Beauty
Eyeshadows are a versatile makeup product that can be used to enhance the beauty of the eyes in a number of ways. Some of the ways eyeshadows can be used to enhance beauty include:
Enhancing the Natural Color of the Eyes
By choosing eyeshadows that complement the natural color of the eyes, it can make them appear more vibrant and striking. For example, blue eyes can be enhanced with shades of purple, while green eyes can be enhanced with shades of brown or bronze.
Creating Depth and Dimension
By applying a light eyeshadow to the inner corner of the eye and a darker shade to the outer corner, it can create the illusion of depth and dimension, making the eyes more attractive.
Defining the Eye Shape
By using eyeshadows to create the illusion of a crease or to contour the eyelids, it can help to define and enhance the shape of the eyes. For example, using a light eyeshadow on the brow bone can help to lift the eyes, while using a dark eyeshadow in the crease can help to create the illusion of a deeper set eye.
Creating a Specific Look
Eyeshadows can be used to create a variety of different looks, from natural and subtle to bold and dramatic. For example, a neutral eyeshadow look can be perfect for everyday wear, while a smokey eye look can be perfect for a night out or special occasion.
Enhancing the Overall Makeup Look
By using eyeshadows in conjunction with other makeup products, such as eyeliner and mascara, it can help to create a cohesive and polished overall look.
It’s also worth mentioning that makeup is a personal choice and every individual has different preferences. Some people like to wear minimal makeup while others like to experiment with bold and colorful looks, it’s all about experimenting and finding what makes you feel confident and beautiful.