10 Best Colorful Eyeshadow Palettes in 2022 (Makeup Artist-Reviewed)
Are you looking to buy a new eyeshadow palette but don't even know where to start? With all the different shades and finishes that eyeshadows come in, it can be hard to know which is right for you. Whichever type of eyeshadow or shades you're looking for, we've got you covered with our 10 best colorful eyeshadow palettes.
Achieving beautiful colorful eyeshadow looks doesn't have to be difficult. Whether you're looking to create vibrant, bold looks, or maybe just everyday makeup looks, our 10 best list and buying guide will surely help you find what you're looking for. Our top pick for an eyeshadow palette is BH Cosmetics' Trendy in Tokyo. This palette comes with 16 bright beautiful matte and shimmer shades and is perfect for creating party looks. We also have nine other beautiful eyeshadow palettes to choose from, so scroll down and have a look at our 10 best list!
Quick List - Top Colorful Eyeshadow Palettes
Natalya is a professional makeup artist based in Los Angeles and has been trying new products to find what is best for each individual's skin tone and type. She is self-taught but wanted to further her education, and she went to a makeup school in Los Angeles to learn the ins and outs of makeup. She has tried many makeup brands and products and can proudly say she has found some of the best and longest-wearing products. As a freelance makeup artist, she wants her clients not to worry about their makeup not lasting as long as they need it to.
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
How to Choose a Colorful Eyeshadow Palette - Buying Guide
Eyeshadow palettes come in a wide range of shades and finishes. Some palettes are great for flashy looks and some are ideal for everyday makeup looks. To help you decide which eyeshadow is best for you, scroll down and have a look at our buying guide!
Choose Among Different Eyeshadow Types
Different palettes come with different types of eyeshadow finishes. Eyeshadow finishes range from matte to cream, so knowing which one is for you is the first step towards knowing which eyeshadow palette to buy.
Glitter Eyeshadow Is Fun and Flashy
Glitter eyeshadows come in all different colorful shades. You can expect to find different pinks, purples, blues, greens, and reds. Glitter eyeshadow can be worn for many events, but wearing glitter eyeshadow to parties is a great option.
Colorful glitter eyeshadow can be paired with both a neutral lip color or a bold color, too. If you're looking for a more balanced makeup look, consider pairing your bright colorful eyeshadow with a neutral color. For a more dramatic makeup look, you can pair your eyeshadow with any bright color lipstick of your choice.
Apply a shimmer directly on the lid. A shimmer is fun and flashy, which makes your eyes pop and sparkle. For blue eyes and blondes a gold shimmer or orange tone glitter on the inner corner and lid of the eye will only bring out the blue eyes.
You can easily glide glitter and blend softly to give you a smokey look. You can keep it subtle for the daytime and add a thicker product to make it extra glam for a night out. There are so many different shimmers and glitters to choose from as well as different colors. You can add shimmer anywhere on the eye and it will give an illusion that the eye is more open and awake.
Metallic Eyeshadow Is Bold
If you're searching for a bolder makeup look, consider using a metallic eyeshadow. Metallic eyeshadow is similar to glittery eyeshadow, except it has a more shimmery finish.
Wearing a colorful metallic eyeshadow can allow you to have a dramatic eye look because it is often bright and shiny. It can also be a great alternative if you find that your skin or eyes are sensitive to the particles in glitter eyeshadows.
This type of eyeshadow can be worn for everyday looks, but it is also ideal for parties. To pair to this type of eyeshadow, you should consider wearing neutral-colored lipstick. Wearing a subtle pink blush or light bronzer with metallic eyeshadow is also a great idea. A subtle makeup look draws more attention to your eyes.
Matte Eyeshadow Is Great for Everyday Looks
Matte eyeshadow is the most commonly used eyeshadow. Matte eyeshadow comes in the most color options, making it great if you're looking to create a lot of different makeup looks. It is also easy to use for beginners because matte eyeshadow can be easily blended.
Different makeup looks can be achieved with colorful matte eyeshadow. If you're trying to create a bold look, consider pairing your matte eyeshadow with a glittery or metallic one! This will give you a flashy, beautiful eye look. Also, try using a pink, red, or even orange blush and a bright red or pink lipstick for an overall dramatic, bold look.
