The 15 Best Cheap Eye Shadow Palette for Bold (and Minimalist) Looks Throughout the Year in 2022

Nothing tugs at the heartstrings of beauty aficionados like the best cheap eyeshadow palette on the market when it comes to highly prized makeup drops. They’re pleasing to the sight, but they could even be described as pragmatic. (Don’t take my word for it; some are extremely travel-friendly and take up the least amount of room in your carry-on, all while offering a wide range of sparkly and matte colours.)

A decent eye shadow palette, on the other hand, is usually more of an investment purchase than a lipstick or eyeliner. When we look back at the best-selling, record-breaking palettes, the ones that came out on top are a lovely jumble of highly pigmented, extremely blendable bliss.

We’ve swatched every inch of the market to come up with our faves, including Maybelline New York’s iconic selection of warm neutrals, Urban Decay’s revitalised Naked Palette, Huda Beauty’s exquisite curation of rose golds, and Pat McGrath Labs’ luxury palette to end all luxury palettes. Prepare to add to your collection of makeup styles.

This will be a wonderful trip down memory lane for you if you’ve hit pan and repurchased one (or more) of the palettes below. If you’re new to cheap eyeshadow palettes and are feeling overwhelmed by the variety of colours, take a deep breath and relax; we’ve got you covered. These 15 cosmetic artist-approved palettes, which are available at our go-to retailers like Sephora, Ulta Beauty, and even Amazon, have snuck into our lives and rapidly rocketed to the top of our all-time faves, and you’re about to find out why.

Fade Into the Hue Palette by ColourPop

Colourpop’s Fade Into the Hue Palette has all the hues of the rainbow and more. Lucky Charm, Kaleidoscope, and Fantasyland are just a few of the super-saturated colours included in the Best of Beauty award. Whether you pick a dazzling metallic, a solid matte, or a combination of the two, one thing is certain: you’ll look fantastic.

Snap Shadows Mix & Match Eye Shadow Palette by Fenty Beauty

Fenty Beauty’s Snap Shadows Mix & Match Eye Shadow Palette is your go-to necessity no matter the season. These small, compact six-pan containers come in six colour palettes that can be used separately or snapped together to mix and match as desired.

True Neutrals is a favourite of Tobi Henney, a makeup artist based in New York City. “I love to apply the warm brown tone in the crease and then use the top right bronze tone all over the eye for the most beautiful bronzed eye look,” she says.

Maybelline New York is a cosmetics company based in New York City Mini Eyeshadow Palettes for the City

With Maybelline New York’s vivid and economical The City Mini Eye Shadow Palette, you can look beautiful on the go. “Diamond District is one of my faves because it features a couple of stunning neutrals…with a universal sheen that looks wonderful coupled with any colour and some exciting pops of colour to accentuate any look,” says makeup artist Amrita Mehta of New York City. This palette is versatile enough to be utilised for a subtle look or a dramatic smoky eye. “I enjoy applying the hues as a liner or for a gorgeous wash of colour with a wet angle brush,” Mehta says.

Prados is a Spanish word that means “beaut The Matriarch Eyeshadow Palette is a collection of eyeshadows created by the Matriarch.

The Matriarch cheap eyeshadow palette by Prados Beauty is truly wearable art. This palette, which includes 30 deep and colourful tones of pinks, blues, greens, and more, was created in collaboration with artist Steven Paul Judd. “It’s long-lasting, easy to apply, and offers a wonderful spectrum of hues,” says Los Angeles-based makeup artist Robin Black, “plus, you can feel good about supporting an inspiring brand.” What is the overall goal of Prados Beauty? To give back to other indigenous peoples.

Mario Master Mattes Eye Shadow Palette, Mario Master Mattes Eye Shadow Palette, Mario Master Mattes Eye Shadow Palette, Mario

The Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Eye Shadow Palette, according to Henney, “essentially covers any neutral tone you could need for an eye look,” making it a no-brainer choice for novices and experts alike. All 12 colours are simply buildable and blendable and were inspired by real skin tones that the brand tested on. These high-end powders have a light, creamy, and matte feel. “For a fairly basic every day or night look,” Henney says, “I prefer to do a wash of colour with one of the lighter hues and then enhance the crease and undereye area with a darker tone.”

