The Best Eyeshadow Palettes for a Bright, Sparkling Holiday Season

The greatest Cheap Eyeshadow Palette may feel like they belong on a Friday night out, but with nights out becoming increasingly scarce (winter is approaching! ), it’s time to let those bright, glittery colors shine during the day. The correct palette is a definite way to enhance your mood this winter and beyond, whether you’re treating yourself to a burst of color above the mask for a supermarket run or introducing some vibrance to your next Zoom meeting.

“I love eye shadow palettes because just looking at the colors when I put up my kit always brightens my emotions,” admits celebrity makeup artist Ashunta Sheriff. “I may not be able to use that bright neon orange eye shadow, but I religiously keep that neon Cheap Eyeshadow Palette out in the hopes of one day being able to use it.” Colors are linked to our energy, and bright colors instantly elevate our spirits and affect our energy.

We’ve picked up celebrity makeup artist favourites and best-sellers to assist you in your hunt for the best eyeshadow palettes.

For Holiday Glam

Soft glam is almost synonymous with the holidays, and no look is complete without a glittery palette. (Plus, they make excellent gifts.) Ammy Drammeh, a London-based makeup artist whose clients include Michaela Coel, Harry Styles, and Adut Akech, prefers the Dior Backstage Eye palette. “It’s become a must-have in my toolbox.” They feature a high pigment content, a matte and shimmering finish, and neutral hues. “Perfect for a relaxed or glam appearance.”

Are there any other palettes you should consider adding to your rotation? Milani’s Gilded Nude Palette and Hourglass’ Curated 5-Pan Palette in Desert Earth.

For Supercharged Color

“The colors are super charged with pigment and the unique duo chrome shades have a lot going for them,” Michael Anthony (who’s worked with stars like Ariana Grande and Paris Hilton) says of the NikkiTutorials x Beauty Bay palette. “They twinkle like refined glitter and go on like a silky cream to powder formula!” This palette’s multifunctional appeal is also noted by Anthony: “I’ve used these to highlight the cheekbones and brow bones, and I love how semi-transparent they are, which makes layering them so much fun,” he says. “I appreciate that they aren’t just for the eyes.”

It wouldn’t hurt to add ABH’s Norvina Pro Pigment Palette and Juvia’s Place The Zulu Eyeshadow Palette to your collection if you believe in going bold or keeping at home.

For the Minimalist at Heart

Remi Odunsi is a self-described minimalist who has done cosmetics for Raveena and Ziwe. “Anything with both matte and shimmering hues that also add some pops of color,” she explains, “is my criteria for a successful palette.” Her favorite Cheap Eyeshadow Palette is the Amrezzy, which has a wide range of warm tones and can be used wet or dry. “To avoid fallout, apply this one before makeup or wipe your face with a kleenex,” she suggests.

Glossier’s new Monochromes Trio is ultra basic and sleek, with all of your matte and shimmer requirements covered in a case that’s perfect for on-the-go touch ups, while BareMinerals’ Mineralist Sunlit Palette has all of the shadows you’ll need to give natural-looking depth to your eye.

For Earth Tones That Pop

“What I like about the shadows is how simply they apply with a makeup brush. This can be noticed in the eyeshadow’s pigmentation, which makes the eye pop! Erika La Pearl, who can’t get enough of Mothership Mega: Celestial Divinity Palette, adds, “This is also true when combining colors, whether a smokey eye or building on three or more brilliant colors.” “Pat McGrath offers a wide range of palettes with amazing colors that complement and enhance one other. The packaging and quality are also what attracts and holds your attention. You want to give it your all while still making the customer appear ‘glamorous For Earth Tones That Pop.'”

Ciara’s make-up artist, Yolonda Frederick, agrees with similar ideas. “Reflective shadows are one of my favorite effects. Mothership Mega: Celestial Divinity by Pat McGrath Labs is a gorgeous collection of shimmering shadows with two or three contrasting matte shades. These luminous shadows have a buttery feel and a rich pigmentation for a silky smooth application. This is without a doubt one of my favorite and most adaptable palettes.”

Other palettes worth the investment? YSL’s Couture Clutch Palette and Valentino’s Color-Flip Multi-Look Palette.

For the All-In-One

“They come in all sorts of color combinations, from neutral to bright to pastel colors, with 16 shades in each compact,” says Bob Scott, who collaborates with designers Aurora James and Padma Lakshmi, among others. The color payoff is fantastic, and the recipe is simple to work with.”

Scott has recently become a fan of the Nars Climax Extreme Palette because of its versatility. “Its range of hues can be used for daytime, midnight, natural, or deep and smokey looks on anyone.” Beauty Bay’s Bright 42 Color Palette and Morphe’s 35M Boss Mood Artistry Palette are two other palettes that will cover any eye look you can think of.

For the Avant-Garde

Marcelo Gutierrez, the go-to makeup artist for Christopher John Rogers’ shows, says his most-used palette is the Pat McGrath Labs Mothership III. “I’m a huge fan of Pat McGrath’s eye shadow palettes. They are definitely worth the money! The colors are one-of-a-kind, pigment-rich, and simple to apply, and she has some of the most unusual finishes that have become synonymous with the brand.”

For Day-to-Night Wear

Delina Medhin, who has collaborated with Issa Rae, says she likes Haus Laboratories’ Stupid Love Eyeshadow because “it includes colours in makeup for both everyday and fun, so you can have fun with it but also do everyday glam.” The Nars Voyageur Cheap Eyeshadow Palette and Urban Decay’s Naked2 Basics are two other options for a splash of everyday glitter.

For Those Who Favor a Cult Fave

The Lorac Pro Palette is a “oldie but goodie,” according to Odunsi, who also praises the brand’s choices for “going on smooth, having fantastic pigment, and not leaving a lot of fall out.” The Original Pro Palette (#1) is a great cool-toned eye palette, especially if you prefer muted hues and a relaxed attitude. This one comes in a variety of colors, including shimmer, matte, and muted. Solid for a laid-back slay!” The legendary Urban Decay Naked Palette (now Reloaded) and Charlotte Tilbury’s Starry Eyes To Hypnotize Palette are two more cult favorites you’ve probably seen in tutorials.