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Writer's pictureEmilie Trepanier
Nov 3, 20195 min read

All 25 of My Eyeshadow Palettes. Ranked.



To say “I love eyeshadow palettes” is an understatement. Swatching a new palette full of buttery deliciousness causes my breath to catch and my heart to race. I haven’t bought a single eyeshadow since like, January, so, I’m aware that I’m set for life.


If you’re curious about Natasha Denona, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Colourpop and more… read on to see how a beauty fanatic ranks them in her current collection (with a quick why!).


Disclaimer: Aside from the last few, I keep my collection curated (haha… yeah…), so I really do love all of these palettes. They are my personal cream of the crop!

  1. Colourpop: Dream St X KathleenLights ($16)

This is a warm toned neutral palette with some cool toned options, taking you from day to night all for $16. It has the best brow bone highlighting shade on earth.


2. Anastasia Beverly Hills: Norvina ($42)


I recommend using a glitter glue for this one and being careful about packing too much pigment on as the shimmers are prone to revealing fine lines, but the mattes blend in two swipes or less. It will make green eyes POP.


3. Anastasia Beverly Hills: Sultry ($45)


The only neutral palette you will ever need, with glitters that can be built to wow or blended for subtlety. You also get the sickest silvery smoky eye imaginable out of this one.


4. Too Faced: Sweet Peach ($49)


A warm toned neutral palette that gives you endorphins every time you look at it because you know it smells like Sweet Peach paradise. Be red, be brown, be purple or be green. No matter what, you’ll be a peachy keen dream.


5. Too Faced: Chocolate Gold ($49)


An entirely glittery palette aside from three essential mattes that smells like chocolate? Gimme. You won’t need a glitter glue for these shimmers. Plus, it’s freaking cute. Yes… I had a little mishap and my palette fell from a high place… please don’t judge those broken shadows.


6. Natasha Denona: Sunset ($129)


I know, hi that’s a lot of money. At a different price, these would be much higher on the list. However, here is a video that breaks down price per pigment, revealing that Natasha Denona palettes actually contain more shadow than most brand’s palettes, evening out the price point. I’ve attached a screenshot from that video below. But yeah… $120 on one palette feels a bit like a trick.


This will make all your warm toned, summer dreams come true. With this much eyeshadow, you’ll never have to buy another palette again!


7. Natasha Denona: Gold ($129)


Yeah, we’ve been over the price point but I get that it never quite stops being shocking. There are also about three shades that are essentially the same in this one, but you can get that glowy Glossier eye with this or dramatic evening glam that blends effortlessly and lasts all night.


8. Colourpop: You Had Me at Hello (unavailable)


Ugh, I’m sorry to do this to you, especially if you have green or hazel eyes, but hopefully the tragedy that is this picture helps you feel a little better. This is a green eyed beauty’s idea of THE perfect neutral palette with buttery shimmers and all the mattes you could want for work or for play.


9. Too Faced: Just Peachy Mattes ($45)


Luxury packaging that looks stunning on display, warm toned mattes that smell like peaches and shadows that never seem to hit pan? A great companion palette for any makeup wearer’s collection.


10. Alamar Cosmetics: Reina Del Caribe V1 ($28)


Honestly some of the best eyeshadows I have EVER used, this palette just doesn’t offer too much versatility which is why it’s not higher than 10. Top 10 is still pretty good, though! For tropical vibes that last and truly unique greens and teals that bring out your inner mermaid… turn to this Cubana owned brand.


11. Marc Jacobs Beauty: Frost ($49.50)


The epitome of sleek empowerment. Take this on your next trip to Vegas for the sexiest smoky eye.


12. Marc Jacobs Beauty: Fantascene ($49.50)


For soft, bouncy shades of pink and one striking gold that work for springtime and beyond. I wouldn’t take this one on vacation, the soft shimmers might break and crumble… (RIP).


13. Violet Voss: Berry Burst Fun Sized Mini ($18)


Another warm toned berry palette perfect for on the go. These shadows are buildable and blendable without creasing all day long (probably the most crease proof shadows I own). My main issue is that it takes time to build up a look since the shadows are buildable VS immediately pigmented. There’s also not much versatility.


14. Urban Decay: Naked Heat ($50)


Naked Heat is the first of Urban Decay’s actually good eyeshadow formulas, in my opinion. Every look you create will be the same fiery statement, but every look will be stunning. I mostly recommend this to someone who wears reds and oranges frequently and only wants one eyeshadow palette, as this doesn’t offer much versatility.


15. Coloured Raine: Queen of Hearts ($42)


For a more glamorous and frankly better alternative to Anastasia Beverly Hill’s Modern Renaissance, check out this blend of purples and warm tones in a pretty package. Bonus: This is a black owned brand.


16. Colourpop: The Zodiac ($18)


Who doesn’t love astrology themed makeup that actually makes sense? Enjoy some pops of color to give you the option for more fun! Gemini and Pisces are coincidentally the most striking shades in the palette (mine and my husband’s signs XOXO).


17. Urban Decay: Elements (unavailable)


Sorry to do this to you again — this was a 2018 Holiday Exclusive. Other than some fun packaging and so-so shades with cool names, you’re not missing out on much.


18. Too Faced: Tickled Peach Mini (unavailable)


Eight beautiful warm tones inspired by their bigger Sweet Peach palette. Take this one on vacation for a perfect mini mirror and red, glistening shadows that smell divine… or not, because apparently it’s no longer being sold. Well, that sucks!


19. Natasha Denona: Mini Lila ($25 $12.50)


Itty bitty purples in a cute, snappy compact. You’ll need a glitter glue.


20. Natasha Denona: Mini Star ($25)


A green, a pink and a blue shimmer with some brown mattes. Dependable but not necessary. Get a glitter glue.


21. Too Faced: Chocolate Bar ($49)


TBH, a great palette; neutral tones are just not really my thang. Enjoy transition shades for lots of skin tones and some okay to great neutral shimmers… use a primer if you want them to last.


22. OFRA: Boho ($99)


The most impressive products in here are the face products, but OFRA does create some of the butteriest shimmers and mattes. However, that price point is outrageous (and a HUGE jump from what I spent and from its original $68 price) for a few full sized products and eight boring eyeshadow colors.


23. Anastasia Beverly Hills: Subculture ($42)


Not surprised to see this so close to the bottom? A color story built for autumn babes, with pigments that just fall off your eyes within minutes. Cube and Electric are rock hard with little to no pigment — and yes, this is the second, “good” batch.


24. Colourpop: Take Me Home (unavailable)


You’re not missing out. These are patchy and weird. Not Colourpop’s best formula. I keep it around for my go-to job interview look (and Heaven knows I’ve had a ton of those!).


25. Too Faced: White Peach ($45)


Unless you feel comfortable spending $45 for exactly one functional (and frankly, totally unique and absolutely gorgeous) shade, then don’t bother. The rest of the shades blend into nothing (on a pasty AF redhead, so…) Aforementioned shade is the pink one called “Glistening Peach.”


There you have it! Good luck out there and happy shopping!


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