Best Eyeshadows

What to Look for in Eye Shadow

Choosing the best eye shadow can elevate your makeup look and enhance your eyes—here’s what to keep in mind.

1. Pigmentation

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Highly pigmented eye shadows deliver vibrant color payoff with less product. Look for formulas that provide rich, true-to-pan shades for striking results.

2. Blendability

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A quality eye shadow should blend easily without patchiness or harsh lines. Creamy, finely-milled powders or smooth creams make application effortless and allow seamless transitions between colors.

3. Longevity

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Long-wearing formulas help your look last throughout the day or night. Consider eye shadows that are crease-resistant and offer extended wear, particularly if you have oily lids or need all-day performance.

4. Finish and Shade Range

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Eye shadows come in a variety of finishes, including matte, shimmer, satin, and metallic. Choose a palette or single shade that suits your style and complements your skin tone, whether you prefer subtle neutrals or bold statement colors.

  1. 1
    Eyelights Cream Eyeshadow

    RMS Beauty

    Eyelights Cream Eyeshadow

    $30
    2,854 REVIEWS
    Longwearing, crease-proof cream eyeshadows in six nourishing, metallic, buildable shades. 
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  2. 2
    PurePressed Eye Shadow Triple

    Jane Iredale

    PurePressed Eye Shadow Triple

    $38
    669 REVIEWS
    A carefully curated trio of complementary shadows that add depth and dimension with easy-to-create, nuanced looks. Gentle and safe for sensitive eyes. 
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  3. 3
    PurePressed Eye Shadow

    Jane Iredale

    PurePressed Eye Shadow

    $33
    416 REVIEWS
    A balanced selection of gorgeous neutral matte & shimmer shadows for all skin tones. Gentle & safe for sensitive eyes.
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  4. 4
    24 Hour Eye Shadow And Liner

    Trish McEvoy

    24 Hour Eye Shadow And Liner

    $34
    44 REVIEWS
    BestSeller
    A creamy shadow pen that doubles as liner for quick, polished eye looks. Blends seamlessly, builds easily, and sets to long-wearing, crease-proof color.
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  5. 5
    Eye Shadow Refill

    Trish McEvoy

    Eye Shadow Refill

    $20
    42 REVIEWS
    A silky, pigment-rich eye shadow with a creamy matte finish.
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  6. 6
    Prismatique Eyes

    Surratt

    Prismatique Eyes

    $58
    21 REVIEWS
    A unique double-decker eyeshadow that houses a water-resistant, matte cream shadow on top and a complementary duo-chrome powder shadow on the bottom to add a celestial twinkle to your eyes.
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  7. 7
    RealGlow Eye Illuminator

    Lune+Aster

    RealGlow Eye Illuminator

    $24
    8 REVIEWS
    Exclusive
    Universal, vegan champagne illuminator highlights to effortlessly emphasize eyes for a wide-eyed effect.
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  8. 8
    Curator Eyeshadow

    Hourglass

    Curator Eyeshadow

    $30
    8 REVIEWS
    A 100% vegan eyeshadow collection that allows you to curate your own customizable palettes with 40 pressed powder shades across 4 finishes.
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  9. 9
    Beyond Beige

    Surratt

    Beyond Beige

    $102
    3 REVIEWS
    These four essential powder shades (Satin Salmon, Greige, Cuivre, and Brun Noir) are coveted by makeup artists for their versatility.
    View full details

What to Look for in Eye Shadow

Choosing the best eye shadow can elevate your makeup look and enhance your eyes—here’s what to keep in mind.

1. Pigmentation

Citrus catapult arrow

Highly pigmented eye shadows deliver vibrant color payoff with less product. Look for formulas that provide rich, true-to-pan shades for striking results.

2. Blendability

Citrus catapult arrow

A quality eye shadow should blend easily without patchiness or harsh lines. Creamy, finely-milled powders or smooth creams make application effortless and allow seamless transitions between colors.

3. Longevity

Citrus catapult arrow

Long-wearing formulas help your look last throughout the day or night. Consider eye shadows that are crease-resistant and offer extended wear, particularly if you have oily lids or need all-day performance.

4. Finish and Shade Range

Citrus catapult arrow

Eye shadows come in a variety of finishes, including matte, shimmer, satin, and metallic. Choose a palette or single shade that suits your style and complements your skin tone, whether you prefer subtle neutrals or bold statement colors.

Looking for the perfect eyeshadow to elevate your makeup game? Look no further! Our curated list of the best eyeshadows is here to help you discover top-rated products that have been tried and loved by beauty enthusiasts like yourself. Whether you're into bold, vibrant hues or prefer a more subtle, natural look, our selection covers a wide range of shades and finishes. With user review ratings as the guiding factor, you can trust that these eyeshadows have garnered praise for their pigmentation, blendability, and lasting power. Find your new go-to eyeshadow and take your eye makeup to the next level with our expertly ranked collection.

FAQ

What types of eye shadow formulas are available? + -

Eye shadows come in various formulas, including powder, cream, liquid, and stick. Each offers a different finish and application method, allowing you to achieve looks ranging from subtle to bold.

How do I choose the best eye shadow colors for my eye color? + -

To enhance your natural eye color, select shades that contrast or complement it. For example, warm tones like copper and bronze suit blue eyes, purples and plums flatter green eyes, while earthy neutrals look great on brown eyes.

What is the difference between matte and shimmer eye shadows? + -

Matte eye shadows have a flat finish with no shine, ideal for creating depth or a natural look. Shimmer eye shadows contain light-reflecting particles that add sparkle and dimension to your eyes.

How can I make my eye shadow last longer throughout the day? + -

Using an eye primer before applying eye shadow helps prevent creasing and fading. Setting your look with a light dusting of translucent powder can also increase longevity.

Are there specific brushes or tools recommended for applying eye shadow? + -

Yes, using the right brushes can make a big difference. Flat brushes are great for packing color onto the lid, fluffy blending brushes help diffuse edges, and angled brushes work well for precise application along the lash line.