If you're going for a more everyday look, pair your favorite eyeshadow shade with a neutral lipstick and a subtle colored blush or bronzer.
Cream Eyeshadow Helps With Dry Eyes
Cream eyeshadows are a great option if you have dry or sensitive eyes. This type of eyeshadow is generally made with coconut oil, beeswax, jojoba seed oil, or cocoa butter. These oils are great for keeping your eyelids hydrated throughout the day.
Cream eyeshadow is a bit harder to use if you're a beginner because it is thicker and more difficult to apply compared to powder eyeshadow.
Although cream eyeshadows are usually made in colorful options, finding a palette of cream eyeshadow may be hard. If you're unable to find a palette that has all of your cream eyeshadow needs, making your own set of colors is also an option too.
Choose a Wide Range or Go By Your Eye Color
Eyeshadow palettes are all made differently, so finding a palette with the colors you want is the most important part when shopping for a colorful eyeshadow palette. Most colorful palettes come with shades of each color, but some are made with only certain shades.
For color eyeshadow palettes, you want to look for palettes that have many pinks, reds, greens, yellows, blues, and purples. Some palettes also come with both matte and glitter eyeshadow finishes but most come with either one or the other. So, consider what type of eyeshadows you're going to need to be satisfied.
Some palettes offer instructions to help you know which shades to apply to different areas of your eyes. These instructions can help you know which shades to put on your brow bone, eyelids, and crease.
If you're still having trouble knowing which eyeshadow colors appeal most to you, consider choosing shades that would look great with your eye color. For blue eyes, great shades to use are blue or turquoise. These colors allow your eyes to appear brighter. For neutral shades, consider using orange shades or brown.
For green eyes, using a purple eyeshadow is a good idea, because it will make your eyes pop. Neutral colors that look good with green eyes are grays and tans.
Brown eyes look bright and beautiful with green or purple eyeshadow, because these colors are a great contrast to brown.
Most colorful eyeshadow palettes have shimmer shades and matte shades to choose from as well as many different colors to choose from. Having a palette with multiple colors makes it easy to match your makeup with what you're wearing. When there is a range to choose from, there are more options for you to match your blue dress with your blue eyeshadow.
When there are more shades options in a palette, there will most likely be options to create a smokey eye with the light to dark shades of the same color. Sometimes adding a pop of pastel pink with a little shimmer on the inner corner can add color to the face and make the eyes pop.
Different Eyeshadow Palettes Offer Different Things
When buying a palette, it's important to consider if you're getting everything you want out of your eyeshadow palette. Some eyeshadow palettes come with brushes for application. Palettes that come with brushes included make application easier for beginners because the type of brush needed is already included.
The most common is a brush with a sponge tip. This brush is usually used by beginners because it is easier to use than a bristle brush. Another type of brush is a double-sided one. One side of the brush can be used for application and the other side for blending. Double-sided brushes come in both sponge tips and bristle tips.
If you find that you're out of the house often or traveling, look into buying a palette that can be portable. A portable palette is just like a normal palette except it comes in a smaller case and can easily be stored in a purse, bag, or suitcase. Portable palettes also usually come with brushes and mirrors included for easy application wherever you are.
Another thing to consider when buying a palette is if the palette has all the different shade options you need. If you’re looking to create many different makeup looks, you'll want a variety. If you’re only interested in creating a few everyday makeup looks, consider buying a palette with only the shades that you really need.
10 Best Colorful Eyeshadow Palettes
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | BH Cosmetics Trendy in Tokyo | | Palette With Bright Flashy Shades | |
2 | Morphe Morphe X Avani Gregg For The Bebs Artistry Palette | | Versatile Eyeshadow Palette | |
3 | Wet n Wild Color Icon | | Eyeshadow Palette for Everyday Looks | |
4 | Myuango Beauty Glazed Color Board | | Eyeshadow Palette for Any Occasion | |
5 | Make Up For Ever Flash Color Palette｜Artistic Palette | | Cream Eyeshadow for Dry Eyes | |
6 | Makeup By Mario Master Metals Eyeshadow Palette | | Metallic Shades for Dramatic Looks | |
7 | Aolailiya Pressed Glitter Eyeshadow Palette | | Bold Glittery Shades | |
8 | ColourPop Ooh La La! Shadow Palette | | Monochromatic Eyeshadow Shades | |
9 | Ace Beaute Oceanic Palette | | Bold Shades of Blue | |
10 | Airblasters Gaga Professional 252 Color Makeup Palette | | Eyeshadow Palette With Endless Shade Options |
Palette With Bright Flashy Shades
This palette comes with 16 different bright shades. This eyeshadow palette is ideal if you're looking to create many colorful eyeshadow looks. It also comes with both matte and shimmer choices.