The Bossy Cosmetics Style Meets Substance Eyeshadow Palette is a combination of style and substance.

“Move over, polite beige and ladylike mauve; the nine rich tones in this reasonably priced palette may be applied to create looks ranging from va-va-voom to boardroom,” Black explains. “These shadows layer easily and look great wet or dry.” Each colour in Bossy Cosmetics’ Style Meets Substance Eyeshadow Palette is named after a city rich with ambitious women around the world (such as Paris, Mumbai, and Cabo San Lucas).

Floral Eyeshadow Palette by Gucci Beauté des Yeux

This Gucci Beauté Des Yeux Floral Eyeshadow Palette also serves as opulent vanity decor. There are 12 highly pigmented, long-wearing colours in the floral design case, ranging from a demure matte taupe to a glam, dazzling purple. “It can be applied with your fingertips just as well as with a brush,” Black says. Make it your own by being inventive and experimenting with unusual pairings. After all, eye makeup should be enjoyable.

Melancholia Palette by Meera Beauty Co

According to Mehta, blue eye shadow is making a major resurgence right now, and Meera Beauty Co’s Melancholia Palette is ideal for achieving that look. “A blend of matte and shimmering colours that compliment every skin tone,” says Mehta of this 15-pan palette. “To create the traditional ’90s eye, I like to use these colours with a fluffy brush all over the lid, up towards the brow bone.”

This palette is dedicated to the toll the holidays may take on mental health and is inspired by seasonal blues. Regardless of the season, the cheery hues of Solace (bright blue), Siren (bright orange), and others may elicit positive feelings.

Tartelette 2 In Bloom Clay Eye Shadow Palette Tarte Tartelette 2 In Bloom Clay Eye Shadow Palette Tarte

Tarte’s In Bloom Clay cheap eyeshadow palette has 12 matte and sparkly neutral tones that may be used for both everyday looks and bolder or smokey themes. It received a Readers’ Choice Award in both 2020 and 2021 because it’s a surefire palette to have in your collection if you want to create a wide range of wearing eye looks.

Rosewood Neutrals Dior Backstage Cheap Eyeshadow Palette

Backstage Eye Shadow Palettes by Dior are a must-have for runway presentations and beauty editors’ collections. Rosewood Neutrals is a nine-shade palette that features muted pinks, plums, and neutrals in Dior’s soft and buttery consistency for long-lasting wear that blends seamlessly into your skin.

Warrior III Palette by Juvia’s Place

When you dip your finger into any Juvia’s Place eye makeup pallet, you’ll understand why editors and influencers love them. The Warrior III Palette features a rainbow of vibrant mattes in its popular high-pigment formula, allowing you to experiment with looks that are everything from subtle.

Bite-Size Eye Shadow Palettes by E.L.F. Cosmetics

There’s a reason E.L.F.’s super-affordable Bite-Size cheap eyeshadow palette went viral on TikTok there are several reasons. You may have one of eight distinct colour schemes for the few spare dollar bills in your pocket. You’ll receive full pigment and zero fallout regardless of whether you choose a neutral, vibrant pink, or subtle purple.

Allure Black Magic Color Palette by Uoma Beauty

The loosely pressed powders in Uoma Beauty’s Allure Black Magic Color Palette are richly pigmented while remaining simple to blend. Furthermore: Lady of Gold, a shade that appears white in the pan but turns into a light gold hue when applied, is a fascinating addition to this palette. (It could also be used as a beautiful highlighter.)

Modern Renaissance Eye Shadow Palette by Anastasia Beverly Hills

Anastasia Beverly Hills kicked off the rose-gold beauty trend with the release of its Modern Renaissance palette, which comprises 14 colours of rose gold and nude matte and metallic gorgeousness. Hello there, you minimalist beauty.

Do It For The Graham Palette At Beauty Bakerie

Beauty Bakerie’s Do It For The Graham Palette might give both if you love neutrals yet want a simple introduction to colourful eye shadows. The palette’s rich red, blue, brown, and gold tones deliver a punch in terms of pigment, yet the shades themselves are just muted enough for beginners to use.

Courtesy: Cheap Eyeshadow Palette