If you struggle with sensitive or dry eyes, this would be a good palette to consider, because along with being vegan, this palette is also cruelty-free and free from fragrance, mineral oil, and sulfates.
Some reviewers found that the shades weren't as pigmented as they'd hoped. But most users of this palette say that it makes their eyes pop and the shades are very vibrant. Other reviewers say that there's little to no fallout and that a little bit goes a long way with this eyeshadow.
MorpheMorphe X Avani Gregg For The Bebs Artistry Palette
Versatile Eyeshadow Palette
If you're looking to create both everyday eyeshadow looks and party looks, this is a palette to consider. It comes with 20 different shades for the eyes or face and 10 liners, ranging from colorful to neutral. It also comes with matte, glitter, and shimmer finishes.
Some reviewers of this product were not impressed with the liners, but most say that the shades are very pigmented and easy to apply and blend. Many reviewers also say that the colors in this palette are great for creating creative, colorful makeup looks.
Eyeshadow Palette for Everyday Looks
For creating an everyday makeup look, this is a great palette to consider buying. It comes with 32 different neutral and subtle colorful shades. This palette also comes with both matte and shimmer finishes, making it great for creating many different looks. It is also cruelty-free.
Some reviewers of this palette claim that there is a lot of fallout when applying the eyeshadow, but that when applied, the eyeshadow also lasts all day. Many reviewers also say that the shades are smooth and pigmented.
Eyeshadow Palette for Any Occasion
This palette comes with 60 different vibrant shades and has matte, metallic, and glitter finishes. This palette is ideal for creating an eye makeup look for any occasion. The shades in this palette are waterproof, long-lasting, and cruelty-free.
A few reviewers found some shades irritated their eyes. But most people who have bought this palette say that the shades are very pigmented and great for beginners. Some users also claim that this palette is easy to travel with because all the palettes are connected. Many reviewers say that the eyeshadow is creamy and smooth too.
Make Up For EverFlash Color Palette ｜ Artistic Palette
Cream Eyeshadow for Dry Eyes
If you're looking for an eyeshadow palette with bright shades that also doesn't dry out your eyelids, this is a good palette to consider buying. It comes with 12 different colorful shades. The shades in this palette are made with beeswax, making it great for dry, sensitive eyes.
This palette is also very versatile. It can be used for lip shades, eyeshadow, blush, and more. The formula of this eyeshadow is thick and blendable, so it is easy to create many different makeup looks.
Some users of this palette say that even though it is very versatile, it doesn't last that long when wearing. Many other reviewers say that this palette is perfect for anyone looking to create creative makeup looks.
Metallic Shades for Dramatic Looks
This eyeshadow palette comes with five metallic shades. It also comes with a brush and mirror for easy application on the go. The eyeshadows in this palette are vegan, cruelty-free, and free from parabens.
Reviewers of this palette say you should purchase the mixing liquid to go along with it for best results, but that the eyeshadow is very long-lasting, even while working all day. Many users also say that the shades are intense and pigmented. Some say that the eyeshadow is super creamy too.
Bold Glittery Shades
This palette comes with 24 different glittery shades, ideal for parties or special occasions. The glitter in this palette is made not to irritate your skin and is easy to remove. It is vegan and cruelty-free. When applying this eyeshadow, it is important to use a primer beforehand to avoid fallout into your eyes.
Reviewers of this product say that the eyeshadow can be hard to apply smoothly, as the glitter pieces are big. Other users say that the eyeshadow lasts all day until washed off. Some people also claim that the eyeshadow is smooth and not grainy when applying.
Monochromatic Eyeshadow Shades
This eyeshadow palette comes with nine different shades of pink. This palette is great for creating bright monochromatic looks. It can be used as an eyeshadow, blush, or lipstick. It is also cruelty-free.
People who have purchased this palette say that the shades are very vibrant and pigmented. They also say that it is really easy to blend and create different looks. Other users say that this eyeshadow stays in place and doesn't wear off quickly.
Bold Shades of Blue
This palette is a great palette to consider if you're looking to create more bold looks. This palette is also an ideal palette for anyone with blue or brown eyes because the shades will definitely make your eyes pop! It comes with both matte and metallic shades, so creating different eyeshadow looks is easy.
Many reviewers of this eyeshadow palette say that the pigmentation of the shades is amazing and that the applied colors look like they do on the site. People also say that the eyeshadow stays in place for hours, and it is easily blendable.
Eyeshadow Palette With Endless Shade Options
If you're looking for a palette that has every shade you could ever need, this is definitely one to consider. It comes with 252 shades ranging from bright colors to neutrals. It also comes with matte and shimmer eyeshadow finishes.
People who have used this eyeshadow palette say that it is great for beginners, and fun to try different looks with, but some think it's best for experimentation over everyday use. Many people also say that the colors go on well. Others say that the shades are very pigmented, too.
Natalya's Recommended Colorful Eyeshadow Palette
Any eyeshadow palette by Juvia's Place is a great option for colors. When I first started playing with colors, the first palette I experimented with was a colorful palette by this company. They have so many palettes to choose from it can be hard to pick just the right one!
Each shade has a lot of product and will last you a long time in your kit. These colors blend and apply so beautifully. It is a great first color eyeshadow palette to play with when first starting off with creating colorful looks. The pigment is rich and applies so smoothly over the skin. Very little fall out and lasts all day on the eye.
Frequently Asked Questions
In addition to checking our buying guide for accuracy, Natalya took the time to answer some commonly asked questions about colorful eyeshadow palettes.
How do I apply colorful eyeshadow?
"The best way to prep the eye for a colorful look would be to prime it with concealer or an eyeshadow primer. Applying a primer to the lid before any shadow will make the colors last and appear more vibrant. A primer will make the eyeshadow apply smoothly and make it easier to blend," Natalya explains.
She continues, "After applying the primer or concealer, go in with a matte skin tone shade to set the primer and create a powder base for the shadows to smoothly blend over. Colorful eyeshadows can tend to have fall out and be very pigmented, so be sure to take any excess product off before applying to the eye. Packing the product on the eye first will be the easiest way to place the color on the focused area and blend outward to create a smooth smokey eye."
What are some good colorful eyeshadow ideas for beginners?
Natalya reassures us, "Makeup is just makeup and can easily be washed off. There is no reason to worry about what everyone thinks of what eyeshadow look you are wearing. Makeup is to experiment and play with to make us feel better. Applying color to the eye is fun and eye catching."
She says, "Know what colors blend best together without looking muddy. Bright, warm and yellow tones blend into orange and red. Red blends into pink and purple. The cooler tones are blues, greens and purples. Purples blend into blue and blue blends well with green. If you overblend colors together they can look muddy on the eye and not blend seamlessly. Mix colors that are close to eachother on the color wheel and try to stay away from blending blues and oranges together.
You can easily create a sunset eye look with yellow, orange, and red colors and you can easily create a mermaid blue purple look with or without shimmers. Keeping the lighter colors on the inner corner will open the eye up and the darker colors on the crease shape the eye. Don't stress any makeup look. If you are trying something new, take your time and have fun with it. It's a learning experience and practice makes perfect," she points out.
More Options for Eyeshadows!
Still looking for more eyeshadow? Here are some other options to take a look at, so you can try all different makeup looks!
Top 5 Colorful Eyeshadow Palettes
No. 1: BH Cosmetics｜Trendy in Tokyo
No. 2: Morphe｜Morphe X Avani Gregg For The Bebs Artistry Palette
No. 3: Wet n Wild｜Color Icon
No. 4: Myuango｜Beauty Glazed Color Board
No. 5: Make Up For Ever｜Flash Color Palette｜Artistic Palette
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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